Google was created in 1998 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin. Its purpose was simple: the two creators had a search engine called “Google Search” that they believed in, and rightfully so – it instantly became the most used search engine online and has stayed that way for twenty years.

Google Ads was created shortly after Google’s inception and was also destined for greatness. In 2000, the platform launched as Google Adwords, but in 2018 it was shortened to the name it currently holds. It is the most used advertising platform out there.

There are several paid search metrics involved in Google Ads, and the three most important are impressions, cost, and clicks. Impressions represent the number of times your advertisement shows up on a search result page, regardless if physically seen. 

Cost represents how much you’ve spent on Google advertising while clicks represent how often your link has been clicked. These metrics indicate the success of your Google Ad campaign so you can stay aware of what works and what doesn’t.

A successful campaign targets the right audience and maximizes conversions and Return on Ad Spend (ROAS). These twelve tips will help you make the most of your Google Ads.

Types of Google Ads

For starters, there is simply no other search engine capable of shaking a stick at the internet’s leading powerhouse. With 86% of the search engine market share, you know you need Google as your friend and business partner. 

With Google’s pristine engine at your disposal, you can maximize your conversion rate and increase your site’s visibility exponentially. Soon you’ll be using Google for that warm fuzzy feeling one gets seeing their site atop tons of search results.

But to actualize such potential on Google, there are five main types of Google ads you should be aware of. Be strategic about which ones you utilize for your future ad campaign because each campaign has specific advantages. Here’s a bit of a background on each type so you can make the most informed decision to maximize results. 

Search Ads on Google

Search network campaigns usually take the form of a text ad on a Google search result page. These campaigns don’t require any minimum budget, meaning Google will work with you financially for your text advertisement. They’re helpful for local businesses because of flexibility, directness, and they put you on the Map – Google Maps, that is! 

The Search network campaign is probably the most straightforward of all the Google ad options. It’s perfect if you have a low budget, a specific target audience, and are new to Google’s advertising.

Display Ads

The display ads take the form of images on websites or apps your target audiences use. This campaign uses the power of Google to intentionally place your image ad on over a million websites. Then it requires you to choose between “marketing” or “no marketing” objectives to further customize your ad campaign. The former option builds through sensible marketing strategies whereas the latter takes a much more general approach.

In short, you’d want a Display network campaign if you have a specific advertisement approach or brand awareness in mind. You can also plant your advertisements on specific websites you want, in addition to getting an image on YouTube.

Video (YouTube)

You know those videos you encounter on the ‘Tube? Here’s how you can join in on the marketing. Google’s Video campaigns are usually either six or fifteen-second-long videos that show before or during YouTube videos. You can choose if users can skip five seconds in, or if you want a buffer ad between videos.

If you’re confident in your video advertisement, then you’re likely to succeed with going with this Video Google ad campaign. With over 2 billion monthly active users, YouTube ads allow you to tap into a huge audience.

Shopping Ads on Goole

Google Shopping ads are very simple to set up and relatively straight forward. If you have an eCommerce store and want to promote its products, this is the campaign for you. Google Merchant Center first needs access to your store, but once setup, your feed will show in the Merchant Center. Then the activated Shopping ad campaign will do everything else.

If you have an eCommerce store, this ad-campaign is a no-brainer. It lands your products in one of the most visited product search engines available with little effort.

App Advertising Using Google

The Universal App ad campaign is intended for entrepreneurs who have an app they wish to heavily promote. It’s a simple enough campaign that only requires you to add your app to Google’s database. From there, you can trust Google to drive up your app sales with its massive, cross-campaign, cross-platform reach. Go with the App campaign if your new or existing app needs a giant boost.

Creating Your Google Ad Campaign

Google makes it super simple to launch your campaign. Using their technological tools and sophisticated algorithms to your advantage is a smart move.

However, as with any type of campaign, you need to have a solid plan. You also need to be willing to monitor the effectiveness of your campaign and make the necessary adjustments. Luckily, the Google Ads platform makes this super simple.

From planning your Google Ads campaign to analyzing and adjusting your strategy, it’s important to stay on top of it to truly take advantage of this awesome marketing opportunity.

Set Smart Goals For Your Google Ads

To get started with your campaign, you need to decide on your goal. This will allow you to develop the framework for the rest of your campaign. It will also help you analyze how well your advertising is working.

Is your ultimate goal simply to build awareness of your brand or reach a larger audience? Maybe you want to increase brand consideration. This will push your campaign in a direction to gain exposure through Google Ads.

