How to Get Started with TikTok Advertising

The world of social media marketing is always evolving and staying ahead of the curve is key to business success. At Profici, we have seen social media trends come and go, but few have made an impact in the same way that TikTok has. It’s a platform that is continuously making noise in the digital marketing world, with more and more users signing up to the app every day. With its impressive rise in popularity and a highly engaged group of users, TikTok has become a force to be reckoned with. As a business, understanding how to utilise the power of TikTok advertising is key to online success.

Understanding TikTok and It’s Popularity

There are a lot of social media platforms out there, and it can feel as though there’s always a new platform to be paying attention to. However, none have had the same impact on the digital world as TikTok. TikTok is a social media platform that really has taken the world by storm. For many, it is more than just a source of entertaining dance videos, clips of cute animals and viral challenges. With over a billion monthly users, TikTok has become a powerful marketing channel for businesses around the world, especially those looking to connect with a younger audience.

To put it simply, TikTok is a short-form, video-sharing app. It provides a place for users to create and share videos and allows them to discover a wide variety of content. From comedic skits to informative ‘how to’ videos, you really can find everything on TikTok. Its success lies in its user-friendly interface and algorithm, which keeps users scrolling, engaging and coming back for more. So, as a business, it’s an excellent place to advertise.

How Does TikTok Advertising Work?

Like many social media platforms, TikTok provides a number of advertising options to businesses. There’s a common misconception that TikTok is for teenagers and Gen Z, but it’s also hugely popular with other generations, with people of all ages enjoying what it has to offer. When used effectively, TikTok advertising options can help businesses to target their ideal audience online and to achieve their marketing goals.

In-Feed Ads – These are short video ads that appear in users’ feeds, as they scroll through an endless stream of content. TikTok’s in-feed ads are skippable, and they can be linked to your website or app. If a user is interested in what you have to offer, they can find out more with one click.
Branded Hashtag Challenges – These are popular on TikTok and involve creating a unique hashtag challenge, with the aim of encouraging user-generated content. If a lot of users get involved in the challenge, the hashtag will begin to trend and will be seen by a lot of people. This spreads the word about what a business does. Branded hashtag challenges can be accompanied by branded banners and in-feed video ads to maximise visibility.
Branded Effects – On TikTok, there are special effects or filters that users can add to their videos to change things, such as their appearance. These filters make a user’s video fun and interesting, whilst also enhancing brand interaction and engagement.
TopView Ads – TopView ads are similar to in-feed ads, but they appear as the first video users see when they open the app. Instead of seeing another user’s video, they will instantly see your business’s ad. This premium placement ensures maximum visibility, as there is a guarantee that users will see it.

Whether you choose to use one or two of TikTok’s advertising options or all of them, you are in control. As a business, you have the freedom to create TikTok ads that will engage and resonate with your target audience.

The Benefits of Embracing TikTok Advertising as a Business

There are a number of benefits of advertising on TikTok, which is why it’s an increasingly popular route for businesses to take. Some of the key benefits of TikTok advertising include:

Vast and Engaged Audience – TikTok boasts an incredibly large and highly engaged user base, making it a prime platform to reach a younger demographic. As a business, you can use ads to connect with those who are actively seeking out new content.
Creativity and Authenticity – TikTok encourages creative and authentic content. You can use this to show your business’ human side, to connect with users on a personal level and to build brand authenticity. With so many competitor businesses out there, being authentic will help you to stand out for the right reasons.
Trendsetting Opportunities – TikTok is the birthplace of viral trends, and there’s always a trend to be getting involved in. You can use this to your advantage by creating relevant and engaging content that resonates with your target market.
Precise Targeting – In the same way that Facebook does, TikTok offers advanced targeting options for businesses. This helps you to ensure that your ads will reach users with specific demographics, interests and behaviours. Instead of advertising to everyone, knowing that some people won’t be interested in what you have to offer, you can focus your attention on users who are likely to take note.
Opportunities for Organic Growth – TikTok isn’t just about paid advertising, though it’s certainly something worth considering as a business. Creating compelling and shareable content can lead to organic growth and heightened brand awareness. If you create a good video and it’s shared by a lot of users, there’s no limit as to how many people will see it.

At Profici, we consider ourselves to be social media marketing experts. We are here to create effective social media marketing strategies from scratch or to tweak and improve your existing efforts. Get in touch today to find out more.