TikTokBy Angga Anugrah Putra, Southeast Asia Head of Operations
TikTok is a special place where our community comes to connect with like-minded people, be entertained, grow their business, and create and discover with others from around the region and the world. Today, we want to celebrate the creativity and contributions of our community as we continue to inspire creativity and bring joy across Southeast Asia.
From Indonesia's Pandawara Group, a group of individuals who have made it its mission to clean up Indonesia's polluted waterways and protect the environment, to the similarly inspired Saigon Xanh in Vietnam, our community shows us how small steps can lead to large grassroots movement that improves lives.
In Singapore, sisters Grace and Lena used TikTok to grow their artisan candle and skincare business Emporal Co, fuelled by their 105K following, regular livestream selling and turning it into a viable business. We witnessed the inspiring journey of Vietnamese creator Duy Tham, who went from being a shy student to an extroverted creator loved by everyone for his sense of humor. He recently won Creator of the Year during the TikTok Awards Vietnam 2023 and has been able to earn a steady source of income, thanks to his profile on TikTok. In Thailand, creator Pizza Movie became an acting coach for Thai actors and turned out to be one of the most popular movie and television show reviewers on TikTok. She was also a winner in the "Best of Entertainment" category at TikTok Awards Thailand 2023.
This is just a snapshot of the many creators and small businesses across Southeast Asia who are building communities and creating economic opportunities through TikTok and we want to say thank you.
To see how our global communities have been making their mark, hear from Adam Presser, our global head of Operations.
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By Adam Presser, Head of Operations
To the TikTok Creator Community,
For as long as I can remember, I have been captivated by the magic of storytelling and its ability to connect people all over the world. Storytelling helps us learn from one another, celebrate our joy, and dream of a better future. Today, with the power of TikTok, authentic voices have the opportunity to share their stories and creativity with new and bigger audiences, and as a result, they are driving everything from culture to community.
Since stepping into the role of Head of Operations last year, I’ve had the chance to personally connect with TikTok creators from all over the world, and I hope to meet more of you in the coming year. Hearing your stories and experiences directly has only deepened my appreciation for everything you contribute to our platform, your communities, and the lives of others. You represent an important creative force in the world and are proving that creativity is far more than entertainment or self-expression.
Together, we are transforming storytelling by creating space for authentic, unknown voices to break through the barriers that previously limited creative power. TikTok offers you an opportunity to not only change your life but impact the world around you. All you need is a smartphone, an interesting idea, and the willingness to share your story.
TikTok's commitment is to give you access to the best technology and creative tools so you can realize your full potential — as artists, educators, business owners, advocates, or any other way you choose to make your mark and live your dreams. Today we simply want to express our gratitude and share some of your stories with the broader community. Moving forward, we'll continue to look for ways to share the impact you've made around the world. We're honored to be a part of your creative journey and to help you make a difference in the world — one video at a time.
Strengthening communities and improving lives
From Australian firefighter @timthelawnmowerman posting videos of himself mowing the lawns of strangers for free to the @therealdariothompson in South Africa donating his proceeds from going LIVE on TikTok to feed school children, creators show us that connecting leads to action that improves lives. In the U.S., @chaychaywayway posted about a rare kidney disease and her need for a life-saving transplant. Her story inspired a TikToker to get tested, leading to a successful kidney transplant. The story touched the lives of millions. Two strangers who connected on TikTok are now friends for life, bonded over a selfless act that started with a video.
Building careers through creativity
One of the most inspiring aspects of TikTok is the deep, authentic connection they develop with audiences. Through this connection, creators not only share their passions or talents with the people around the world, they build their livelihoods. In the U.K., self-published author @a.p_beswick_author makes more money selling his novels through TikTok Shop than he did as a nurse, while @nurqojadua earns a living from his content educating people about the history, culture and traditions of Kazakhstan and the Turkic world. Emerging creators build their audience and careers on TikTok because we help content get discovered, no matter how niche it is.
Music is one of the best examples of how people discover and engage with TikTok content they love. Fans incorporate music into their own content, sharing and celebrating their favorite songs in their own unique way. As a result, emerging artists can slingshot from unknown to the Song of the Summer. In June 2023, American musician @paulrussellmusic shared a clip of his song, "Lil Boo Thang" on the platform, and by August, he had a record deal. Likewise, South African artist @tyla_ hit the top 10 on the Billboard's Hot 100 chart with her sensation "Water" after sharing clips of her live performances on the platform. She recently won the first ever Grammy for Best African Music and has led a global interest in amapiano music, a jazz and piano-infused sound.
TikTok not only serves as a platform to discover people, but through its global organic reach, stars are born.
Creating economic opportunity
Entrepreneurs and small business owners are adding content-creator to their list of skills because TikTok's tools make it easy to quickly make engaging and informative videos. From @martinastrazzer who turned an investment of €300 into a €10 million female-led company that employs 40 workers in Italy to Canada-based @indigenousboxinc transforming a $5000 grant into $1.2 million in revenue in a single year, entrepreneurs are launching and growing their businesses by tapping into a supportive community on TikTok.
The TikTok community has the power to change the trajectory of an enterprise — rescuing struggling businesses on the verge of shutting down and helping others find a whole new customer base. In Japan, the manager of the @pluck_and_plant restaurant helped the business go from losing ¥4 million to quadrupling sales within six weeks of posting a video sharing his struggle. When @joannarsalvador reviewed a product from @skalacosmeticos on TikTok, the video went viral, doubling sales and opening the U.S. market for the Brazilian brand. In the wake of the video, Skala saw its national revenue grow by 35% and its exports increase by 21%. The company also closed a distribution deal with a major retail chain, putting its products in more than 1,500 U.S. stores.
There are countless stories just like these. I still believe we are only beginning to realize the full potential of the TikTok platform. Our future will be driven by the extraordinary contributions of creators who inspire and entertain, bring us together across generations and geographies, make us laugh and move us to tears.
Nothing is more important to me than championing and advocating for our creator community. As we move forward, we will remain focused on ensuring TikTok is a place where anyone can pursue their personal passion. We will continue to unlock new opportunities for creators to maximize their experience on TikTok, while continuing to earn their trust as an industry leader in safety and security.
The next generation of entrepreneurs, entertainers, and community leaders are on TikTok. They are broadcasting from their living rooms, classrooms, and local restaurants. They are sharing their talents, their perspectives, and their aspirations. They are building empathy and giving back. They are bringing us together in times that are challenging us all. They help us see the joy. They remind us of the tremendous potential that exists in each of us. Watching them pursue their dreams gives us hope for our own.
Thank you to everyone who expressed themselves on TikTok. You've given us so much to enjoy and discover; I can’t wait to see what you do next!
