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Let’s dive into today’s topic:
How to run ads on TikTok
Setting up a TikTok Ads Manager account is straightforward and takes only five to ten minutes.
Why it matters
While many artists are familiar with advertising on Meta's platforms, options like Google (YouTube) or TikTok often go overlooked. It’s recommended to explore which platforms provide the best return on investment or value for money when allocating a budget for advertising. Therefore, understanding the process of running ads on TikTok can be invaluable.
How it works
Setting up TikTok Ads Manager is a straightforward process, typically requiring only a few minutes. Here’s my preferred method:
First, set up a TikTok Ads Manager account.
Sign up here using either an existing TikTok account or creating a new one.
Provide necessary business information and documents, which depend on location.
Provide billing details, also dependent on location.
Once submitted, the account will undergo review within three working days. In my experience, the account is reviewed within 24 hours.
Next, construct a campaign.
The account remains accessible for campaign creation during the review process.
Opt for 'custom mode' within the Ads Manager experience for advanced control.
Create a campaign, ad groups, and ads.
Fund the account by adding a balance. Take the required minimum budgets into account:
For pre-paid balances, the required minimum budget is $50,00.
The required minimum daily budget per ad group is $20,00. This can be lowered by adjusting the lifetime budget and scheduled days. A simple trick is to run the campaign every other day and adjust the campaign settings after the first week.
Go deeper
Create a TikTok for Business account and complete TikTok’s business verification.
Yes, but..
As always, artists should approach advertising spending with a critical eye. I developed this flowchart to help artists assess whether they should run ads.
Take action now
Artists should recognise the potential of advertising beyond Meta and explore whether adding TikTok Ads to their marketing mix is valuable. Marketing-savvy artists could set up a TikTok Ads Manager account to explore what’s possible.
Your thoughts
Have you dabbled in TikTok Ads? We’re eager to hear your experiences and insights on today’s topic. Join the conversation and engage with hundreds of artists, creators, and industry professionals in the comments.
Further reading
Should artists run ads? (The Fanbase Builder)
How artists can lower the costs of their ads (The Fanbase Builder)
See how other artists run their ads on TikTok (The Fanbase Builder)
Beginner’s Guide: Advertising on TikTok Ads Manager (TikTok)