How to Prepare for the TikTok Ban as a Content Creator

If you’re a content creator, and you’ve heard about the potential TikTok ban, you’re likely feeling a mix of emotions—confusion, frustration, and maybe even panic. I get it. As a content creator and business owner who has benefited greatly from TikTok, I deeply understand how disheartening this news is.

But remember, this does not have to be the end of your journey, or success, as a content creator. Really, this is just the beginning. It’s an opportunity to evolve your content + brand in new ways. Perhaps, in ways, you never thought imaginable.

In this blog post, I’ll cover:

• Why this moment is hard, but deeply important.

• How to take a closer look at your content strategy and use what’s worked to keep your momentum going.

• Simple, practical steps to protect what you’ve built and explore new ways to share your story with the world.

My TikTok Journey: How Loneliness and a Cross Country Road Trip Changed Everything

I still remember when I first discovered TikTok. I was on the phone with my mom one day, and I told her, “I think this app is going to be really important, and I feel like I need to be on it.”

A few months later, during the height of the pandemic, I took the leap and began posting content on TikTok. My first few videos were about personal branding and social media—-until, life took an unexpected turn.

In the fall of 2020, I ended my lease for my apartment in Oakland, CA, put everything I owned into storage, and began a cross-country road trip with no destination. It was hard to articulate this at the time, but deep down, I think I was searching for something more than what I had found in the Bay Area. I wanted to feel a sense of belonging, to escape a situationship that had broken my heart, and for a fresh start in a new and beautiful place.

I decided to document my road trip on TikTok, really just as an experiment, and because I was kind of bored on the road all by myself.

The platform felt like a blank slate, a space where I could be fully myself without judgment, expectations, or an established audience. On that road trip, TikTok became my creative outlet and, surprisingly, a way to connect with others who shared similar interests and values—people who, like me, were always searching for a sense of meaning in their lives.

One day, during my trip, I decided to share a video about loneliness. For years, I had struggled with a deep, inner loneliness I told no one about. But on the open road, away from the routines and expectations of my old life, I felt a spark of creativity that I hadn’t experienced in a long time. I poured my heart into that video, and to my amazement, it went viral. The response was overwhelming—people resonated with my story in ways I never anticipated.

That moment was transformative for me.

It showed me the power of storytelling, how it could not only heal my heart but also heal the hearts of others, too.

Before that, I had believed that as a business owner, my content needed to fit into a polished, formulaic mold: “four ways to build your personal brand” or “how to tell a story like this.” While that style has its place, my heart gravitated toward something deeper.

TikTok gave me permission to create in a more deep and meaningful way. It allowed me to tell raw, honest stories that resonated with others on a human level. It gave me a voice and an audience in a way that no other platform ever had.

Now, as the TikTok ban looms, I feel the weight of what we’re about to lose. But I’ve also learned something from my road trip across the country, and from TikTok itself: when one road ends, another begins. This isn’t the end of our creativity, our stories, or our communities. The skills we’ve built here can, and will, carry us forward.

Whatever comes next, we can face it with the same spirit of optimism and ingenuity that brought us here in the first place.

Why TikTok's Potential Ban is a Pivotal Moment for Creators

TikTok has transformed the way we connect, share, and build communities. For millions of creators and small business owners, it’s been life-changing—a place where our videos and content actually get seen and recognized. So, with the recent announcement of a potential ban, many of us are left wondering, what’s next?

This moment is more than a challenge; it’s an invitation to rethink our content strategies, leverage what we’ve learned so far, and explore new ways to share our stories and messages with the world.

Key Strategies for Navigating the TikTok Ban: Tips for Creators and Small Businesses

Navigating the TikTok ban can feel overwhelming, but it’s also an opportunity to reflect, strategize, and grow. Here’s how I’m approaching this moment with my clients and students:

First, and foremost, don’t panic. It’s natural to feel stressed, but remember, we still have time. Instead of focusing on worst-case scenarios, shift your mindset toward action. Double down on your TikTok presence while it’s still here—engage with your audience, ramp up your posts, and make the most of the platform.

1. Analyze Your Content

• Take a close look at your TikTok analytics by selecting the ‘popular’ tab on your profile to understand what has resonated most with your audience.

• Ask yourself the following questions: Which videos performed the best? What themes, formats, or styles consistently gained traction?

• Use this data to inform your strategy moving forward. When you understand what works, you can replicate your success on other platforms.

2. Diversify Your Content

• Rule #1 of personal branding: don’t put all your eggs in one basket. If you haven’t already, invite your followers to connect with you on other platforms.

• For example, I’ve been serializing my book Lonely Girl on Substack and am actively encouraging my TikTok audience to follow me there. (P.S. Substack is an amazing platform that offers creators a chance to be seen in new ways.)

3. Protect Your Content

• Download and save any content that’s meaningful to you.

• Create a digital archive of your best-performing videos, stories, and moments, so you can repurpose or share them on other platforms in the future.

• This simple step ensures your work remains accessible, no matter what happens.

4. Embrace New Opportunities for Sharing Content

• View this as a chance to explore new opportunities.

• Remember: Some of the best growth happens on platforms in their early stages when competition is lower.

• Consider experimenting with platforms like Substack, Bluesky, or Lemon8, which offer unique ways to showcase your work and build an audience.

Final Thoughts: Turn This Setback into an Opportunity for Growth

This is a challenging moment, but creators are imaginative and resilient by nature. Stay curious and open-minded—you never know where your next breakthrough might come from. Whatever the future holds, remember this: you’ve built something truly valuable, and no one can take that away from you.

If you’re ready to take your content to the next level and want to learn more about diversifying your platforms, building a strong personal brand, and creating content that resonates across different spaces, I invite you to join my community, Personal Brand Accelerator (PBA).

In PBA, you’ll gain access to invaluable resources, the latest trends, and unwavering support from my team and me. Together, we’ll help you unlock your full potential as a content creator—no matter what challenges come your way.