Warming Up a New or Dead Account

Whether you just created your account or you're reviving one that's been dormant, warming it up properly is crucial. Think of it like stretching before a workout - skip this step, and you might pull something.

Why Warming Up Matters

TikTok is suspicious of accounts that go from zero to posting multiple videos daily. It's a spam prevention measure. By warming up your account, you're telling TikTok: "I'm a real person who's here to contribute to the community."

The Two-Week Warm-Up Plan

Week 1: Become a Community Member

Days 1-3: Observer Mode

• Spend 20-30 minutes daily on the app
• Let videos play completely (don't rapid scroll)
• Like content you genuinely enjoy
• Follow 3-5 accounts per day in your niche

Days 4-7: Gentle Engagement

• Continue watching for 20-30 minutes
• Start commenting (real thoughts, not "Great video!")
• Share 1-2 videos to friends
• Save videos you want to reference

Week 2: Ease Into Creating

Days 8-10: Behind the Scenes

• Post Instagram-style stories (they disappear after 24 hours)
• Get comfortable with the interface
• Test different filters and sounds
• No pressure - these aren't permanent

Days 11-14: Soft Launch

• Post your first real video (keep it simple)
• Wait 48 hours
• Post your second video
• Begin regular engagement with comments on your posts

Reviving a Dead Account

If your account has been dormant for months, you need a slightly different approach:

The Resurrection Protocol

1. Change Your Mindset: Your old content doesn't define you
2. Archive or Delete: Remove content that doesn't align with your current direction
3. Update Everything: Bio, profile picture, username if needed
4. Follow the New Account Protocol: Treat it like starting fresh

Should You Start Over?

Sometimes a fresh start is better. Consider a new account if:

• Your old content is completely different from your author brand
• You have under 1,000 followers
• Past videos consistently underperformed
• You feel energetically stuck with the old account

Daily Warm-Up Routine

For the first 30 days, commit to this daily routine:

Morning Session (10 minutes)

• Open TikTok
• Watch 5-10 videos completely
• Like the ones you enjoy
• Comment on 2-3 videos

Evening Session (20 minutes)

• Scroll your For You Page
• Engage with BookTok content
• Follow 2-3 relevant accounts
• Save videos for inspiration

Signs Your Account is Warmed Up

You'll know you're ready for regular posting when:

• Your For You Page shows mostly book-related content
• Your first posts get 200+ views
• Comments start appearing on your videos
• You gain followers organically

Common Warm-Up Mistakes

Posting Too Much Too Soon

I've seen authors post 5 videos on day one. Their reach? Terrible. Patience pays.

Buying Followers

Never. These aren't real readers, and TikTok knows they're fake.

Using Automation Tools

Anything that promises to automate engagement will hurt you.

Ignoring Community Guidelines

One violation during warm-up can tank your account's potential.

My Warm-Up Story

When I started my second account (yes, I abandoned my first), I spent three weeks just being a BookTok fan. No posting, just genuine engagement. When I finally posted, my first video got 10K views. Not because it was amazing, but because TikTok knew exactly who would enjoy it.

The Mindset Shift

Warming up isn't wasted time - it's research. You're:

• Learning what works in your niche
• Finding your community
• Training the algorithm
• Building confidence

Your Warm-Up Checklist

• [ ] Set up your account properly
• [ ] Commit to daily app usage
• [ ] Engage authentically (no generic comments)
• [ ] Follow accounts strategically
• [ ] Wait to post until it feels natural
• [ ] Track your For You Page evolution

Remember: TikTok rewards patience and authenticity. A well-warmed account sets the foundation for sustainable growth. Rush this process, and you'll spend months trying to recover.

Next, we'll address the elephant in the room - the mindset challenges every author faces on TikTok, and how to overcome them.