This website is 19 years old. I am the owner of the site, and I’m 42 years old. I have two teenage children and another who is 12, and they have helped me realize that MLB Trade Rumors might benefit from having a presence on TikTok.
I’ve played around with TikTok recently and understand the basic idea, but it’s not an app I would use naturally. So before launching an MLB Trade Rumors account, I’d like to talk to people who use TikTok regularly.
We are looking for 12 people for a focus group who meet these criteria:
- Available to join a Zoom call on Wednesday December 4th at 7pm central time
- Use TikTok regularly
- Use this website/app regularly
- Would like to help us out by answering my questions for an hour. Generally I am trying to figure out what an entertaining and/or informative MLBTR TikTok account would look like and what you’d like to see.
If you’d like to participate, please enter your email address into this Google Form. I will select roughly a dozen people at random from that list to participate in a one-hour TikTok/MLB Trade Rumors discussion over Zoom on Wednesday December 4th at 7pm central time.
I assume more than 12 people will add their email, but I think a larger group would be hard to manage for an open discussion. All who enter their email will be added to a list where I may send emails about future TikTok focus groups or surveys (your email will not be used for any other purpose).
A few quick notes on this topic:
- I’m not sure we’ll be launching an MLB Trade Rumors TikTok, but I’m leaning toward it.
- The possibility of TikTok being shut down in the U.S. likely won’t affect my decision, because we’d be cross-posting to YouTube Shorts.
- This account would not be run by a current member of the MLBTR writing staff. We would hold a separate hiring process for this, but I’m not ready to do that yet.
I’m 22 and I despise TikTok
I knew the Commies would get ’em, eventually…..
Some advice for tik tok
Ask your kids or friends kids about trends going on within tik tok
For instance “give me my money” would be a pretty good theme for talking about free agent predictions for like top 10 mlb free agents this off season.
Some users to check out on tik tok though
They focus more on comedy side of things
Wyattzworld does great nfl weekly breakdowns
Drew Wallen does great game breakdowns
Boss7799 does great QB room content
Bran overal good nfl comedy
Annie agar love her
Sportsball
gamefacesports88 Love his content recaps all kinds of sports games with gifs and other animations
What are the best MLB-related accounts?
In all honestly tik tok doesn’t have much of mlb outside the big networks like mlb or espn or fox or secondary things like barstool sports
You won’t find huge accounts like the ones above that cover simply just mlb content.
It’s definitely a wide open market.
But I will say check out the Savannah bananas and party animals baseball teams.
Savannah bananas recently did a game against the Clemson tigers using their style of play.
It’s definitely entertaining for fans
There are quite a few of them and a tiktok search of “mlb” should you a few top accounts with some followers engagement data such a likes and shares. Not sure what would fit your style.
If you look at mlb search the primary creators are established brands like espn and mlb
There’s very few content creators that report sports news. You get guys that create lists but there’s very few creators that have large followings that report on game outcomes, rumors.
Myself and most others I’ve spoken to prefer YouTube for both long and short form content. They offer everything that TikTok does and more especially for those with a premium account. MLBTR currently has 4.82k subs but seemed to have abandoned their channel. I enjoyed the videos that Jeff Todd used to make but it’s been a long time and I’m aware he no longer works there. Since then, channels like JOMBOY and Foul Territory have really grown. I don’t see why that isn’t revived. It would be great for the podcasts and you could live stream the chats.
That was not revived because it took a lot of time and money to do and brought in no revenue.
TikTok will probably not bring in revenue either but shouldn’t require the same investment.
Tik tok is definitely wild Wild West for mlb content m. It’s just non existent
It also opens the avenue to younger fans
But Tik tok is definitely
Short content
Funny content
I think an easy investment early would pick game of the day and do commentary about key moments in the game using humor or using different Internet voice overs references like gamefacesports88
TikTok? Focus? TikTok users don’t have attention spans though.
