How to Make TikTok Ads

In today's fast-paced digital world, TikTok has emerged as a powerhouse in the realm of social media marketing. With its rapidly growing user base and engaging content, TikTok offers a unique opportunity for businesses to showcase their products and services through TikTok ads. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know to create outstanding TikTok ads that captivate your audience and boost your brand's visibility.

What are TikTok Ads?

TikTok ads are a form of paid advertising on the TikTok platform. They allow businesses and brands to promote their products, services, or campaigns to a vast and diverse audience of users. TikTok offers several ad formats that cater to different marketing goals, ensuring that there's an option for every business. These ads appear seamlessly in users' feeds, making them an integral part of the TikTok experience.

Types of TikTok Ads

To create a successful TikTok marketing strategy, it's essential to understand the various ad formats available. Here are the primary types of TikTok ads:

1. In-Feed Ads

In-feed ads are short video ads that appear in users' feeds as they scroll through the app. These ads are skippable and can be up to 60 seconds long. They are a fantastic option for increasing brand awareness and engagement.

2. Branded Hashtag Challenges

Branded hashtag challenges encourage users to create content related to your brand or campaign. These challenges often go viral, amplifying your reach. They can include a banner on the Discover page to drive participation.

3. Branded Effects

Branded effects involve creating custom filters and effects that users can use in their videos. This interactive approach increases user engagement with your brand.

4. TopView Ads

TopView ads are the first thing users see when they open the TikTok app. These are 60-second videos that grab the user's attention and can lead to higher click-through rates.

5. Branded AR Content

Augmented reality (AR) ads allow users to interact with your product in a virtual environment. These ads can be highly immersive and drive user engagement.

How Much Do TikTok Ads Cost?

TikTok ads' cost can vary widely based on factors like your target audience, ad format, and campaign objectives. On average, businesses can expect to pay between $10 and $300 per 1000 views (CPM) for in-feed ads. Branded hashtag challenges may cost anywhere from $50,000 to $150,000, depending on the level of promotion you require. Remember that TikTok allows you to set a daily or lifetime budget to control your spending.

TikTok Ad Specs

Each type of TikTok ad has specific requirements to ensure your content displays correctly and effectively. Here are the general ad specifications you need to keep in mind:

• Aspect Ratio: 9:16 is the recommended aspect ratio for TikTok ads.
• Video Length: Most TikTok ads should be between 15 to 60 seconds in length.
• File Format: Use MP4 or MOV video file formats.
• Resolution: A minimum resolution of 720p is recommended for high-quality visuals.
• File Size: Keep your video file size below 500MB.
• Sound: Ensure your ad works both with and without sound, as many users watch videos on mute.
• Captions: Include clear and concise captions for accessibility.

How to Set Up a TikTok Ad Campaign

Creating a TikTok ad campaign involves several steps:

1. Create a TikTok Ads Account

• Go to TikTok Ads Manager and sign up for an account.
• Verify your email address and complete your profile.

2. Select Your Campaign Objective

• Choose the primary goal of your campaign, such as website clicks, app installations, or video views.

3. Define Your Target Audience

• Specify the demographics, interests, and behaviors of your target audience to reach the right users.

4. Set Your Budget and Schedule

• Determine your daily or lifetime budget and choose your campaign start and end dates.

5. Choose Ad Format

• Select the most suitable ad format for your campaign goals.

6. Plan Your Ad Ahead

• Use a task tracker to organize and schedule your ad creation process efficiently.

7. Create Ad Creative

• Develop compelling video content that aligns with your chosen ad format and campaign objectives.

8. Launch Your Campaign

• Review your campaign settings and creative, then launch your TikTok ad campaign.

9. Monitor and Optimize

• Continuously monitor your campaign's performance and make adjustments to improve results.

10. Track KPIs

• Setting up real-time reporting on your TikTok metrics is the best way to stay on top of your budget and optimize your campaigns for maximum efficiency.

5 TikTok Ads Examples

To inspire your TikTok ad creation, let's take a look at five standout TikTok ad examples:

1. Fenty Beauty's In-Feed Ad

• Fenty Beauty's in-feed ad showcased their makeup products with a catchy soundtrack, capturing the essence of their brand.

2. Guess's Branded Hashtag Challenge

• Guess encouraged users to participate in a branded challenge, driving user-generated content and engagement.

3. NBA's Branded AR Content

• The NBA used augmented reality to let users virtually dunk a basketball, creating an immersive ad experience.

4. GrubHub's TopView Ad

• GrubHub's TopView ad presented mouth-watering food visuals to promote their food delivery service.

5. Pepsi's Branded Effects

• Pepsi created custom filters that turned users into dancing emojis, adding a fun and interactive element to their ad campaign.

TikTok Advertising Best Practices

To make your TikTok ads truly great, follow these best practices:

• Keep it Short and Sweet: TikTok users have short attention spans, so make your content engaging from the start.
• Use Popular Music: Incorporate trending songs to increase the chances of your ad going viral.
• User-Generated Content: Encourage user-generated content through challenges and contests.
• Tell a Story: Craft a compelling narrative or showcase a unique aspect of your product. Generate a TikTok script to save some time.
• Optimize for Mobile: Ensure your ad looks and works well on mobile devices.
• A/B Testing: Experiment with different ad creatives to discover what resonates best with your audience.
• Engage with Comments: Respond to user comments to foster a sense of community and trust.

Conclusion

TikTok ads are a dynamic and effective way to promote your brand to a vast and engaged audience. By understanding the various ad formats, following best practices, and continuously optimizing your campaigns, you can create great TikTok ads that resonate with users and drive business growth in 2023 and beyond. So, seize the opportunity and let your creativity shine on TikTok!

Featured image by Alexander Shatov on Unsplash