Building Your Rhythm
Back in Module 1, we talked about mindset: the fears and doubts that stop many authors from ever hitting "post." Consistency brings a similar challenge: it's not about perfection, it's about showing up often enough to give the algorithm and your readers a chance to notice you.
The good news? You don't have to wrestle with that pressure every day. With a bit of planning, you can take the stress out of content creation, build a rhythm that works for you, and make TikTok part of your author career instead of a daily battle.
Consistency Beats Perfection
TikTok isn't a platform where one perfect video changes everything. It's a platform where steady posting builds a healthy baseline of views that consistently grows over time. With consistency, you'll raise your baseline performance - like earning steady royalties that keep increasing. Some videos will underperform, others will hit your baseline, and occasionally one will go viral as a bonus. The goal isn't to plan for virality, but to build sustainable reach.
Consistency isn't just for the algorithm, it's for your peace of mind. When you show up regularly, you stop obsessing over whether one post "worked" and start trusting the process.
How Often Should Authors Post?
There's no single magic number, but here's a simple truth: the more often you post, the faster you'll learn what works. Many authors see results with 1–3 posts a day. Others build slower but still solid momentum with 3–4 posts per week.
What matters is picking a pace you can actually sustain for months. A 30-day daily posting challenge can be a great way to jump-start momentum — but if daily isn't realistic long-term, set a weekly goal that you can keep.
Planning Ahead: Batch, Don't Scramble
The easiest way to stay consistent is to stop creating under daily pressure.
- Batch creation: Set aside one or two sessions a week to draft, record, and edit multiple posts. Five to ten at a time is a good target.
- Idea bank: Keep a running list of hooks, tropes, or scenes you want to use. That way, you never start from scratch.
Format Strategy: Stick or Mix?
Some authors swear by sticking to one format per account (for example, all image slideshows) because it builds a consistent "brand" and sets clear expectations for followers. Some even go as far as sticking to one image or color style, or theme. Others mix formats (slideshows, storytime, lip-syncs) to test what resonates.
Both approaches can work. If you're unsure, start with one main format to build consistency. If you later want to test a different style, you can always spin up a second account dedicated to that.
Avoiding Burnout
Consistency doesn't mean burning yourself out. Protect your energy by:
- Recycling winners: Repost your best-performing content with new audio or a slightly different hook.
- Repurposing: Share the same post on Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, or Pinterest. One idea, multiple platforms.
- Setting boundaries: Don't compare yourself to authors posting 5 times a day if your pace is 3 per week. Your journey is yours.
By now, you've mastered the mechanics of BookTok: how to write hooks, choose formats, amplify with hashtags and audio, use growth hacks, and stay consistent without burning out. The next step is putting all of this into practice for real author goals — from launching a book to building an ARC team, avoiding common pitfalls, and turning TikTok views into actual sales. That's where we'll head in the next module: real-world strategies that connect your content to your author career.