The House in America passed a bill that could potentially ban TikTok from the U.S.. It now seems like a real possibility that the popular social media app could cease to exist. ☠️
President Biden has signed this into law, requiring TikTok to be sold within a year or it will be banned In US.
Other countries may follow suit such as the UK who have said “TikTok will remain under review in the UK” Rishi Sunak’s Spokesperson said using TikTok “remains a personal choice” It is fair to expect that if America bans the App other countries will follow.
So, what does a TikTok ban mean for business owners?
Well, for businesses that rely heavily on TikTok or TikTok Shops, of course this could have a significant impact on their revenue. 📉
While the bill awaits Senate review, it is a good idea for business to look ahead and be proactive. Consider ways to protect your brand reach so that if a ban is implemented you can still reach your audience.
We have put together some handy tips on how to safeguard your audience:
- Diversify your channels: If TikTok is your strongest social channel then it’s time to repurpose that content onto other platforms
- Test your TikTok content on Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts to see what works best with your target audience. Growing your following on other channels will make you less reliant on just one social media platform.
- Communicate with your TikTok followers: Use your TikTok account to plug all your other online channels you are on so your fans can stay in touch with you and your brand.
- For example: ‘If you want to continue to support our business…’ or ‘Don’t miss our updates and follow us on x, y, and z!’
- Start collecting emails and start an email list: If you don’t have a mailing list, it’s time to start one! Even if you have a huge social following, you are only ‘renting’ your audience rather than ‘owning’ it.
What can we learn from this? The truth is any social media app can be banned or go under, leaving businesses exposed to losing all of their audience. By being mindful of this and having control and access to first-party customer data, you can gain an advantage over your less savvy competition.
Finally?
The value of ‘owning your audience’ has never been more important.
The possible TikTok ban highlights the importance of diversifying your channels. Owning first-party customer data will be the key to success especially as we move into Q3 and Q4 when we have an American election. 🔑
