When TikTok burst onto the scene as the new up-and-coming social media platform, it was only a matter of time before the company baked in advertising.

Why? Because social media sites have to make money at the end of the day, especially given how much TikTok had spent on marketing their platform and getting it downloaded on as many devices as possible.

Not to mention the many marketing experts and small business owners who also wanted to capitalize on this new way of speaking to their audience.

As such, TikTok Spark Ads were born. Join us as we discuss what they are in more detail, how to run them, the benefits they can provide, plus a link to our free masterclass on the subject.

What are TikTok Spark Ads?

In simple terms, Spark Ads are TikTok’s answer to sponsored or promoted Instagram ads. The term defines the advertising element of the social media app TikTok, where brands can create ads from their organic posts or other creators’ organic posts.

TikTok Spark Ads differ from regular “In-feed” ads as they use posts from real users and promote them to a wider audience.

For those familiar with Facebook advertising, consider it a more advanced version of “boosting” a post.

They are also much more engaging than Non-Spark Ads, which act more like a traditional social media advert (has enough time passed for us to start referring to things as traditional? I’ll let you decide).

TikTok Spark Ads differ from regular “In-feed” ads as they use posts from real users and promote them to a wider audience.

But that’s not all. TikTok Spark Ads also open up exciting whitelist advertising opportunities for brands, where you pay creators to undertake TikTok Spark Ads for your brand, tapping into their follower count and well-known name on the platform.

Alongside the standard CTA, you expect to see on a social ad, you can also click into the profile page of someone promoting a Spark Ad, making it a great option for boosting engagement and follower numbers.

Don’t Skip: TikTok Ads Guide

How to Run Spark Ads on TikTok

With that in mind, let’s dive into how you can run your very first Spark Ads on TikTok.

• Create your TikTok Ads account: First off, you need to either sign up or log in to your TikTok Ads Manager account and ensure your payment details are up to date.
• Set up a campaign: Next, you’ll need to define your campaign objective and create an ad group full of different targeting options. Where possible, split your targeting up, even if the messaging is the same, to see how each area performs.
• Design your Spark Ad: Now that you have your audiences locked in, it’s time to select your ad format and create engaging video content, write a caption with a hook, and think of a CTA that your audience can’t help but click on.
• Budget and launch: Once your ad is crafted, it’s time to set your budget and bidding strategy, then review and launch your Spark Ads campaign.
  Monitor and optimize: Finally, it’s critical to keep an eye on performance and adjust targeting and creative for better results.

6 Ways Spark Ads Can Help Your Business

Now that you know how to create TikTok Spark Ads, we should probably discuss why you should be creating them.

After all, we all know the steps to make our partners mad, but that doesn’t mean we should do it.

(If you’re reading this, I promise I will do the washing up after I finish this).

1. Enhanced engagement

One of the biggest benefits of creating high-quality Spark Ads is the engagement it can provide your brand with.

Sure, we all dream of being the No. 1 ranked company in our industry, but there’s only one spot and likely thousands of brands vying for it.

We all need a little injection of traffic into the veins of our business from time to time to keep everything running smoothly.

Excellent Spark Ads can grab users’ attention, encouraging higher engagement and interaction with your brand.

2. Broader reach

It’s no secret that TikTok has dramatically captured the social media market over the past three years. Whether you were re-enacting the Jason Derulo dance craze or learning how to bake banana bread, you likely couldn’t go one hour without checking the app during the COVID lockdowns, and you weren’t alone.

Not only that, but the user base has only risen since then, and now TikTok is an essential platform for you to expand your brand’s reach.

On the off chance that your Spark Ads go viral (hopefully in a good way!), you could even reach a global audience.

3. Precise targeting

Much like with other social media platforms (no, not you, X), TikTok has robust targeting options, allowing you to reach specific demographics and interests and ensuring your message reaches the right audience.

4. Increased brand awareness

When trying to gain traction for a new brand, exposure is crucial, and Spark Ads can help you do just that. They can boost brand recognition and awareness through memorable, creative content that can leave a lasting impression on viewers.

5. Conversion potential

A good TikTok Ad can drive traffic to your website, app, or online store, much like an advert on Instagram, Facebook, or Linkedin could do, only to a slightly different demographic.

6. Tapping into creator audiences

Lastly, a high-quality TikTok Spark ad is a fantastic way to show your brand’s content directly to a creator’s audience. Say goodbye to trying to mirror the perfect demographic for your brand by executing technical and time-consuming audience creation or worrying about making your ad look like organic content so that your desired audience doesn’t immediately swipe past it.

With TikTok Spark ads, you can essentially pay a creator to post your organic content for you, breaking through the ad-to-consumer barrier and directly targeting your chosen demographic.

Keep Learning: How to Make Money on TikTok – 15 Surefire Ways

Ready To Use TikTok Spark Ads?

Keeping up with the ever-changing social media advertising scene is not easy, but you don’t have to suffer alone. Check out our free TikTok Ads training, and learn how you can your Ads from bAd, to rAd.

*Disclaimer: The free guidance is significantly better than that wordplay.