My 1st TikTok Live!
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
So, amongst the rules people say authors should embrace...putting your face on social media is top of the list. No one loves anonymity. People WANT a talking head! They want to see you and hear your voice and thus I forced myself so far outside my comfort zone, I was in another hemisphere!
I went live on TikTok for the 1st time… and if I’m being honest, it was weirdly cool.
The Pre-Live Spiral was legit.
Let’s start here—because this was the worst part. The nerves? Unreal.
Not “oh this is new” nerves. More like: what if I get roasted alive in real time by alpha-baby-media-bosses who are smarter than me? I was fully prepared to be:
judged for how I look
clocked for my age
called awkward (which, to be fair… accurate)
So instead of overinvesting or trying to be perfect, I did the opposite. I leaned into it with a week or two of lead up showing JUST my face - to help my headspace prepare. THEN, I leaned into my awkardness like it was God's work.
Techwise, I used what I had....
No fancy setup.No expensive lighting.No new tech. Just my phone, my office, and a strong commitment to not spiraling before I even hit “Go Live.”
And then I made a decision that changed everything:
I embraced my awkward chaos...and hit GO!
I literally opened with: “I have no idea what I’m doing.”
And weirdly?
That worked.
The Actual Live
Was it packed with people? No.Was it smooth and polished? Also no. But it wasn’t terrible. It was… kind of fun. I talked. I asked questions. I sipped bourbon. I survived. And somewhere in the middle of it, I realized something important: The thing I was most afraid of didn’t actually happen.
Just a quiet room, a few people popping in and out, and me figuring it out in real time.
TikTok Tried to Make It Weird
At one point, TikTok kept prompting me to invite random people to co-host.
----> Hard pass.
I get why the feature exists—TikTok wants engagement. Bringing in another person can:
boost watch time
increase interaction
create more dynamic content
But for a first live...pfft...Absolutely not.
I wasn’t about to turn my debut into social media roulette with strangers on the internet. Could you imagine...the insanity...of even one soul accepting my invite and realzing the sh*tshow that is me!?!?
What I’d Do Differently
If I were to tweak anything next time (and I will be doing this again), it would be better lighting. What I had worked… but my little desk-side lamp was clunky, a little too bright, and frankly uncomfortable to work wtih. I can definitely level this up and honestly I'll start with something cheap and easy like this Selfie Ring Light with 63" Tripod Stand, Dimmable LED Ring Light with Phone Holder and Wireless Remote thingie!.
Also, I MIGHT invite a co-host (but intentionally, not random)
I still wouldn't choose a stranger. I mean, STRANGER DANGER is a thing -- ammiright?
But someone I know, maybe another author or someone bookish. I would choose someone who fits the vibe and doesn’t derail the room and who adds VALUE to my AUDIENCE! Afterall, if they want to tune in for awkward conversation and f*ckery, that's what I am for. I clearly need a grounded balance.
The Unexpected Win??
I didn’t hate it.
It was awkward, sure. A little quiet, definitely. A learning experience, without a doubt! But it wasn’t scary once I was in it. And that’s kind of everything. I gained two followers, and that could one day translate into a book sale or two...but beyond all that, I realized I can do scary things and that's the real back-to-school-special of it all.
The Real Takeaway
Going live isn’t about being perfect. It’s not about having the best setup or the most viewers. Frankly, it's barely about knowing what you’re doing. It’s about showing up. Staying on. And being willing to be seen...maybe before you feel ready.
So… Will I Do It Again?
Hell yeah!
🥃 Bourbon & Books might officially be a thing.
And next time...Meh, I’ll still be figuring it out.
Just maybe with better lighting. Tune in for the chaos and the laughs. Or don't. Either way - thanks for stopping by. Hope you come back around soon. You never know what shenanigans I'll get up to next.
⭐ Craft the story.
Face the consequences.
— Rhone
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