Haha maybe it should be a one-minute focus group?
30 seconds
Just put some Subway Surfers or an episode of Family Guy on half the screen and you should be good.
Or Minecraft
That’s what those apps are for. Distracting you for a time while they steal all your personal information and feed you the crap they want you see and buy. But the people in this country aren’t even smart enough to see it anymore. They’re no better than the pick pocket on the street who bumps into you and steals your wallet.
Hate to break it to you uncle Mike
They been stealing your info for decades
Ever since USPS was created. In today’s world tracking your shipments is one way they keep tabs on you.
Your cell phone is one giant gps finder.
Debit and credit cards too.
Apps like tik tok are least of your concerns
Well I see it happening like this. The US government makes China sell Tickey tock to somebody they want and they regulate it into non existence, Probably while making you pay to use it.. As it’s popularity fades away to nothing China just starts a new one with even more things to steal people’s money and minds and nothing really changes except the name.
Lmao
The world as you see it must be so scary and I am sorry that you must exist within that.
Me too. But I’m just a realist, Not a believer in Fairy tales like the Royals have a shot at Soto.
Good business strategy to expand your reach. Might also attract new younger fans to baseball.
I like how you felt the need to explain this post lol. Tik Tok isn’t my idea folks the kids are making me do it.
Probably a good idea but I don’t have any kids so I wouldn’t be the one to answer that.
Tim – Are you a good dancer? And I don’t mean doing The Macarena or The Hokey Pokey!
Tim. Hey. I subscribed recently and would love to support you all, but I found out notifications just don’t work on Android. I did everything to fix it. Is this a common issue and when are you going to address it? You gladly refunded me, but I prefer to support the site. Any technical steps to take to fix and where is support for MLBTR. I can’t be the only one. Can you please address it. Maybe you already did and I missed or maybe someone else here has the same issue?
We’re working on that at present, but I don’t have a timeline. We use a third party for app development work, so each fix or new feature is its own contract.
I have talked about this before but hopefully can pull it off in 2025: the iOS and Android apps need a full revamp.
okay. Can you cancel my refund request? I rather just support you all. if you can’t in time, i will re-subscribe. Thanks for reply. I really like what you all do here. It’s cool seeing new features but it be cool to fix that one. Thanks for all you do.
I actually just put it through, so I think it’d be easiest if you re-subscribe. Thanks.
But just to be up front, app bug fixes can be tricky because there are a lot of different devices.
Yeah. You all deserve the support. I agree I want notifications, but I know you got a list of things to do as well. I understand.
It would be a good idea. I’m 29 and regularly use TikTok and MLBTR, but I like MLBTR mostly because it’s not in video form and I can easily read whatever news pops up here on the app very quickly after the news was broken.
I would certainly follow the MLBTR TikTok, especially if it shows highlights/analysis for posts made on here
tim, congrats on sticking with this site for 2 decades and building it into generally a cool spot for baseball news. some of the comments can get out of hands sometimes but thats not entirely your fault. thanks for being a very reliable source of news and updates. i wont believe something until i see it confirmed here. keep it going
TikTok definitely has its use. I know of two restaurants that have had massive boosts in customers because of it.
Both Mexican restaurants, one in the town I live in – they do have amazing chilaquiles. Another by a cousin of my wife’s. Her cousin said “oh yeah, that place has gotten popular because of TikTok. Still haven’t tried it yet because its always busy.” We told her she had to try it, because it was that good, too.
What town and restaurant has amazing chilaquiles?!?!? I will fly to wherever I need to if the chilaquiles are on point
Lol. Girasol in Monrovia, CA. Suburb of Los Angeles. My wife *loves* chilaquiles and if the place wasn’t so insanely busy we’d probably eat there often. She’s Latina, btw.. (not Mexican)
I was born in El Segundo. I’ll be back soon and will definitely take that 40 minute drive! Thanks!
