7 Things I’ve Learned From Joining TikTok

Hi guys!

So as you know, I started a TikTok channel a few months ago and I wanted to share what I have learned during that time. I am still learning as I go along and improving my content daily!

Background

For many years I had no desire to create or edit videos, writing was (and still is) more of my thing. TikTok (originally ByteDance) was founded in China in 2016 as a learning tool for kids. When I went back and did a Google search, IMO, TikTok really “took off” in the U.S. in 2020 around the time of the pandemic. Doing more research throughout the years, I saw more news articles about it in 2021 and 2022, so I don’t feel like I joined too late.

I started doing TikTok for fun and as a hobby. As we speak, I still don’t have an end goal to become TikTok famous. I have a full time job and two freelance careers that are my income – you guys I am constantly making money somehow and that is why I just want TikTok as a hobby! I also felt like it was time to learn a new skillset since content creation is the way of the future, so I thought, why not?

I don’t have any fancy lighting or editing software, I just shoot off of my iPhone 14 ProMax and use the editing features on TikTok. After watching many TikToks and researching effective keywords, I posted my first video in late August. I was just posting random videos about things I love (e.g., wine, journalism, TikTok challenges, etc.) until I found my brand, which I explain down below.

I aim to make one video a day but there are times where I will take a day off. I definitely try to keep a schedule though. With content creation, it is important to have some level of consistency!

1. There is no secret to going viral.

Let’s start with the biggest topic about going viral: I seriously think it’s a game of luck.

When other creators say, “OMG, I never expected that video to go viral!” trust me, they genuinely didn’t and didn’t even have a game plan, including myself! My only video that has gone viral to date was my Pasadena houses that were used in movies or television shows. I had spent a full day of filming driving around town getting shots of all of these locations followed by a photo of the house from the movie itself. When I posted it that same night, it had 400+ likes. By the time I woke up the next day, it had more than 20,000+ likes. I was shocked!

Going viral has it’s pros and cons. The biggest pro is people love the content and the more likes it gets, the more it reaches others! That video was also the moment where I was like, OMG, I’m a content creator and I can do even more going forward! I felt so alive, happy and confident. However, it also allows more people to be more judgmental as I talk about in another section below.

The other thing was TikTok put a “participating in this activity could result in you or others getting hurt” warning on my video because in the first shot, I am driving. The shot is completely still and you know why? Because I have my phone in a damn holder, just like the ones you see in Lyft or Uber vehicles! I wish TikTok would realize that there are other ways to shoot a video and still keep it safe. But unfortunately, it is what it is and I can’t get the warning removed.

As I type this, the video has 162,000 views. I jokingly tell my friend that the thing has legs and it keeps moving. I am happy for the love and support it has received! After doing some math, it might hit half a million likes by mid next year if it keeps going at the rate it is.

2. The algorithm is a mystery.

Photo credit: Planly

The algorithm is something I just cannot figure out. Even with all of the appropriate hashtags, I still don’t understand how a video “blows up.”

According to TikTok, “the system recommends content by ranking videos based on a combination of factors – starting from interests you express as a new user and adjusting for things you indicate you’re not interested in.”

Um…okay?!

I had my friend tell me that his daughter is on TikTok and her goal is always to have 20,000 views per video. I am just happy when I have 250+ views, that’s an accomplishment for me! This is what I mean by I am not putting pressure on myself. I think if I wasn’t in my 40s and I was in my 20s doing this, I would be driving myself crazy, but I am just not there anymore. I am just happy with any kind of view!

3. There are many trolls and bullies. Set boundaries!

Every single TikTok creator gets bullied. Every. Single. One.

When my Pasadena houses video went viral, I knew immediately that I was going to get a lot of love but a lot of hate at the same time. This is probably because I was used to it for many years as a freelance journalist. In journalism – whether you’re just starting out or are seasoned – you get trolls and bullies, it’s just the way it is. The difference between that versus TikTok was I felt like TikTok was way more negative than when I was attacked for journalism articles (BTW, it was once in a blue moon, not every single article I have ever written).

Obviously on TikTok, you typically get more love than hate, but people were mostly complaining about the fact that I didn’t distinguish between “Pasadena” and “South Pasadena” and that I was “providing misinformation.” I got so angry that I posted a separate video thanking those who supported me but calling out all of the trolls as a whole. I knew they were two separate cities, I just wanted to save my word count on the screen. There was nothing malicious about it! I also am at the point in my life where I shouldn’t have to explain myself. No one should!

