The January 19 ban threatens TikTok’s future in the US market. Current creators who make money through the platform need backup plans. With 1.8 billion monthly active users spending nearly an hour a day on TikTok, smart entrepreneurs are seeing this moment as an opportunity to diversify their revenue streams.

The recent Supreme Court hearing suggests trouble for TikTok. After tough questions about First Amendment violations, most justices appear ready to uphold the law requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a U.S. ban. No major social platform has faced a government blockade before. The enforcement plan remains unclear, leaving creators wondering what their future will hold.

Here’s what entrepreneurs who rely on TikTok are doing to supplement their income if the app actually shuts down.

Building multiple revenue streams across platforms

Short videos will dominate social media in 2024. YouTube Shorts receive 70 billion views every day. There are twice as many Instagram Reels, they account for 50% of time spent on Instagram, and their use by businesses increased by 57.4% in 2024. Top creators split their content across different platforms, turning one TikTok video into three revenue streams.

Many TikTok creators start selling products directly through the TikTok Shop. But building sales funnels is where real money flows. Successful entrepreneurs transfer followers from TikTok to email lists and then sell courses, coaching or consulting services. Or simply more products. They track which videos lead to sign-ups and double down on successful formats.

If TikTok shuts down, move your best-performing content to YouTube Shorts first. The platform’s revenue share program pays creators up to 45% of advertising revenue, making it the fastest way to replace lost TikTok revenue.

But don’t post without a strategy. YouTube’s Terms of Service require original content, so simply reposting TikTok videos may violate these terms. First, remove TikTok watermarks and customize content for YouTube Shorts.

Create content that sells on any platform

Short videos need hooks that work everywhere. Start with the problem. Show the solution. Conclude with clear next steps. Simple beats chic. A smartphone video shot in good lighting will outperform an expensive production when the message gets through.

By running paid ads, you increase the success of your content. Smart developers test small budgets across platforms. They find out what works on TikTok, adapt it for YouTube Shorts, and then increase spending on the best-performing platform. This approach creates multiple revenue streams without putting everything on one app.

When the TikTok ban occurs, choose your strongest platform and post there daily for 30 days. Don’t divide your attention and try to master multiple platforms at the same time.

Earn money beyond watching videos

Top earners teach others online courses. They package their TikTok success in step-by-step systems that rely on their marketing intelligence. Some focus on niche topics like “social media for real estate agents” or “building a coaching business through short-form content.” Others sell broader skills like content creation or social media management.

Digital products work while you sleep. Entrepreneurs combine course sales with affiliate marketing and promote the tools and services they use. They build communities on Discord or Telegram and charge monthly access fees. Each source of income starts small but steadily increases income over time.

Before TikTok disappears, download your analytics, save your top 100 videos, and create a simple course that teaches your best strategies for something cool you’ve achieved beyond TikTok. Make your experience valuable even if the platform disappears.

How to replace your pre-ban TikTok income

The coming ban pushes creatives to build sustainable businesses. Anyone who spreads their presence across platforms, builds proven sales funnels and develops digital products will be successful in the long term.

Start now, before change forces you to act. Your TikTok following may disappear overnight, but the skills you acquire will serve you well on any platform.