TikTok Influencer Starter Kit: Posting Routine That You Can Maintain

A posting routine is a repeatable system that turns ideas into published videos on a predictable schedule—without relying on motivation. The goal is consistency (so you keep shipping) and output quality (so each video is clear, watchable, and on-brand) while avoiding burnout. This chapter gives you a routine you can run on “average energy” days, not just high-energy days.

1) Choose a sustainable cadence (based on time blocks + energy)

Your cadence is simply how often you post. A sustainable cadence is one you can keep for 4–8 weeks without feeling behind. For most beginners, 3–5 videos/week is the sweet spot: enough reps to improve quickly, not so much that editing takes over your life.

Step-by-step: pick your cadence in 10 minutes

• Step 1: List your weekly time blocks (realistic, not aspirational). Example: Tue 60 min, Thu 60 min, Sat 120 min = 240 min/week.
• Step 2: Estimate your “average” production speed. Use a conservative baseline:
  • Simple talking-head or screen demo: 45–75 min/video end-to-end
  • More edited b-roll style: 90–150 min/video
• Step 3: Divide time by speed. Example: 240 min ÷ 60 min/video ≈ 4 videos/week.
• Step 4: Adjust for energy. If your week is mentally heavy (school/work), subtract 1 video. If you have a lighter week, keep the cadence the same and build drafts (don’t raise the bar).

Cadence options you can maintain

Turn cadence into a weekly calendar (example)

Pick two creation days and three posting days. Example for 4 videos/week:

• Tuesday (60 min): scripts + shot list for 2 videos
• Thursday (60–90 min): film 2 videos
• Saturday (90 min): edit 2 videos + schedule/captions
• Posting days: Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun (post from drafts)

This structure prevents the “I must create today to post today” trap.

2) Workflow stages with “done” criteria

Burnout often comes from fuzzy endpoints (“I’ll keep tweaking”). Define what “done” means at each stage so you can move forward confidently.

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Stage A: Ideation (collect, don’t judge)

Goal: capture raw video ideas quickly.

• Done criteria: each idea is one sentence with a clear promise (what the viewer gets).
• Practical method: keep a single running list titled Video Ideas. Add ideas in under 30 seconds.

Example idea sentence: “Show the 3-step method I use to plan meals in 10 minutes.”

Stage B: Scripting (make it filmable)

Goal: turn an idea into a short plan you can record without rambling.

• Done criteria: you have (1) a hook, (2) 2–4 beats, (3) a close/CTA, all in bullet points.
• Time cap: 10–15 minutes per script.

Script template (bullet style) Hook: “Stop doing X—do this instead.” Beat 1: What most people do + why it fails Beat 2: The better approach (step 1) Beat 3: Quick example / proof Close: “Comment ‘template’ and I’ll reply with mine.”

Stage C: Filming (capture clean, usable footage)

Goal: record with enough clarity that editing is easy.

• Done criteria: you have 1 “good take” per line/beat, audio is clear, framing is consistent.
• Rule: max 3 takes per line. If you miss it 3 times, simplify the line.

Stage D: Editing (make it watchable, not perfect)

Goal: remove friction for the viewer.

• Done criteria checklist:
  • First 1–2 seconds are tight (no dead air)
  • Any pauses or repeats removed
  • On-screen text (if used) matches what you say
  • Volume is consistent
  • Video ends cleanly (no awkward reach for the phone)
• Time cap: 20–45 minutes for simple edits. If you exceed this often, reduce effects and keep a consistent style.

Stage E: Posting (publish with minimal decisions)

Goal: publish quickly without overthinking.

• Done criteria: caption supports the video’s promise, cover frame is readable (even without text), hashtags are minimal and relevant, and you’ve picked a posting time you can repeat.
• Decision reducer: use a saved caption structure.

Caption structure: 1) One-line promise 2) One-line context (optional) 3) One question to invite comments

Stage F: Engagement (turn comments into momentum)

Goal: spark conversation and collect future video prompts.

• Done criteria: you responded to early comments with (1) a helpful answer and (2) a follow-up question when possible.
• Time cap: 15–25 minutes in the engagement window (details in section 5).

3) Batch filming vs. daily filming (pros/cons + when to switch)

Both approaches work. The best choice depends on your schedule variability and how quickly you can get into “on-camera mode.”

Batch filming

What it is: script and record multiple videos in one session (e.g., 4–8 videos).

