How to Get Started with TikTok Advertising

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, the social media platform known as TikTok became a sensation across the globe. The app, formerly known as Musical.ly, is a short-form video-sharing platform where users can create and send videos on any topic they like. Currently, the app has over one billion monthly active users spread across 154 countries. It has far surpassed Twitter, Instagram, and even Facebook as the trendiest social media site. Since TikTok's popularity is increasing with each passing day, more and more brands consider this app an essential tool for marketing.  

It did not take long for marketers to see the enormous potential in advertising on TikTok. In June of 2020, the app launched "TikTok for Business," which is essentially an all-in-one tool for brands to market themselves on the app. This service guides users through the entire process of engineering a successful and impactful TikTok campaign – from creating an ad or setting a budget, finding the best audience, or evaluating data; TikTok for Business is a genius marketing tool that allows for easy and affordable campaign creation. You can create an immersive video campaign at your fingertips through this app and its resources. Brands are jumping at the chance to have their products advertised on the most popular social media platform to date. If you are interested in engaging content creation, influencer collaborations, and endless opportunities for brand exposure, then you should consider a TikTok advertising strategy. The experts at Alpha Tango Media can help you get started today.  

Ad Formats  

TikTok marketing is centered around video advertisements. TikTok For Business offers advertisers five different ad formats to choose from, each offering several unique benefits.  

Top View Ads  

Top View ads appear once daily and are the first 'in-feed' ad that a user will see. They can last up to 60 seconds, making them a perfect option for brands looking for more extended storytelling opportunities or already have longer assets. It is important to note that Top View ads take up the entirety of a user's screen while playing. Because of this, your ad is likely the only thing those users are looking at, at least for a few seconds. The impact these few seconds can have is enough to create a lasting impression in the minds of consumers.  

In-Feed Ads  

In-Feed ads appear seamlessly within a user's own curated "For You" feed. The "For You" feed is where, based on your likes and in-app activity, the TikTok algorithm will pick videos it believes will interest certain users. TikTok for Business can place ads so well that sometimes, users do not even know that they are watching an ad; another fantastic feature of In-Feed Ads is that they can be created to look and feel exactly like a regular TikTok video. Additionally, In-Feed ads can feature a CTA, making them especially useful for marketers looking to use the platform to drive sales and conversions. Lastly, In-Feed ads offer marketers the perfect opportunity to collaborate with influencers. Your ad can be placed into the feeds of users who are fans of a particular influencer, which significantly increases your chances of making a sale.  

Branded Hashtags  

We have all heard of hashtags before, but do most people really know what they are for? Think of hashtags as 'organizers' for content – if someone hashtags their image under a specific title, then anyone else that searches for that term can see their content listed there. Bouncing off this idea, Branded Hashtags are a unique form of advertising that businesses can use to inspire TikTokers to create content around a brand-related hashtag of their choice. Unlike on other social media sites, brands using this ad format have exclusive access to the hashtag and its components. Its exclusivity, however, can come with a higher price tag, but it is worthwhile. According to Hubspot, 77 percent of TikTok users surveyed enjoy it when brands produce new and engaging dances, memes, or trends on social media - meaning that Branded Hashtags can speak directly to audience desire. 

Brand Takeovers  

Think of Brand Takeovers as more of a campaign themselves, as they can include a combination of branded hashtags, Top View ads, and In-Feed ads. These ads are the first thing that a user will see upon opening the app, and because they are exclusive to their category, users will not see more than one ad of this kind per day. With Brand Takeovers, you can expect a lot more eyes on your content with little competition for this period.  

Branded Filters & Effects  

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Last but certainly not least, are branded effects. The entirety of TikTok's popularity revolves around the fun and easy creation of video content. A large portion of what makes this activity so enjoyable for users is the special effects that can be added to their videos. Branded filters are precisely that; special effects that users can engage with and incorporate into their own videos to be shared with the world. These 'filters' can be 2D, 3D, or even feature aspects of AR or VR. One popular way this ad format is by creating 'stickers' that users can place on their videos, seamlessly increasing engagement and brand awareness with every video filmed.  

Now that you know about the five different ad formats, here is how you can get started with building your own campaign.  

Setting Up Your TikTok for Business Account

It may seem like a lot to take in but setting up a TikTok ad is straightforward under the guidance of TikTok for Business and your experts at Alpha Tango Media. If you have further questions or need additional assistance, do not hesitate to reach out to our team.  

Now that you know about the five different ad formats, here is how to get started with TikTok for Business.  

The first step is creating your business account on the app. This is where you can manage, create, and track the success of your campaigns. Once you have created a user, you will be asked a few questions about your brand and advertising goals.

Once these basics are out of the way, you can choose between custom and simplified ad manager modes. Both versions are similar in the fact that they will help you build your ads. For example, it will ask you to outline your campaign, select a target audience/group, and will eventually assist you with creating the ads themselves. However, this is where they vary: simplified mode lets TikTok's algorithm determine where, when, and how ads are placed. Custom mode offers advertisers complete control over their ads. It is important to note that choosing a mode is not permanent; you can always switch modes later on.  

Contact Alpha Tango Media Today to Get Started with TikTok Advertising

From here, the rest is up to you. Whether you create your campaign within TikTok for Business or have devised a strategy you are ready to implement, this marketing tool makes it easy for marketers to get their products on the fastest-growing platform to date. It's no wonder advertisers are jumping at the chance to advertise within, as the opportunities for brand exposure, reach, and awareness are unlimited. If you are ready to get started with advertising on TikTok but need additional support, contact us at Alpha Tango Media today.