TikTok is a social media app that mostly involves lip syncing teenagers and dance routines. It is not a place for literature… Seems like the perfect place to chisel out a niche.
If you are unfamiliar with the format, here are the basics:
There are three ways to post content; a 15 second video, a 60 second video, or a photo montage.
You can easily add special effects and filters. You are limited to 100 characters in your description, which must include your hashtags.
You film your short video, post it, and with any luck you start to amass likes and followers.
I am new to TikTok but I thought it might be interesting to share any insights and tips that I glean along the way.
Here is the first TikTok I made with my manifesto –
I’m writing a dark fairy tale horror based on the Brothers Grimm story, Gnome. I will be documenting my progress and process regularly.
I will also be posting writing tips (sometimes serious, and sometimes not so serious, as in the TikTok below).
It is important as authors that we experiment with different ways of reaching and interacting with readers. This TikTok thing might crash and burn, but it might not. Either way I’ll be doing weekly updates with stats right here on my blog. So please follow me if you are curious about how this goes. Maybe you’ll decide to take to TikTok too, in which case you must let me know; we’ll do a duet.
I’ll get into TikTok duets in another post but, should I gain momentum, a duet is a way of giving new TikTokers an introduction to like minded followers. We’ll grow together.
The link below will take you straight to my TikTok profile. Feel free to cringe at my early attempts at content. Eesh. It’s a learning process, right? And don’t forget to press that follow button!
So, I’ve been on TikTok for three days so far. At the bottom of each TikTok update on this site I’ll publish my stats so you can see my growth and decide if it would be a worthwhile venture for yourself.
I’ll share my failed posts, my successful ones, everything; the good and the bad. Things are going to get experimental and weird. Until next time.
Andy
Andrew Chapman / Author and Screenwriter 