Influencer 101: Schools Are Now Teaching Students How To Go Viral

In a world where social media dominates our daily lives, it's no surprise that colleges are starting to adapt their curriculum to meet the demands of the digital age. But this isn't your ordinary college course. Instead of writing essays or presenting research papers, students are now creating TikToks and building their online platforms.

At Duke University, students are taking a course called "Building Global Audiences," where they learn the art of influencing. It may sound crazy to think that during a class at a prestigious university, students are making TikTok videos, but that's exactly what's happening.

When asked if it feels strange to be making TikToks during class, a student responds with a resounding "yes." Another student adds, "It's really the only class I've taken since I've been here that is about what is going on right now." It seems that this non-traditional approach to education is resonating with the students.

And they're not just creating content for the sake of likes and followers. These students are actually gaining substantial traction on TikTok. One student proudly announces, "I gained 33,000 followers since I joined this class." Another student boasts about having 600,000 views on one of their TikTok videos. It's clear that the skills taught in this class are directly translating into online success.

The professor of the course, Dr. Aaron Dennen, believes that it's not just about going viral. It's about building a platform and understanding the business behind social media. He emphasizes that audience engagement is key, stating that "audience is almost more important than everything else." Even if you have the greatest product in the world, if nobody knows about it, it's useless.

This course is not just about teaching students how to gain TikTok followers, but also about teaching them the fundamentals of marketing and entrepreneurship. It's about understanding the power of social media and how to leverage it for business success. Dr. Dennen wants his students to think beyond the surface level of creating content and focus on building a sustainable online presence.

This trend of incorporating social media into college courses is not unique to Duke University. Owens Community College in Ohio and East Carolina University have also hopped on the bandwagon, offering courses on creating viral videos and launching new creator programs. Even the University of Southern California has a professor who wrote an entire textbook on the subject.

Some might question the value of a college course that teaches students how to gain Instagram followers or make TikToks. To skeptics, Dr. Dennen says, "This is a bigger phenomenon worthy of study by social scientists, not just a how-to on taking selfies." When students become influencers, they are essentially running their own business, securing brand deals, shooting commercials, and editing their own content. It's a nuanced skill set that goes beyond simply creating viral videos.

Gigi Robinson, a content creator with over 140,000 followers on TikTok, believes that teaching influencer marketing and the creator economy in classrooms is essential. She says, "We need to teach the art of entrepreneurship." Learning these skills in college would have greatly benefited her, and she believes it can help other aspiring influencers as well.

So, while it may seem unconventional to have a college course centered around TikToks and influencing, it's clear that this type of education is preparing students for the digital world. They're learning real-life skills that can lead to successful careers in the online realm. As society continues to evolve, it's crucial that education keeps up with the times and prepares students for the challenges and opportunities of the digital age.