A Guide on How to Advertise on TikTok

With over a billion users, TikTok has risen as a dominant force in the social media landscape. Brands that leverage TikTok's unique advertising platform can tap into a highly engaged audience, especially among Gen Z. This guide will provide a deep dive into how you can utilize ads on TikTok for advertising.

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TikTok ads costs vary depending on ad format, duration, and target audience. On average, a business can expect to spend anywhere from $10 to $120 per CPM (cost per thousand impressions). Brands can also bid for ad placements in auctions, which can influence the final cost.

With TikTok's advanced targeting capabilities, brands can reach specific demographics, behaviors, and video categories. You can also create custom audiences or lookalike audiences to reach people similar to your existing followers or customers.

TikTok, with its meteoric rise, offers advertisers invaluable insights into user behavior and trends. A glance at the statistics reveals that around 60% of TikTok's active users are between the ages of 16 and 24, providing a golden opportunity for brands targeting Gen Z. The average user dedicates about 52 minutes daily to the platform, highlighting the app's addictive nature and the potential for ads to gain repeated visibility. Over 90% of users dive into the app more than once daily, suggesting that well-timed ads can benefit from multiple impressions. Mind you, that TikTok is available in over 150 countries, emphasizing its vast and varied user base.

For advertisers, these statistics underscore the platform's unique capability to engage with a young, diverse, and highly active audience, making it a formidable contender in the advertising realm.

TikTok offers multiple ad formats:

• In-feed video ads: These are short video ads that appear in between user content.
• Brand takeovers: These are full-screen ads that appear upon launching the app.
• Hashtag challenges: Encourage user participation by promoting a specific hashtag.
• Branded AR content: Custom filters, lenses, and stickers that users can apply in their videos.

TikTok has long become a platform not only for challenges and entertaining video content, but here you get the best chances to promote your product or service. Here are major steps you can take today to start advertising and promoting, and use ads on TikTok to your advantage.

1. Start by creating a TikTok Ads account in TikTok ads manager. Visit TikTok's advertising homepage, click 'Get Started,' and follow the prompts.
2. Choose Your Advertising Objective and based on your campaign goal—whether it's driving traffic, conversions, or app installs—select the appropriate objective.
3. Leverage TikTok's targeting features. Specify demographics, interests, behaviors, and more to ensure your ads reach the right users.
4. Determine your campaign's daily or total budget. Remember, TikTok requires a minimum daily budget for both campaigns and ad groups.
5. Most importantly, create engaging short-form videos that resonate with TikTok's user base. Ensure it aligns with the platform's organic content style.
6. Decide if you want your ad to appear only on TikTok or also on its partner apps.
7. Utilize tools like 'Automatic Creative Optimization' to improve ad performance, or 'Smart Video Soundtrack' to match appropriate background music.
8. After launching your ad, monitor its performance through TikTok's ad analytics. Refine your approach based on real-time feedback.

For a fruitful advertising campaign on TikTok, it's not just about creating ads but ensuring they resonate with the platform's youthful and vibrant audience. Here are some key practices on ads for TikTok you can incorporate into your promotional strategy. TikTok's audience values genuineness, so stay authentic. Avoid overly polished ads; instead, opt for content that feels native to the platform.

Deploy User-Generated Content and encourage users to create content around your brand. Consider initiating challenges or partnering with influencers to enhance reach and engagement. Also it would be best to engage, but not interrupt. Meaning, your ad should seamlessly integrate into users' feeds, adding value and entertainment rather than disrupting their experience. While maintaining a native feel, incorporate clear CTAs to guide viewers towards the desired action.

TikTok is primarily a mobile-first platform, so try to ensure your ads are optimized for mobile viewing, both in terms of design and content. In your videos, use music and sound as TikTok thrives on soundtracks. Incorporate popular or catchy tunes that align with your brand and the ad's message.

TikTok trends change rapidly. Stay updated with platform trends, challenges, and viral content to ensure your ads remain relevant and experiment to find what works best for your brand. 

By integrating these best practices, advertisers can craft campaigns that not only garner attention but also drive meaningful engagement and action on TikTok. And if you are in a hurry right now and  want to promote your brand, product or service faster, you can buy TikTok views from Viewsta and accelerate your growth. 

TikTok is more than just a platform for fun and creativity; it's a powerful advertising tool. By understanding the platform's dynamics,  learning how to make TikTok ads targeting capabilities, and advertising formats, brands can create impactful campaigns that resonate with the TikTok community. 

If you are still asking yourself ‘are tiktok ads worth it?’, we want to add that TikTok ads can be worth the investment for many brands, especially those targeting younger demographics and those able to produce engaging, authentic content. However, as with any advertising platform, it's crucial to approach TikTok with a clear strategy, monitor your performance metrics, and be willing to adapt as necessary.

How do I get started with advertising on TikTok?

To begin advertising on TikTok, start by creating a TikTok Ads account with TikTok ads manager. Once registered, you can create an ad campaign, set your target audience, budget, and schedule, and then upload your ad content. It's also essential to familiarize yourself with TikTok's ad policies and guidelines to ensure your content gets approved.

Is there a minimum budget requirement for TikTok advertising?

Yes, TikTok has a minimum budget requirement both at the campaign and ad group levels. At the campaign level, the minimum daily budget is usually $50, and at the ad group level, it's typically $20. However, these numbers can change, so it's a good idea to check TikTok's official ad platform for the most up-to-date information.

What ad formats are available for advertising on TikTok?

TikTok offers a variety of ad formats, including in-feed ads, these appear in users' "For You" feed and play between user-generated content. TopView ads  are longer-format ads that appear immediately upon app launch, offering prime visibility. Brand takeover is a full-screen ad that appears as soon as a user opens the app. Branded hashtag challenges encourage users to create content around a specific theme or challenge set by your brand. Branded effects allow brands to design custom filters, stickers, and effects that users can incorporate in their videos.

Can I collaborate with TikTok influencers for my advertising campaigns?

Absolutely! Collaborating with TikTok influencers, especially those resonating with your brand's target demographic, can significantly boost your campaign's reach and engagement. Influencers can provide authentic content, engage with their followers, and create viral challenges or trends associated with your brand.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when advertising on TikTok?

TikTok is a platform where creativity and authenticity thrive. Avoid hard-selling; instead, focus on engaging and entertaining content. One of TikTok's hallmarks is its rapidly evolving trends. Failing to stay updated can make your ads feel out of touch. With TikTok's vast user base, it's essential to use the platform's targeting tools to reach your specific audience. Ensure your ads are tailored for mobile viewing, given TikTok's mobile-first nature. TikTok offers a robust analytics platform. Regularly reviewing your ad performance can provide insights and opportunities for optimization.