The internet is a catalyst for a paradigm shift, and over the past 30 years, the internet has made history in many forms. The audiences have shifted over these years to conform to the types of internet, including networking and socialisation. Google was in particular one of the first major paradigm shifts of the internet. The search engine widened the use of the internet and escalated the used by its audiences.
With these new paradigm shifts, there are underlying messages. Many new platforms such as the “Google Home” and “Amazon Alexa” are scary to new audiences, but through correct advertising and its friendly demeanour, the new forms of technology are less like spy technology and instead a new friend. With every Paradigm shift, new messages are delivered. An example of this is my DA on TikTok, the social media application delivers many varied messages from users to their audiences yet the app itself decides which videos will go on the “For you page” and have their message received by the most viewers.
This subject is definitely opening my mind up to MANY theories and ideas, that being said, the Medium is The Message definitely opens mind up to more of the possibilities within media. The economic progression of digital media is astronomical. Most media is essentially free and are used as platforms for mediums to deliver their messages. However through advertising and copying content, media’s economy thrives.
The internet has an industrial paradigm which enables economic fruition. Glitches are a perfect example of this paradigm, they are described as “Broken is Beautiful” due to them causing large amounts of attention even though they are an unconventional form of media. The impressions from these forms of media cause a larger scale of influence on messages perceived, the pattern caused being astronomical and global. By far, the medium is the message is one of the most complex social theories, yet also one of the most interesting.
The medium is the message, this communicating theory can be bamboozling. However, all sources of media from news platforms to radio to television have their own characteristics that define the messages they produce. It is much like the death of the author , a conceptual theory, in which all content can be interpreted by the individual reader. Yet, the medium is the message holds much influence by the medium who delivers the message.
An example would be TikTok, the application I am using for my DA, it’s relevance as a platform and medium being both dynamic and poignant. The platform is used as a constant meme platform for users, causing many trends such as “whipped coffee” and tiktok dances. Ideas and beliefs on TikTok are diverse although the app still holds many strong ideals and diversity still being a strong message itself. Tiktok has seemingly taken over as the main social media platform… which is why I have taken it on as my digital artefact, the thought ideas and beliefs being heard intrigues me and i’m interested to see what content I produce intrigues and challenges viewers.
This feels like de ja vu! After the success of my BCM114 digital artefact, I have decided to do Tik Toks again for my digital artefact this semester. 2 of my 25 videos went viral last year, each gaining around 500k views and over 100k likes. I’m hoping to achieve a similar outcome this year. I intend to use current trends and news to create ‘memes’ attracting viewers and attention to my account. A current example of this would be making content relating to the outbreak of corona virus or taking part in popular Tik Tok dances which spark attention and activity on Tik Tok.
By understanding the functionality of the popular app, I can navigate my way on to the “for you page” where popular creators’ content can be found by all users of the app. By getting my content on the “for you” page, I can then escalate the amount of views it receives as well as the interactions with my account. I’m excited see where this digital artefact will take me and hope that you will join on this journey.
My digital artefact is a series of Tik Tok videos. I had
previously started watching videos on ‘Tik Tok’, a rapidly growing app containing
short looping videos, much like ‘vine’ a popular app in 2013 and enjoyed its addictive.
I hoped to make a series of videos trying out popular trends on the app whilst also
dabbling in making my own trends. In attempting to try as many features of Tik
Tok as possible, I gained a significant audience and the results of my DA were
astonishing. Here is a starter pack I
made:
Based on research, I discovered users of Tik Tok ranged from
ages as low as 6 and upwards. They seemed to enjoy dry, bold humour, lip
syncing and scenarios as some examples. My first video used lip syncing and
humour. Ironically, the Tik Tok was based on doing my digital artefact for
university. After analysing the age, gender and location of my audience, I then
devised a plan, this plan consisted of targeting my major audience, young girls
aged 7-18 in the United Kingdom. Much to my planning, my videos gained
significant viewing from this specific audience and my videos were semi
successful.
Before reaching my final idea, I had an unsuccessful attempt
of a plan. My previous idea was a Youtube series called “How to: from someone
who can’t do” were I’d take part in several activities that I couldn’t do, and
whilst doing so I would try and teach the audience ‘how to’. The idea was funny
however the layout and production of my first video was a failure. The video received
a mere 80 views and I only received 7 subscribers overall.
