Get your business discovered on TikTok: Use targeted ads to find your customers

Posted on October 4, 2025 by admin

While organic reach on TikTok can be impressive, using targeted ads is a powerful way to accelerate your growth and ensure your content reaches your ideal customer. The TikTok Ads Manager provides a robust suite of tools for running effective ad campaigns with flexible budgets, allowing even small businesses to compete with larger brands. This friendly guide will walk you through the various ad formats and targeting options, helping you leverage the power of paid promotion to get your business discovered by a wider, and more engaged, audience.

To get started, you’ll need to set up your TikTok Business Account and use the TikTok Ads Manager. This platform allows you to set your own budgets, define target demographics, and create compelling video ads. A great option for increasing conversions is using In-Feed Ads, which appear seamlessly in users’ feeds as they scroll. These ads can include a call-to-action (CTA) to encourage users to visit your website, download your app, or make a purchase. For example, the finance company Acorns used an In-Feed Ad with a CTA to successfully drive app downloads.

Branded Hashtag Challenges are another powerful ad format. These challenges encourage user-generated content (UGC), driving massive engagement and brand awareness. You create a unique hashtag and a challenge for users to participate in, and as they create content around your challenge, your brand gets seen by a wider audience. The beauty of these challenges is that they feel organic and authentic, fostering a deeper connection with the community. Brands like Chipotle and Dunkin’ have successfully leveraged hashtag challenges to generate viral moments and boost engagement.

For brands looking for a high-impact, guaranteed placement, TopView Ads are a great option. These ads appear at the top of the “For You” feed when a user first opens the app, offering guaranteed visibility and a full-screen, dynamic display. While TopView Ads are typically more expensive, they can be highly effective for product launches or major promotions where you want to make a big splash. Branded Effects, like custom filters or stickers, also allow your brand to engage with users in a fun and creative way, and are often used by brands to increase engagement and boost brand awareness.

To maximize the return on your ad spend, use TikTok’s powerful targeting options. You can target users based on demographics, interests, and behaviors, ensuring your ads are shown to people who are most likely to be interested in your product. Analyzing your TikTok Analytics will help you understand which campaigns are performing best, allowing you to optimize your strategy over time. By combining organic content with strategic, targeted ads, you can significantly expand your reach and ensure your business gets discovered by the right customers on TikTok.

Get your business discovered on TikTok: Build a winning strategy from the ground up

Posted on October 4, 2025 by admin

TikTok is more than just a platform for viral dances; it’s a powerful search engine and discovery tool, especially for Gen Z. For businesses, getting discovered on TikTok can lead to a surge in brand awareness and sales. But how do you stand out in a sea of content? It all starts with a solid strategy. This friendly guide will walk you through the first steps, from setting up your account to defining your content and goals, to ensure your business gets discovered by the right audience.

Your first step is to switch to a TikTok Business Account. This is a crucial, free move that unlocks a suite of features unavailable to personal accounts. With a business account, you gain access to vital analytics, commercial music libraries, and tools like the TikTok Ads Manager and TikTok Shop. You can find this option under your profile settings, and it only takes a few moments to set up. Once your account is converted, complete your profile with a high-quality logo, a clear and engaging bio, and a link to your website or online store.

Next, you need to get to know your audience and the TikTok community. Spend time scrolling through the “For You” page (FYP) and the Discover page to see what trends, sounds, and content styles are popular within your niche. Don’t be afraid to analyze your competitors to see what’s working for them, but remember to put your own unique spin on it. If your business is in the book industry, for example, diving into the #BookTok subculture will give you valuable insights into what content resonates with your target demographic. The goal is to understand the language and humor of the platform, so your content feels authentic rather than like a forced ad.

Once you have a feel for the platform, establish clear goals. What do you want to achieve with your TikTok presence? Are you aiming to increase brand awareness, drive traffic to your website, or boost sales? Setting specific, measurable goals will help you tailor your strategy and track your progress effectively. A content calendar is your best friend here, allowing you to plan your posting schedule consistently and align your content with product launches, promotions, and seasonal events. This ensures you always have a plan and don’t miss out on important dates.

Finally, focus on brand authenticity and consistency. TikTok users value genuine and relatable content over overly polished, heavily commercial productions. Showcasing your brand’s personality, sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses, or introducing your team can humanize your business and forge a deeper connection with your audience. Consistent posting, especially during the times your audience is most active, will keep your brand visible and build a loyal following. By focusing on these foundational steps, you can build a strong presence on TikTok and ensure your business is well on its way to being discovered by a captivated audience.

Get your business discovered on TikTok: Create authentic, engaging content

Posted on September 4, 2025 by admin

The TikTok algorithm is unique; it rewards creative and authentic content, not just accounts with a massive follower count. This gives every business, regardless of size, a chance to go viral and get discovered. But simply posting videos isn’t enough. Your content needs to be engaging, entertaining, and provide value to your audience. This friendly guide shares proven business tips for creating content that captivates viewers, drives engagement, and ultimately helps your business thrive on TikTok.

A great way to connect with your audience is by going behind the scenes. People love to see the inner workings of a brand. Share a video showing how you pack an order, introduce your team, or give a tour of your office or workspace. This type of content humanizes your business, building trust and a personal connection with viewers. As the example of the acrylic nail brand KRYLX showed, showcasing the order-packing process can build community and highlight the care you put into your products. Showing the journey of your business, from a simple idea to a thriving brand, can also be very relatable and inspiring.

Product tutorials and demonstrations are also highly effective. Many TikTok users use the platform to research products before buying, with 84% preferring to see reviews there. By demonstrating how your product works, its benefits, and different ways to use it, you can provide valuable information and build trust with potential customers. A beauty brand could post short makeup tutorials, while a restaurant could share recipe hacks or showcase new menu items. Don’t be afraid to use before-and-after videos to highlight the positive results your product provides.

User-generated content (UGC) is another powerful tool for discoverability. Encourage your customers to create and share videos featuring your products or services and consider running a UGC campaign with a branded hashtag. Reposting and interacting with UGC on your official channel builds community and acts as social proof, showing that real people love your brand. Collaborating with influencers, especially micro-influencers who have smaller but highly engaged followings, can also expand your reach and leverage their credibility within your niche.

Finally, leverage TikTok’s full suite of editing capabilities and features. TikTok favors videos made within the app, so use its various editing tools, effects, and trending sounds to create dynamic and eye-catching content. The crucial first three seconds of your video are paramount for grabbing attention, so use strong hooks to stop thumbs from scrolling. Encourage engagement by asking questions in your captions, hosting Q&A sessions, or creating themed series that build anticipation. The more engagement your content receives, the more the algorithm will push it out to new audiences, helping your business get discovered.