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TikTok Ads For Beginners: Setup Tutorial & Best Practices

Introduction

Today it's all about TikTok! You heard that right—I'm covering how to run ads on TikTok for beginners, which fortunately for us is pretty much everyone at this point. If you're wondering why a small business marketing channel is covering a teenager's lip-syncing app, then you need to stick around for this full article because you have some learning to do.

Hi, I'm Morgan with Life Marketing—the digital marketing agency that helps small businesses grow. Are you new to digital marketing, or have you found yourself doing it more for your small business lately? If you want to learn how to do digital marketing from people who have actually done it, don't forget to check out our course on Facebook Ads put together by our co-founder, Sherman. You can learn more and sign up with links provided.

Before we dive into TikTok ads for beginners, let's talk a little about what TikTok is and why people love it. TikTok is a social media app made up of short videos posted by creators. Videos range from 15 seconds to 3 minutes long. TikTok is even experimenting with longer video times. Similar to Vine, TikTok lets users enjoy quick snippets of content, and the platform is extremely user-friendly when it comes to discovering new creators.

TikTok is especially powerful for small businesses because it offers a significant opportunity to go viral. Videos on TikTok can fetch millions of views overnight, thanks to the platform's unique algorithm, which encourages engagement and quick content consumption. So, the question is: Does TikTok work for businesses? Absolutely. Despite its reputation as a teenage lip-syncing app, TikTok offers enormous potential for small businesses looking to expand their reach.

Let's go over three ways to market your business on TikTok:

  1. Create Your Own Channel and Post TikToks for Organic Growth: This involves creating and posting TikToks in hopes of gaining a following organically. Organic here means free; you are not paying for ads.

  2. Work with Influencers or Creators: Collaborate with existing influencers or creators who are on the platform to promote your brand, product, or service.

  3. Pay to Run Ads on TikTok: This is the focus of our tutorial today.

Setting Up Your Ad Account

The first step is to create an ad account before you can run ads on TikTok. Visit the given URL in the article and complete the form with your information. Confirm your email or phone number, and you'll be taken to the login screen. Once in, complete the flow by accepting the terms of service, entering your business URL, and adding your billing information. You will then be in the TikTok Ads Manager.

The Ads Manager on TikTok is similar to other social media advertising platforms. Here's a quick rundown of its layout:

  1. Dashboard: A quick look at the overall health of your account.

  2. Campaigns: Where you create campaigns, ad groups, and ads. Similar to Facebook Ads Manager.

  3. Assets: Allows you to manage event tracking, creative assets, audiences, and comments.

  4. Reporting: Create and export analytics reports to see how your ads are performing.

Creating Your First TikTok Ad

Here's how to get started:

  1. Set Up a Campaign: Go to Campaigns in your Ads Manager and click "Create". Choose an objective, name your campaign, and continue.

  2. Ad Set Details: Choose your ad group name, connect tracking pixels, and define your audience, placement, budget, and bid optimization.

  3. Create Ad Creative: Upload your image or video, use templates if necessary, and preview your ad.

Best Practices for TikTok Ads

  • Don't Make Ads, Make TikToks: Focus on the spirit of the platform. Don't just transfer a 30-second TV commercial. Instead, create content that feels natural to TikTok.

  • Keep it Short: Though you can create videos up to 3 minutes long, it's better to keep it short and focused to capture attention quickly.

  • Join TikTok and Use It: Familiarize yourself with the platform by using it for 15-20 minutes a day. Understanding the audience will help you create better ads.

Keywords

  • TikTok Ads
  • Small Business Marketing
  • Viral Content
  • Influencer Collaboration
  • Ad Campaigns
  • Creative Strategy
  • Ad Manager

FAQ

Q: How do I set up a TikTok ad account? A: Visit the specified URL, fill out the form, confirm your email, enter your business information, and billing details, then set up your Ads Manager.

Q: What are the different ways to market my business on TikTok? A: You can create a channel for organic growth, work with influencers, or pay to run ads on TikTok.

Q: What should I focus on when creating an ad for TikTok? A: Focus on creating authentic, engaging TikToks rather than traditional ads. Keep your content short and engaging.

Q: How does the TikTok algorithm work? A: The TikTok algorithm shows a mix of new and relevant content to users based on their interactions and preferences.

Q: How do I measure the performance of my TikTok ads? A: Use the reporting tools in the TikTok Ads Manager to create custom or templated performance reports.

Happy marketing!

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