Content creators and influencers must decide what to do with the looming TikTok ban. As a TikTok creator myself, TikTok represents my second biggest social media platform. With 29,000+ followers, it has also helped me secure and increase brand deals.
TikTok is just a few days away from the official January 19th ban. On Wednesday, December 18th, the Supreme Court agreed to hear TikTok’s appeal. On January 10th, the Supreme Court heard TikTok’s arguments. TikTok challenged that the ban infringes on the free speech rights of 170 million Americans on the platform, as stated by NBC News. After the hearing, the U.S. Supreme Court signaled that it would uphold the TikTok ban.
Here are five things content creators can do with the looming TikTok ban:
1. Start To Invest In Other Social Media Platforms.
While TikTok continues to try to fight in the U.S. court system, creators should strongly consider developing other platforms. Many different platforms have short-form video content, such as TikTok. Content creators today can look at starting their accounts and growing their communities on:
- YouTube or YouTube Shorts.
- Snapchat
2. Invest In Creator-Owned Media Channels.
Seasoned influencers and content creators still remember when Vine, FourSquare, and even Tumblr either disappeared or became less relevant platforms.
Content creators in 2025 should continue cultivating their owned channels – their email subscribers, newsletters, blogs or websites, and podcasts. By owning your own media channels, you won’t be subject to the ebbs and flows of social media algorithms.
3. Let Your Community On TikTok Know Where To Find You.
If you’re a content creator with an engaged community on TikTok, start to let your followers know where to connect with you.
I recently connected with Gabby from @packslight and asked her how she’s prepared for the potential TikTok ban.
Gabby: While I have over 300,000 followers on TikTok, I’ve been focused on converting my audience to my email newsletter. I’ve also been focused on diversifying my platforms and am working on launching my app SeekPTO in January 2025.
4. Save Your TikTok Videos And Repurpose Them On Other Social Media Channels.
TikTok recently updated its software to allow users to download videos without the watermark. Content creators should download all their videos and consider reposting them on their other social media channels.
I spoke with Tori from @HerFirst100K who also has 2.4 million followers on TikTok. She shared what her team was doing before the official TikTok ban:
Tori: My team is pulling every video I’ve ever made on TikTok off TikTok. I have a team member dedicated to downloading all my videos this month.
My team is also taking screenshots of all our metrics – including previous brand campaigns, demographics, likes, saves, engagement rates per post, and more. We intend to save this information (evidence) and pitch it to future brands.
Additionally, we are continuing to nurture our existing audience, reintroducing ourselves and providing value to them. Lastly, I’m posting all my drafts on TikTok.
5. Continue To Post On TikTok
TikTok is still up and available for use in the United States until January 19th. Content creators whose primary or secondary platform is TikTok can choose to continue creating content on the app.
Influencers, small business owners, athletes, chefs, and other content creators can still capitalize on their established platforms even if TikTok is pulled from the app stores.