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Editor’s note: I know we just sent out our newsletter yesterday but the breaking news that the Tik Tok ban will not be postponed is huge. It means that you all have less than a month to take action if this impacts you in any way. I will also say that even if you do not have a Tik Tok, the insights here are valuable for all creators as we all should be looking to protect our brands.

Imagine This: 

You’ve built a thriving community on TikTok; an audience that laughs at your jokes, shares your insights, and roots for your growth. It’s not just numbers on a screen; it’s connection. Now, picture waking up on January 19th to find TikTok is gone from app stores, and updates have stopped. No new uploads, no more reach, and eventually, no functioning app. All that hard work? It feels like it could vanish overnight, not to mention the financial flow this generates.

Scary, right? But here’s the thing: this is your chance to future-proof your brand and take control of your audience—algorithm-free. Because building your empire on rented land (like TikTok or any other platform) is risky, and this moment is your wake-up call to diversify. Let’s talk about what you can do, starting today, to ensure your creative career doesn’t skip a beat.

Why This Is Happening

The U.S. government’s concerns about TikTok revolve around national security. ByteDance, TikTok’s Beijing-based parent company, has been asked to sell its U.S. operations to a non-Chinese entity or face a ban. While appeals and potential extensions are still in play, experts suggest the ban is likely to move forward. This means TikTok could become unusable over time. And let’s face it, even if TikTok somehow survives, the uncertainty alone is a sign to prepare.

Think of Vine. It’s a textbook case. When Vine shut down, creators who didn’t establish a presence elsewhere were left scrambling. On the other hand, creators like Liza Koshy and King Bach transitioned smoothly to other platforms because they’d already diversified.

This isn’t about panic; it’s about strategy.

Because You’re Bigger Than an App

Platforms come and go. Remember Vine? or when MySpace was the place to be? Or when Instagram felt like a photography-only space? What remains constant is your ability to create and connect. You’re not just a TikTok creator. You’re a storyteller, an educator, an entertainer—a brand.

And brands don’t disappear when a platform does.

I am gonna teach you how to survive this but before you get started…

Protect Your TikTok Campaigns

If you’ve already secured brand deals tied to TikTok, don’t panic. Many brands understand that this uncertainty is affecting everyone.

 Be proactive: reach out to your partners to discuss shifting the campaign to other platforms. Offer to adjust deliverables; like creating Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, or long-form video content, to ensure the campaign’s success. Adding a little extra value, like bonus posts or behind-the-scenes content, can go a long way in maintaining these partnerships. Most importantly, communicate openly; brands may be more flexible than you expect as they’re navigating this disruption, too.

Pro Tip: Frame this as an opportunity for the brand to reach audiences across multiple platforms, which can actually amplify their message beyond TikTok alone.

Now let’s get to my survival guide…