Acting Real: A Cross-Cultural Investigation of Finfluencers’ Strategic Authenticity

  • Yan Wang*
  • , Lin Zhu
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to conferenceConference paperpeer-review

Abstract

Video content creators or vloggers are a rising force in social media marketing. This study employed content analysis of the strategies used by financial vloggers (also known as finfluencers) on YouTube and Bilibili platforms to construct strategic authenticity. A sample of financial vloggers in China and the U.S. (N= 61) was analyzed for their authenticity strategies. The results revealed that vloggers from both cultures use a variety of authenticity strategies, including directly addressing their audiences, looking at the camera, using colloquialisms, dressing casually, disclosing personal information, and displaying emotions. There were also significant differences. Chinese vloggers were more likely to remain behind the camera and American vloggers were more likely to dress casually and engage in self-disclosure. Regression analysis also found that camera presence had a significant effect on viewer engagement levels among the Chinese sample.

Conference

ConferenceThe 21st International Conference on Research in Advertising, ICORIA 2023
Abbreviated titleICORIA 2023
Country/TerritoryFrance
CityBordeaux
Period29/06/231/07/23
Internet address

User-Defined Keywords

  • social media influencer
  • strategic authenticity
  • financial vlogger
  • content analysis

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Acting Real: A Cross-Cultural Investigation of Finfluencers’ Strategic Authenticity'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this