There’s a lot of news swirling around about TikTok right now. In the last few weeks, the Trump administration wanted to ban it, Microsoft wanted to buy it, and TikTok themselves launched a 

If you’re a prominent TikToker, you may be wondering what this means for the app’s future.

On one side of the conversation, things seem bleak. Back in December 2019, cybersecurity company called Check Point published a 

 exposing vulnerabilities within the TikTok app. These would allow hackers to control users’ accounts and expose their personal information, such as private email addresses.

TikTok has since fixed these issues, but U.S. politicians still view the app as a national security threat. At one point, the Trump administration planned to 

When that news got out, TikTok responded as any platform with 

 posted from the U.S. TikTok account, General Manager Vanessa Pappas addressed the controversy by saying, “We’re not planning on going anywhere.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A message to the TikTok community. <a href="https://t.co/UD3TR2HfEf">pic.twitter.com/UD3TR2HfEf</a></p>&mdash; TikTok (@tiktok_us) <a href="https://twitter.com/tiktok_us/status/1289565422350553091?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2020</a></blockquote>

Even with all the scrutiny around TikTok, things are getting better. Instead of banning the app, the Trump administration is now giving ByteDance (TikTok’s parent company) some time to negotiate 

 to Microsoft. If that happens, the app may have a future in the U.S.

Despite all this, TikTok's fate seems to change by the hour. Nothing feels concrete, so at the very least TikTokers should prepare for the worst - either losing their U.S. audience or the app altogether.

Before that happens, let’s explore other video-based platforms you could join if TikTok meets its end. When it comes to creating videos (and getting paid to do so) these four apps will help you make a name for yourself.

Running a successful YouTube channel in 2020 is no cakewalk, but it can be done. In fact, the process gets easier when you dedicate time toward learning the platform, understanding which content does well, and discovering how to 

Luckily, TikTokers already have the secret sauce that sets popular YouTubers apart. For one, you’re already used to publishing videos, so that’s a huge plus. The other advantage is your affinity for posting funny, quirky, content. Keep building on that, because you’ll need tons of personality (and longer videos) to succeed on YouTube.

If you want to learn exactly how it’s done, read our blog titled, “

3 Ways to Turn TikTok Followers into YouTube Subscribers

.” It addresses the challenges you’ll face when making the transition and how to confidently overcome them.

Dealing with YouTube’s Copyright Policy

Outside of that, there’s one challenge you’ll face on YouTube that isn’t as prominent on TikTok: If you like to lip-sync and dance to popular songs in your videos, that could violate YouTube’s copyright policy.

, YouTube states: “Creators should only upload videos that they have made or that they're authorized to use. That means they should not upload videos they didn't make, or use content in their videos that someone else owns the copyright to, such as music tracks, snippets of copyrighted programs, or videos made by other users, without necessary authorizations.”

If YouTube detects unauthorized music in your videos, you could accumulate copyright strikes. Collect three of these warnings, and your account could be terminated.

 is a live-streaming platform that caters mostly to gamers. With more than 15 million daily active users, it’s a popular place for streamers to play games of their choice.

If you’re a TikToker who loves online gaming, Twitch could become your new home. Creators on this platform are having tons of fun, and that’s something you’re already accustomed to in TikTok’s meme-heavy universe.

When you decide to join Twitch, don’t forget to bring your TikTok spark and cheer. You can do this in every broadcast by cracking jokes, being funny, and responding to chats. It also helps if you’re great at playing games, but please - don’t let this be your only selling point. A lot of people think streamers on Twitch need to be skilled players, when really, they need to be entertaining to attract followers (and get paid).

Curious about the opportunities? Here are a few ways to generate income on the platform:

Accepting donations via Streamlabs, PayPal, etc.

Allowing viewers to subscribe to your Twitch channel (Twitch Affiliate program)

Receiving virtual cheers, which resemble small donations (Twitch Affiliate program)

Collecting affiliate revenue from game sales (Twitch Affiliate program)

Receiving advertisement revenue (Twitch Partner program)

 wants to “change the way art is valued.” To bring this philosophy to life, the company gives creators a platform to monetize their work.

Skilled creators achieve this by offering exclusive content via paid memberships. You can have multiple membership tiers on Patreon, so creators set a range of subscription prices, charging less for basic services and more for expanded offerings.

If you’re a TikToker who creates short tutorial videos, ask yourself: Could I record for longer? If yes, Patreon is the platform for you. You can make money by creating a gated library of content, such as:

exclusive, bonus videos around your niche

Of course, you don’t have to be a how-to TikToker to do well on Patreon. We’ve just found that creators who share an expertise - cooking, fitness, music education, and more - are in a good position to make money on the platform.

, right? I hope you are because this popular app might become your new home if TikTok disappears.

Instagram is wildly popular and needs no introduction, but if you’re new to the app, here are the facts:

Instagram is a photo and video-sharing service that just turned 10 years old.

The popular app has more than 1 billion users worldwide.

 think Instagram is the best social media app for influencer marketing.

Let’s talk about that last statistic for a moment. As a TikTok creator, the fact that 89% of marketers are taken with Instagram is good news for you. That means brands will open their budgets to successful Instagram influencers.

Luckily, you have an excellent chance of becoming one.

I say this because out of all the apps and platforms we’ve mentioned above, Instagram and TikTok are the most similar. Video length is shorter on both platforms and meme-culture is abundant. In terms of shifting from one app to the other, you’ll feel right at home on Instagram and even have the ability to make money with brand sponsorships.

