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Are you on TikTok? If so, follow me as I recreate the hottest memes, including the Stair Shuffle Dance Challenge, Gummy Bear Adele, and my personal favorite, Head Banging Dog.
Okay, I'm not there. My TikTok experience is mostly scrolling in the middle of the night when I can't sleep. I'm glad I'm an author, because there are some seriously talented people out there. (Also some people with a lot of time on their hands, but that's okay.)
Today's caller wants to take her talents straight to the people and cash in.
Hi Chris, this is Kelly from Los Angeles and I'm obsessed with TikTok! How can I make money from it? I was late to every social network, and I don't want to miss my chance this time. Now I see people using TikTok in lots of ways, and some 13-year-olds have millions of followers. I'm not 13, and I don't have millions of followers, but I'm getting good at making short comedy videos based on the stand-up work I do. But how do I go from people liking my videos to getting paid? There seems to be a missing link.
Here's my big-picture advice: don't mistake your social media following for customers. I know too many people with large followings who don't do well on the business side, because they don't have a product. I also know people with almost no social profile who do great business-wise. What are you trying to accomplish?
If you go this route, connect your online fame to a product or service from the beginning. If you're a comedian, sell tickets to shows, virtual or otherwise, and do it actively and often. Put a link on your profile where people can support you on Patreon, or something similar. If you're a musician, make it clear you're working toward something. You don't want to oversell, but that connection is vital.
Wherever you can, encourage your fans to follow you beyond a single network. Networks come and go, even the big ones. Invite people to download your podcast or join your email list. You want them to choose to be your fan, not only tap a follow button on one app. That's how you build lasting, meaningful, and ultimately valuable connections.
Have a question? Visit SideHustleSchool.com/questions.
