Social media has changed the way we consume entertainment. Instead of waiting for a new TV show to drop, people now follow creators who act out entire storylines in short-form videos. One of the best examples of this is Shawna the Mom, a skit-based account that has built a loyal audience by delivering dramatic, hilarious, and engaging content all performed by a single actor.
If you haven’t come across Shawna Lender’s videos yet, here’s what makes her content stand out:
Shawna plays every single character in her storylines, using wigs, hats, and different voices to bring them to life. Her fictional world revolves around Shawna, her husband John, her overbearing mother-in-law Barb, her sister-in-law Jennifer, and Greg the ever-present boyfriend and baby daddy. And that’s just the start.
Through short, dramatic skits, Shawna creates ongoing narratives that keep people coming back. Fans are invested. They demand updates and wait to see what Barb will do next or how Shawna will handle the latest family drama. Each video feels like a scene from a soap opera, except it’s delivered in bite-sized, social-friendly clips.
Shawna’s success is a blueprint for actors, comedians, and filmmakers who want to take control of their careers. Instead of waiting for casting calls or industry breaks, social media allows performers to build their own audience and showcase their storytelling skills on their own terms.
Essentially, this is a TV show, just in a new format. Instead of watching it on a streaming service, people are consuming it in short-form, highly shareable clips on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts.
Yes and no. The TikTok Creator Fund isn’t available in Canada, which means creators won’t get paid directly from views the way some U.S.-based accounts do. However, that doesn’t mean this strategy isn’t worth pursuing. Here’s why:
YouTube monetization: Once a creator hits the right engagement levels on YouTube Shorts, they can earn ad revenue.
Brand sponsorships: Companies want to partner with creators who have loyal, engaged audiences.
Platform expansion: Skit-based storytelling isn’t just for TikTok it works across multiple platforms, leading to more opportunities for growth.
Creators who lean into strong narratives and character-driven storytelling can still build a sustainable content series that leads to revenue and bigger opportunities.
Shawna the Mum isn’t the only one proving that strong storytelling and skit-based content can drive major engagement. These three creators have built dedicated followings by bringing relatable, exaggerated, and often hilarious situations to life one character at a time.
• Charlotte, The Nursery Nurse (@thenursery_nurse) – Charlotte’s content is a perfect example of how a niche job can turn into viral storytelling. Playing multiple characters using wigs, glasses, and fake mustaches, she acts out the daily chaos of working in childcare. Her ability to take relatable workplace experiences and turn them into shareable skits keeps her audience hooked.
• Jack Ryan, TheSlappableJerk (@theslappablejerk) – Known for his “Toxic Boyfriend” series, Jack Ryan brings absurd yet painfully familiar relationship dynamics to life. Whether he’s playing a pretentious intellectual who thinks he’s above his girlfriend or an older man dating someone far too young, his exaggerated performances tap into real-life relationship frustrations in a way that’s both hilarious and cringeworthy. His characters are extreme but just believable enough to spark conversations and comments drive the algorithm.
• Siiri Parks (@siiriparkss) – Siiri combines personal storytelling with skit-based content, often referencing her past experiences and wild workplace encounters. As a salon owner, she recreates over-the-top client interactions and nightmare scenarios submitted by her followers. Whether she’s acting out a “stealing stylist” situation or responding to a Karen at her salon, her ability to mix humor with real-life stories makes her content incredibly engaging.
These creators prove that skit-based storytelling isn’t just about playing different roles it’s about tapping into relatable moments, niche experiences, and exaggerated personalities to keep audiences engaged and coming back for more.
We’re going to see more and more creators treating their content like a full-fledged show. Social media has made it possible for actors and comedians to take charge of their own careers, rather than waiting for traditional industry approval.
The demand for episodic, engaging skit-based content is growing and the best part? The power is in the creator’s hands.
If you’re considering launching a skit-based account or want to fine-tune your content strategy, we’d love to chat. There’s never been a better time to turn your creativity into a series that keeps people coming back for more.
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