Man you weren’t kidding! That menu looks fantastic
HORRENDOUS DECISION
BOOOOOOO
1. Which decision and 2. Why
I am 62, and don’t use any social apps except YouTube, but if you want to expand, isn’t Reddit, Facebook or some American focused and owned app a better choice? There’s so much controversy about the Chinese spying aspect of Tik-Tok, it can’t be just right wing propaganda?
Oddly there’s only right wing paranoia about TikTok.
And what? Our government wants to be the only one stealing all of our info?
Your phone gets more data about you than any app. And then Apple and every other brand sells your info.
All your info is already out there.
People stealing my information is bad whoever does it, but it sounds as if you’re quite content with the Chinese doing it.
I couldn’t care less about anyone stealing my info. There’s nothing out there about me that’s worth using.
What are they going to do? Pay my bills?
That actually made me laugh…
That made me laugh.
I am just a few months away from falling out of the prized 18-49 age group that advertisers covet. With as many things going on that I do not understand, I feel like I have already been prematurely kicked out of the coveted group and told to go watch the judge shows and wait for your tapioca.
You’re only as young as you feel my friend. Age doesn’t define what you can and cannot do. You define what you do and don’t wanna do.
“Age doesn’t define what you can and cannot do.”
Unfortunately, not true. There are a lot of things I could do at 21 that I am physically unable to do now. At 21, I never woke up with a sore hip. I didn’t even know I really had hips at 21. It’s nice to think you are always going to be the same, but it is not true for 99% of people.
I was talking more of a “old dog learns new tricks” sense not a “my sciatica” sense.
Learning and remembering new information or changing lifelong habits also gets tremendously harder as one ages.
When your sciatica acts up, you won’t feel like learning any new tricks, trust me.
This is literally all you need to do: film your podcast and post interesting clips from it, doing things like “top 5 landing spots for Juan Soto” etc
Tiktok is a different beast than your traditional social media websites. It is a site with algorithm built around “trends” and “user preferences”. Sometimes, the best or most well produced content don’t always gain traction, and may never see the light of day. For something as nuanced and time sensitive as sports breaking news, this is a terrible formula for a user group that is furiously flicking through videos and don’t spend more than 2-3 seconds per video.
I think it’s great that you’re trying to evolve the site, but I don’t think Tiktok is the answer you’re looking for.
I’d be perfect for your focus group. Oh, wait. I’ve never been on TokTik.
Hey Tim, I’m an 18 year old college student that works for a college baseball team. I have also used tiktok for about 4-5 years now. I think I could be a good help for you.
Im 40 but use TikTok daily. There’s a lot of solid baseball focused channels. Trade reviews and stuff are some of my favorites.
Which ones?
Ask Joey Votto what he thinks.
Hey to run the MLB TR account what do you think you would look to see out of a candidate? Thanks
I’m not sure on that yet. Once I have an idea of what we’re looking for, we’ll have applicants submit sample videos and then go from there.
How exactly would you offer the job? Would it just be an open application that you’d post on the site?
That’s correct.
So upcoming MLBTR challenge of Dumbest Trade Suggestion in Chats? Or how long can you read comments before saying wtf?
Maybe some MLB conspiracy vids?
Not sure TikTok is the move but wish MLBTR all the luck if they give it a go
Tim: You started this site at 23? Wow, really impressive!
As an old, I use YouTube regularly and look forward to The Shorts. I leave Tock and Insta to the youngs…..
Call me a crotchety old man or whatever but I’m really not into helping Countries who are trying to ruin us. I won’t watch Men’s Golf anymore because they actually sold their soles to Saudi Arabia for a pile of cash. And their ratings cratered which was good to see. Twitter and Facebook are hackers paradises. China steals as much U.S. intellectual property as they can get their hands on and then steals our jobs and plots to ruin us behind our backs and all the while smiling at us. Citgo gas is owned by Venezuela who has hated us for years while getting rich off us. Social Media is probably the biggest problem as to why the youth in this country has had it’s education process warped. So sorry I won’t be joining any Social Media app but if you want to go for it be my guest and good luck.