Your goal might be to increase website traffic and sales numbers. You also may be using Google Ads to develop more leads for your business. A strategy to gain more app users may also be your goal.

Whether you settle on one of these objectives or a combination of multiple goals, keeping it at the forefront of your mind as you develop your campaign will make it more successful. 

As you move forward, you’ll be able to make smart decisions regarding everything from placement to ad types to reach your goals. 

Decide on a Google Ad Budget

Your budget will heavily influence the rest of your decisions about your campaign. Fortunately, you can launch your Google Ads campaign without sinking a ton of cash into it. 

Google Ad’s tools are super helpful in determining your budget and the results you may get. Check out the predicted outcome based on your budget range. Slide the scale up and down to help you pinpoint just how much you’re willing to spend.

What’s awesome about Google Ads is that you can set your monthly budget cap and the platform takes care of the rest. You don’t have to constantly monitor your spending to make sure you don’t go overboard.

Your budget will also be simple to adjust. You may notice that your ad is getting some awesome results. It might be worth it to increase your budget a little. Simply up your budget on the platform in seconds.

You also may need to pause your campaign to reevaluate your strategy. Google Ads makes it super easy to activate and pause campaigns through the dashboard.

Another great feature is the results-driven pricing structure. You only pay when your ads work, making Google Ads a potentially super cost-effective place to put your marketing dollars.

The price for your ad can relate directly to your objectives. The cost per click, cost per impression, and cost per engagement pricing models are created to drive results. This means you’re only paying for what you get, and not a cent more.

Location is Everything

Even though you’re advertising online, the location could be a big part of your strategy. Targeting a specific audience location can make your campaign more focused and successful.

Are you looking to drive traffic to your physical location? Google Ads is a great place to do that. They can target nearby customers and display your location in search results. 

These local campaigns allow you to tap into Google’s resources to reach these customers at just the right moment. Through YouTube and Google Maps, you can engage these customers when they are in close proximity to your location.

You can also opt to target certain regions or countries. This is especially true if you are trying to drive website traffic, app installs, or online sales numbers.

It’s important to be mindful of what you’re marketing and where. Everything from big events to seasonal trends can come into play.

Think about the needs of a region’s population. If you’re selling swimsuits or sunscreen, you’ll likely be throwing your money away by advertising to colder areas in the winter months. 

However, you can also capitalize on location-specific trends and events. If you’re selling adult beverages or beach gear, targeting popular locales during the spring break season could be a smart and lucrative investment.

Be smart about choosing your location parameters, and you’ll see more overall campaign success. Additionally, utilizing a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can allow you to see Google search results tailored to other locations, enhancing your understanding of regional preferences and trends for more effective targeting in your campaigns.

Use the Right Google Ad Type

Now that you know about Google Ad types, you can decide on which ones are best for your objective, and how to make them work for your goal.

If you’re trying to increase sales, a shopping campaign can reach consumers that are actively browsing and shopping online. You can also use display ads to reach the valuable repeat customers that have been to your site or store in the past. 

To increase website or physical location traffic, you can use search ads to reach those most likely to be interested in your brand. You can also use video campaigns to share the benefits of your brand.

Expanding your brand awareness and consideration can be super successful with Google’s enormous reach. Display campaigns can get your brand into the eyes and minds of a ton of consumers.

There is even a specific ad campaign to reach those that would be most likely to install your mobile app. This allows you to advertise in the play store, Google search, and other popular websites.

Consider Your Google Advertising Audience

After you have decided on your goals and budget, it’s time to get creative and form your campaign. First things first, who is this advertisement targeting?

Your audience is the center of your campaign and your advertisements should be built based on them. Crafting an appealing ad that speaks directly to your audience will make it much more engaging. 

Fortunately, targeting the correct audience is made easier by Google’s technology and algorithms. This allows your ad to be seen by people that are more likely to have an interest in your brand. 

Your job is to create an ad that turns that exposure into engagement. A strategically crafted ad can help you reach your objectives more successfully.

Think about your audience, their needs, and how your brand can fulfill them. Your ad should clearly communicate how your product can benefit them.

Your target demographic can help you develop the style of your ad. Are you targeting youthful and energetic customers? Think bold and bright graphics, colors, and imagery.

You may be targeting a more mature, higher-income crowd. Your ads should take on a more serious tone, showing that your brand is reliable and dependable.

Take a look at this ad for Smart Asset for example. It’s simple, serious, and to the point. Their goal is to show that their brand is ready and able to take on the tough task of helping you plan your retirement.

