The content posted to popular social media app, TikTok, has changed drastically since the platform's inception. This expansion into different types of content has allowed creators with a niche to flourish and thrive on the app, gaining popularity among people from across the globe. One such individual is Niall MacMillan, a London-based contributor who uses his platform to spread positivity and humor.
TheThings sat down with Niall to discuss his ever-growing following and intended career trajectory.
How Niall Became the Awkward POV Guy
Firstly, let's start with what interested Niall in joining and posting on TikTok.
"I've always been a creative person...I always wanted to be an actor. All of a sudden, I grew up and realized it's not as easy as that...Before I knew it, I ended up married with 3 kids and a career, paying for a mortgage. Even with the things everyone says you should have, I was unhappy. I tried to figure myself out a little bit more...I found out this creative itch I had needed to be scratched."
Delving into numerous self-development books, Niall began to once again explore his inner self, turning back toward his ultimate goal of wanting to become an actor. As he began to glean and put into action the ideas from each book, he realized,
"I wanted to set an example for my kids and strive for what I want out of life [which] led me to doing videos on Instagram...I told myself I would post every single days for 2 years. If I was consistent and turned up every single day, I would learn a lot and get somewhere."
So, Niall did just that. Setting the goal of posting daily on Instagram, he began to gain some traction with a few thousand followers. Then, in 2018, Niall happened upon an app called TikTok that was built entirely for video content; for Niall's content. However, it wasn't until June 2019 that he began to post on the app. When COVID-19 rocked the world, TikTok's popularity spiked, leading to its now 1 billion and counting users.
Niall continued his goal of posting daily, now on TikTok, where his following crept up to 75,000. He set a goal for himself of 100,000 followers in 2022, not realizing he would far surpass that goal in a few month's time.
"February 2022 was when I hit 100,000, and then I stumbled upon this niche that I sit myself on now where it's this awkward point of view. I was enjoying what I was doing, people were enjoying the content...I think May 2022 was when I started getting into the 300,000s and 400,000s...there was one month when I got 3 million."
Now, less than one year later, Niall has over 6 million followers on TikTok. The question then remains: how did Niall, as he puts it, stumble upon this niche?
"There were 2 or 3 videos where I didn't speak, I just reacted to what was going on around me. There was almost a mystique to it...Everyone is so similar with regards to humor...The fact that I'm voiceless means it can be enjoyed by everyone...My third biggest reach is Brazil."
Niall went on to comment about the relatability of his content.
"I don't think I have these amazing facial expressions. It's just for whatever reason I put mine on film and I always know they're good...[When people are watching my videos], if they pull a face at the same time I'm pulling that face in a video, it's an instant connection."
What's Niall's Next Goal?
Having spoken with Niall, it's evident that he's a believer in goal-setting and manifestation. He largely credits the self-help books that led to the writing of his very own self-improvement book, Be A Shark: Inject Self Belief, Develop Self Discipline and Start Taking Actions.
"I had all of this information from self-development books in the past, I needed something to do with it. So I wrote it down in a journal and thought, "let's turn it into a book I can hand my kids." If anybody wants to understand the secret sauce or how I've gotten to where I am, it's all in the book."
Niall commented that he eventually intends to write a sequel to the book post-TikTok fame. With feats such as his very own self-help book, Niall tells us his main goal moving forward is,
"To service my followers. I like to give them that serotonin boost, that little bit of energy. I like the idea of people sitting there and having a little chuckle, so that's the most important thing for me. That's my first and main priority...Everyone's perception of social media is so negative, but I am putting out good energy and capturing good energy. I want to expand that good energy where we can take it to a bigger platform."
Drawing inspiration from the likes of Leslie Nielsen in The Naked Gun, and the glorious comedic cast of Ghostbusters, Niall hopes to one day obtain a role in a movie. Before he appears on the big screen, however, Niall has quite a few other projects lined up to continue his goal of widespread positivity.
"There's an exciting TV project coming up. I'm also looking to launch a podcast which will be strange because people will hear my voice...There's lots of conversations happening, but my main objective is to serve my followers and then to expand into a new universe."
Seth MacFarlane, if you're reading this, we've got the perfect guy for your Naked Gun reboot!