For most, a TikTok ban means that they will lose an app that serves as one of the biggest sources of short-form videos. Unfortunately for others, it's a more dire situation as they stand to lose their main source of income. With the looming ban, creators are already working on other ways to earn.
Creators Prepare for the Loss of TikTok
The bill that aims to ban the China-based app is gaining more support from lawmakers, and now, they even have US President Joe Biden on their side. What was once an impossible goal is starting to become more and more probable.
It's no surprise that creators who earn a living through TikTok are already looking for a plan B in case it all goes down. Among those creators is Charli D'Amelio, who is the second most-followed creator just below Khabane Lame.
Known for her short dance clips, the younger D'Amelio sister became a trendsetter on the platform and continues to post content for her 152 million followers. She and her sister Dixie D'Amelio have already tens of millions through TikTok, as per CNBC.
With the app responsible for the sisters' shot to fame at the risk of being banned, it makes sense for them to look into other business ventures to keep the money flowing. One of the businesses they're currently working on is their shoe brand.
In fact, D'Amelio is already partnering with Shopify to put her family's show brand in physical stores. During an interview, D'Amelio said that there are new apps, new people, exciting new trends, and that "you don't always get to be first in line for everything."
Charli's after, Marc D'Amelio, said that starting a brand "gets you out of it," referring to dependency on the platform, which he called a "hamster wheel." Likely, other creators who made names for themselves on TikTok are also expanding their horizons.
Even before the ban, a lot of them already established their presence on other social media platforms. If the ban does happen and they lose their main platform, then it's a good thing to have other social media sites to fall on.
Possible Effects of the TikTok Ban
The loss of income for thousands of creators will not be the only side effect of the potential restriction. TikTok has reached a level of popularity that the loss of the app will have a huge impact on the current internet culture.
The ByteDance-owned app has been a hub for trends and pop culture content, and losing it would lead to a decline in significant influence. There will be an adjustment period when people switch to other apps for their daily dose of short-form videos or dances, skits, and other forms of entertainment.
Even so, people will eventually get used to it, and creators will find a way to monetize their content in other ways. After all, other social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram already have Shorts and Reels, both of which have programs that allow creators to earn by uploading original content.
