In a university near Shaghai, the first course to become famous on the web has been set up: the goal is to earn money by posting photos on social networks
Instagrammer, YouTubers, influencers, terms that until five years ago meant nothing and that have now become common, especially in the world of social networks. So common that they have become real jobs: it is enough to be successful with your videos to be able to earn three figures.
Fashion bloggers have made their passion become a real job. The most famous is Chiara Ferragni, who has transformed her blog into a company capable of billing several million euros. And now even in China they seem to have discovered the importance of the Net and social networks, so much so that Yiwu Industrial & Commercial College near Shanghai has set up the first course on how to become viral on social networks. The 34 boys and girls in the course are taught the techniques to achieve success with photos and videos. The important thing is to choose one’s own market niche and apply some “simple” rules.
In the last period among Chinese young people a real mania is exploding: thousands of young people are trying to become famous online in the hope of earning money by sponsoring luxury products. But few are those who really succeed in establishing themselves and turn their passion into a job. These kids are labeled with the term “wanghong”, which in Chinese means “hot on the web”, in simple words viral.
Who are the wanghong
The goal of the Chinese University’s degree program is to mold little wanghongs who know how to succeed online. During the classes, the different techniques to increase the number of followers and likes are taught. But also how to record funny videos that will fascinate the audience. Every detail must be taken care of, starting with the clothes and ending with the hairstyle. But the boys must also be business men able to sniff out the deal and manage their money in the best way possible.
The “head” of the wanghong is Jiang Yilei, a young man in his thirties from Shanghai, who after getting his diploma as an actor started making comedy videos. Soon came the success and the first sponsorships by major companies such as New Balance and Jaeger-LeCoultre. The boy, in addition to earning from the sponsorships of companies, also receives small gifts from his fans. The phenomenon of wanghong in China is growing by leaps and bounds, also thanks to a practically infinite market: with a population that exceeds one billion, the earning possibilities are unlimited.