Case Study: Forest Frank’s Unfiltered, Authentic, and Highly Effective TikTok Strategy

You don’t need fancy equipment, you don’t need to be a professional dancer, and you don’t need a highly edited video to find success on TikTok. Sometimes, it’s the unfiltered, imperfect, and authentic moments that resonate the most with audiences. 

Maybe that includes a guy sharing how he broke his back while dropping a new song?

That’s Forest Frank.

Forest Frank is a singer, songwriter, and producer best known as one-half of the music duo Surfaces. Yes. That song “Sunday Best” that we couldn’t get out of our heads during the pandemic. That was him. He is stepping into his solo artist career, blending elements of gospel, Christianity, indie, and hip hop into his music. 

But Forest isn’t just connecting with listeners through his songs; he is also showing up on TikTok in a way that feels refreshingly real. It’s not staged. It’s not refined. But it is definitely strategic.

Forest skips the over-the-top videos and, instead, produces content that truly feels genuine. His posts blend his music with honest storytelling. No matter the vibe, his content is always unmistakably true to himself. 

Posting About His Broken Back (Yes, Really)

One of his most viral moments was a TikTok where he explains how he literally broke his back. He even includes the actual footage to prove it. I am guessing captured by his security cameras? Next, he takes us on the journey (in a series of videos) of him producing a brand new song while recovering from his injury. He even actually released this song and published further promotion for it on his TikTok. In Forest’s own words, he was “turning lemons into lemonade.”

It’s unexpected, it’s vulnerable, and somehow it makes you laugh and gasp at the same time.

So why does this work?

Because it breaks the algorithmic pattern. It’s not just another song plug. Because let’s be real. How many plugs do you see every day while scrolling on social media? This initially captures attention, keeps you watching, and suddenly you’re invested in both his recovery and his release schedule. This is a prime example of content that connects.

Expanding Reach by Embracing the Trend

Forest’s song, “Your Way’s Better,” became a viral TikTok dance trend. If you haven’t done it yourself yet, you definitely have seen it at least once on your For You Page. Don’t deny it. Even the whole Savannah Bananas Baseball team got in on the trend. 

Forest has been extremely smart about how he’s used this momentum. Instead of letting the trend run its own course, he consistently published content associated with the dance and his connection to the song. This keeps the buzz alive and makes sure his name, music, and overall brand remain the center of attention. What’s really cool about all this is that the song has crossed over beyond his usual audience. Individuals who aren’t typically his fans (Christian music listeners) are now singing along. This has expanded his reach tremendously. 

What makes this strategy so effective is that Forest isn’t just riding the trend; he is steering it. By adding his own personality and touch, he naturally is going to stand out. This is why it is so important to let yourself shine through your content! Your uniqueness will make you stand out. 

This approach not only amplifies his exposure but also builds deeper brand loyalty. This can turn casual viewers into genuine supporters. These followers might have hopped on during the viral moment, but they will become part of a lasting community that’s eager to follow his music and journey long after the dance craze ends. 

Why Posting the Wins Matters (and Works)

Forest knows that sharing success isn’t just about showing off for everybody. It’s about reinforcing the story he’s already telling. When he posts about his music topping the charts or getting featured on Fox News, it’s not all just him bragging. Yes. Part of it is to flex. But overall, it’s a very strategic way to show that staying true to yourself can lead to real results. These posts prove that his music and the way he shows up online are resonating with a large number of people. He turns personal wins into powerful brand-building moments that deepen audience connection and build long-term trust.

And because he shares these moments with the same humble and authentic tone as everything else, they never feel out of place within the rest of his content. These posts are celebrations that all of his audience members are invited to join in on. By keeping it real, even in the prideful moments, Forest makes his audience feel like they’re part of the journey. When Forest wins, his followers do too. Plus, he repurposes past wins into ongoing proof that his approach works and welcomes his audience to continue to tag along on the ride. If it’s not broken, he doesn’t fix it. 

Takeaways From Forest’s Strategy

Forest’s TikTok strategy shows that success isn’t about perfection. Instead, it’s about authenticity, smart engagement, and celebrating milestones in a way that builds real connection. Here are three key takeaways from his approach:

1. Posting Personal, Unfiltered Moments Allows You To Stand Out

Sharing raw stories (like his broken back and writing a song while in recovery) breaks typical algorithm patterns and grabs genuine attention. This makes viewers truly invested in what your businesses goals. 

2. Leveraging Viral Trends with Authenticity Increases Reach

When his song “Your Way’s Better” became a viral TikTok dance, Forest actively engaged with the trend in his own way, expanding his fan base beyond his typical demographic.

3. Celebrating Wins Builds Credibility and Fosters Loyalty

By sharing milestones like chart success and media features in a humble and relatable way, Forest reinforces his brand story and invites fans to join him on the journey. This approach turns viral moments into a lasting loyal community.

So, what’s one authentic move you could start using today to make your social media strategy more real and more effective?