Four TikTokers share how the social media platform complements their career
SOCIAL media has become a powerful tool for many people in promoting or complementing what they are doing. Used strategically, it can be a powerful marketing platform.
Four TikTokers (two of them were winners of TikTok All-Star Southeast Asia 2019) can attest to this, having experienced the power of social media in their respective careers.
BOOSTING EDUCATION
For Math teacher Ong Siew Ling (@maths.ling), social media platforms like TikTok have allowed her to innovate and give a fresh approach to her teaching.
"I teach Maths for a living, but now I can utilise innovative ways to make it a fun learning experience. It's a fresh approach. I upload Math problems to social media, using tutorials and vlogs," she said.
On her TikTok platform, she provides Maths tips, "tricks" and tutorials, most within a 15-second time span, which make them relatable to young digital-savvy students.
"I find that my students gravitate towards and respond positively to these methods. Seeing the 'ah ha!' moments on their faces when they solve Maths problems via my approach gives me much satisfaction as an educator," she said.
Throughout Ong's career as a teacher, she realised that "students are not robots".
"They respond well when innovative ways are introduced to learning, especially when it comes to a subject like Mathematics.
"During this pandemic, social media also provides a safe environment that is highly intuitive and easy to use," she said.
PASSION FOR COMEDY
Khairul Andryan (@khairulandryan) is a school teacher by profession, but comedy is his passion.
Collaborating with other well-known TikTokers, he developed his own style (via the hashtag series #likeipro) for his comedy videos.
As a teacher, Khairul is constantly bombarded with challenges, both from his students and daily administrative work.
"I channel all that into my comedy videos. My biggest challenge is to find and write suitable stories for my audience. I also need to be careful with sensitive issues within our multi-racial community before posting any videos.
"I'm definitely getting better at managing these challenges and am looking forward to advancing both careers in the future.
"My students are amused by the videos I post. I feel that I can be a role model to them by encouraging them to pursue their passions," he added.
The IT-savvy Khairul is aware that the advancement of technology has certainly changed the way viewers consume content.
"People nowadays prefer short videos over text. The shorter the video, the better."
CREATIVE INDUSTRY
For aspiring singer Harith Zazman, social media can be a stepping stone to further his career.
"I recently uploaded a 15-second video and it unexpectedly went viral. All it takes is a little effort, the right platform and a little luck — and you have the recipe for success," he said.
Many people know Harith for a song he did on TikTok called
Stop lah being soo cute.
"I got the inspiration to make this video on TikTok from a crush I once had. I didn't even think much of it. Before I knew it, celebrities like Fattah Amin, Nora Danish and Alvin Chong were using the song for their own TikTok videos. Needless to say, I was flattered," he said.
For Harith, using social media and getting all that attention from that TikTok song were things he'd never forget.
"Eventually, the wheels in my mind started spinning freely. Coping and 'rolling with the punches' came more easily.
"Of course, going viral on TikTok helps. More people now know more about me and my production company as well," he added.
PERFECT EXPOSURE
People call him #Chinepaiyen because of his size and heritage. He also does Tamil music videos and those with short Tamil dialogue.
For Blake Yap Jun Meng, an aspiring actor and filmmaker, being Malaysian provides him with the perfect exposure to a melting pot of cultures and languages.
"My natural curiosity has helped me embrace the Indian culture and the Tamil language. With the help of friends. I picked up the language and progressed to making Tamil music videos and more on social media," he said.
"Many of my friends and fans call me Chinepaiyen, which literally means 'little boy' in Tamil.
"Recently, TikTok became my platform of choice. It is perfect for my short skits and dance videos, and I reach audiences all over the world.
"I'm excited that I'm able to express my love for entertaining and showcasing Malaysia's multilingual and multicultural charms.
"Social media enables us to create opportunities for ourselves. Through such platforms, I am motivated to pursue my studies in broadcasting. I aim to work my way to being in front of the camera," he added.