Organic Social Media Newsletter, Community, Consulting

It was dumb luck honestly...

I was unqualified to even read the job description.

But they rolled the dice and took a chance on me and just like that I was running social media at YouVersion (the Bible app with 1 BILLION downloads).

At YouVersion I saw how legitimately caring about your audience results in insane follower growth and engagement. We increased the following of our Instagram account from 500,000 to 2.6 million followers in two years. We launched multiple accounts that grew from zero to over 100,000. Our TikTok went from zero to over 300,000 in under six months.

I'm currently the Head of Social at Benzinga where I lead the best social media team in the world. So far we've grown our social presence by over 600K followers (50%) and drove 877.74M impressions and 25.97M engagements with a post volume of over 21.7K posts. And we're just getting started.

I started writing on LinkedIn on January 1, 2022 and have written (almost) everyday for 4 years. The account has grown from 0 to 45,000+ followers. 15,000 of those followers have been kind enough to subscribe to my newsletter, Social Studies.

Social Studies is trusted by social media pros at Walmart, Amazon, Beehiiv, TikTok, Nike, Google, Tesla, Microsoft, DoorDash, Shopify, Adobe, Apple, PayPal, Uber, Salesforce, Target, Disney, Nvidia, Canva, John Deere, Accenture, T-Mobile, Marriott, Dell, and Forbes.

Kind words from Ish Verduzco (Founder of Internet Empires, previously at a16z, Snap, and LinkedIn): “There are only a handful of other creators in the social media space who are as sharp and consistent as Jacob has been in recent years. Social Studies is a great addition to your inbox if you work in the social media industry and want to learn from a pro.”

In short... I help brands build audiences, engaged communities, and raving fans.

Jacob Shipley

Founder @Social Hit | TikTok Agency | Producing the best TikTok content and turboboosting performance with TikTok ads 🚀| Average ROI increase of 67% by using Socialhit content.

🚀 We Help 8/9+ Figure Brands Win on TikTok

If you’re a 8/9+-figure business owner struggling with TikTok, chances are you’re facing one (or more) of these problems:

1️⃣ Your TikTok Ads aren’t outperforming Meta.
2️⃣ You’re not producing quality, on-brand TikTok content at scale.
3️⃣ You are creating content—but it’s not converting into organic revenue.

We solve all three. Effortlessly.

💡 Proven Results

J — 180M+ TikTok impressions in Month 1

PG — £5M in Paid Ads Revenue in 90 days

CS — £15M+ Revenue from UGC in Q2 2025

SC — +400K TikTok followers in just 3 months

Countless other brands — dominating TikTok organically & through paid

To date, we’ve produced 120,000+ pieces of UGC for TikTok.
One single piece generated £130M+ in revenue, with many others surpassing £100K+ each.

Barney Brown

My 2026 Easy guide on how to outsmart the TikTok algorithm. 

It’s a machine built to keep you hooked🪝

Always: 

1, Ensure that you have a minimum comments/Impressions ratio KPI.
I have put this number 1 for a reason. Take the hint.

2, Use the Repost Button Strategically to Boost engagement when needed.

3. Keep videos short and punchy 

4, 100% View through on Ads is a Key metric in Manipultaing the Algo.  Point 3 will assist.

5, Loop the video ( Video should loop seemlessly). The result = Average View through of 200/300% which results in ROI + = ££££££££££

6, Grab Attention first 0.3 seconds of video. (Obvious lots of brands still dont understand this ... )

7, Dont use trending sounds and videos. Use Sounds and videos that are about to Trend.

8, Add Captions where required. ROAS on our Ads with captions perform 12% better than without.

9 Dont overload Hashtags. You will be penalised.

10, Have fun and experiment.
 
Bonus: Consistency wins. 
The more you post, the more signals you give TikTok to deliver your content to the right audience.

If growth is the goal, treat every video as an experiment. The algorithm favors creators/Ads who learn fast, adapt smarter, and show up daily. 

Stay sharp. Stay creative. Outsmart the system


If you’re ready to win on TikTok, let’s talk.


#tiktokads #adtargeting #tiktok #paidads

We Know Social 🐐

Barney  Brown

SCALING BRANDS ON TIKTOK WITHOUT DISCOUNTS ...... Founder @Social Hit | TikTok Agency | Premium TikTok content 🚀 TikTok ads 🚀| Average ROI increase of 67% by using Socialhit content. Last Click SUCKS 👎🏼

TikTok Ads are now ~40% cheaper than Meta 💰


But only for brands that play by TikTok’s rules.

Here’s what separates the winners from everyone else 👇
1️⃣ Consistent Spend
 TikTok rewards stability. Stop-start budgets get punished.

2️⃣ Relentless Creative Testing
 Top brands ship new creatives every week. Learn fast. Scale what hits.

3️⃣ TikTok-First, Not Meta-Recycled
 What works on Meta flops here. Native content wins—trends, music, creators.

