Exploring Tik Tok genres
Tik Tok is mainly known for its lip sync videos, challenges, duets, or live shows. Still, there are also other genres that journalists follow to tell their stories.
As 85.3% of Tik Tok content produced by media organisations was original, tailor-made for the platform. Still, they have used Tik Tok to share information, promote their work operating in different genres.
So what genres can I find on Tik Tok?
Lip-sync
The dominant genre is the Lip-sync type of videos “largely” acquired from Musical.ly. In 2017 Tik Tok was inherited from the lip-syncing app.
Using lip-sync format, the Washington Post showed that New York state legalised marijuana. I used a Tik Tok trending fragment of Freddie Mercury’s Live Aid concert and his “Ay — Oh” to record a video about vocal warm-up.
Explainer
There are also Explainers, with whom some news media have begun their Tik Tok journey. By explaining complex and strongly worded news in a more “digestible way”, grabbing the audience’s attention with a “hook”.
Tik Tok Guardian Australia described lockdown rules or Australian athletes’ success at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Sophia Galler Smith explained the origin of the BBC theme song.
Also, serious topics are discussed on Tik Tok, for example, an arrest of a CNN reporter during the Minneapolis protests or prosecution of an influencer for photos at a sex museum.
Popular Trends and Challenges
Taking part in current trends and challenges is another genre of Tik Tok video. This genre follows new trends, meaning videos are time-sensitive. Various types of challenges can be “identified with hashtags” or through the Tik Tok Discover feature.
“Things I get asked as a…” journalist — is one of the examples. Earlier this year, people danced to the BBC theme song, which became a viral Tik Tok Dance challenge.
I have followed a trend in which I changed the location showing Birmingham’s arts and cultural venues reopening after lockdown.
Humorous videos
On Tik Tok, users can find funny content such as “pranks”, parodies or comedies. News organisations also create “banal videos of humorous and surprising nature”. Often these videos don’t provide any new information rather comment on everyday life situations through humour.
Tuning live and reporting “live”
Another popular genre that media outlets have used is Live Shows. But journalists were also present on different real-life events reporting from the scene, such as The Washington Post from political meetings.
Duets
Tik Tok’s duets are used to react or respond to other videos. Duet function allows creating new Tik Tok while still featuring the initial video, which pops up on the side, so you and the person captured in the video are seen together.
Behind the scenes, a day in the life or practical DIY
Journalists also use Tik Tok to show their “day in the life”, showing how they create stories giving us a glimpse of behind the scenes.
They also share tips on good journalism, such as Journo Resources, which advice on pitching stories. But they share helpful DIY/ life hacks such as The Washington Post teaching how to make a hand sanitiser.
Numbers
Journalists use animated graphics to explain heavy data stories in more accessible ways. Showing the number of people killed by the police in the US or a surge in lockdown travel trends in the US.
Interviews
Sometimes media organisations publish short clips from interviews or key moments from press conferences on Tik Tok. NBC News posted a video of President Biden decision to remove U.S. forces from Afghanistan.
But as Tik Tok journalism and journalists experimentation with the platform progresses, new genres can emerge.
Have I missed any genre? Let me know in a comment below.
