For better or worse, social media can quickly catapult a product, company, or person into the public spotlight literally overnight. When our BIC® Intensity® Clic™ Gel Pen (ICLGEL) went viral on TikTok, we experienced that impact firsthand. We invited Sam Hart (@thesam_show) to visit Koozie Group® headquarters recently, and she offered some practical advice on how to get the most out of your social media presence.
Humble Beginnings
Hart started posting on TikTok during the pandemic because “there was nothing else to do, and everybody was on it.” At first, it was just a way to interact with friends, but a video she posted one night got a million views, and she started to take it more seriously. Fast forward, and she now has over 65,000 followers, and her viral TikToks have been featured on the Today show, BuzzFeed, and After Midnight. While she doesn’t consider herself an influencer (yet), she shared with us some valuable lessons from her experience.
Sam’s Top Tips for Social Media Success
Be authentic. Hart says you should just be yourself online, which displays vulnerability and establishes trust. A self-described entertainer, Hart doesn’t take herself too seriously, which resonates with a lot of people. “I always wanted to work in film and movies and tell stories, and this is, in a way, the same thing – getting to tell stories and make people laugh and make people feel less alone,” she says.
Consistency is key. Hart knows some of her posts will be “flops,” getting only 400 views instead of millions, and she can’t predict which will perform better. So, she creates content consistently and keeps a running list of ideas by texting herself when inspiration strikes.
Engage. Social media is a two-way street. Responding to post comments shows followers that you are listening, says Hart, and, as a bonus, is also rewarded by algorithms.
Set a Google Alert for your name. Not because you’re self-absorbed but as a way to monitor your reach. Hart would have missed the appearance of her video on After Midnight if someone hadn’t given her a heads-up. Even though her content is in the public domain, she notes that she prefers when people reach out if they are going to share her content. To her, “it is just the courteous thing to do.”
Take these simple steps to amp up your social media presence, and maybe one day you’ll find yourself enjoying a viral moment, too.
You can follow Sam Hart on TikTok @thesam_show.
The post that started the hype.
Sam visits Koozie Group® HQ:
