How to Make TikTok Ads: TikTok Advertising Explained

Posted on 27th Dec, 2024.

TL;DR (The Short Version)

TikTok ads appear in between videos on the app and can form part of ad groups or ad campaigns.
How much you choose to spend on TikTok ads is flexible as long as you meet the minimum budget.
To create an ad, you'll need to work within the TikTok Ads Manager. Read our detailed step-by-step below for more info.

Wondering how to make TikTok ads to boost your business' sales? Alongside posting high-quality content, paid ads promise one of the most effective ways to get the word out about your business and improve your conversion rate. We'll delve into the art of making TikTok ads, how to use TikTok to advertise your product or service, and TikTok ads FAQs.

Let's get into it.

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What Are TikTok Ads?

TikTok ads are typically full-page videos (although they can be other formats, such as image carousels) that appear in the TikTok app feed while users are navigating. These ads help you reach the young, tech-savvy crowd that uses TikTok, targeting them with adverts for your product or service. With the potential to reach billions of users, TikTok ads should form part of any successful business marketing campaign.

Typical users spend hours scrolling through videos on the app (a whopping 95 minutes per day, apparently), and your ads being strategically inserted throughout those videos can not only raise awareness of your brand, but actually translate to an increase in sales. Likewise, advertising your brand on TikTok results in more followers, which, in turn, creates a bigger platform for your brand.

There are three layers of TikTok ad organisations.

TikTok Ad - A TikTok ad refers to a single advertisement, a video promoting an offer or your business's products and services.

TikTok Ad Group - A TikTok ad group refers to a collection of TikTok adverts.

TikTok Campaign - A TikTok campaign is a collection of ad groups.

However you decide to organise your TikTok advertising, the basic premise is the same. You'll create a set of video or image adverts that will play in between videos on users' FYP.

How to Create a TikTok Ad

Follow these simple tips for getting your TikTok ad off the ground. You'll need to record the adverts themselves beforehand, of course.

Log into your TikTok Ads Manager account.
Navigate to the relevant campaign or group.
Click Create.
Turn the Smart Creative ads toggle on or off depending on your preferences. Do the same with the identity toggle.
Give your ad a name. This is only for your reference and won't be seen by others.
Select your preferred ad format, such as an image carousel or a single video.
Navigate to the Ad Creatives section and click +Add videos or images.
Choose the videos and images you wish to add - you can upload multiple at once.
Select a thumbnail for your video. It can be an uploaded image or one selected from the video.
Enter the Display Name, Text, and Caption. Upload your Profile Image and URL - the URL of the website you wish to drive traffic to.
Add the relevant tracking URLs.
Preview how your ad will appear in various placements
Click Submit and create your ad. You'll then be able to manage this ad and other groups and campaigns in Ad Manager.
TikTok will review your ad. Keep an eye on its status in the Ads Manager account.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to make a TikTok ad?

You can spend as much or as little as you like on TikTok ads, within reason. You'll have the cost of the campaign or video itself - which can be fairly affordable if you decide to keep things simple - then there's the cost of the ads.

TikTok uses an auction and bidding system for ads, meaning you can set an amount to pay per click, view, or impression, although there is a minimum spend for ads and campaign groups. Visit TikTok's site for up-to-date information on the cost of TikTok ads.

Factors such as your ad placement, ad engagement, the time of year, and your campaign objectives will influence how much you can expect to spend on TikTok ads, too.

Are TikTok ads worth it?

If you're looking to increase your reach and you have the budget to make it work, TikTok ads are definitely worth it. This is especially true if your key demographic is Gen Z and millennials. If you're looking to appeal to boomers, however, TikTok ads might not prove as cost-effective.

If you're looking for a cheaper, but still effective, method of boosting your profile, consider buying followers. That way, you'll have a larger audience to promote your products and services to via regular TikTok content.

How do I make an ad on TikTok?

To create an ad on TikTok, you'll first need to establish your marketing strategy, then create your ad content based on this plan. Once the content is in place, use TikTok Ad Manager to upload and structure the ads the way you'd like them. Our detailed step-by-step guide is just above!

If you plan on taking your TikTok marketing campaign to the next level, consider adding ads to the mix. Promising a great way to get the name of your brand on everyone's lips, TikTok ads allow you to get your brand, products, and services seen by those most likely to buy them.