How to Run TikTok Ads for Business

The social media platform TikTok now holds the title for one of the influential digital marketing platforms through its 1 billion active users. Companies utilizing TikTok advertising platforms find new customer groups and generate better engagement while increasing their sales. You must understand the proper techniques of running TikTok ads to achieve maximum brand visibility.

This guide demonstrates how to establish your TikTok ad account while selecting proper ad formats along with audience targeting followed by performance optimization and application of industry-leading practices.

Setting Up a TikTok Ads for Business Account

A new account for business usage on TikTok needs creation before starting with ads by establishing a TikTok Ads Manager. Implement this procedure to start your ad account on TikTok :

1. Sign Up for TikTok Ads Manager

Visit TikTok Ads Manager and sign up using your business credentials. Fill in your details, including your country, business name, and industry.

2. Set Up Your Payment and Billing

After registration, you’ll need to choose a billing method (prepaid or postpaid) and enter your payment details. This ensures that your ad campaigns run smoothly without interruptions.

3. Create Your First Campaign

Inside the Ads Manager, click on “Create” and start setting up your first campaign. TikTok organizes campaigns into three levels:

• Campaign Level – Define your advertising objective (Traffic, Conversions, App Installs, etc.).
• Ad Group Level – Choose your audience, budget, and placements.
• Ad Level – Design your ad creative (video, image, text).

By structuring your ads properly, you set a strong foundation for effective campaign management.

Choosing the Right Ad Format

TikTok offers multiple ad formats to fit different business needs. Selecting the right format will determine your ad’s effectiveness in capturing audience attention.

1. In-Feed Ads

These ads appear in users’ For You Page (FYP) and blend seamlessly with organic content. They allow users to like, comment, and share, making them great for engagement.

2. TopView Ads

These premium ads appear as the first post when a user opens TikTok. They offer maximum visibility and are ideal for brand awareness campaigns.

3. Branded Hashtag Challenges

This format encourages users to participate in viral trends by creating their own content using your brand’s hashtag. It is one of the most engaging and interactive ad types.

4. Branded Effects

Businesses can create custom filters, stickers, and augmented reality (AR) effects to engage users and promote brand interaction.

5. Spark Ads

Spark Ads allow brands to boost organic TikTok posts rather than creating separate ad content. This is great for brands that already have popular TikTok videos and want to increase their reach.

Each ad format serves different goals, so choose the one that aligns with your marketing strategy and campaign objectives.

Targeting Your Audience

TikTok’s advanced targeting options help businesses reach the right users based on demographics, interests, and behaviors. To ensure your ads perform well, focus on the following targeting features:

1. Demographic Targeting

You can filter audiences based on:

• Age
• Gender
• Location
• Language

2. Interest-Based Targeting

TikTok categorizes users based on their engagement with different content types. For example, if your business sells fitness products, you can target users interested in health and wellness videos.

3. Behavioral Targeting

This feature allows businesses to reach users based on their recent activities on TikTok, such as watching, liking, or sharing certain types of videos.

4. Lookalike Audiences

Lookalike Audiences help you target people who are similar to your existing customers. TikTok uses AI to find users with similar behaviors, expanding your reach to potential buyers.

5. Custom Audiences

If you already have a customer base, you can upload email lists or website visitor data to re-target users who have previously interacted with your brand.

The better your targeting strategy, the higher your chances of driving engagement and conversions.

Optimizing Ads for Performance

Launching TikTok ads is just the beginning—optimization is key to achieving maximum ROI. Here’s how to ensure your ads perform well:

1. Use High-Quality Video Content

TikTok is a visual-first platform, so your ads must be engaging, dynamic, and high quality. Ensure your videos are:

• Short and attention-grabbing (6-15 seconds).
• Optimized for mobile viewing (vertical format).
• Visually compelling with bold colors and captions.

2. Test Multiple Ad Variations

A/B testing different creatives, captions, and formats will help you determine what resonates best with your audience.

3. Hook Viewers in the First Few Seconds

Users scroll through TikTok quickly, so your ad should grab attention within the first 3 seconds. Use bold visuals, engaging music, and strong opening captions.

4. Add Clear CTAs (Call-to-Actions)

Encourage users to take action with direct CTAs like:

• “Shop Now”
• “Download the App”
• “Learn More”

5. Leverage TikTok Trends and Sounds

Trending challenges, music, and effects help ads feel more organic and engaging. Aligning your ads with TikTok culture increases their performance.

TikTok Ad Best Practices

To maximize results, follow these industry best practices when running TikTok ads:

1. Stay Authentic

TikTok thrives on genuine, entertaining, and relatable content. Avoid making ads that feel too corporate or scripted—blend in with organic content.

2. Keep Ads Mobile-Friendly

Most users access TikTok on mobile devices. Ensure your videos are optimized for vertical viewing and include clear visuals.

3. Monitor and Adjust Campaigns Regularly

Don’t just set up your ads and forget them. Analyze metrics like CTR (Click-Through Rate), CPC (Cost-Per-Click), and ROAS (Return on Ad Spend) to adjust your campaigns for better performance.

4. Leverage TikTok’s Automated Bidding

TikTok offers smart bidding options to automate ad spending and maximize conversions efficiently.

5. Engage with Your Audience

Replying to comments on your TikTok ads increases engagement and builds brand trust. Encourage user participation by responding to feedback and questions.

Conclusion

Running TikTok ads for your business is an exciting and powerful way to reach a vast audience, drive brand awareness, and increase sales. With creative ad formats, precise targeting, and engaging content, businesses can maximize their marketing success on TikTok.

By setting up a TikTok ad account, choosing the right ad format, refining audience targeting, and optimizing for performance, you can create highly effective ad campaigns that resonate with users. As TikTok continues to grow, businesses that adapt to its advertising ecosystem will have a competitive edge. If you’re ready to scale your marketing strategy, now is the time to explore the potential of TikTok Ads with Madex Group and elevate your brand to new heights.