Trans-mediated parasocial relationships: Private Facebook groups foster influencer-follower connection

This essay offers an extension of the theory of parasocial relationships deemedtrans-mediated parasocial relationshipsin which popular users rely on a specific social media platform to maintain relationships with followers previously kindled on another platform. The extension calls for scholars to pay attention to which platforms influential users are moving between and how the affordances of particular platforms help or hinder the growth of existing relationships. To explicate this theory extension, the researcher applied a multi-method approach to explore a private Facebook group run by Australian social media influencer, Sarah's Day. The researcher investigates how members use the group to communicate their thoughts, seek support, ask questions, and share critiques of themselves and others. In this case, an influencer who originally fostered connections with followers on YouTube and Instagram built a self-sustaining Facebook group to maintain those relationships through little effort of her own, continually benefiting from follower labor.

Automated summary

This essay extends the theory of parasocial relationships by introducing the concept of trans-mediated parasocial relationships, in which popular users maintain connections with followers across different social media platforms. Using a multi-method approach, the researcher examines how members of a private Facebook group run by Australian influencer Sarah's Day interact and support each other. This study highlights the importance of understanding how influential users utilize various platforms to sustain relationships with their followers.