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Why “Who TF Did I Marry” Highlights the Importance of Storytelling on TikTok for Creators

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Carla Marshall
February 27, 2024
"Who TF Did I Marry" Highlights the Importance of Storytelling for TikTok

If you’re on the drama side of TikTok, you’ll no doubt have seen an extraordinary series of videos from creator ReesaTeesa on your FYP in the past couple of weeks. The fifty-part “Who TF Did I Marry” saga documents her relationship with a man she says had lied about his entire life.

The story has captivated TikTok audiences, the media, and other creators who are publishing thousands of reaction clips to Reesa. If you’re out of the loop, here’s Reesa introducing the story on her channel. Warning: it’s a little sweary.

@reesamteesa Who TF Did I Marry- Introduction #reesateesa #fyp #series ♬ original sound – ReesaTeesa

Not only has the “Who TF Did I Marry” series generated an incredible 300M views in just a couple of weeks, but it has also generated 2.8M new followers for ReeseaTeesa on TikTok.

But these are not even the most important facts about these videos. Every creator who publishes content on TikTok (and other social platforms) needs to know that the ability to tell a good story will push your content to the widest audience possible.

TikTok Wants its Creators to Master the Art of Storytelling in 2024

One of TikTok’s own predictions for the coming year was the importance of “storytelling unhinged.”

Platform predictions always come from a place of deep data and research. And TikTok holds an enormous amount of data on the way that creators and viewers use its app. In its ‘What’s Next 2024 Trend Report’ it made three predictions for the way we use the app. This includes ‘storytelling unhinged’, which will see huge audiences built upon story arcs that generate curiosity and imagination, as well as storytelling that provides unexpected stories in gripping and surprising ways.

“Who TF Did I Marry?” perfectly illustrates this storytelling trend and should send a huge signal to creators that the app will promote this type of engaging,  sequential, and longer-form content to keep viewers on the platform. 

ReesaTeesa’s content is very entertaining, but if we take a look at the model TikTok wants to push going forward, it wouldn’t be too much of a reach to suggest the algorithm gave the series a bit of a nudge to satisfy one of its predictions. 

TikTok has conquered the world of short-form video and now wants to grow its share of long-form footage alongside YouTube. While a skilled creator can tell a compelling tale in under 60 seconds, longer videos lend themselves better to a more in-depth narrative.

Storytelling on TikTok can be a rollercoaster

How to Tell a Great Story with Your Video Content   

TikTok is a fantastic platform to be on if you have a good story to tell, and in today’s digital age, attention is currency. With so much content vying for our time, it’s more important than ever to find ways to stand out and capture viewers’ attention. One powerful way to do this is by using storytelling in your videos.

Stories can transport us to new worlds, evoke emotions, and connect with us on a deeper level. They can make your videos more engaging, memorable, and shareable.

But how do you use stories effectively in your content? Here are seven key elements to keep in mind:

1. Start with a strong hook.

Grab your viewers’ attention from the very beginning with a question, a surprising fact, or a relatable anecdote.

2. Introduce your characters

Who are the people in your story? What are their goals and motivations? Help your viewers connect with them on a personal level.

3. Create a conflict

What obstacle is your character facing? What stands in the way of them achieving their goal? Conflict is what drives the story forward and keeps viewers engaged.

4. Raise the stakes

What are the consequences of failure? Make your viewers care about the outcome of the story.

5. Offer help

How does your character overcome the obstacle? What lesson do they learn along the way? The help stage is where your character grows and transforms.

6. Deliver a satisfying ending

Tie up the loose ends and give your viewers a sense of closure. Leave them with something to think about or feel.

7. Call to action

Tell your viewers what you want them to do next, whether it’s subscribing to your channel, liking your video, or visiting your website.

End storytelling on TikTok with a call to action

By following these elements, you can create videos that are not only informative but also engaging and memorable. Stories can help you build a deeper connection with your audience, boost your views, and achieve your YouTube goals.

Additional Tips for Storytelling on TikTok:

  • Keep your stories concise and to the point. Viewers’ attention spans are short, so make sure your story can be told in a few minutes.
  • Use visuals to enhance your story. Images, videos, and graphics can help bring your story to life and make it more engaging.
  • Be authentic and passionate. Your viewers can tell if you’re not genuine, so be yourself and let your passion for your topic shine through.

Do you have a story like “Who TF Did I Marry?”

By incorporating storytelling into your videos, you can take your content to the next level and connect with your audience on a deeper level. Who knows, you might be sitting on the next “Who TF did I marry…” So why not give it a try today?

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