I’m officially a TikTok Contributor having uploaded my first two videos to this super-trending social network – link to my channel – BrutallyHonestTravels, so if you’re there please support me and help my channel grow 🙂 In this post I’ll discuss why I started uploading and what I hope to get out of it within my stock business and beyond. Let’s get started!

Why am I uploading to TikTok and what do I hope to achieve?

I’m not sure yet…at this stage it doesn’t matter so much, I just need to upload new content and get new followers…and then perhaps things happen! And when I say “things” in such a general way, I really that many months from now the visitors can lead me to a return on investment via:

• Commissioned jobs, tourism-related, real-estate;
• A way to push my Print-on-Demand side of the business to promote my best-work;
• A way to push my microstock side of the business (probably more on the information side and not to get more buyers but I won’t rule anything out);
• Networking opportunities?.

Overall, I think it’s an effective way to push my brand out there. Perhaps you’re having success already and would be cool to hear from you.

What’s my niche?

So, the above goals seem all over the place and they are! But, at this stage I’ve decided to focus my channel on a “Top 5 List of Things to Do” in a certain cities. Clips will be maximum one minute long and I’ll try to keep the segments short and fast to grab viewers’ attention.

After, not sure if I should open up another channel to focus on another niche (such as creating book covers) or keep at this one. Seems probably better to keep at this one but always with the TOP 5 list in mind.

I also hope to give TOP 5 tips related to drone photography / footage that I’ve gained in the past 7 months or so…with the first one being “Top 5 Beginner Drone Moves for Stock Footage”, including the follow + reveal below! Loads of interest in drones these days.

Maybe it will all be a waste of time!

I suppose it won’t be a complete waste of time as will force me to improve my video-editing skills. But I won’t know if there will be any significant return on investment until I try, so next month I’ll update my goals for 2023 and one of them will be to create at least 48 TikToks in 2023 (1 per week on average).

Nevertheless, if after 6 months and many dozens of hours of work with little to no “return” I might just give up on this idea and open up a a new TikTok channel devoted to cute cat videos and/or my cool dance movies which would probably do considerably better.

Until next time!

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About Alex

I’m an eccentric guy, currently based in Lisbon, Portugal, on a quest to visit all corners of the world and capture stock images & footage. I’ve devoted eight years to making it as a travel photographer / videographer and freelance writer. I hope to inspire others by showing an unique insight into a fascinating business model.

Most recently I’ve gone all in on submitting book cover images to Arcangel Images. Oh and also recently purchased a DJI Mavic 2s drone and taking full advantage.

I’m proud to have written a book about my adventures which includes tips on making it as a stock travel photographer – Brutally Honest Guide to Microstock Photography