I have not escaped influencer culture.

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I have not escaped influencer culture.

For a week, I logged my social media use, and at the end of that week, I concluded that my social media use was quite dull. I have occasionally caught myself scrolling on TikTok. Once or Twice. But my most used platform would have to be YouTube. The first could be attributed to ASMR rooms where I let some instrumental music play in the background when I am doing coursework and when I read for pleasure. My other social media activity is watching book-related videos, which include lengthy book reviews. This process reminded me of the five steps of Social Commerce. I discover many books by browsing through the stacks either online or in person, but the majority of my book recommendations are influenced by BookTube channels and websites like Goodreads or Storygraph.

My Problem Recognition is usually me telling myself, “Hey, there’s a problem. You don’t have anything to read,” and that will commence a deep BookTube dive until I’ve come away with a handful of potential books to add to my To Be Read pile. I read the synopsis and the reviews to make the decision myself, but I’ll be candid and say that I’m influenced. I’m influenced by YouTube channels that have partnerships with big book-based brands, but I’m persuaded to read from smaller, less popular channels. I once thought I had escaped influencer culture with BookTube because I wasn’t looking at the typical products like makeup, clothes, or food (though, I still cruise the internet for these items). We never really escape influencer culture, do we? I think it’s false to think this is a new phenomenon. After searching, reviewing, and checking out a book or purchasing, I leave my review somewhere. I may write a review online in the traditional sense or speak to anyone who will listen. This includes my poor family friends, and co-workers. Either way, once I leave my Post-purchase evaluation, I am part of this seemingly cyclical Social Commerce zone.

Comments

  1. Ellen DooleySeptember 26, 2023 at 8:31 PM

    It sounds like you are more in the category described by The New Yorker author at the end of the piece; not always “aligned with corporate interests”, than in the Dorian Gray realm. Thanks for sharing that excellent take on influencers!

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  2. Samantha MatherneSeptember 27, 2023 at 9:32 AM

    Since hopping onto TikTok last year in the spring, I do not watch as much YouTube as I once did. Most of my TikTok viewing and interacting is within the #booktok sphere, though! I wish I could say that I'm not influenced by what I find on social media, but there are numerous books I have read, bought, or simply added to my TBR thanks to #booktok reviewers. We're all subjected to influencers to some degree as long as we check out social media with topics under our interests. These days not being influenced seems next to impossible.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Natalie StansburyOctober 1, 2023 at 5:41 AM

    I have noticed that TikTok is taking over my daughter's life! Last week when a tube of toothpaste from Australia came in the mail for her I knew we had to have a chat. She had seen an influencer on the platform talking about how great it is and she was so excited that it was watermelon flavored. When I questioned her about the decision to purchase it she insisted it was recommended by a dentist. One dentist? And in Australia? (Facepalm!) At least your talking books here...hope her teeth don't fall out!

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