Introduction:
Do you want to learn how TikTok Ads helped startups and businesses in making them successful? In a very short time, they can transform a small startup into a top brand, as you can reach a wide audience easily here. Many success stories on the internet. They, in fact, used TikTok ads that helped them bring millions of people to visit their business. In this article, learn about TikTok Ads—from their importance and types to specifications and how to run them effectively. And finally, we have shared that you can run TikTok ads for free or not! You can also explore the basics of TikTok to get a better understanding.
What are ads?
Every startup and business needs to inspire and convince its target audience to buy its products or services. The startups or businesses with no customers or few customers can increase their sales and bring in customers with the help of ads only. So, an ad is the content in which you showcase your product, and it helps promote your brand. You need to select a platform and pay for these ads. As a result, people notice your business, sales increase—thus, you solve the problem!
There are different ways to advertise your business and attract people. While physically reaching people (like banners or events) to bring their attention to the product still exists. But as everything has become online, most businesses promote themselves online via social media platforms. For example, businesses/startups show their product and the reason why someone should buy it. In short form, videos or pictures that encourage the followers or users to buy them.
TikTok Ads:
TikTok is one of the most powerful social media platforms. It is much more than just sharing funny and lip-syncing short videos. Now it has become a platform that people can use to promote their business. Even if a business is new or old, you can create and share your unique products, and it will help you stand out with the help of its ads that reach millions of people. Keep reading the article to get a better understanding of how you can get started with TikTok Ads.
Why use TikTok Ads?
Most of the research claimed that 92% of people take action on what they see on TikTok. It is a great statistic. A platform to address more people than other platforms, as it has a large active user base. Moreover, most TikTok users are young – they follow the trends and spend much of their money to fulfill their desires and interests. There are many real-world examples of businesses that used TikTok ads, and in a very short time, they got huge success. As, TikTok is known for its short-form videos, people are more engaged with it. Research reports that people, on average, spend 50 minutes on TikTok daily.
Moreover, TikTok provides you with various ad formats, and you can choose the one that comes within your budget, fulfills your requirements, and looks like it will achieve your goals. After setting your target audience, you can move forward to consider TikTok Ads as your business promotion companion, and it will help you grow fast. If you select the correct format of ad, target audience, show your creativity, and engage with people, there is no doubt that your business will certainly achieve huge success. DON’T worry, we have a section to help you choose the best one for your business.
Types of TikTok Ads:
There are different types of TikTok ads, which differ in cost & how and when they appear. The following are the most popular ad types:
- In-Feed Ads: These ads appear on the For You Page among the regular videos shown there. Users can like and comment on these ads. These ads also have a CTA (call to action) button through which web traffic is generated. Businesses need to be more creative so the user doesn’t scroll without watching it.
- Top-View Ads: These are a bit like In-Feed Ads, but there is a difference. These ads come on, and the user can’t scroll to the next video for three seconds. Businesses must add an element that grabs the attention of the viewer in just three seconds and not scroll like they do in In-Feed Ads.
- Spark Ads: Basically, these are in-feed ads, but additional features make them Spark Ads. These ads encourage users to visit the business’s TikTok page and follow it. The users can use audio from their account for their own content, and it works to promote business effectively.
- Brand Takeover: These full-screen ads appear as someone opens the app and automatically play for five seconds. Businesses addressing customers (B2C companies) can consider these ads for the launch of new products and brand awareness.
- Branded Hashtag Challenge: Brands make challenges, and people use that brand’s hashtag in the videos to make them more engaging; this is shared with a wide audience. Brands make filters, stickers, and effects that people use in their videos, and it results in making brands viral.
- Playable Ads: Ads that are like a landing page within the app before installation or leaving the TikTok app. Moreover, it takes place within the TikTok app, where users are able to use and see it completely.
TikTok Ads Formats & Specifications:
With different types of ads, there are specifications for each; they are described below:
| Ad Formation | Duration | Where It Appears | Advantages | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-Feed Ads | Up to the 60s | ‘For You’ Feed | Looks natural, cheap | Can be skipped |
| Top-View Ads | Up to the 60s | When opens app | High Visibility | More cost |
| Spark Ads | Up to the 60s | Boosted Organic Content | Authentic, uses influencer content | Needs existing content |
| Brand Takeover Ads | 3-5s | When launching the app | Max. Impact | Expensive |
| Branded Hashtag Challenge | Varies | Discover Page | Best Engages | Best for Large companies |
| Playable Ads | Varies | For apps/games | Interactive, Fun | Niche-specific |
How to Run Ads:
Here is how to run your first ad on TikTok. We aim to provide you with a complete step-by-step guide that you can use to run ads easily and effectively.
- Create a TikTok Business Account
- Go to the TikTok Ads Manager
- Set your campaign objective (traffic, conversions, etc.)
- Define your target audience
- Choose your ad placement and format
- Upload your video ad content
- Set your budget and schedule
- Launch your campaign and track performance
The following screenshot is of the TikTok Ads Manager sign-up page:
Don’t make ads; make TikToks.
TikTok encourages businesses to create entertaining and natural content, not traditional ads. This means
- Be creative and follow trends
- Tell a story or solve a problem
- Make your ad feel like a regular TikTok
- Keep it fun, fast, and engaging
Boost Your Business on TikTok for FREE:
You can also boost your business on TikTok without using paid ads. For this, you need to follow these tips explained in the infographic:
Conclusion:
Here you learned what TikTok Ads are and how you can use TikTok Ads to boost the success of your business. Now you know what TikTok Ads are, their types, benefits, specifications, and how to run them. With the right strategy, TikTok can be a game-changer for your business success, especially if you’re just starting.
Frequently Asked Questions:
An ad is the paid promotional content that helps promote your brand. You need to select a platform and pay for these ads. That platform (like TikTok) will show your content as sponsored content; people will know about it, and customers will increase.
There are various types of ads on TikTok, such as in-feed ads, Top-View Ads, Spark Ads, Brand Takeover, Branded Hashtag Challenge, and Playable Ads, which are the most popular.
You can’t run official ads for free, but you can use organic videos, hashtag challenges, and collaborate with influencers for unpaid promotions. Also, follow the infographic given in this article to boost your business.
