Proposal
Proposal
RQ1: What conversational patterns emerge in follower comments in response to authenticity cues?
RQ2: How do influencers and followers co‑construct parasocial relationships through recurring interactional practices?
RQ3: What forms of emotional expression or relational language appear in influencer–follower exchanges?
Method
Method
A qualitative content analysis was performed to capture the ways in which lifestyle fitness influencers portray themselves on TikTok, and the way their followers react to such content naturally. To achieve this, a detailed coding sheet was developed to give a systematic analysis of TikTok posts and their comments section of 12 influencers. This study will be content analyzed to compile observations of hundreds of posts and comments within a single organized framework, and can potentially produce findings. The approach is most suitable for analyzing the communicative strategies inherent in influencer content, as it allows for a close examination of the visual, verbal, and behavioral elements.
Project Form
Project Form
The final project will be in the form of a Google Site, which will enable presentation of the findings in a visually rich manner in addition to conventional academic writing. It will feature carefully selected screenshots, excerpts of code, visual imagery, and language that will demonstrate how lifestyle fitness influencers establish their authenticity and balance parasocial relationships.
Audience & Dissemination
Audience & Dissemination
The specific audience for this project includes individuals who follow lifestyle fitness influencers on platforms such as TikTok. As influencer culture continues to grow and fitness content dominates social media feeds, conversations surrounding authenticity, emotional labor, and ethical responsibility are becoming increasingly relevant. This project will be shared through this publicly accessible website and promoted through academic presentations and social media platforms where discussions about influencer culture and digital intimacy are already taking place.
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