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How To Prepare Ahead Of A Potential TikTok Ban
As we enter a new year, creators and brands are facing a pressing issue – the potential TikTok ban. With the Supreme Court set to hear arguments in the case on January 10th, it’s essential to prepare for the worst-case scenario. In this article, I’ll provide actionable advice on how to mitigate the impact of a potential TikTok ban.
First and foremost, reviewing and updating legal agreements is crucial. Any partnership or sponsorship agreement must include specific provisions addressing TikTok unavailability. This includes establishing backup platform requirements and defining clear compensation adjustments if deliverables cannot be posted on the original platform. For existing contracts, reviewing Force Majeure clauses becomes paramount. These provisions may determine how partnerships proceed if TikTok becomes unavailable.
It’s imperative to proactively discuss contingency plans with partners rather than waiting for a crisis. Moreover, securing usernames on emerging platforms like Threads and Bluesky is a must. For creators who haven’t yet protected their intellectual property, trademark registration should be a priority for early 2025.
Protecting your brand and content requires immediate action. Download and archive all TikTok content to maintain access to creative assets regardless of platform availability. This includes video content, performance metrics, audience engagement data, partnership history, and audience communication.
In addition to these measures, creators must develop explicit plans for notifying their audience about where to find them if TikTok becomes unavailable. This involves providing clear calls-to-action (CTAs) directing followers to other platforms and establishing backup communication channels.
Information management is also vital in times of uncertainty. Creators should focus on monitoring official ByteDance communications, U.S. government press releases, established legal news sources, and avoid speculative social media commentary and clickbait. It’s essential to make informed business decisions by distinguishing between reliable information and speculation.
The potential TikTok ban serves as a wake-up call for the creator economy – platform dependency creates inherent business risks. Forward-thinking creators should use this moment to build more resilient business models. This includes developing direct-to-consumer products, creating owned media (such as email newsletters), establishing private communities, and building platform-agnostic brand partnerships.
Ultimately, whether or not a ban materializes, the lessons learned from this experience will create a more sustainable creator business in the long run.
Source: www.forbes.com