Using social media isn’t a choice, it’s critical today in operating a digital business. Tim is deciding on which platform to place more of his resources in. How you and I each feel about the world and social media are irrelevant.
Maybe. But it’s like the guy below posted he spends 20 hours a week on TikTok. 168 hours in a week. Assuming he sleeps 8 hours a day that’s 56 so 112 awake hours. Assuming he works 40 hours a week( And actually does his job) that leaves 72 hours. So if he spends 20 of the 72 left watching TikTok that’s 30 % of his time wasted. No wonder peoples minds are mush.
Inside out-Never watched FOX anything in my life except Bears games and that might change soon. And since you muted me and saw my post, I assume you didn’t want to see that reply, Did you? LOL What a joke you are.
Some people choose to live their entire lives on social media. The rest of us live it.
Ah but you spend what, 6 hours a day watching Fox News? Talking of minds of mush.
With comments littered with middle aged Dad jokes, you know MLBTR is rife with Tiktok users.
If anybody really thinks that if the money grabbing politicians in this country( Especially now) Are going to force China into selling Tic Toc to somebody where they actually lose control of it, You’re just living in Fantasy Land.
Twerk a lot. That seems to be fairly effective in bringing in new viewers.
Tim I’ve been following this site for 19 years. I’m 47 years old and I spend about 20 hours a week on TikTok. Your content would translate, get on board.
F TikTok
Shoot, I was hoping this would be more than a random selection. I’m 49M, and started posting on TikTok in late June. A couple of weeks ago I hit 50,000 followers. It’s dating / relationship content, but I feel like I’ve got a handle on how to create content that resonates with my demographic. I love MLBTR and read almost every single article on this site. Anyhow, I’ll submit my email and cross my fingers!
Epic failure. 19 years owning site you should know that most these people here don’t know a tiktok from a tic tac.
You have the internets greatest mind right here everyday. Known for being a know it all. The know it all.
But ok maybe he doesn’t want to give YourDreamTikTokExpert the satisfaction of asking for advice. He choose the option A of just having people send nothing but their email and randomly picking them. Instead of option B of also including a few sentences or a paragraph on your tiktok background. Then instead of random he could choose between the guy who watches 6 hours of cat videos each day or the guy who has 50k in less than half a year. I’d go option B
A true legend in his own mind. Wow. You’d think with all that knowledge he’d have better things to do than chat with all us normal people. Talent wasted to be sure.
Dude, it’s an informal survey of his users, not a doctorate dissertation. Ain’t nothing wrong with chatting up with a few non- social media users to find their pain points.
I downloaded TikTok for one very specific reason. There was a guy on there that had the same skin condition as I do. I wanted to hear his story. Besides that I can’t stand it.
Leprosy?
No. Neurofibromatosis. Or NF1 for short.
You’re late to the party. Your tiktok should have launched 5 years ago and YouTube 10 at least 15 better years ago. You’re not too late though. I get companies started up from little to no presence at all every year successfully. If you or whoever you hire is a creative thinker and committed it will be a huge success making more than your website.
Guess you’re on the clock. TikTok.
The only things I actually know or have heard about TicTok are the TicToc challenges and a whole slew of Korean actors and pretty actresses dying.
It seems like a very scary place. TicTok, like time running out?
Somehow we’ve gone from Soupy Sales telling kids to go into Mommies purse to telling kids to harm themselves or others in a “challenge”.
Leave it to Commies to take advantage of Western advertising culture and Madison Ave.
Tic Tacs are much safer and have only 1.9 calories per mint!
My suggestion is you simply stay with YouTube shorts
Tik-Tok, as I understand it, it a Chinese owned and manipulated app. That should be enough to avoid it.