TikTok is an excellent platform for marketing your brand, growing followers and getting sales yet it is also good fun too! With over a billion active users and almost an hour of their time taken up daily by tiktok, TikTok presents huge opportunities for businesses. In this guide, we’ll show you how to make tiktok ads that works.
Why Advertise on TikTok?
TikTok is not only a place where people post short videos of themselves having fun, it is also a hotbed for marketing. Thanks to the all-video format of TikTok, users are constantly entertained at every step. Companies can present themselves in a way that is both interesting and engaging, filming their products and services using brief clips that really carry an impact.
Unlike traditional social media, TikTok also offers its own unique tools. With Branded Hashtags and Spark Ads, businesses can tell stories through interactive campaigns. If you want your brand to stand out, there’s no greater stage than TikTok.
Types of TikTok Ads
TikTok offers a variety of ad formats, that help you choose one that best fits your goals. Here’s a fast example:
Image Ads
Simple, in-app static ads on TikTok’s news apps such as BuzzVideo: they include a picture, your brand name, and some text.
Video Ads
Short movies (5–60 seconds) that appear in the main feed or one of TikTok’s partner apps.
Branded Hashtag Challenges
Encourages users to create content around a custom hashtag. This not only increases user engagement but also provides a sense of community for your brand.
Spark Ads
Use existing TikTok posts (either yours or someone else’s) as ads. This is perfect for leveraging user-generated content.
Pangle Ads
Ship advertisements across all of TikTok ’s partner ad networks to reach even more people.
Carousel Ads
A series of images that can be swiped through by users, each with its own caption below.
TopView Ads
Full-screen videos which are aired right as the user opens TikTok.
Branded Effects
Custom stickers or effects that users can add on to their own videos.
Ad Specs for TikTok
To ensure your ads look their best, follow these specifications:
- File Size: Max 500 MB
- Aspect Ratio: 9:16, 1:1, or 16:9
- Resolution: Minimum 540×960 px (ideal: 720 px or higher)
- File Types: MP4, MOV, MPEG, AVI, or 3GP
- Ad Text: Up to 100 characters (no emojis)
For Spark Ads, TikTok is more flexible, allowing various aspect ratios, resolutions, and file sizes.
How Much Do TikTok Ads Cost?
TikTok ads work on a bidding system, so costs depend on your campaign goals. However, there are minimum budgets to get started:
- Ad Group Daily Budget: $20
- Campaign Daily Budget: $50
TikTok suggests starting with 20x your target cost-per-action (CPA). For example, if your goal is to get app installs at $5 each, your daily budget should be $100.
How to Create TikTok Ads in 9 Steps
- Set Your Objective
Decide what you want to achieve, such as:- Building brand awareness
- Driving traffic to a website
- Generating leads
- Boosting sales
- Choose a Budget
Set a total campaign budget or assign budgets to individual ad groups. You can choose a daily or lifetime budget. - Pick Ad Placements
Decide where your ads will appear:- TikTok’s feed
- Partner apps like BuzzVideo
- TikTok’s Pangle network
You can also let TikTok automatically place ads where they’ll perform best.
- Turn on Creative Optimization (Optional)
Let TikTok test combinations of your videos, images, and text to see what works best. - Define Your Audience
Target people based on age, gender, interests, location, and even behavior. The more specific you get, the better your results will be. - Set Group Budgets and Schedules
Choose a daily or lifetime budget for each ad group. You can also schedule ads to run during specific times. -
Choose a Bidding Strategy
Pick one of these bidding options:- Bid Cap: Set the maximum amount you’re willing to pay.
- Cost Cap: Keep costs at a specific average amount.
- Lowest Cost: Let TikTok optimize your spending for the best results.
- Create Your Ad
Add videos, images, or text to create your ad. TikTok also has templates to help you design ads quickly. Preview your ad before submitting it for approval. - Boost Existing Posts (Optional)
Promote existing TikTok videos directly from your profile. Simply tap Creator Tools > Promote and follow the steps to set a goal, audience, and budget.
TikTok Ad Tips for Better Results
- Keep It Short
TikTok users scroll fast, so grab attention in the first few seconds. Keep videos between 21–34 seconds for maximum impact. - Use Original Sounds
Music or sound effects can make your ads more engaging. Add captions to enhance accessibility. - Work with Influencers
Partner with TikTok creators who already have an audience. They can create authentic content that resonates with their followers and boosts your campaign.
Getting Started on TikTok Advertising
The best way to succeed on TikTok is to dive in. Spend time exploring the platform and experimenting with different ad formats. TikTok is all about creativity, so don’t be afraid to think outside the box.
Base Creative is here to help! Whether you need assistance with ad creation, campaign strategy, or performance tracking, we’ve got your back. Let’s make your TikTok advertising a success.