Published on

TikTok Ads Tutorial 2023 [Step-by-Step]

Introduction

Introduction

If you're looking to advertise on TikTok, you'll need three essential components: a registered business, a payment method, and at least one vertical video ad. Since TikTok currently allows only businesses to sign up for ads, ensure you have everything in place before moving forward. In this tutorial, we will guide beginners through the TikTok Ads Manager and help set up your first ad campaign focused primarily on driving traffic.


Step 1: Ad Campaign Structure

Choosing Your Advertising Objective

When you sign up for TikTok Ads, the first step is to determine your advertising objective. For beginners, we recommend starting with the "Traffic" objective. This approach allows you to benefit from TikTok's unique environment and usually lower Cost Per Mille (CPM) rates.

  1. Campaign Name: After selecting traffic, name your campaign (e.g., "Traffic Test").
  2. TikTok Pixel: If you have a TikTok pixel set up for tracking conversions, include it here. The pixel can track actions such as purchases and payment info.

Placement Settings

In the placements section, opt for "Select Placements" to ensure your ad appears solely on the TikTok app. Uncheck the non-TikTok placements, which often yield poor quality.

Creative Optimization

For this beginner’s tutorial, keep creative optimization off. It’s still a developing feature, and many advertisers find that manual adjustments yield better performance.

Audience Targeting

While initially, you may not want to focus on specific audiences, consider excluding past purchasers within the last 30 days. This reduces the chances of ads being served to recent customers unless your product is often repurchased.

  • Demographics: In this tutorial, we’re targeting all genders and ages in the United States.
  • Interest Targeting: For a clothing ad, target interests related to apparel, accessories, and sportswear.

Budgeting and Bidding

Set a daily budget of at least $ 20, acknowledging that this amount is a minimum. TikTok is comparatively more expensive than platforms like Google Ads.

  • Optimization Goal: Choose “Click” for traffic campaigns.
  • Bid Strategies: The default “Lowest Cost” option is preferable for beginners. Alternatively, you might explore a bid cap strategy to control costs.

Step 2: Creating Your Ad

Video Requirements

TikTok primarily caters to mobile users, so your video must be vertical (1080x1920). Upload your video from a library or create one using TikTok’s editing tools.

  1. Upload: Select your vertical video.
  2. Thumbnail Selection: Choose an engaging thumbnail to increase clicks.

Ad Details

  • Display Name: Use your business name.
  • Text Headline: Keep it concise and engaging (e.g., "Check the Latest Drop").
  • Call to Action: Suggest something engaging (e.g., "Shop Now").
  • Profile Image: Select an appropriate image to maintain branding.

Video Editing

TikTok’s video editing feature allows you to add music, sound bites, and text overlays, enhancing the overall creativity and engagement of your ad.


Step 3: Monitoring Ad Performance

After setting your ad live, allow it a few days to gather data. Regularly check how your ads perform by hovering over your campaign in the Ads Manager and selecting "View Data." This feature will offer insights into metrics such as cost per click and cost per acquisition (if conversion tracking is active).

Consider breaking down performance data by hours to identify when your audience is most active.

Conclusion

Success with TikTok advertising hinges on creative, engaging ads tailored to the platform. As this tutorial has shown, the right approach can lead to lower costs and better results. Don't hesitate to experiment and iterate until you find the right formula that resonates with your target audience.


Keywords

  • TikTok Ads
  • Advertising Objective
  • Traffic Campaigns
  • Audience Targeting
  • Video Requirements
  • Creative Optimization
  • Budgeting
  • Bid Strategies
  • Performance Monitoring

FAQ

Q: Can only businesses advertise on TikTok?
A: Yes, TikTok currently restricts ad accounts to registered businesses.

Q: What is a TikTok pixel?
A: The TikTok pixel is a conversion tracking tool that helps track user actions, such as purchases, on your website after they interact with your ad.

Q: What is the minimum daily budget for TikTok ads?
A: The minimum daily budget for TikTok ads is $ 20.

Q: Why is creative a crucial aspect of TikTok ads?
A: Creative content that resonates with TikTok's unique culture tends to have lower costs and better engagement rates than standard ads from other platforms.

Q: How can I monitor the performance of my TikTok ads?
A: Use the Ads Manager to check metrics like cost per click and cost per acquisition to understand how your ads are performing.