We are assembling a team of people to post to our new MLB Trade Rumors TikTok account. The gig will also involve posting to YouTube Shorts.
The initial goal is to try a bunch of stuff on these platforms and see what works. The videos we post will be related to MLB trades and free agency and the articles we post on MLBTR, but I’m open-minded as to how that will look. The pay will be on a per-video basis. Here’s what we’re looking for:
- Experience using and posting to TikTok and YouTube Shorts
- Familiarity with the different formats available on these platforms
- Familiarity with the vibes and best/common practices on these platforms
- Ability to shoot a video on your phone and use the tools provided by TikTok and YouTube Shorts to edit
- Ability to create videos on the fly. Our process will evolve, but when major news breaks, the first available team member to claim the story will be the one to create the video.
- Creativity to come up with content ideas when there is not breaking news
- Comfort on camera
- Strong knowledge of MLB and hot stove concepts. We will email a set of questions to select applicants as a test.
If you are interested in joining the MLBTR TikTok Team, please email mlbtrhelp@gmail.com and explain your qualifications.
JohnJasoJingleHeimerSchmidt
Coincidentally a few weeks before the TikTok ban goes into effect.
Tim Dierkes
I’m not up on the details of that situation, but if that ends up happening, this job would be focused on YouTube Shorts and possibly some other platforms that make sense.
JohnJasoJingleHeimerSchmidt
That seems like a pretty important detail to be familiar with if you’re looking at hiring people to make content…
Tim Dierkes
Why? It will either be banned or it won’t. I just got up to speed on it in five minutes.
If it’s banned, we’ll be trying something very similar on YouTube Shorts. It’s not as if it will be banned and we won’t realize it.
JohnJasoJingleHeimerSchmidt
I don’t think it would go unnoticed. I just thought it was odd and funny that anyone would offer to pay for people to make TikToks just days before it is expected to be banned.
Tim Dierkes
Yeah, you’re right that my timing is odd and not too good.
Dodger Dog
Shorts is a very powerful platform
Hate Jerry
Shorts are digit crack
SufferforGuardians
So much $ involved with TikTok. Doubt it’ll get banned. But, who knows these days.
Tim Dierkes
Feels unlikely to me as well, but yeah, who knows.
Curly Was The Smart Stooge
Nik Nok Nooo!
IronBallsMcGinty
YouTube is way better for so many reasons. It’s definitely a platform that the MLBTR team should be utilizing more. Although their account has been inactive but I’m still subscribed.
Reynaldo's
I can appreciate the effort to expand the audience of this site to younger readers, but TikTok is not it. Tiktok is built on trends and algorithms, and will not deliver content to users in the traditional and timely fashion that a publication site like this requires.
Even if you have robust content team, you will not have direct control over how, when, and how often your users will be able to see your content.
Breaking news mean nothing on Tiktok if doesn’t have the right hashtags and algorithms in place.
Tim Dierkes
I am not expecting direct control over how, when, and how often our users will be able to see our content.
Hopefully we can create some good stuff in our subject area that the TikTok algorithm sometimes likes. If we try that for a year or whatever, adapting along the way, and still none of it resonates, then OK. At that point we would have learned that “TikTok is not it” and that’s fine.
Reynaldo's
Sounds good, worth a shot!
jorge78
Good luck Tim! I look forward to YouTube shorts!
Ignorant Son-of-a-b
I really liked the videos MLBTR put out on YouTube a few years ago. Looking back and analyzing an under the radar trade that ended up having huge ramifications or the way a certain draft unfolded is always interesting and worthwhile. And those take longer form videos of course, I just think it might be too hard to convey a whole lot in a 30 second TikTok or YouTube Space.
Seems like Jomboy has a fun gimmick where he analyses a filthy pitch or does his lip reading thing; and those can fit in a 30 second clip quite nicely. But I am not sure what else could ? And that could just be a failure in my imagination right this sec lol.
cstoller
It’s worth the effort to find new users (via the algo). Give it a shot and worst case scenario, you have a YouTube plan.
