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The next big thing after Tiktok is gone & what businesses need to learn from LA wildfires

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Iniobong Uyah & Alex Christidis
January 16, 2025

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LA Wildfires - Hedging Your Business Against Disasters

The recent wildfires in Los Angeles have had a devastating impact on the community, particularly on small business owners. The fires have destroyed over 12,000 structures, including numerous commercial buildings, leading to significant economic losses. Estimates suggest that the total damage is worth about $275 billion, potentially making this the most expensive natural disaster in U.S. history.

LA Wildfires

(Source: Yahoo News)

Many people have lost their homes and belongings, which took years to acquire. For those with small businesses in the area, the loss is twofold. The road to recovery is not going to be easy. As Desiderius Erasmus once said, prevention is better than cure. But while you can’t prevent naturally occurring incidents like Wildfires, Hurricanes, and floods, the best thing to do is prepare for them.

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To mitigate the effects of such disasters in the future, business owners can take several proactive steps. This includes;

  • Developing a Comprehensive Disaster Preparedness Plan: Assess potential risks and establish clear procedures for emergency situations. This includes creating evacuation plans, communication strategies, and identifying essential business functions that need to continue during a disaster.

  • Ensure Adequate Insurance Coverage: Regularly review and update insurance policies to cover various disaster scenarios, including wildfires. Consider business interruption insurance to cover lost income during periods when operations are halted.

  • Backup Essential Data Off-Site: Regularly back up critical business data and store it in a secure, off-site location or cloud service to ensure information is not lost during a disaster.

  • Establish a Crisis Communication Plan: Develop a strategy for communicating with employees, customers, and suppliers during and after a disaster. This ensures that all stakeholders are informed and can take appropriate actions promptly.

  • Create an Emergency Kit: Assemble a kit containing essential items such as first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, non-perishable food, and water. Ensure it is easily accessible to support immediate needs during a disaster.

  • Conduct Regular Emergency Drills: Practice evacuation and emergency response procedures with employees to ensure readiness and identify any areas needing improvement.

  • Focus on Short-Term Decision-Making During Crises: In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, prioritize decisions that address urgent operational needs and employee safety. This approach helps stabilize the business and sets the foundation for long-term recovery.

By implementing these measures, business owners can enhance their resilience against future disasters, ensuring quicker recovery and sustained operations even in the face of unforeseen events.

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Looming Tik Tok Ban - 5 alternatives apps for business owners

The U.S. Supreme Court is set to decide on a federal law that mandates TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to divest from its U.S. operations by January 19, 2025, or face a nationwide ban.

Impact on Business Owners

Many entrepreneurs and small business owners have leveraged TikTok’s vast user base to reach audiences and drive sales. A ban could disrupt these marketing strategies, leading to potential revenue losses and diminished customer engagement. To mitigate such risks, businesses are diversifying their social media presence across multiple platforms.

To navigate the potential TikTok ban, business owners should consider the following steps:

• Diversify Social Media Presence: Establish a presence on multiple platforms to mitigate the impact of any single platform’s disruption.

• Engage with Emerging Platforms: Explore and experiment with new apps to identify where target audiences are migrating.

• Monitor Platform Analytics: Assess engagement metrics across different platforms to allocate resources effectively.

• Adapt Content Strategies: Tailor content to suit the unique features and user demographics of each platform.

• Stay Informed: Keep abreast of legal developments and platform policies to anticipate and respond to changes promptly.

Alternative Applications

In light of the potential TikTok ban, here are three alternative platforms gaining traction among users and businesses:

RedNote

A Chinese-owned social media app similar to TikTok, known as Xiaohongshu in China. RedNote has attracted over 700,000 American users, despite concerns over cybersecurity and privacy risks due to its Chinese ownership.

 Instagram Reels

A feature within Instagram that allows users to create and share short-form video content. Many TikTok creators already utilize Reels, making it a familiar alternative.

YouTube Shorts

YouTube’s short-form video platform that enables creators to produce brief, engaging videos. It leverages YouTube’s extensive user base and monetization options.

By proactively adjusting their digital marketing strategies, business owners can continue to engage their audiences effectively, regardless of the outcome concerning TikTok’s status in the U.S.

Catch up on our previous discussion;

No Money, No Problem

Six Practical Ways To Start A Business in 2025 With Little or No Capital

epirus.beehiiv.com/p/no-money-no-problem

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Until next time, Best Regards.

Alex