Your TikTok Backup Plan Better Not Be Instagram...

So... about that TikTok ban that had creators (not TSS members but everyone else) panicking a few weeks ago?

Fourteen hours of chaos where they

• Panic-posted on Instagram

• Suddenly remembered YouTube exists

• Made "backup accounts" on Snapchat

• Created landing pages for their upcoming newsletter

Still waiting on the first issue for some of those...

Look, I get it. When platforms are your primary revenue source, any threat feels existential. But that's exactly the problem - your CONTENT can live on these platforms, but your BUSINESS shouldn't depend on them.

You could just bide your time until the next platform crisis... or you could:

• Build direct relationships with your audience

• Create platform-independent revenue

• Develop products you actually own

• Control your distribution channels

One way to do this? Turn your knowledge into a course.

Before you hyperventilate at the thought of creating a course, let me introduce you to KwaKwa.

What makes it different? It's built for creators who love short-form video. You'll feel right at home with its vertical video format, mobile-first design, and social media-style interface. The best part? You actually own everything you create.

Your audience is already flooding your DMs with the same 10 questions. Why not just make a course that answers them?

If you can create TikToks or Instagram stories, you can create on Kwakwa. Most courses run 60-80 minutes and are split into 10-15 episodes that students complete in 3-5 days. The best part? You can use your existing equipment - power up that iPhone and LFG!

Thinking about creating an online course? This app is a game changer

• Course Creation Tool Made For Social Media Creators

• 100% Free, No subscription or monthly recurring payments

• Free Automated Captions

Start Creating Today

INDUSTRY INTELLIGENCE

What caught my attention this week:

💰 SUBSTACK'S $20M CREATOR GRAB Just when you thought the platform wars couldn't get more interesting... Substack announced a $20M creator fund specifically targeting TikTokers. The timing? Impeccable. But here's what fascinates me: They're not just offering money - they're promising creators won't lose revenue by switching platforms. Where have we heard that before? [Techcrunch]

😭 THE MCVULNERABILITY TREND The Atlantic dropped a fascinating piece about what they're calling "McVulnerability" - the trend of influencers manufacturing emotional moments for views. While the article focuses on crying content, it's highlighting a bigger shift in our industry: The commodification of authenticity is reaching its breaking point. [The Atlantic - paywall removed]

🎮 THE NEW MEDIA MOGUL Billboard's latest cover story on Kai Cenat is required reading for anyone who thinks they understand where media is heading. This 23-year-old streamer just became more culturally relevant than MTV and BET combined. Remember TRL and 106 & Park? Those were the days. When Drake tells you to "stay on stream" before dropping a diss track, you're not just a content creator anymore - you're an institution. [Yahoo]

READY TO LEVEL UP?

Get unfiltered "Unhinged Intelligence" plus early access to educational content.

Get weekly strategy sessions with yours truly, brand castings, and a vault full of fireside chats with people you would DIE to have coffee with.