Little did I know that I had the power in my settings to turn off the user comments. In doing so, mine would also be turned off. In the end, this was the best way for me to have a peace of mind. It really bums me out that I can’t interact with the followers, but at this point and age in my life, my main goal is to have peace. I even told my followers that I had no desire to become TikTok famous and that I was just doing it for fun and as a hobby.

Note: I quickly turned the comments back on so I could share the screenshot above. I also forgot that I had deleted and blocked all of the bullies/trolls’ comments at the time.

I have seen so many TikTok videos where users will pull out a comment and address the hate in a separate video. The problem is when you do that you are just giving the troll/bully more publicity when they don’t need that. I know that it generates more views/likes and support from their community, but IMO, it just isn’t worth it. It’s amazing how as a society we always focus on the negative aspect of something and the nitty gritty versus the good work that has already been done. It’s just sad.

4. You do build a sense of community.

The good news is the community that does love and support you is a long line versus the trolls and bullies. You start to have things in common with them and before I turned off the comments on my viral video (and for good), I even made a new friend who lives down the street from me!

I wish I could turn the comments back on and engage with them, but I refuse to put up with those who will eventually post something negative. I’m 42-years-old and I can’t control what people think and feel, but I can control my narrative. To me, that outweighs everything else.

To my loyal and kind followers present and future: thank you very much for your support!

5. The trends and filters get the most views.

I spend a few hours a day (mostly at night) scrolling videos on my For Your Page (FYP) to see how I can take a trend or filter and make it my own. I have done a variety of them, from dance and lip sync trends to emoji and mask filters. I usually do these videos on the days where I don’t have a “Come Along with Me” video. They are fun and silly to make!

6. But your own branding can also get a lot of views.

The branding on my page was a happy accident. I love taking people on my travel journeys, a day in the life as a freelance journalist/brand ambassador or even just a bite to eat or an event in town. I started having the tag line of “Come Along with Me” and I thought, OMG, that’s my brand! 🙂

The problem is that I cannot do these types of videos every day, it’s impossible. Like I stated earlier, I have a full time job and two freelance careers that are my bread and butter to pay my bills and save for retirement.

That’s the other thing I want to mention: I don’t and will never talk about my full time job because duh, why would I do that when I want to keep and protect my job and even protect the company! I saw so many TikTokers get in trouble talking about their full time job and company. Although it is insightful, there needs to be boundaries and when to be discreet!

7. You can’t monetize unless you have a certain number of followers and likes.

Photo credit: LinkedIn

That’s the other thing: in order to monetize on TikTok, “you must be 18 years of age or older, have more than 10,000 followers and have at least 100,000 views over the last 30 days. You can then apply to the TikTok Creator Fund in the app.”

What?! That’s crazy!

A well known celebrity blogger on his live feed one day said that TikTok, for the most part, is “a young person’s game” and I totally agree with this person. I have seen some people in their 40s and older have successful channels but it’s a far cry. You can also partner with a brand, but again, the followers and likes are key. To date, I have 174 followers and I have 13,700 likes (thanks to the Pasadena homes video). Myself, I am following 134 people.

I think if something were to happen in the future it would have to be organic, meaning you mention or tag the brand in your video but it is not sponsored. I have been doing that for years in general and again, it still really hasn’t gotten me anywhere, even if I did decide to reach out to them, LOL! That’s why I do TikTok for fun, I am not looking to add more pressure to myself! I put pressure on myself with journalism for years and I finally got to a place where I feel content. I just don’t have the strength and energy to do it all over again with another platform!

Overall Thoughts

I would say that TikTok has boosted my confidence and happiness in being a content creator, I really enjoy making videos for other people and I feel so free! I also got more comfortable with filming myself speaking to a camera lens, doing voiceovers and editing. My other “aha” moment being a content creator is when I leave the house to do something and I think, this would make a good video, I’ll do some filming, LOL!

If you have had a desire to create videos and put yourself out there, TikTok is a great outlet! Just keep healthy boundaries and create something you love/feel passionate about.

BTW, if you want to view my channel, follow me @kitkatw0706!