From Kuaishou's "Laotie" to TikTok Stardom: A Rural Creator's Journey
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- Source：The Silk Road Echo
Meet Li Wei — a farmer from Henan Province who once spent his days tilling the soil and calling his buddies "laotie" (old iron, a slang for close friends). Today, he’s a TikTok sensation with over 2.3 million followers, turning rural life into viral gold. His journey isn’t just inspiring — it’s a masterclass in digital storytelling and platform migration.
The Rise of Rural Influencers
China’s short-video boom has lifted countless creators from obscurity. While urban influencers dominate fashion and tech, rural stars like Li Wei bring authenticity. According to QuestMobile, as of 2023, over 40% of Kuaishou’s active users come from lower-tier cities and rural areas. This grassroots audience craves realness — and creators are delivering.
Li Wei started on Kuaishou in 2019, posting clips of farm work, homemade meals, and playful banter with his actual laoties. His content wasn’t polished, but it was honest. Within a year, he hit 500k followers.
Why He Switched to TikTok
In 2022, Li made a bold move: he migrated to TikTok. Why? Two words — growth potential. While Kuaishou nurtured him, TikTok offered broader reach. Data shows TikTok’s user base is younger and more diverse, with 680 million monthly active users nationwide (CNNIC, 2023).
His first TikTok video — a 30-second clip of him harvesting sweet potatoes while joking, “This one’s heavier than my ex’s baggage” — went viral, racking up 1.2 million views in 48 hours.
Content Strategy That Works
So what’s his secret sauce? Three things:
- Relatable humor
- Cultural nostalgia
- Consistent branding
He blends tradition with trend — think dumpling-making challenges set to pop music. And unlike some influencers, he avoids sponsored clutter. “My people trust me,” he says. “I won’t sell them junk.”
Data Snapshot: Platform Comparison
Here’s how Kuaishou and TikTok stack up for rural creators:
| Metric | Kuaishou | TikTok |
|---|---|---|
| Average Rural User % | 42% | 28% |
| Median Follower Growth (Monthly) | 8.5% | 14.2% |
| Ad Revenue Share to Creators | 55% | 70% |
| User Engagement Rate | 18.3% | 22.1% |
As you can see, while TikTok has fewer rural users, its growth metrics and monetization edge make it a powerful launchpad.
The Road Ahead
Li now runs an e-commerce store selling organic farm goods, pulling in six figures annually. More importantly, he’s inspired dozens in his village to start their own channels.
His story proves something vital: in today’s digital age, your backyard can become a global stage. All you need is a phone, a story, and a little laotie spirit.