No matter which app or platform you decide to join, make the leap as soon as you can. Even if TikTok manages to survive, it’s never wise to put all your eggs into one basket.

If you want to take your YouTube channel to the next level and 

 then make sure to download vidIQ for more subscriber insights. Join over 1 million other users and use vidIQ to help you research YouTube, analyze videos, audit your own channel, and take actionable steps [click here to install now!]

TikTok is hitting the headlines yet again, so what should creators on the platform do to protect their future?

TikTok Drama: What Now for Creators on the Platform?

Although TikTok doesn't share specific stats about its users, it's been estimated that over 500M people are active on the platform, with the most growth across India and other parts of Asia. Did you know that the app has been downloaded by 1 in 7 people in Thailand alone!

Available in 75 languages, TikTok has proved to be fertile ground for would-be influencers and creators looking to build an audience and a community around their content. The app has been downloaded over 1.2 billion times, with 

41% of TikTok users aged between 16 and 24

. That’s an audience actively primed for even more social media consumption, and a massive opportunity for creators to build upon.

But while TikTok-famous teens are basking in the views and followers their videos generate, outside of third-party brand deals, there’s still no way to monetize content on the app. While there is advertising on the platform, no ads are run directly against videos uploaded by creators, so there's no way to benefit from a percentage of that revenue, as is the case with YouTube.

Of course, generating revenue on YouTube via AdSense isn’t a walk in the park these days, but creators still have that financial opportunity open to them. But even the most popular TikTok accounts don’t have anything like the amount of subscribers the top channels on YouTube attract, and for many TikTok uploaders, they are starting from scratch when it comes to building a following on YouTube. But it can be done, and here are three quick tips to kick you off:

3 Ways to Migrate Your TikTok Audience to YouTube

#1 Build Upon the Content That Made You Popular on TikTok

While lip-synching, or dancing around to the latest Arianne Grande release may have generated a healthy following on TikTok, it isn't going to get you far on YouTube. At all. Apart from the issue of using copyrighted content (which is absolutely an issue on TikTok and will lead to a takedown if you’re caught), tuning in to see you do the same old thing but on a different platform is going to get very old, very fast.

However, the chances are that you built your TikTok following based on your personality and quirks, and that is a fantastic head start for any creator. On YouTube, viewers may come for the content, but they will stay for the creator, and if you’ve been successfully publishing video content elsewhere and have an understanding of what your audience likes, that’s a hugely transferable skill. But you need to be willing to learn about what works, which takes us on to our next tip:

There are many similarities between TikTok and YouTube. Both are platforms to watch and engage with content, but like any other video creator, you’re going to need to evolve and significantly up your game if you want to succeed on YouTube. Yes, you’ll bring some of your audience with you, but to grow your subscriber base and generate the kind of views and engagement needed to generate on and off-platform income.

Determine what your YouTube goal is. Just wanting to be famous really won’t get you very far, and certainly isn't the best long-term strategy. It sucks to hear but those superstars you all know on love have put years and years of work into the platform - it didn't happen by accident.

Understanding how the YouTube algorithms works, what content to create, and how to optimize that content while growing your community takes time, patience, and skill but if you make a start now, using the resources provided 

, you’ll be going in the right direction.

#3 Give Your TikTok Fans a Reason to Follow You to YouTube (and Ask Them To!)

This may be the most obvious tip in the world but if you have a YouTube channel, 

! Fans can’t follow you if they don’t know where else you live on the Internet.

OK, now that’s out of the way, think about how you can encourage your TikTok audience over to YouTube. You can always ask them of course, that never harms. But also think strategically about why they should follow you and offer up that incentive. YouTube allows you to upload videos that are 15 minutes long (longer if you are a verified channel) so post teasers on TikTok for that extended content.

Give your followers a taste of what to expect on YouTube and be consistent about it so it becomes part of your publishing strategy. It’s best practice for any creator to “

” so you get the maximum bang for your buck.

Thank you for reading our tips. Now please enjoy the best video that has ever been uploaded to TikTok. You're welcome:

 then make sure to download vidIQ. Join over 1 million other users and use vidIQ to help you research YouTube, analyze videos, audit your own channel, and take actionable steps 

Are you building a fanbase on TikTok but want them to follow you to YouTube? Take a look at our tips for migrating your audience.

Posts tagged with "TikTok"

TikTok Drama: What Now for Creators on the Platform?

Lydia Sweatt

TikTok Drama: What Now for Creators on the Platform?

Lydia Sweatt

TikTok Drama: What Now for Creators on the Platform?

Lydia Sweatt

TikTok Drama: What Now for Creators on the Platform?

Lydia Sweatt

TikTok Drama: What Now for Creators on the Platform?

Lydia Sweatt

TikTok Drama: What Now for Creators on the Platform?

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TikTok Drama: What Now for Creators on the Platform?

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3 Ways to Turn TikTok Followers into YouTube Subscribers

Carla Marshall

3 Ways to Turn TikTok Followers into YouTube Subscribers

Carla Marshall

3 Ways to Turn TikTok Followers into YouTube Subscribers

Carla Marshall

3 Ways to Turn TikTok Followers into YouTube Subscribers

Carla Marshall

3 Ways to Turn TikTok Followers into YouTube Subscribers

Carla Marshall

3 Ways to Turn TikTok Followers into YouTube Subscribers

Carla Marshall

3 Ways to Turn TikTok Followers into YouTube Subscribers

Carla Marshall