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Image with a black to purple gradient background. On the left side of the image is a photo of a professional camera set up focused in the photo. The background of the photo is blurry but there are high beam stage lights and seemingly some kind of a sound stage. In the upper right corner of the photo, overlaying the photo is the sparkle emoji. To the right of the photo is white, bold text. The text reads, "From TikTok to TV." Below the text is a deep purple squiggly line. Below that is white text that reads, "How creators are breaking into traditional media (and how you can too!)." In the upper right corner of the image as a whole is the influencers.com logo.

From TikTok to TV: How Creators are Breaking into Traditional Media (And How You Can Too!)

For a long time, the world of traditional media and social media fame was two completely different arenas. Internet personalities were not seen as legitimate compared to television celebrities. Today, though, we have seen a rise in influencers taking on traditional media. Let's dive into where this change is taking place. ​

Talk Show Hosts

One of the first examples of creators breaking into traditional media came when Lilly Singh took over a late-night show. She had grown her YouTube platform with relatable skits aimed at teen and young adult audiences. While her transition into the late-night space was short-lived, it taught the industry a lot about what was necessary when bringing this new reservoir of talent into the mainstream. Most importantly, they learned how important it is to recognize the audience and content a creator has. Because the production expected Singh to fit into a new genre, there was no room for what had made her popular. Since her time on late night, Singh has continued to lean into her own style. She has once again entered the mainstream in a much more fitting way with her new movie, Doin' It. ​ Learn more about how to land your first brand deal. ​ Lilly Singh is not the only newcomer to the late-night space. Comedian Taylor Tomlinson has taken over a late-night space. Tomlinson isn't known as an influencer, but has still gained a significant following through social media. She, like many other comedians today, has clipped her stand-up sets into short-form videos to give audiences a taste of her style and draw them in. While Tomlinson's show has also gone off the air, it did offer more insight into what producers should look for when bridging the gap between social media and television. Unlike Singh, Tomlinson was more connected to mainstream media before taking on the host role. She has performed on late-night shows and even toured with Conan O'Brien. This meant her audience was more likely to follow her into this new space. In addition to being more in tune with the late-night space, Tomlinson's show also took a step away from the traditional talk-show experience, moving closer to the feel of a game-show host. This kept her content new and engaging for audiences. ​

Saturday Night Live

Another area of the TV world that has benefited from online comedic personalities is SNL. Of the current cast, members Chloe Fineman, James Austin Johnson, Jane Wickline, and Veronika Slowikowska all got their start making videos online, making them creators breaking into traditional media. Chloe Fineman has created content featuring a variety of celebrity impressions, which has contributed to her success on the show. Outside of her work with the show, she is interested in the fashion world. James Austin Johnson has made his rounds in the podcast world and has his own show in which he impersonates the Grinch as a talk show host. Jane Wickline often incorporates songs into her comedy and creates great skits out of absurd concepts. Veronika Slowikowska, new this season, is set to star in an indie comedy as a struggling artist who fakes psychic abilities.

@janewicklineKetchup ghost♬ original sound - Jane Wickline

These comedians' transitions from social media are successful because of the substantial overlap in content and style. These comedians have built a following through humor, taking on different personas and moving quickly. They are taking what they know and moving it to a new stage. ​ Find out more about creator media kits.  ​

Reality TV

One other sphere in which you can see creators breaking into traditional media is reality TV. We are all aware of the rise of parasocial relationships, or the feeling that we personally know the creators we follow. And while it is essential to understand the limits of our relationships with these people, it can be really exciting to learn more about their lives. Reality television is one way we, as followers, can learn more. One popular example of TikTok-turned-reality-TV stars is The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. This show follows a group of women who have built a community through TikTok and are now managing their relationships with their families, followers, and each other. The show leans into their lives on social media, even sharing clips they've posted on their channels. Whether you are interested in their content or not, this show is engaging and offers a unique look into the influencer's life. ​ Get helpful insights on building a fanbase.  ​ Reality shows featuring influencers offer an enjoyable viewing experience. People who primarily follow social media accounts now have access to hours of well-produced behind-the-scenes content. For people who started with the show, they can go back through the archives of these people's channels to find more context about the ones they have come to love through the show.

@sipteawithmelissa Could these shows survive without creators? 🤔 #popculturenews #ukpopculture #ukrealitytv #imaceleb #creatoreconomy ♬ original sound - Melissa | Pop Culture

While the content on reality television is not an exact match for what an influencer has built their following on, the stars are not forced to change their style or give up their genre to participate. The show is based on their experiences as influencers, so both should exist at the same time.

@kittylever how to get on reality tv!!! or atleast how i did 🤭 cant believe the show is finally out!!!!!! i always said i was made for a reality show and it really manifested itself… have you guys watched yet???? the show is called Follow Me!!! its a competition for rising social media stars LOL 😭#greenscreen ♬ original sound - KITTY

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You Can Too!

People who have become popular in the influencer space might be interested in entering traditional media. To do that, there are a few things to keep in mind. The first and most crucial step is to have a manager who can help you reach this goal and understand everything that could come along with it. If you already have a manager, talk to them about what it could look like for you to go in the traditional media direction. If you don't have a manager and are looking for one, make sure to ask whether and how they can help you achieve this goal. ​ Learn how to rebrand yourself successfully.  ​​ Outside of getting a manager, the best thing you can do is make yourself and your channel desirable to producers. Create high-quality content and post consistently. Build a large following and focus on engagement. Interact with other creators in your space and collaborate on content. Showing that you are a hard worker and ready to take on new challenges is a great way to start working towards your goal of moving into traditional media. ​ Make sure to choose your collaborators wisely!

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