If you’ve ever thought about running ads on TikTok but worried you didn’t have the budget, this is for you. TikTok ads can be an incredible tool for getting your products or services in front of the right audience, even if you’re starting small.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to launch your first TikTok ads, what to focus on, and how to turn even a small daily budget into real sales.
What Are TikTok Ads?
TikTok ads are native-style ads that pop up on the For You Page while users scroll through videos. They blend in with organic content, which makes them powerful for grabbing attention. Ads can be videos or images with short text and a clickable link. This native approach means your ad feels more like content and less like an interruption.
Watch our video on how to make money with TikTok Ads:
Setting Up TikTok Ad Manager
Start by creating your TikTok Ad Manager account. You can sign up with your existing TikTok account to save time.
- Enter your business info. If you don’t have an official business, you can operate as a sole proprietorship.
- Follow the prompts and accept TikTok’s terms to finish setting up.
Once you’re in, you’ll see the dashboard. This is where you manage campaigns, create ads, and track performance.
Creating Engaging Ad Creatives
Good ads start with good visuals. If design isn’t your thing, consider hiring a freelancer on Fiverr or Upwork. They can create professional videos or images for you.
If you’d rather DIY, free tools like Canva and Figma can help you build scroll-stopping visuals.
One interesting tip: use ChatGPT’s image generation tool. By giving it a prompt, you can create unique ad visuals and stand out from other advertisers.
Navigating the Ad Manager and Setting Up Your Campaign
Switch to the full options view inside TikTok Ad Manager for more control.
Campaign Level: Choose your main objective. If you’re selling something, go with “product sales.” This tells TikTok’s algorithm to find people who are more likely to buy.
Ad Set Level: Here’s where you control budget and audience.
- Targeting: Start by targeting the US since that’s where you’ll find a lot of active buyers.
- Placements: Leave these on default to let TikTok figure out the best spots for your ads.
Example Budget: Start with $9 to $20 a day. This is enough to get real data without breaking the bank. Once an ad starts performing, increase your budget slowly. The golden rule is not to raise your budget by more than 20% a day, this keeps your ads stable and performing well.
Scheduling: A simple trick is to schedule your ads to start at 11:59 PM the night before. This can give you an edge in performance because your ad starts fresh at the top of the day.
Uploading Your Ad Creative
At the ad creative level, upload your video or image. Use a clear and compelling hook in the first few seconds of the video to grab attention.
Add text that highlights benefits or features, and end with a strong call to action like “Shop Now” or “Learn More”. If you need help writing ad copy, tools like ChatGPT can generate catchy headlines and calls to action
Monitoring and Optimization
Once your ad is live, don’t just set it and forget it. Check your performance once or twice a day. Key metrics to watch include:
- CPM (Cost per 1,000 views): Lower is better for exposure.
- CTR (Click-through rate): This shows how engaging your ad is. Aim for at least 1%.
The real secret to success is testing. Launch new ad creatives every week or two. Test different visuals, captions, and styles. Keep what works and drop what doesn’t.
Special Offer for TikTok Ad Credits
If you’re worried about costs, there’s good news. Right now, TikTok is offering up to $100 in ad credits when you sign up through our special link.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a huge budget to start making money with TikTok ads. The combination of good targeting, eye-catching creatives, and consistent testing can turn a $9 to $20 daily budget into a real side income stream.
Remember, TikTok rewards creators and brands who show up consistently and keep testing. Don’t be afraid to launch, learn, and adjust.