DLA75Mets
Which is about to be outlawed unless they’re Diverted from their Chinese ownership.
Rsox
I don’t imagine your average TikTok’er (is that a word?) Has a wealth of MLB (or sports in general) knowledge to share. Most seem to be attention seekers pimping new trends and trying to survive Darwinsm.
That said, it never hurts to try to increase web traffic anyway you can.
choof
I’m not on the platform, but from what I know it’s not just influencers and “trends”. There are all sorts of different types of content that is typically tailored to the viewer. There’s PLENTY of baseball content on TikTok. I just want to encourage people not to be narrow minded or make assumptions,
Braves Butt-Head
You could always do a MySpace team if TikTok gets banned lol
letitbelowenstein
Would I get to break out my Earthlink CD-Rom to sign up for emails?
Braves Butt-Head
But I think you’ll be ok though the Orange man likes TikTok he used it a lot during the 2024 election so he’s not gonna bite the hand that feeds him he’ll veto any ban.
Cat Mando
It’s headed to the SCOTUS. The POTUS can’t veto a SCOTUS ruling. The law banning it was passed and signed by Biden and federal courts deemed it constitutional. Trump can’t retroactively veto.
The SCOTUS will either agree with the lower court. in which case the ban stands unless TikTok is sold, or they overrule the lower court and the ban is void.
Unclemike1526
Well I don’t watch any of that stuff I can appreciate the conundrum of having to try to figure out how to proceed with Spring Training a few weeks away, And the platform maybe being banned it does seem a curious time to proceed when the decision is coming soon. But I don’t know anything about any of them except I’m against anything the Chinese are pushing. I might be over reacting but I just think they’ll use it for their intended purpose of trying to instill propaganda into it somehow.
AMetsFan27
I’m curious about what makes a good candidate for the TikTok Team. If it’s a team effort, I think I’d be a strong fit, as I have experience with the TikTok app, strong baseball knowledge, and experience building accounts from zero. If you could get someone else to do the on-camera work I can handle a lot of the other stuff
Could I get some clarification, should I still apply with my skill set?
Thanks in advance
GB2
How about myspace?
CarverAndrews
My technical skillset is fine for an old-fashioned newspaper if that helps.
whyhayzee
I’d rather eat nails and glass bits than have anything to do with TikTok.
But hey, it’s great.
letitbelowenstein
Tik Tok Team? Nah. That’s too many ‘T’s. My dental plate will come loose and I’ll be embarrassed.
Joemo
Good luck venturing out into new spaces! I don’t personally use tiktok, but do see some baseball related things across YouTube shorts and Instagram reels.
BCleveland3381
Make sure whoever is reporting does all the TikTok dances while giving the news.
BleedGreen
Tiktok? Is this some kind of joke?
Citizen1
ESPN has a TikTok page with shorts of oddball highlight reels.
Just right before the ban, then get unemployment?
Tyler Norton
First time “Familiarity with the vibes” on my resume will help me lol
energel
For only a few weeks.
RotiniRick
I’m going against the majority of people here and saying that TikTok has really good coverage and content of not only baseball but all of the major sports. Obviously it depends on the users interest and algorithms but it’s unique content from players, teams themselves, highlights, shorts, etc etc.. Best of luck and if it’s launched, I’ll definitely follow.
Dumpy
This is a great idea I sent over an application!
Bart Harley Jarvis
I’m not sure I’m comfortable with the CCP monitoring my snarky comments regarding baseball and pop culture.
Nuitari
Exactly. While my own nation is leaving a lot to be desired on the privacy and free speech front, it’s still a world (or two) better than the CCP.
Dumpster Divin Theo
TikTok and mlbtr. Talk about oxymoron. Nothing screams bad Dad video than mlbtr readers