Content creators in the Cape Fear say TikTok is a tool as discussions of the ban continues
NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — President Joe Biden signed new legislation on Wednesday that does a lot of things, including providing new funding to Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan. One of the provisions of the bill involves the social media app, TikTok.
For many content creators in the Cape Fear, TikTok is a tool to keep their business booming.
WWAY spoke with some of these creators on Wednesday to see how they’re navigating this time of uncertainty.
“I’ve made more money from TikTok than I’ve ever expected to make, let’s just say that,” Realtor and TikTok Creator Caroline Holman said.
Lawmakers have cited security risks as reasons to ban TikTok, despite the major impacts the ban would also have on some local business owners.
The two Wilmington creators WWAY spoke with on Wednesday said TikTok is a resource, a hobby, a way to connect, and even a way to bring in business.
Caroline Holman is a realtor at Nest Realty in Wilmington. But she also has a following of 25,000 on TikTok.
She said her online platform has helped her business for the better.
“A part of me feels like the people in that position, that are voting on it, want to ban it, they don’t see the impact that it has. They don’t see the fact that before my TikTok career I was only closing 4 deals a year because I was 23, 24, 25. But, now here I am at 30 and I’m on track to have my best year ever,” Holman said.
Holman said she hopes people in power consider the impact a ban would make on those who rely on the app financially. In her case, she said TikTok earnings make up about 90% of her revenue.
WWAY spoke with another content creator in the Cape Fear who said TikTok is also a chance to uplift other local businesses.
Meet Corey Scott. He is the owner of On Thyme Restaurant in Wilmington.
“We use TikTok instead of Google now. So, whenever we want to figure out what’s the best restaurants, or what’s to do in Miami, what’s to do in Houston, stuff like that. We use TikTok, we don’t Google anymore,” Scott said.
Scott said, yes, it’s helped his business grow. But it’s also allowed him to form new connections and get more creative.
“People make these cool videos on TikTok, they come to your establishment, video your food, and make good raves about it and everything. Then they’ll post it on their page, then we can share it on our page. I think it’s pretty cool because you get so many people out of town,” Scott said.
The law will force TikTok to find a new owner within months or the United States will ban its use in the country. TikTok has threatened to go to court.
