TL;DR Summary of TikTok’s New Bulletin Boards Feature for Brands and Creators
Optimixed’s Overview: How TikTok’s Bulletin Boards Enhance Creator and Brand Engagement
Introduction to Bulletin Boards on TikTok
TikTok is experimenting with Bulletin Boards, a new feature that enables creators and brands to send broadcast-style updates directly to their audience. This new tool functions as a one-to-many DM chat, allowing profiles to post up to 20 bulletins per day with a 1,000-character limit each. These bulletins can include text, photos, and videos, creating a flexible way to keep followers informed and engaged.
How Bulletin Boards Work
- Creators can create a bulletin board from their inbox by tapping a plus sign, then naming the board and adding a description.
- An optional ‘Join’ button can be displayed on profiles to encourage fans to follow the board.
- Fans can react to posts but cannot reply, maintaining a broadcast-style communication.
- The updates appear in a feed similar to messaging threads, enhancing user experience within the app.
Context and Industry Comparison
Bulletin Boards align with trends seen across social platforms, reflecting a shift towards private, direct messaging as a primary method of engagement. Instagram’s Broadcast Channels, launched earlier in 2023, serve a similar purpose, enabling creators to maintain closer contact with their audience through dedicated message streams. YouTube’s Communities feature offers related social updates with reply capability.
Potential Impact and Future Outlook
While TikTok’s DMs have traditionally played a minor role, Bulletin Boards could significantly enhance community-building and audience retention. Early adopters, including major brands like Paris St. Germain and Jonas Brothers, have already attracted substantial follower counts. As more creators gain access, habitual following behaviors may grow, expanding promotional and engagement opportunities.
Currently, TikTok has not revealed full rollout plans or detailed access criteria. However, the feature is gradually being introduced to a wider range of brand and creator profiles, signaling TikTok’s commitment to fostering stronger creator-fan connections within its platform.