I’m sure you’ve heard by now about Congress’ latest attempt to ban TikTok. 

This news has led a lot of creative entrepreneurs and creators to worry about whether or not to invest time in the platform or to just stop posting on TikTok altogether. At least I’ve thought about this. 

While I certainly understand being scared to invest any time or resources into a platform that may be gone in a few months. The prospect of losing a platform that has become a cultural phenomenon—a hub for creativity and viral content—is, without a doubt, unsettling.

Yet, it’s crucial to recognize that the true essence of online success lies beyond any single app or service. You should know how to make videos you’re audience wants to watch no matter what platform your posting on. It is about connecting with people, understanding their preferences, their needs, and the unique ways to make them engage (at least that’s how I approach video marketing with my clients). 

I know most politicians are saying that it is not a ban, but now that this bill was signed into law it forces ByteDance to sell or be banned in 1 year. This certainly sounds like a ban to me.

Let me say that I don’t believe that TikTok will be banned soon. Banning TikTok in an election year would be detrimental to both sides. 

Even so, what should you do if the face of this TikTok ban? 

Make Versatile Videos

STOP making videos that you think an algorithm will like.

In the face of a TikTok ban, you should learn how to make videos that your audience wants to watch and will work on any platform. 

Importance of Understanding Your Audience’s Preferences and Interests

Your videos should help you build trust with your audience, which is crucial, especially in the event of a TikTok ban.That’s how you’re going to turn passive viewers into clients. 

To truly resonate with viewers, you must know who they are. Get inside their heads – why do they stop scrolling for some videos and not for others? What types of videos grab their attention? 

Once you understand this, you can create content that speaks directly to them. While I understand that videos don’t perform the same from platform to platform. Good videos retain viewers’ attention no matter the platform. 

Regardless of the platform, your videos should aim to provide value and address the needs of your audience. By focusing on building trust and delivering meaningful content, you can create versatile videos that engage viewers and drive results, no matter where they’re watching.

Developing Content That Transcends Platforms

Create versatile videos by focusing on quality and substance of your content rather than what is currently trending in an algorithm. When developing your content, think about the core message you want to convey and how it aligns with the interests and preferences of your audience. 

Focus on creating content that adds value to your audience’s lives. Whether it’s educational, entertaining, or inspiring, your videos should provide meaningful insights, entertain, or inspire action. By focusing on quality and substance, you can create videos that resonate with your audience across various platforms and don’t rely on the whims of an algorithm.

Embrace Original Content

If TikTok is banned, one of the best things you can do is create original content. 

Prioritizing originality not only sets you apart from the competition but also mitigates the risk of copyright issues that often plague recycled or repurposed content.

Original content gives you complete control over your creative output. By generating your own ideas and content from scratch, you avoid the possibility of infringing on someone else’s intellectual property rights. This means you can confidently share your content across platforms without worrying about potential ramifications. 

Original content allows you to showcase your unique voice, perspective, and creativity. Instead of following trends or imitating others, you have the opportunity to express yourself authentically and create content that truly resonates with your audience. This authenticity builds viewer connections, establishing a unique video style that’s distinctly yours.

Not to mention, when viewers encounter fresh and innovative content, they are more inclined to pay attention and interact with your videos. This increased engagement can lead to higher retention rates, better performance metrics, and ultimately, a more loyal and dedicated audience.

So what are you waiting for?

Diversifying Your Strategy

When it comes to video marketing and where you post your videos, it’s important to remember that you don’t own any of these platforms. Relying too heavily on a single platform like TikTok can pose significant risks because you can lose it all at any time. 

Various platforms attract different demographics and elicit different behaviors from your audience. 

That’s why it’s crucial that your overall video marketing strategy work in tandem across multiple different platforms. By diversifying your strategy, you spread your brand’s presence and mitigate the risk of losing everything if one platform falters. Each platform offers unique opportunities to connect with different demographics, allowing you to maximize your reach and engagement. 

This also means that you need to learn how to make binge-worthy videos for every platform.

Videos For Every Platform

I don’t think enough people are telling you how to make videos that will work across all vertical video platforms. I mean content that you can share without really changing it. This is how you work smarter not harder in video marketing. 

To create a video that works effectively across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts, while focusing on short and engaging content, attention-grabbing openings, and visual storytelling, follow these guidelines:

Short and Engaging Content:

• Keep your video short and concise, aiming for a duration of 30 to 60 seconds. Shorter videos tend to perform better. 
• Ensure that every second of your video contributes to the overall message or story you want to convey. 

Attention-Grabbing Opening:

• Start your video with a compelling hook to grab viewers’ attention and retain their interest.
• Use captivating visuals, sound effects, or text overlays to evoke curiosity and engagement from the beginning.
• Begin with a question, bold statement, or captivating scene to grab viewers’ attention and encourage further viewing.

