Is TikTok worth your time in 2025?

& how to prioritise your to-do list to *actually* change your life

Author

Peace Imman
December 18, 2024

Hey! It’s Peace. In today’s issue:

  • Is TikTok still worth it going into 2025?

  • A task prioritisation system that actually works

  • What to consider when registering your business

  • Some questions to audit 2024

  • How did you find today’s edition?

First time reading? Sign up here.

5-9 ONLINE PRESENCE

Is TikTok still worth it going into 2025?

If you’re building a personal brand, growing a business, or just trying to get your message out, choosing the right platform is a constant headache. So, is TikTok - once the platform for viral growth - still worth your time as we head into 2025?

Here’s a quick SWOT analysis to break it down:

Strengths

  • Unmatched organic reach: TikTok’s For You Page (FYP) still makes it one of the easiest places to go viral, even with zero followers.

  • Short-form video dominance: TikTok sets the trends that often trickle down to IG Reels and YouTube Shorts.

  • Accessibility for new creators: TikTok rewards creativity and authenticity over polished, high-budget production.

Weaknesses

  • Unpredictable algorithm: Viral one day, invisible the next. You can’t rely solely on momentum.

  • Short shelf life: Content on TikTok tends to have a shorter life span compared to platforms like YouTube

  • Community building: Poor DMs, low commitment, and a UI that barely prioritises followers make deep connections harder.

  • Monetisation Challenges: Creator payouts and sponsorship rates lag behind YouTube and Instagram.

Opportunities

  • SEO: TikTok is the new search engine. Optimising for queries like “how-to,” “product reviews,” may boost visibility.

  • New features and tools: Longer videos, advanced analytics, and TikTok Shop are evolving quickly. Promising monetisation tools like their UGC program is also on the horizon (I was a beta user for this in the UK - story for another day!).

Threats

  • The Ban: As of now, the U.S. ban is set for January 19, 2025. This could spark a mass migration to other platforms, but it might also open doors for creators in unaffected regions (like here in the UK 🥳)

So should you still use TikTok in your 2025 content creation strategy?

TikTok’s discoverability, cultural relevance, and low barrier to entry means it’s still worth experimenting with. However, relying solely on TikTok in 2025 may leave you vulnerable. What I’ll be doing:

  • Use TikTok as my discovery engine. My playground to experiment, find my voice and attract my ideal audience and direct them to other places.

  • Repurpose videos to platforms like YouTube Shorts (because IG… well, I’m just not a fan)

  • Focus on building an owned audience elsewhere - for me it’s this newsletter and my private community when I decide where to house it

5-9 PRODUCTIVITY

Where most people go wrong with this prioritisation system

This system is often used to prioritise tasks based on urgency and importance:

Seems pretty fool-proof right? Just tackle the things that are urgent and important, delete the things that aren’t and you’re good to go…

But here’s where most people mess up: the “Not Urgent but Important” box.

These tend to be the tasks that shape your future such as:

  • Starting a side business or creative project.

  • Changing your workout routine.

  • Rebuilding your faith.

  • Investing in personal growth.

The problem? These tasks get pushed to “someday” and never happen.

Instead, give them the best part of your day - when your energy and focus are at their peak. For me, that’s early mornings. For you, it might be mid-afternoon or late at night.

Urgent tasks still get done, but don’t waste your prime energy on life admin. The work that changes your life deserves the best version of you.

5-9 FINANCES

When’s the right time to register your business?

It’s easy to jump the gun and register an LTD company or LLC out of excitement, but doing it too soon can mean unnecessary costs, admin headaches, and legal responsibilities.

Based on my experience as a company Director and advice from accountants, here’s what I’d consider:

  1. Are you earning consistent income? If your business isn’t making money yet, the added costs and paperwork might not be worth it.

  2. Do you need liability protection? Registering can protect your personal assets if things go south - but it’s not always needed straight away. Some businesses are less risky in this sense than others.

  3. Are there tax benefits? Sometimes, staying a sole trader/proprietor initially is more tax-efficient. But outside of corporation tax you might benefit from registering for other taxes, such as VAT in the UK. A professional can help you assess this.

  4. Will it impact your credibility? Will not having a registered business make your product or service feel less professional, or does it make no difference when it comes to your business/service?

I’m not a tax expert, so always get advice tailored to your specific situation and local laws. But my big takeaway? Please wait and register when it makes sense financially and operationally - not just out of excitement.

I’m guessing a lot of you are in that reflective headspace of looking back at this year and thinking about what could go better next year.

Here’s something I’ve found helpful to focus on: where am I skipping steps?

Ever heard of the Theory of Constraints? It’s the idea that to move forward with speed you need to prioritise addressing the biggest bottleneck holding you back. So, ask yourself:

  • What’s the area of my life that’s limiting progress the most?

  • How can I address it with a clear, focused goal to create real, tangible change?

Sometimes, the smallest shift in the right place unlocks the biggest results.

That’s a wrap! See you Wednesday after the next, which will officially be 2025. Hope you all have a great Christmas and New Year and thanks for rocking with me in 2024 ❤️

— Peace ✌🏾

P.S Feel free to forward this to a fellow 5-9 creator if you think they’d find it helpful!