4️⃣ Engagement Fuels Conversion
 Users spend 120 mins/day on TikTok. Nail the creative and CTRs explode.

5️⃣ Ads People Actually Remember
 TikTok Ad Recall is 1.5x higher than other platforms.

6️⃣ Smarter Targeting
 TikTok’s ML processes 1.6B data points daily to find buyers at the right moment.

7️⃣ Lower CPMs, Higher Returns
 More attention. Less cost. Better efficiency.

8️⃣ Creative Is King 👑
 Fast cuts, bold hooks, authentic stories > polished brand ads.

9️⃣ Community Builds Trust
 Brands that reply, engage, and collaborate with creators win long-term.

🔟 Data-Driven Daily Optimisation
 The best brands track everything—and optimise every single day.

TikTok isn’t just another ad channel.
 It’s how modern brands are built, scaled, and remembered.

We Know Social 🐐

 We build brands with creator marketing and scale them with paid social.
🚀 2026 spots are open for brands ready to win on TikTok.
#TikTokMarketing #TikTokAds #PaidSocial #CreatorMarketing #Ecommerce #TikTokShop

🚀 WE’RE HIRING ELITE TALENT: Lead the Next Wave of Fashion & Beauty on TikTok

We’re Social Hit, a creative-led TikTok agency working with thousands of creators every week - and we’re scaling fast. We're on the lookout for passionate, TikTok-savvy individuals to join our team across several exciting roles.

We are entering a massive growth phase with high-profile global launches confirmed for April/May. To execute this, we aren't just looking for staff; we are looking for The Best of the Best.

If you live and breathe Fashion, Beauty, and TikTok, and you're ready to lead strategy for the industry's biggest names, we have a seat at the table for you.

We are actively recruiting for three Senior Leadership roles:

🛍️ Head of TikTok Shop

The Mission: You are the commercial engine. You understand the psychology behind a purchase and the mechanics of the Shop ecosystem.

You Have: Proven experience scaling TikTok Shop operations, managing high-volume affiliate programs, and driving GMV. You know how to turn views into sales for major beauty and fashion labels.

🤝 Head of Client Services

The Mission: You are the bridge between big brands and viral execution. You will  ensure our partners are obsessed with our work.

You Have: A strategic mind and a calm hand. You’ve managed agency teams, handled high-pressure launches, and know how to translate client goals into award-winning social strategies.

🧪 Head of Digital Experiments

The Mission: You are the innovator. While others follow trends, you predict them. You will test beta features, new formats, and growth hacks before anyone else.

You Have: A data-driven mindset mixed with creative chaos. You love testing theories, breaking the algorithm, and finding the "next big thing" for our fashion clients.

✨ The Social Hit Difference

We don’t just do social - we live it.
We’ve built and scaled brands through smart creator partnerships and performance-driven paid social strategies. If you want to be part of a team that
gets TikTok and is always one step ahead of the algorithm, this is your moment.

📩 How to Apply:
Shoot us a message with a quick intro about yourself and the role you’re interested in. Or tag someone you think would be perfect for the team

"LAST CLICK SUCKS." 👀 
 

#WeKnowSocial 

We’ve got availability for 2026 brand campaigns - if you’re serious about TikTok Shop growth, let’s talk.


#tiktokshop #tiktokmarketing #tiktokads #tiktokagency

🛑 STOP WORKING WITH INFLUENCERS 🛑 
 
 Start working with real people. 

Reposting a Post from 6 months ago but this is even more relevant today than it was then. Comment your non negotiables  when working with creators/influencers. 

Here’s why it matters in 2026. The age of the influencer is over. Brands are shifting their focus to micro-creators - real people with real jobs, who create content part-time. 

This shift is not a trend. It’s a movement. In the last 6 months, micro-creators on TikTok with full-time or part-time jobs have more than doubled in popularity. Audiences crave authenticity. They want to see people like themselves, not someone living a life of endless vacations and coffee dates. 

The truth is simple:
 ↳ Most people can’t relate to full-time influencers. 
↳ They trust creators who share their daily struggles and wins.
 ↳ They want content that feels real, not staged. 

Here’s what you get when you work with micro-creators: 

1. Authenticity
 ↳ Micro-creators are genuine. Their opinions are honest. Audiences trust them, and that trust drives results. 

2. Better ROI 
↳ Investing in 1,000 smaller creators beats paying one influencer with 10 million followers. You reach more people, for less money, with better engagement. 
3. Higher Quality Content 
↳ These creators work hard. They care about their craft. Their content is fresh, relatable, and connects with your audience. 

4. Brand Safety
 ↳ Micro-creators are low risk. Scandals are rare. Your brand stays safe and your reputation grows.

 5. Real Results 
↳ Relatable creators know how to convert. Their content drives action, not just likes. You see real sales, not just vanity metrics. 

6. Deeper Engagement 
↳ Smaller creators talk to their followers. They answer comments. They build real communities. Your brand becomes part of that conversation. 

