TikTok Rolls Out Bulletin Boards Feature to More Users for Enhanced Follower Communication

TikTok has expanded access to its new Bulletin Boards feature, allowing more creators and brands to share updates directly with their most engaged followers through a dedicated messaging channel within the app. The feature appears as a tappable icon below usernames on eligible profiles, creating a one-to-many communication system similar to Instagram's Broadcast Channels.

The expansion represents TikTok's response to the growing preference for direct messaging over in-feed updates, giving content creators a streamlined way to maintain connections with their audience. This move aligns with broader social media trends emphasizing more intimate communication channels between creators and their followers.

For businesses already developing comprehensive TikTok business marketing strategies, this new feature provides an additional touchpoint for audience engagement and relationship building.

How Bulletin Boards Function Within TikTok

Bulletin Boards function as specialized in-app channels where eligible creators can publish customized updates to their followers. The feature supports text, image, and video content in a format resembling direct messages but broadcast to multiple followers simultaneously.

Users who visit profiles with this feature will notice a dedicated Bulletin Board icon below the username. By joining a creator's Bulletin Board, followers receive notifications whenever new updates are posted, creating a direct line of communication for important announcements and engagement opportunities.

The setup process is straightforward for those with access. Creators can establish their Bulletin Board by:

1. Tapping the Inbox icon at the bottom of the TikTok app
2. Looking for a banner notification about bulletin boards and selecting "Try it"
3. Tapping the "Chat" button at the top
4. Selecting "Create a bulletin board"
5. Choosing visibility settings with the "Show on profile" toggle
6. Tapping "Create" to launch the bulletin board

While the feature was initially spotted in testing back in June, TikTok has now updated its documentation to indicate broader availability, although the company hasn't specified the exact eligibility requirements or regional rollout plans.

Strategic Benefits for Content Creators and Brands

Bulletin Boards offer significant strategic advantages for content creators looking to strengthen their TikTok presence. The feature provides a dedicated channel for time-sensitive announcements, product launches, or exclusive content without relying on the algorithm to surface posts to followers.

For brands, this represents an opportunity to create more personal connections with their most dedicated customers. Rather than hoping followers see content in their feeds, companies can deliver information directly to interested parties who have opted into these communications.

The feature's similarity to Instagram's Broadcast Channels suggests a broader trend across social platforms toward creating more intimate communication spaces. As algorithms increasingly determine what appears in main feeds, these direct channels ensure important updates reach intended audiences.

This addition could prove particularly valuable for creators who need to share information about:

• Upcoming live streams or events
• Product restocks or limited releases
• Behind-the-scenes content
• Quick updates that don't warrant full TikTok videos

For content creators who occasionally need to manage or undo reposts on their TikTok accounts, Bulletin Boards can provide a direct channel to clarify any mistakenly shared content.

Effective Implementation Strategies

Content creators who gain access to Bulletin Boards can maximize the feature by developing a consistent communication strategy. The most effective approaches will balance frequency and value, sending updates often enough to maintain engagement without overwhelming followers.

For businesses, this feature could serve as a powerful customer relationship management tool. Companies might use Bulletin Boards to share early access opportunities, exclusive discounts, or product announcements with their most engaged audience members – similar to how brands have utilized email newsletters but in a more immediate, mobile-friendly format.

The parallel to Instagram's Broadcast Channels, which have seen widespread adoption among celebrities and influencers, suggests TikTok may be positioning Bulletin Boards as a retention feature to keep creators and their audiences engaged within the platform ecosystem rather than directing traffic to external sites.

Like Twitter/X's Communities feature or Facebook Groups, Bulletin Boards represent another iteration of social platforms creating semi-private spaces for communication, acknowledging that not all content is meant for public broadcasting.

Content Synchronization Opportunities

Savvy marketers might consider incorporating Bulletin Boards into their broader content repurposing workflow, using the feature to tease upcoming content or provide exclusive perspectives on recently published materials. This approach creates a seamless ecosystem between public-facing content and more intimate follower communications.

Implications for Social Media Marketing

TikTok's expansion of Bulletin Boards reflects the evolving landscape of social media marketing, where direct communication channels are increasingly valued over mass broadcasting. For marketers, this provides another tool to segment communications and deliver tailored messages to different audience segments.

The feature arrives as social platforms continue adapting to changing user preferences and privacy concerns. With users increasingly turning to private and semi-private spaces for authentic communication, features like Bulletin Boards position TikTok to accommodate this shift while keeping interactions within the platform.

For social media managers, this development means potentially adding another communication channel to their TikTok strategy. While main feed content will remain important for discovery, Bulletin Boards could become crucial for nurturing established follower relationships and driving conversions.

Potential Enhancements for Bulletin Boards

While the current implementation provides significant value, TikTok could further enhance the Bulletin Boards feature by:

• Analytics integration: Providing creators with metrics on bulletin engagement, open rates, and follower growth would enable data-driven optimization of communication strategies.
• Segmentation capabilities: The ability to create multiple Bulletin Boards or segment audiences within a single board would allow for more targeted messaging.
• Interactive elements: Incorporating polls, questions, and other interactive components could increase engagement beyond passive consumption of updates.
• Monetization options: Future iterations might explore paid subscription tiers for exclusive Bulletin Board access, creating new revenue opportunities for creators.

These potential enhancements align with the evolving creator economy trends that emphasize direct-to-audience monetization and community building.

Practical Application Guidelines

1. Check your TikTok account regularly to see if you've received access to Bulletin Boards and implement the feature early if available
2. Develop a separate content strategy specifically for Bulletin Board communications that complements your main TikTok content
3. Consider how you might use this feature to deliver time-sensitive or exclusive information that would benefit from direct delivery rather than algorithmic distribution
4. Establish a consistent posting cadence that aligns with your audience's expectations and your content production capacity
5. Use this channel for genuine connection rather than pure promotion to maintain follower interest and engagement