After lack of my Youtube series got, I turned to Tik Tok.
Tik Tok taught me that relevant content now must be relatable, not long winded
and straight to the point, unlike my Youtube channel. If I continued onwards my
Youtube channel, the mantra FEFO: Fail early, fail often, would have followed
my DA until the end. Editing and uploading Youtube was undeniably stressful as
well as time consuming, once again opposing Tik Tok.
I uploaded my first Tik Tok almost immediately
after changing my DA. The video went viral overnight and now has over 300k
views, along with a second video which has 200k views. My page has the equivalent
of half a million views all together, nearly 7000 followers and 140k likes.
The success of my page grew from what I learned about the ‘for
you’ page. By hash tagging “#foryou” on your videos, your video may go on a page
which can be viewed by all users. Two of my videos went on the For you page
immediately, the view count on them virtually doubling in seconds.
From what I learned on both platforms, Youtube and Tik Tok,
gave insights on how viral content is produced. Whether through trends or funny
content, luck is also entailed in uploading content. I thoroughly enjoyed creating
my Digital artefact and hope to make
more content into the future.
The end is FINALLY here. My digital artefact, a series of videos following popular trends on the viral app ‘TikTok’ are ready to be presented and marked.
BCM114 has taught me a wide ranged series of skills based around viral content and digital media, as well as a few life lessons along the way. FEFO has become a mantra I now live by. I discovered my first idea was a failure half way into this subject, so my final project was a quick paced piece of work, that (somehow) ended up being 100x more exemplary! I am so proud of the videos I have made in such a short space of time and I truly think I have found a passion for TikTok, maybe even becoming a bit addicted to the app?!
I am now close to 7k followers and have nearly 140k accumulative likes across my videos, in particular these likes come from 2 videos. I have 80k likes on my first viral video and 55k likes on my second, the two videos together having over half a million views. TikTok videos seem to be quick videos that look relatively easy to make, however the videos took me up to (no exaggeration) 2 hours to make and there was some serious acting that needed to be involved. Aside from this flaw, the videos were extremely fun to make and the community on the app are so supportive and kind in majority. My friends now call me a ‘TikTok expert’ since I have taught them about the ‘for you page’ and the current trends that receive more attention.
A moment I am most proud of this semester is when I took a risk and changed my Digital Artefact. My original idea of a youtube series, although creative, lacked in effort and interest. By changing my DA, I indulged in a project I was intrigued with and passionate about. Passion drove me to create a DA I was truly invested in and was proud of. Taking risks is something I never do…however I am ecstatic with the results of this risk.
The link above is to my TikTok profile, you can view all my content there. Thank you to everyone who has liked and viewed my videos as well as following, keep watching to see more content in the future..I’m going to keep on going. BCM114 has been a subject I have actually thoroughly enjoyed, it has taught me so much and I’ll never forget it.
As discussed in my beta blog post, I have now switched my digital artefact to Tik Tok and I am definitely more invested in this idea. Although creative, my Youtube videos lacked public engagement and I found the time I invested in them to be extensive and unnecessary. My most popular video was my DA pitch, which gained a mere 100 views.
The switch to Tik Tok was inspired by one of my friends who received 150k views on a 10 second long video. I made my first video, which was me making fun of myself, went to sleep and woke up with 40k likes and 140k views. The results shocked me. I read my analytics and found that my video had made it worldwide, over 47% of my audience were from the United Kingdom, 33% from America and remainder Australian.
After making more videos, and the engagement on my first video still being present, I found that more of the audience would then view my profile and like more of my less relevant videos. Therefore, the engagement on my profile since the video uploaded, has been over 5k views a day.
My video now has over 200k views and my follow count has reached 4.5k followers. From these statistics I have found appropriate times to upload videos in order to achieve maximum views and engagement. Viewers had also found my previous Youtube videos and Instagram.
However, creating content has now become intimidating. My audience is mostly young, yet content is extremely high praised. After posting a recent video, I lost 60 followers. As I continue to embark on my tik tok journey, I plan to follow trends whilst attempting to make my own trends. I have been told by a fellow tik toker, that views are gained from the ‘for you’ page, a page that all users can view content. He suggested I continue to repost the same content until it is submitted to the ‘for you’ page, so I plan to test this theory.