7. Long-Term Growth
 ↳ When you invest in real people, you build lasting relationships. Your brand grows with them, not just for a single campaign. The influencer era is fading. The future belongs to real people, sharing real stories. If you want your brand to win, work with micro-creators. Tap into authenticity. Maximise your impact. Leave the influencer drama behind. This is the new way forward.

'LAST CLICK SUCKS' 💬 👀 


#tiktokmarketing 
#tiktokads 
#tiktokagency


'We Know Social' 🐐 
We have a proven track record of building brands through comprehensive creator marketing strategies and then scaling through paid social adverts.

Currently have availability in Q1 2026 for brands looking to win on TikTok

5 reasons your TikTok ads aren’t as cheap as your Meta ads 💸 👀 

TikTok ads should be outperforming Meta.
Higher engagement. Stronger brand recall. Conversion rates that raise the bar.

Yet for most brands, TikTok ends up being more expensive-and more frustrating.

Why? Because TikTok isn’t Meta, and running the same strategies simply doesn’t work.

Here’s what’s holding your TikTok ads back 👇 

When done right, TikTok ads shouldn’t just compete with Meta…
they should completely outperform it 🚀 

#TikTokAds #PaidAdStrategy #TikTokMarketing #TikTokPartnerAgency

'We Know Social' 🐐 

 We have a proven track record of building brands through comprehensive creator marketing strategies and then scaling through paid social adverts.

Why TikTok ads are breaking the bank

🚀 +18% CTR. +12.2% CVR. + 16% ROAS. Same ad spend. How to win on TikTok in 2026.

No Discounts used.

How we improved TikTok ad performance without increasing budget:

• Scroll-stopping hooks in the first 0.5 seconds
 • Product/service-first storytelling (logo at the end, not the start)
 • More creative in rotation = less ad fatigue
 • UGC-first ads that blend into the feed
 • Ad → landing page message match
 • Local creators for local markets
 • Creative refresh every 8 days (5 days in the US)

Takeaway:
 If performance plateaus, it’s not a spend problem — it’s a creative problem.

#TikTokAds #TikTokMarketing #PaidSocial

We Know Social 🐐
Limited 2026 Q2 availability for brands ready to win on TikTok 🥊

Attention spans have SHRUNK by 33.8% — and your TikTok content is paying the price 📉😰

The average human attention span is now 8.2 seconds.

That’s 4.2 seconds less than it was in 2000.

Let that sink in.

This is exactly why the first few seconds of your content matter more than ever.
If your videos aren’t getting the engagement you want, don’t blame the algorithm—check the fundamentals first 👇

🚀 Strong on-screen text
 Use “You” or “I” to instantly relate to your audience. Keep your hook visible for at least 1.6 seconds before it disappears.

🚀 Stay trend-aware
 What’s going viral right now? More importantly—how can you adapt it to your brand authentically?

🚀 High-quality visuals
 We all have professional-grade cameras in our pockets. There’s no excuse for blurry, pixelated, or stretched footage.

🚀 Clear call to action
 Short. Sharp. Intentional. If “Shop now” feels too salesy, weave the CTA into your voiceover instead.

🚀 Sound matters
 Trending sounds are still one of the fastest ways to boost reach. Do your research—and always make sure they’re commercially friendly.

🚀 Trigger emotion
 Humans react emotionally first. Whether it’s humour, relatability, or empathy—feeling drives engagement.

🚀 Correct aspect ratio
 Fill the frame. anything else hurts performance.

🚀 Sound matters
It really matters, so I added it twice. TikTok is a sound on platform.

Nail these basics, and watch your impressions go 📈

Comment what your doing to combat this shift.

#tiktokmarketing #tiktokagency #tiktok

P.S. We Know Social 🐐

 We build brands through comprehensive creator marketing strategies—then scale the winners with paid social.
📅 Currently taking on brands ready to win on TikTok 🥊

Does your TikTok content elevate your Brand? 🤔 

If you are selling luxury, you cannot afford to rely on low-quality UGC.

While raw content has its place, it often leads to a disconnect: Your product is premium. Your marketing looks budget. 

The fix is Premium UGC ✅ 

It is the sweet spot where relatability meets aspiration.

👀 Visuals: Crisp, well-lit, and on-brand.
📖 Narrative: Polished storytelling that hooks the viewer.
👏 Result: High engagement without brand dilution.

At Social Hit, we know that performance marketing shouldn't come at the cost of brand reputation, and more importantly discounting.

We are have availability for brands looking to win on TikTok in 2026

If you are a brand looking to scale paid social without sacrificing your aesthetic, we should speak.

Comment what you deem the most important Factor when producing Content that sells full Price Products. 


#luxuryretail #marketing #tiktokstrategy #premium #tiktokmarketing

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The Battle

Jacob Shipley

Barney Brown

Followers

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taplio

The Battle

Jacob Shipley

Barney Brown

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Barney Brown's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreBarney Brown's LinkedIn Performance