Introduction

TikTok is no longer just a platform for viral dances and entertainment. It has become one of the most powerful digital advertising tools in the world, especially for businesses targeting Gen Z and Millennials. With over a billion monthly active users, TikTok provides a unique opportunity for brands to connect with a highly engaged audience.

At Afia Digital, a leading digital marketing agency, we have helped numerous clients grow their online presence through TikTok advertising. This guide will walk you through how to use TikTok Ads Manager to run effective ad campaigns that drive results.

What is TikTok Ads Manager

TikTok Ads Manager is a self-serve platform that allows businesses to create, manage, and track their TikTok ad campaigns. It offers a user-friendly interface, advanced targeting options, multiple ad formats, and comprehensive analytics to optimize campaign performance.

As a digital marketing agency, we consider TikTok Ads Manager an essential tool for any business looking to generate brand awareness, traffic, and sales through short-form video content.

Benefits of Advertising on TikTok

Before diving into how to use the platform, let us quickly explore why TikTok Ads should be part of your digital marketing strategy:

• High user engagement and watch time
• Broad reach among younger demographics
• Advanced targeting features for precise audience selection
• Creative tools for making native-style video ads
• Real-time analytics and performance tracking

At Afia Digital, we leverage these features to help businesses gain a competitive edge.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using TikTok Ads Manager

Here is a detailed walkthrough to help you create and manage your first campaign using TikTok Ads Manager.

Step 1 Create a TikTok Business Account

To get started:

1. Visit the TikTok for Business website
2. Click on Create Now
3. Sign up using your business email
4. Fill in business information like company name, industry, and country

Once your account is created and verified, you will be directed to the TikTok Ads Manager dashboard.

Step 2 Set Up the TikTok Pixel

The TikTok Pixel is a piece of code that tracks user activity on your website. It helps in measuring conversions and improving ad performance.

To install the Pixel:

1. Go to Assets then Events
2. Select Website Pixel
3. Click Create Pixel and choose installation method
4. Add the code to your website or integrate with Shopify or another platform

Afia Digital always recommends installing the TikTok Pixel to enhance campaign targeting and reporting accuracy.

Step 3 Create Your Campaign

From the dashboard:

1. Click on Campaign at the top
2. Press the Create button
3. Choose your campaign objective:
   • Awareness: Reach
   • Consideration: Traffic, App Installs, Video Views
   • Conversion: Website actions or purchases
4. Set your daily or lifetime campaign budget

Start small, test your ad creative, and scale once you find what works best.

Step 4 Set Up the Ad Group

Each campaign can have multiple ad groups. Here is what you will configure in this section:

Promotion Type

Choose whether you are promoting a website or an app.

Placement Options

You can allow TikTok to automatically choose placements, or manually select TikTok and its partner apps. For better control, choose manual placements and select TikTok only.

Targeting

TikTok offers detailed targeting options:

• Location
• Age
• Gender
• Language
• Interests
• Device type and operating system

You can also use custom and lookalike audiences to refine your targeting strategy.

Budget and Schedule

Set your ad group’s budget, schedule, and delivery type. Choose between standard or accelerated delivery depending on your goal.

Step 5 Design and Launch Your Ad

Now it is time to create the actual ad.

Ad Format

Choose from the following:

• In Feed Ads
• Top View Ads
• Branded Hashtag Challenges
• Branded Effects

Most businesses start with In Feed Ads because they are cost-effective and versatile.

Upload Your Video

Upload a ready-made video or create one using TikTok’s Video Creation Kit, which offers customizable templates, text overlays, and music options.

Add Ad Copy and CTA

Include:

• Display name
• Short and engaging text (up to 100 characters)
• Call to action such as Learn More, Shop Now, or Sign Up

At Afia Digital, we help clients create videos that blend with organic TikTok content, which makes the ads feel natural and boosts performance.

Step 6 Monitor and Optimize Your Campaign

Once your ad is live, use the Ads Manager dashboard to monitor key performance metrics:

• Impressions
• Click-through rate
• Conversion rate
• Cost per result

Check the data daily and make necessary adjustments. Experiment with different videos, captions, and audience segments to improve your results.

Best Practices for TikTok Ads

As an experienced digital marketing agency, Afia Digital recommends the following practices:

Keep It Authentic

Your content should look native to TikTok. Avoid overly polished videos and instead focus on relatable, creative storytelling.

Capture Attention Quickly

The first three seconds of your video are crucial. Use hooks like questions, surprising visuals, or strong emotions to keep users watching.

Use Music and Captions

Incorporate popular TikTok sounds and on-screen text to make your video more engaging and accessible.

A B Test Regularly

Run multiple ad variations to find the best-performing combinations of video, copy, and call to action.

Optimize for Mobile

Ensure your video is vertical and optimized for mobile viewing since TikTok is a mobile-first platform.

Why Work with a Marketing Agency Like Afia Digital

Running successful TikTok ads requires both creative and analytical skills. Many businesses struggle to manage all aspects of campaign creation, targeting, and optimization.

Afia Digital offers full TikTok advertising services, including:

• Strategy development
• Creative production
• Audience research and targeting
• Pixel setup and conversion tracking
• Performance analysis and reporting

We work with businesses of all sizes to deliver real results through strategic TikTok advertising.

Conclusion

TikTok Ads Manager is a powerful tool for businesses looking to reach a young and active audience. With the right approach, you can generate awareness, traffic, and sales at a very competitive cost.

At Afia Digital, we combine deep marketing expertise with creative storytelling to help brands succeed on TikTok. Whether you are just getting started or looking to scale, we are here to help you grow.

Work With Afia Digital

Ready to launch your first TikTok ad campaign

Visit https://afiadigital.com/ or contact us today to learn how our digital marketing agency can help your business go viral and grow faster with TikTok ads.