How authors should use TikTok - #booktok
So it turns out TikTok isn't just for the kids. It's not just about dancing or lip syncing. There is a whole community of readers on TikTok who are calling themselves 'BookTok' - they are voracious readers, posting about how they are reading 10-20 books a month! There are also 'BookTok' books, that gain hype on the platform and go on to be bestsellers.
I got onto TikTok during Melbourne's COVID lockdown. Mostly I was there to have a laugh at joke videos about Dan Andrews and the Melbourne lockdown, but I soon found myself on the BookTok side of TikTok - yes - this is how you speak about TikTok - there are sides to TikTok - there's straight TikTok, or Alt TikTok, there are in fact, many different realms in TikTok, and where you end up, depends on what you are watching and liking on what is called the 'For You Page'.
TikTok has a magical algorithm, where you can literally have zero followers, but your post hits the For You Page and gets thousands of views. It is completely different to other social media platforms in this way, although Instagram is now trying to compete with Instagram Reels and YoutTube has just announced YouTube Shorts.
TikTok is a creative space. I've heard it described as creation for creation's sake - so as an author, think about how you can get creative on the platform. Start checking out the hashtags #authortok and #writertok to see how other authors are using the platform. However, my word of advice for authors for all social media - don't make your community other authors, your community should be readers. So try and connect mostly with #booktok #newtobooktok #readertok.
TikTok has superior functionalities to other social media platforms - trending sounds, trending trends, green screen, beauty mode and filters, text and stickers. It is more sophisticated than other platforms you are used to. If you have kids, ask them to show you how to use it. I'm still asking my ten year old 'how do I do this?' Watch other videos to get ideas, and then try and work out how they did it.
My other advice is - just start posting. You're not going to start out perfect. In fact, you're probably going to do a face palm over your old videos one day. You're going to get better at it over time. You're going to learn from what videos do well and what completely tanks.
If you want to learn more about how to use TikTok - my go-to person is Rachel Pedersen - you can watch her YouTube videos or check out her TikTok account
Then, if you want to check out some inspiring BookTok and AuthorTok accounts, check out these ones:
https://www.tiktok.com/@caityreads
https://www.tiktok.com/@cosyfaerie
https://www.tiktok.com/@nashvillebookgirl
https://www.tiktok.com/@thebookbirdy
https://www.tiktok.com/@mariahankenman
https://www.tiktok.com/@kaylamaiuri
My TikTok account: https://www.tiktok.com/@outofprint
Most of all have fun on the platform. Experiment. Connect with others. Before long, you'll be finding Instagram and Facebook soooo boring!
Leaving you with some inspo:
@thebookbirdywhen the pages are on beat 🥺 aesthetic ##pocketsofpeace ##fypシ ##foryou
♬ original sound - Evelyn
