It’s no secret that TikTok has created a culture unlike any other social platform. It’s a place where creators can show up as themselves, and users feel safe to be real and genuine.
That’s because 64% of TikTok users say they can be their true selves on TikTok, while an average of 56% of TikTok users say they can post videos they wouldn’t post elsewhere. Not only do users feel like they can be themselves, they also trust others to be authentic and genuine as well. Globally, an average of 53% of TikTok users say they trust others to be their real selves on TikTok.
So what does it mean to be authentic on the app? We interviewed Jasmine, a Toronto creator who has always been passionate about creating content and sharing her work with the world, but she felt like she was always held back by the idea that she needed a certain kind of home to do it. She took her frustrations to TikTok and her video inspired over 1 million people who felt the same way.
“The inspiration behind this video came from watching videos of creators with beautiful white, bright homes and feeling as though my space was unworthy of being showcased because it wasn’t “white and bright with granite counter tops”. I knew that there were others in their mid-twenties who may not be in their forever home and may feel stuck or feel embarrassed with where they’re at in life. So, I wanted to speak to them and make them feel seen on this platform. Highlighting that although you’re not where you want to be yet, one day you will be and that it’s important to be grateful for where you are now.”
There are over 130million videos on the hashtag #authenticity where people are normalizing homes, jobs, and “normal” lives and not feeling embarrassed about it, but do the trends and the aesthetic of the influencer/ creator industry ultimately affect the success of a creator’s content without strong storytelling?
She believes that to a certain degree, aesthetic matters. But does not believe that creators need a certain aesthetic to be deemed “successful”.
We have seen many creators on TikTok whose content perform well simply because they share their lives in an authentic, unfiltered way and people resonate with that. Aesthetics will always come second to genuinely sharing your reality.
TikTok has shaped the way for creators over the years, Instagram was very carefully curated into an aesthetic highlight reel whereas TikToker’s appreciate the authenticity and normalcy of everyday people over “influencers” which is why we have seen so many doctors, teachers, lawyers etc become overtly successful on TikTok gaining thousand of followers like @ms.winders. “This is something that I’ve always been drawn to when it comes to TikTok. I admire the authentic, real and raw perspectives that you’re able to receive on this platform.”
Advice for creators who feel like they can’t show up because they don’t have big white, bright, granite counter tops or the most aesthetic house.
“Shift your perspective. Instead of thinking about all those beautiful perfect homes and/or people, think of everyday people like you and I who are desperately seeking a non-aesthetic, normal life to relate and to connect with. Make content for them.”
TikTok is a great platform for you to express yourself and find others who share your interests. It can also be a place where you can make new friends and connect with people who understand what it means to be authentic in today’s world. We hope this article helped you understand how important it is to be yourself on TikTok!