• Pros:
  • Fewer setup costs (lighting, outfit, location)
  • More consistent look and sound
  • Protects posting consistency during busy weeks
  • Reduces daily decision fatigue
• Cons:
  • Can feel exhausting if you try to do too many
  • Harder to react instantly to trending questions/comments
  • If you don’t manage drafts, you can lose track of your best hooks

Best for: people with limited weekdays, people who need routine, anyone aiming for 4–5 videos/week.

Daily filming

What it is: you record (and often edit) close to posting time.

• Pros:
  • Feels fresh and responsive
  • Easy to incorporate new comments/questions quickly
  • Shorter sessions can feel less intimidating
• Cons:
  • Miss one day and you lose momentum
  • More frequent setup time
  • Higher risk of “I’ll post later” procrastination

Best for: creators with stable daily time, fast editing, and high comfort on camera.

When to switch (simple rules)

• Switch to batching if you miss your posting goal 2 weeks in a row, or if setup time is eating your schedule.
• Switch to daily if you have strong audience interaction and your best-performing videos come from quick responses to comments.
• Hybrid option (often ideal): batch 70% of your weekly posts, leave 30% open for “comment response” videos.

4) Draft management: how many drafts, labeling, and saving hooks

Drafts are your inventory. Good draft management prevents two common problems: (1) you forget what you recorded, and (2) you lose great hooks inside messy files.

How many drafts to keep

• Minimum safety buffer: 3 drafts ready to post (one week of breathing room if you post 3x/week).
• Comfort buffer: 7–10 drafts (lets you stay consistent during travel, exams, busy work weeks).
• Upper limit: if you regularly exceed 20 drafts, you may be overproducing and underposting—schedule a “posting week” where you only edit/post.

Labeling system (so you can find what you need fast)

Use a simple naming convention in your notes app or spreadsheet that matches your drafts. Each draft gets one row.

Step-by-step: a draft workflow that prevents lost hooks

• Step 1 (before filming): write the hook as a single line in your tracker. This is your “source of truth.”
• Step 2 (during filming): record a 2–3 second “slate” clip at the start: you say “W3-V2: 3 mistakes in X.” This makes clips easy to identify while editing.
• Step 3 (after filming): update status to Filmed and paste any improved hook wording you said on camera.
• Step 4 (after editing): mark Ready and add the final caption question you’ll use.

How to avoid losing good hooks (even if you don’t post the video)

Sometimes a video doesn’t come out well, but the hook is gold. Create a “Hook Bank.”

• Hook Bank rule: every time you write or say a hook that feels strong, copy it into a list titled Hooks.
• Reuse method: pair one saved hook with a different example or angle and film a new version in 10 minutes.

Hook Bank examples: - “You don’t need more X—you need this one habit.” - “Most people get X wrong because they skip this step.” - “If you only have 10 minutes, do this.”

5) Engagement window: respond to early comments to spark conversation (and new video ideas)

The engagement window is a short, scheduled period right after posting when you actively reply to comments. Early interaction can increase conversation, clarify misunderstandings, and generate your next videos.

Set your engagement window (choose one)

• Option A (simple): 20 minutes right after posting.
• Option B (stronger): 15 minutes right after posting + 10 minutes 2–3 hours later.
• Option C (busy days): 10 minutes right after posting only (still better than nothing).

How to respond so comments turn into momentum

Aim for replies that do at least one of these: (1) help, (2) invite, (3) harvest.

• Help: answer clearly in 1–3 sentences.
• Invite: ask a follow-up question to keep the thread going.
• Harvest: identify comments that should become a new video.

Comment reply templates (copy/paste style)

• Clarify + question: “Yes—start with [step]. What part are you stuck on: [A] or [B]?”
• Boundary + value: “I can’t review full accounts here, but if you share your goal, I’ll suggest 1 next step.”
• Turn into video: “Good question. I’m making a video on this—do you mean [version 1] or [version 2]?”
• Pin-worthy reply: “Quick summary: 1) [x] 2) [y] 3) [z].”

Step-by-step: turn comments into future video ideas

• Step 1: during the engagement window, screenshot or copy any comment that asks “how,” “why,” or “what if.”
• Step 2: paste it into a list titled Comment Prompts with the date and the video it came from.
• Step 3: tag it as one of these: FAQ, Objection, Beginner question, Advanced question, Myth.
• Step 4: once per week, pick 2 prompts and script them as reply videos (fastest content you can make because the hook is already written by the audience).

Practical tip: if a comment shows confusion, your next video can start with the exact misunderstanding as the hook (without calling anyone out). Example: “A lot of people think X means Y—here’s what it actually means.”