Visual Storytelling:

• Use visual storytelling techniques to convey your message or story effectively without relying heavily on lengthy dialogue or text.
• Incorporate dynamic camera movements, creative transitions, and engaging visuals to enhance the storytelling experience and keep viewers engaged.
• Leverage the power of imagery, color, and composition to evoke emotions and convey your message compellingly and memorably.

By focusing on short and engaging content, attention-grabbing openings, and visual storytelling techniques, you can create a video that effectively engages viewers across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts. Experiment with different formats, styles, and storytelling techniques to find what works best for your audience and your brand.

Building a Stronger Connection With Your Audience

The problem that everyone faces is what happens to your audience when if a TikTok ban goes into effect. Why should you try to grow an audience if you’re just going to lose it? 

I get it, I’ve thought the same thing. But here’s what I encourage you to do.

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. I know this sounds like a lot of work but if you know how to create engaging videos it doesn’t take much more time than making videos for one platform. Instead of focusing solely on TikTok, consider creating content that can be repurposed and shared across multiple platforms.  I also understand that audiences vary from one platform to another but who that video targets doesn’t change. 

That’s why you need to have a video marketing strategy that is rooted in viewer psychology. One that works cohesively across all your platforms. That way if you lose one platform, your videos will still be working for you. 

Remember, the goal is to build a community around your brand, not just a following on a single platform. By spreading your presence across various channels, you maintain a consistent, platform-specific approach. This ensures that your audience can always find and engage with you. Such diversification creates a safety net for your community. Even if one platform disappears, your connection with your audience remains intact.

My TikTok Plan

Despite the potential TikTok ban, my plan is to continue building and nurturing my audience on this platform. TikTok has proven to be a unique space for creativity and engagement, and I believe it still holds immense potential for reaching new viewers. My strategy involves focusing on evergreen content that transcends fleeting trends, ensuring that my videos remain relevant and valuable over time.

By prioritizing evergreen content, I aim to create videos that provide lasting value to my audience. This approach allows me to focus on quality and substance, crafting content that resonates deeply with viewers. Additionally, I plan to experiment with more creative formats and innovative storytelling techniques, pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved on TikTok.

While it’s essential to diversify across multiple platforms, TikTok will remain a central part of my strategy. I believe that by continuing to invest in this platform, I can leverage its unique features to build a loyal and engaged community. By consistently delivering valuable and engaging content, I aim to nurture my viewers and keep them coming back for more.

Future Proof Your Videos

With the looming possibility of a TikTok ban, it’s more important than ever to have a solid video marketing strategy in place. A ban could mean losing direct access to your audience overnight, which is why you need a plan that extends beyond any single platform. A comprehensive video marketing strategy ensures that your content reaches your audience wherever they are. This keeps them engaged and connected to your brand.

Our video strategy service crafts versatile content to work smarter, not harder. We prioritize audience-centric videos over algorithm-centric ones. That’s why our video strategy service focuses on crafting content that resonates with viewers across all platforms. Whether it’s TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube, or any other video-sharing site, we’ll show you how to adapt and implement your strategy seamlessly.

Our approach is rooted in understanding your unique brand voice and the interests of your audience.

Here’s why you’ll love what we offer:

Stand Out with a Step-by-Step Guide: Our service provides an easy-to-follow guide that will teach you how to make your videos pop. You’ll learn how to differentiate your content from competitors. This ensures that your videos are the ones viewers remember and talk about, capturing their attention effectively. Over 75 pages to tell you exactly what you need to grow an audience with video.

Grow an Engaged Audience: We understand the importance of not just attracting viewers but keeping them engaged. Our strategies are designed to help you build a community around your content, turning casual viewers into dedicated fans who actively interact with your brand.

Professional Filming and Editing Guidelines: With our expert advice on filming and editing, your videos will look sleek and professional. We’ll provide guidelines on everything from camera angles to post-production touches that will elevate the quality of your content.

By partnering with us, you’ll receive a tailored video marketing strategy that’s not only effective for your current platform but can be easily adapted for all platforms if there is a ban or you decide to pivot away from a platform altogether. Together, let’s build a resilient and effective video marketing strategy that helps you build a loyal following across all channels.

Conclusion

The potential TikTok ban serves as a stark reminder of the volatile nature of social media platforms. It highlights the importance of not becoming too reliant on any single channel for your digital presence. By developing a comprehensive video marketing strategy that spans across multiple platforms, you can safeguard your brand against unforeseen changes and maintain the strong connection you’ve built with your audience.

Remember, the key to enduring success with video marketing is adaptability. Embrace the challenge by diversifying your content, attracting an audience in new ways, and staying true to your brand’s voice and vision. With a proactive approach and the right strategy in place, you can turn this obstacle into an opportunity to grow and strengthen your community like never before. 

So whether TikTok remains a staple in our content marketing strategy or fades into memory like MySpace, your brand will continue to flourish. Stay ahead of the curve, keep your audience engaged, and rest assured that with a solid video marketing strategy, your videos will work for you no matter what.