Due to distance between my normal group and I since I moved, we are going to attempt running a campaign (I am the DM) over Tabletop simulator. I am new to using Tabletop simulator in general and was looking for any tips and tricks from other DMs who have used it in order to help make gameplay as smooth as possible. Anything helps, but I things relating to setting up ahead of time and communication during the sessions would be appreciated. 

Is there a reason you don't want to use a virtual tabletop that's designed for pen-and-paper RPGs like Roll20?

Im overall new to doing any of this over the web. A friend of mine had recommended tabletop simulator over Roll20 (his reasoning I cannot recall), and as of right now that is what the campaign group has agreed to. 

There are basically 2 main VTT's Roll20 and FantasyGrounds.  You'll have to pay for any source material beyond the basic the same as you have to pay for it on dndbeyond... or you can manually recreate it.  Both of them have strengths and weaknesses...and bugs. Plenty of videos include those.  I personally run with FG on my campaigns as we're all remote from each other, though I'd rather be in person with DDB.  We still use DDB to handle all our upgrades and tracking all that stuff as it is much more accurate and enforces rules for us so we don't screw up by accident. FG lets you drag anything onto your sheet, which is good and bad.  Can't speak for Roll20 but FG is super complicated with a ton of hidden keystroke combos.. right click this, middle click that, control+alt+click this.  Powerful, but terrible interface and it's 32 bit...but it lets us play and when it works, it works pretty well.

Roll20 is web based

FantasyGrounds is a PC (and Mac) client you download and the GM starts up as a host.

I would second Roll 20. You can use it for free to see if you like it and how it works. Tabletop Simulator may be to clunky to do this well.

There is also a fairly new VTT called Power VTT: https://www.poweredvtt.com/

Quote from Stormknight >>

TaleSpire is looking pretty good as well - hoping they reach the point of releasing something soon!

Talespire looks cool, but also looks like a lot of work. I'm guessing you either need to buy 3D map packs, or know how to make 3D stuff? Compared to Roll20 where I can take any JPG map layout I find online and use it with no work.