(Source: https://pltfrm.com.cn)
Introduction Chinese consumers can smell “foreign ad” from a mile away. In 2026, the only content that breaks through the noise is content that feels 100% lived-in—shot by real people, speaking real internet slang, and reflecting real Chinese daily life. Here’s exactly how top overseas brands create authentic content that Chinese users save, share, and trust.
1. Real-People-First Casting & Production
1.1 Ditch Professional Models for Everyday Chinese Faces Street casting in Tier-1 to Tier-3 cities: Recruit university students, young mothers, office workers who already love the category. Zero retouching rule: Skin texture, acne patches, and messy hair are now trust signals, not flaws.
1.2 iPhone-Only Shooting Style Vertical, shaky when natural, front-camera vlog aesthetic: Train creators to film exactly like they film their own lives. Natural lighting & home environments: Content shot in real Shanghai apartments or Guangzhou balconies outperforms studio sets 5:1.
2. Native Internet Language & Meme Integration
2.1 Speak Like a 20-Year-Old Chinese Netizen Weekly slang briefs: “逆鳞”, “爆改”, “松弛感” enter scripts the same week they trend on Douyin. Self-deprecating humor: Brands that gently roast themselves (“这个外国牌子终于懂中国人了”) win instant relatability.
3. Lifestyle Integration Over Product Pushing
3.1 “A Day in My Life” Format Dominance Show the product naturally at minute 4–5 after building emotional connection through morning routines, commute struggles, or late-night snacks. Zero hard sell: The most authentic posts never mention price or “link in bio” until the very end.
4. Community Co-Creation Loops
4.1 Turn Fans into Content Partners Monthly open calls: Best user-submitted videos get re-posted officially and creators receive product for life or cash rewards.
Case Study: American Outdoor Apparel Brand Becomes “City Hiking Bible” on Xiaohongshu
A U.S. technical outdoor brand was seen as “too professional, not for daily wear.” PLTFRM shifted to 100% authentic user diaries: 50 real Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu hikers filmed their actual weekend routines using only iPhones—no script, just “film whatever you do.” Posts looked indistinguishable from regular Xiaohongshu notes. Result: 2.8 million notes under the brand hashtag in 18 months, #1 imported outdoor brand on Dewu and Tmall.
PLTFRM is an international brand consulting agency that works with companies such as Red, TikTok, Tmall, Baidu, and other well-known Chinese internet e-commerce platforms. We have been working with Chile Cherries for many years, reaching Chinese consumers in depth through different platforms and realizing that Chile Cherries’ exports in China account for 97% of the total exports in Asia. Contact us, and we will help you find the best China e-commerce platform for you. Search PLTFRM for a free consultation!
