Online Presence II - Prototyping

I chose to use Tik Tok as the platform for my DA as it follows the #FIST principle. First I needed to ensure that I had an audience as when users become properly cultivated they can potentially become co developers. My DA initially began with testing basic workouts, hauls and my own eating habits with my audience, in order to gain a feedback loop that would help me alter and better adapt my content to my audience. I started to receive feedback in terms of the individuals who liked my videos and commented. My target audience was young girls aged 16-24 years old and based on who is commenting and liking my content I had started to reach my target audience.

When it comes to defining failure I would consider my DA a fail if I firstly was not reaching my target audience and making some kind of impact. I'd also consider it a failure if I was not reaching many people or receiving any comments, likes or views as it is hard to keep iterating without any kind of feedback. My DA would also be a fail if I stopped enjoying it, and lost genuine passion for it.

Here are some examples of the users that have engaged with my content through comments.

From this feedback I then began to take notes of what I was doing well and what I needed to improve on. Firstly the workout videos, where I hadn’t prioritised setting and lighting as much didn’t do as well. So I made a note to put more effort and thought into where I filmed and the lighting, so my videos appeared more aesthetic. My “what I eat in a day” video also lacked engagement in all aspects such as comments, shares, likes and views, so from this I realised that my audience doesn’t want to see as much of what I eat but based on my Instagram polls, more recipes on how I cook specific things. The iterations made were visual instead of more content based but by focusing more on the visual quality of my videos instead of quantity increased my views and overall engagement.

As I entered the making stage I continued to post content and iterate my content based on feedback loops. I also trialled different content that would engage my audience and I raised awareness about the effects of birth control. In the lecture it made a point that, “if your assumptions were proven wrong you don’t stop your project - you iterate!”. I wrongly assumed that personal content wouldn’t be as well received but this wasn’t the case. In my birth control effects video, I discussed my own experience and I had girls commenting in agreement and I received messages from users letting me know how helpful my video was. The users commenting on this type of content were my target audience, so this gave me confidence that my content was relevant and helpful for this audience.

With the feedback I had received, I made an updated mood board for my DA - including more inspirational quotes and my own personal images that I want to be reflected in my DA. Such as quotes that inspire me, my inspiration and a picture of me from the gym.

I don’t think I am quite at the breaking stage yet of my DA, as I need to produce more content that corrects my assumptions in regards to my users and mediums. I want to keep producing more personal content, and body positivity, and also some gym workouts as due to lockdown I haven’t been able to use the gym. I am also completing my certificate 3 and 4 in fitness currently, so I will not be fully satisfied with my DA until I am qualified and can produce more helpful content that can be supported with my Personal Training Qualification.

My main priority is currently testing my assumptions, and iterating my project based on the feedback I receive. I am trying to make my DA less of a step by step guide to being better but create a more personal relationship with my audience so my Tik Tok can be a page where people can interact and comment and feel supported. I posted a poll on the #BCM114 twitter page asking if people enjoy hearing about other people’s personal experiences and 100% of voters said yes.

I have a definite vision for my DA I just have to keep iterating and not stop looking for feedback :)