Nicole
Less Pressure, More Focus: TikTok’s Answer to Creator Burnout
Building authentic communities is now a core priority in influencer marketing. Over 73% of brands prefer collaborating with micro-influencers due to their higher engagement and stronger bonds with niche audiences.
At the same time, creators are increasingly overwhelmed by nonstop interactions. A study by Billion Dollar Boy shows that 52% of creators have experienced burnout, and 37% are actively considering leaving the industry due to stressors like creative fatigue, algorithmic pressure, and performance anxiety.
TikTok’s Bulletin Boards provide a solution: a one-to-many messaging format where creators can send updates directly to followers who opt in. No replies required, no feed clutter. This eases mental load and creates space for intentional, meaningful communication.
What are TikTok bulletin boards?
Following the popularity of Instagram Broadcast Channels, TikTok is piloting Bulletin Boards as its own version of controlled creator-to-audience messaging. This feature allows creators to send updates, polls, images, or videos directly to their followers. These messages appear in users' DMs, but only for those who have actively subscribed to the Bulletin Board.
Unlike standard content that appears in the For You Feed, these updates are curated for a specific segment of followers who want to hear more. While followers can react using emojis, they can't reply or start a conversation - reducing the burden on creators while still maintaining a feedback loop. As this feature rolls out more widely, it could redefine how brands and creators nurture active communities.
Why "Community Over Reach" Wins in 2025
There’s a growing divide between mass visibility and authentic connection. Research from StackInfluence shows that micro- and mid-tier influencers (with 10K-100K followers) consistently drive higher engagement rates and better conversion than macro influencers. (StackInfluence). An observation, we also shared within our IROIN® Instagram Benchmark Report that analyzed the German market from 2021 to 2024.
But the shift goes deeper than performance metrics. In an era of content saturation and digital fatigue, audiences are actively seeking relevance over reach. They want creators who speak to their niche interests, not just broadcast broadly. Likewise, creators are gravitating toward formats that let them maintain control and protect their mental well-being.
Bulletin Boards offer exactly that: a high-signal, low-noise format. No algorithmic roulette. No endless comment moderation. Just focused, opt-in communication between creators and the people who genuinely want to hear from them. In short, when you prioritize community over reach, you're investing in quality relationships that pay off long after the campaign ends.
How IROIN® by Stellar Tech Enables Smart Community Building
To make use of Bulletin Boards effectively, brands need to find the right creators and plan smartly. IROIN® by Stellar Tech supports this across three pillars:
1. Smart Creator Discovery by Engagement and Demographics
IROIN® Discovery Tool lets marketers filter creators by consistent engagement rate, growth trends, and follower demographics such as age, gender, and location. This ensures that brands find creators with genuinely active and healthy communities, rather than profiles inflated by bots or passive followers.
2. Benchmarking and Performance Monitoring
With IROIN® Relations, you can analyze how similar creators are performing: their content frequency, audience interaction, and engagement trends. This helps you plan content cadence for Bulletin Boards or similar features more accurately - even if we currently are only able to offer that feature for Instagram.
3. Influencer Relationship Management (IRM)
Using IROIN®'s Portfolio, brands can build long-term records of creator performance across campaigns and with the entire team. This makes it easier to re-engage high-performing partners with strong communities and document which creators truly drive interaction. 
Tips to Maximize Engagement with Bulletin Boards
|
Tip |
Why It Matters |
How To Do It |
|
Make the opt-in visible |
Only those who join a Bulletin Board will see updates, so it must be clearly promoted |
Mention your Bulletin Board in your Stories, posts, and bio: “Join for exclusive updates here” |
|
Consistent but not excessive updates |
Consistency builds trust; too many messages can cause fatigue |
Post once a week or 2 - 3 times per week depending on your community size; avoid daily spam |
|
Relevant content |
Followers stay engaged when updates provide real value |
Share news, sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes, exclusive offers, short insights, polls (if available) |
|
Use and showcase reactions |
Even without comments, emoji reactions reflect engagement |
Track which bulletins get the most reactions; repeat or adapt formats that perform well |
|
Connect to other formats |
Bulletin Boards reduce DMs / comments but should support your broader strategy |
Refer in bulletins to posts, Lives, or comments; use as reminders or to complement key content |
Conclusion: Turning Broadcast into Belonging
Bulletin Boards offer a new way to reduce stress while building depth. Brands that prioritize creators with authentic communities - and equip them with better tools - will win in the long run.
With platforms like IROIN®, you can stop chasing numbers and start cultivating results: stronger engagement, smarter creator selection, and sustainable partnerships. In a world of noise, communities matter more than ever. It's not about being the loudest - it's about being heard by the right people.