How To Manage a Potential TikTok Ban
If you've checked the news lately, you have likely heard of the ongoing investigation into TikTok in the United States, due to concerns about privacy and security. As social media managers and/or business owners who use the app, and as frequent personal bingers...this situation can cause a lot of uncertainty!
Currently, more Americans favor the ban of the app, but it's still unsure what direction the situation will take. You've probably experienced questions from clients, questions from your communities and network, or even some questions yourself (us too, don't worry). Regardless of the outcome, it is important to consider the potential consequences of a TikTok ban and have a plan in place to mitigate any negative impact.
Check out these steps you can take to manage a potential TikTok ban as an SMM:
Monitor the situation: Keep an eye on the news and updates regarding the potential TikTok ban. This will help you stay informed about the latest developments and make informed decisions. Join newsletters, research, and stay on top of it.
Diversify your presence: Now is the perfect opportunity to strengthen your presence on multiple social media platforms. This will help you maintain your brand's social media presence in case TikTok is banned. Let your TikTok audience know where they can find you in case of this situation, make efforts into building an audience in multiple places, but also be mindful of getting on the RIGHT platforms for your audience. TikTokers are likely probably not going to suddenly go back to Facebook due to the age demographic, but they might be on Instagram, as it has similar features and demographics. Think about going beyond socials, too, like encouraging them to join your email newsletter or mailing list!
Create TikTok-like content on other platforms: Consider creating short-form videos on other platforms like Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts that are similar in style and format to your TikTok content. This will help you maintain your brand's social media presence and keep your followers engaged. If you found a love for short-form videos, there are other platforms that allow for this that you can use instead of getting rid of it completely.
Stay Consistent: Don't ghost your followers because of the uncertainty. As weird as it can feel to continue on per usual, it's likely the best method for this situation. There is also a chance that the ban won't go through, so we want to be sure to not just forget about it all together.
Communicate: We are all in the same boat here, don't be afraid to discuss the struggles you're having with this situation! Since everything is up in the air, it creates a lot of underlying stress for all of us. Join our Facebook group to vent and ask questions!
If you're a social media manager, also ensure to:
Diversify your services (if you're an SMM): If you're a social media manager specializing in TikTok, create a plan to diversify your services if you need to make a sudden pivot. What shifts could you make to focus on a new signature service? What platforms could you replace it with? Could this also be an opportunity to scale client relationship to another platform? How would you restructure your packages for current clients if you need to?
Communicate this with clients: If you have current clients on your TikTok packages, make sure you are communicating with them frequently with any updates so they don't feel in the dark about the situation. They likely don't follow social media news in the same way we do, so we want to be sure they know everything they need to feel informed.
Overall, the key to managing a potential TikTok ban is to stay informed, be prepared, and diversify! By taking these steps, you can help your brand maintain its social media presence and continue to engage with your followers, regardless of what happens with TikTok.