The success of my first video has compelled to strive forward and become Tik Tok ‘famous’. By the end of this subject I hope to achieve this. Stay tuned on my twitter and follow my tik tok account for more content.
My original digital artefact idea that I had been working on was a youtube series called “How To From Someone Who Can’t Do”. The videos were planned to be a “how to” series with a twist, I wouldn’t be able to do any of the proposed activities. The original project was expected to reach audiences of all variations, the videos ideally being relatable and ‘fun’.
The pitch of my idea presented promising analytics. The video gained 5 subscribers and a realistic 82 views within a week of uploading. My friends supported my idea and believed the series would be a success.. however, I let myself down.
A month later, I eventually uploaded the first video of my series “How To From Someone Who Can’t Do: Makeup” after days of unsuccessfully attempting to upload this video. I tried uploading the video on three seperate occasions, the video taking up to 12 hours t upload before crashing. The video was a fail. I only received a mere 20 views across 2 weeks and only gained 1 subscriber. The results discouraged me to upload any further content.
However… Concurrently I had hopped onto the trend of “Tik Tok”, an app used to upload looping videos. I uploaded my first video just as a joke and within an hour it had gained 1459 views. The extent of views in a small period of time encouraged me post more content. After discussing this in a recent tutorial, my friend Sarah and tutor Angus proposed that I change my Digital artefact project to Tik Tok videos…
So that’s what I’m doing.
My new Digital Artefact idea is TIK TOK. I’m going to attempt creating my own trends whilst taking part in current trends. I’m excited to experiment and analyse the interactions with my videos.
Watch my youtube video below and follow my twitter for more info and updates!!
Making youtube videos seemed easy at first, yet starting this DA has completely changed my mind. Making videos on my mac’s Photo-booth does not make the cut and the lighting is TERRIBLE. Aside from technical issues, I’m enjoying this idea. Taking part in activities I can’t do is really going to bring me out my comfort zone.
In reading this, you may have discovered that I’m addressing making videos in future tense. That is because I haven’t made one yet…
Before you get mad… I want my videos to be perfect. That means perfect lighting, a good script and actual GOOD content. At the moment I have been brainstorming where I want to take my videos and formatting a plan. Plus I kind of like the anticipation… I want to keep my viewers on their toes.
Down below is a draft I have recently been for my first video.
How to from someone who cant do: Baking (a
cake)
Buy
ingredients
Measure
ingredients
Mix
ingredients in a bowl
Pour product
into trays
Bake
Decorate
Now I know this sounds SO wrong but as the title states… this is from someone who CAN’T bake. My videos will hopefully have this step by step guide to help keep my videos fun and easy to watch.
Moving on.. its time to talk about feedback.
There is hardly any. I only have 33 followers on twitter and 7 subscribers on youtube. My DA pitch received 107 views. An average of 2 people like my tweets and I get no responses.
NONE.
I use IMovie to edit my videos and adobe for thumbnails, these two platforms have helped enhance my project. Editing is very important to my DA, it will help me minimise Bull**** and keepy my videos fun and easy to watch. I’ve been trying to tweet as much as possible but it has been harder than it seems. Making memes is so difficult…
My online presence has been pretty slack but I’m hoping to now pick up pace. I know I haven’t done the recommended 20 tweets nor posted a video yet but as I said earlier.. its all about the anticipation.
I’m going to be online more than ever into the future so make sure to subscribe to my youtube channel and follow my slightly inactive twitter..
I struggled to discover a DA idea for awhile, I thought of every possibility and tried to integrate my ideas with things I could do and was good at… and then, it just hit me. I’m not good at nearly everything, I have limited hobbies and am too clumsy to attempt new things.
Hence, my DA pitch.
My digital artefact is based on ‘how to’ videos…but with a twist. In every video I will be taking part in an activity I personally can’t do, such as painting. I will be presenting a step by step tutorial of activities I have no idea how to do and uploading them to Youtube. The audience I am targeting are young people who struggle to come out of their comfort zone and learn how to do new things. I will be posting frequently, and hope to learn new things myself or maybe…maybe just embarrass myself.
Watch the video below for more info… or just to see me embarrass myself.
justjules.travel.blog 