HAIKOU, HAINAN, CHINA - 2020/08/23: In this photo illustration a "TikTok" logo seen displayed on a ... [+] smartphone with an American flag in the background. ByteDance, parent company of popular video-sharing app TikTok on Sunday confirmed it would be filing a lawsuit on Monday local time against the Trump administration over the executive order signed by President Donald Trump banning its service in the United States. (Photo Illustration by SheldonCooper/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesAs creators wind down 2024 and set their strategies for 2025, an urgent challenge looms on the horizon - a potential TikTok ban thats just two weeks away.President-elect Donald Trump has asked the Supreme Court to delay implementing legislation that would either ban TikTok or force its sale, stating he needs time after taking office to seek a "political resolution." The Court will hear arguments in the case on January 10th.However, for creators and brands who have built their businesses on TikTok, preparation for a ban isn't just prudentit's essential. Full disclaimer, I am not a lawyer and these are just personal recommendations based on industry experience.Contract ConsiderationsThe first priority for creators and brands should be reviewing and updating their legal agreements. Any partnership or sponsorship agreement must include specific provisions addressing TikTok unavailability. This includes establishing backup platform requirements and defining clear compensation adjustments if deliverables cannot be posted on the original platform.For existing contracts, reviewing Force Majeure clauses becomes crucial. These provisions may determine how partnerships proceed if TikTok becomes unavailable. Creators and brands should proactively discuss contingency plans with their partners rather than waiting for a crisis.MORE FOR YOUProtecting Your Brand and ContentImmediate steps for brand protection include securing usernames on emerging platforms like Threads and Bluesky. For creators who haven't yet protected their intellectual property, trademark registration should be a priority for early 2025.Content protection requires immediate action. Creators should download and archive all their TikTok content, ensuring they maintain access to their creative assets regardless of platform availability. This includes:Video contentPerformance metricsAudience engagement dataPartnership historyAudience Communication and MigrationClear communication becomes crucial during platform transitions. Creators should develop explicit plans for notifying their audience about where to find them if TikTok becomes unavailable. This includes providing clear calls-to-action (CTAs) directing followers to other platforms and establishing backup communication channels.Information ManagementIn times of uncertainty, distinguishing between reliable information and speculation becomes crucial. Creators should focus on monitoring:Official ByteDance communicationsU.S. government press releasesEstablished legal news sourcesAvoiding speculative social media commentary and clickbait becomes essential for making informed business decisions.Building Platform IndependenceThe potential TikTok ban highlights a broader truth about the creator economy: platform dependency creates inherent business risks. Forward-thinking creators should use this moment to think about building more resilient business models:Developing direct-to-consumer productsCreating owned media eg email newslettersEstablishing private communitiesDeveloping platform-agnostic brand partnershipsLong-term Strategic ConsiderationsWhile the immediate focus centers on TikTok, the lessons extend to all digital creators. Whether or not a ban materializes, building platform independence and direct audience relationships will create a more sustainable creator business.