Who’s a tiktok pro around here? Any tips for a n00b?
I’ve been resisting BookTok since its inception, but I’ve finally given in. I made an account, but I have no clue how to get started.
I hate seeing myself on camera and I don’t have the time for excessive video editing.
But there has to be a way to “exist” in this video-crazed world, right?
TikTok is the most low-effort platform currently. You don’t even need to show your face or voice, you just have to show off your bookshelf and offer a brief descripton of tropes and aesthetics.
Same thing with YouTube. I have a channel, but I can’t get started.
Like you, I don’t want to show my face or anything else. I don’t even want to speak, just showing people what I do at my desk.
I hope so.
But at the same time, I want to approach it with a purpose.
In any social media, accounts become popular when they have consistent and engaging content. I’m trying to figure out what my main content should be.
Also, feel free to drop your @ so I can follow you.
It’s funny, a while back I created a YT account with all of these plans. But then the time to make videos came and I had a huge realization that I hate being on camera. WTF was I thinking?
I’m not on TikTok, but I truly wish you the best of luck! All the publishing houses insist you’ll never succeed as a writer today without it, but none of my favorite writers seem to be on any social media. ¯\_(ﭢ)_/¯
Same. I’m not artistic enough to draw a writing vlog.
Dearest me, can you imagine that type of vlogging?
Then I would never show my face, just my art and writing.
I honestly could start a booktok but I only read ebooks … So I would need some major editing tools to make it all look right. So… I’ll stick to bookstagram and my book blog xD
Scouring the web for advice, here’s what I’ve gathered:
Is this something you have to do? Do you really want to do that?
I am pondering if I really want to do YouTube videos. I think about it often, I also think about the aftermath of me doing it.
I fantasize a lot.
I don’t “have to” do it, but I’m getting ready to publish my book in print, and I can’t afford to invest in ads right now which leaves me with social media.
I’ve been lurking around whenever indie authors talk about marketing and there’s a clear trend: all other sm combined don’t deliver as much book sales as TT. Everyone reposts the same videos on multiple platforms and they do much better on there by a huge margin.
I’m tired of sm, honestly. Every few years I get fed up and switch to a new app. I’ve been on Threads lately and it’s starting to get bad. More bots. They’re starting to test ads. Blatant content thievery. I’m just tired of going through this again.
Meanwhile, TT has been going strong.
As much as I’m sometimes ready to throw in the towel, I want to give marketing a fair try. Who knows, maybe I’ll find my tribe at last?
In theory, I could create all my content for the week in one sitting and then post it periodically. Unless there’s a scheduling feature? That would be awesome.
I’m thinking to create short burst clips. That would reduce editing time and prompt more loops.
I just have to crack my angle.
Are you self-publishing instead of trad-publishing?
TT? What does that stand for? Sorry for not knowing.
Sorry to hear that.
I mean TikTok.
Self publishing because I currently don’t see much point in going trad.
Unless you’re a big-name author or a unicorn, the publishers don’t invest in you, leaving the burden of marketing on the author. I don’t see why I should give up my royalties when that’s the only thing I really need help with and they won’t even help with that.
I can’t even go down the route of self-publishing. I don’t have the money to make it possible. So, I have to go with trad-publishing.
Unless there is a genuine free option that I will never have to pay or and it isn’t self-publishing related, it’s a big no for me.
That makes sense. LOL!
There are costs when you self publish. They can be mitigated and very manageable but it’s difficult with zero investment (still possible, though).
But I’m disappointed with what I’ve been hearing about trad publishers. Even previously best-selling authors complain that they have to spend their own money to market their book because the publisher just isn’t doing it. The game is rigged either way.
I know that is why I can’t do it. I was never a business person, just a writer and nothing more.
That’s unfortunate. Though I would love to think that everyone’s situation is similar yet different at the same time.
I could self-publish if I won the lottery or make a little money with trad-publishing.
If that doesn’t work, I will continue to write and share my work somehow or way without it being on a bookshelf.