AFFIRM’s Tips for Running a Successful Paid TikTok Campaign
Are you thinking about taking your business to TikTok? With over a billion active users and unmatched engagement, TikTok is one of the most powerful platforms for paid media if you know how to use of it right AND if your business or organization is permitted to make use it. In this blog, the AFFIRM team breaks down our top tips for running a successful paid TikTok campaign, from setting the right goals to budgeting effectively and creating content that converts. Read on before you push that “promote” button!
Select the Right Goal
Before you launch your campaign, make sure you’ve selected the right goal. This will create the foundation for how your ads will be optimized and measured. TikTok Ads Manager offers several goal optimizations including:
- Reach: Maximize the number of people seeing your ad
- Video Views: People most likely to watch your video
- Website Traffic: People likely to click your ad to visit your landing page
- App Installs: People likely to download your app
- Conversions: People most likely to complete a specific action (i.e., purchase, sign-up, etc.)
- Lead Generation: In-app form submissions. Allows contact info to be collected without leaving the app.
- Engagement: People who may like, comment, or share your ad
Your choice should align with your overall marketing strategy. For example, if you’re looking to boost awareness, go with reach or video views. If you’re focused on driving action, opt for conversions or lead gen. Defining your goal upfront helps TikTok’s algorithm serve your ad to the people most likely to take that action, ultimately giving you better data to evaluate performance.
Set an Appropriate Budget
The bottom line: Setting the right budget can make or break your TikTok campaign. TikTok requires a minimum daily spend of $50, so it’s important to plan accordingly from the start. Consider your campaign goals and allocate enough budget to give the algorithm room to learn and optimize. A larger budget allows for more reach and faster performance insights, but even smaller businesses can find success with smart targeting and compelling creativity. Just make sure your budget supports meaningful delivery!
Optimize Your Video Creative
On TikTok, creative is everything. Users scroll fast, so your video needs to grab attention within the first few seconds. That means vertical video, bold visuals, and messaging that gets to the point quickly. TikTok audiences respond best to content that feels organic, not overly produced, so make sure your video is authentic to your business’s voice and style. Use captions to reinforce your message, include a clear call-to-action, and test different versions to see what resonates. Optimizing your video creative isn’t just about making it look good; it’s about making it work hard for your campaign goals.
Make Real-Time Optimizations
TikTok’s algorithm moves fast and so should your optimizations. Once your campaign is live, don’t just set it and forget it. Monitor performance daily and be ready to adjust in real time. You may want to tweak your targeting, or maybe it’s updating your creative. Remember, small changes can make a big difference. Use TikTok Ads Manager’s data to spot trends like drop-offs in engagement or strong CTRs early on so you can optimize accordingly. Staying agile ensures your campaign stays efficient, effective, and in sync with your audience’s behavior!
Getting started with paid TikTok and other paid social advertising can be overwhelming at first. We’re here to help you out! AFFIRM can set you and your business up for success by developing a tailored paid social strategy. Reach out to us at info@affirmagency.com and we’ll work with you to help you meet your goals.