Be Clear and Concise in Your Google Ad

Internet users may be quick to abandon your ad and move on to their next task. You need to capitalize on the small bit of attention that your ad may receive. 

Get your message out quickly and clearly. You will want to be concise and to the point. Your goal is that consumers immediately know what you’re selling and why they need it.

Check out this display ad for FarmersCart Beef on a Google partner site. In minimal words, they explain the benefits of their product. In seconds, a consumer is able to see what makes their beef different from the competitors.

Think about the most important benefits and features of your product. Get those in the eyes of consumers quickly to send a clear message and pique their interest. 

Set Yourself Apart From Your Google Ad Competition

In an online world full of ads, it’s super important to make sure your ad isn’t just white noise. Creating an ad that is dynamic and stands out will pay off in better results.

This is also your chance to share why your brand is different from your competition. Why should consumers choose your brand over others?

Let’s look at this ad for Big Ass Fans. Not only do they have a quirky and engaging brand name, but they also manage to set themselves apart from the competition in one short review snippet. 

You also want your ad to stand out enough to get noticed while not being gaudy and overwhelming. Consider color, imagery, and attention-grabbing verbiage to draw in browsers and encourage them to want to learn more.

Create an Authentic Voice In Your Google Ad

One of the best benefits of Google ads is the ability to reach out to current customers. You can also target previous visitors to your physical location or website. The key to using this to your advantage is to be consistent and authentic. 

When customers feel like they know your brand on a deeper level, they develop more meaningful relationships. This, in turn, leads to an increase in brand loyalty. 

Develop an identifiable personality for your brand. Make your brand’s persona appealing and attractive so consumers want to get to know you.

Once you develop this brand personality, keep it consistent. Consumers crave familiarity and want to know what to expect from your brand. 

When you personify your brand, you can appeal to consumers emotionally. This will allow you to create a strong and loyal customer base and a stellar reputation.  

Use Real-Life Stories To Relate to Your Google Ad’s Audience

Consumers want to hear from other consumers. They value the experiences of others over your own word about your brand. Use real-life stories to tout the unique benefits of your brand.

Take this video ad for Wix, featuring a business owner that built her own eCommerce business on the platform. This creates a connection for other entrepreneurs and shows them that Wix could benefit them as well.

Consumers put a lot of trust in the opinions of previous customers. Include your glowing online reviews or a testimonial from a thrilled customer in your ad. This can go a long way in grabbing the attention of potential customers.

Mix it Up a Bit

With the many options Google Ads gives you, it’s a good idea to have a diversified plan. Not only can you create more effective campaigns, but you will likely reach a larger audience. 

As your brand evolves, your needs will change. Using various types of ads will allow you to best meet your marketing needs.

Your campaign may have dual or multiple purposes. You may be trying to drive web traffic and increase brand awareness. Maybe you want to increase sales while also gaining leads.

Including multiple types of ads in your campaign allows you to strive for all of your objectives. Plus, you’ll be able to see which types of ads are more effective with your customers.

Include a Call to Action in Your Google Ad

When your ads have clear messaging, they are more likely to lead to the desired result. One of the most effective ways to do this is to include a great call to action. 

A consumer sees your ad, now what do you want them to do? How do they know how you want them to interact with your brand? It’s simple, just tell them. 

Your call to action can be as simple as a to the point “learn more” or “shop now.” You can also think outside the box and get a little more creative. 

Here, this ad uses a fun play on words to target students and encourage them to use their products.

Your call to action can also reflect your objectives. Are you trying to build awareness or consideration? Simply encourage customers with a gentle “learn more” button.

For ap install and sales-related objectives, telling customers to shop or download now can prompt them to click-thru. Whatever your goals may be, including a well-thought-out call to action in your advertisement can help you reach them. 

Let Google Ads Help

Google is known for their innovative and ground-breaking technology. Why not use it to your benefit?

You can meet online with a Google Ads expert that will help you craft an awesome campaign. They can guide you through everything from setting your goals and objectives and selecting the best type of ads for your business.

Their online resources and success stories can be filtered by your desired objective. This can give you a glimpse into how other companies have used Google Ads to hit their goals. 

The Google Ads technology will automatically optimize your campaign so you get the best results. You’ll also be able to see data-oriented results of your ads so you can adjust their design and your budget as needed. 

Launch Your Google Ad Campaign

A Google Ad campaign can give you access to a huge audience in all corners of the internet. It can be used to meet any of your brand’s marketing objectives and can easily be adjusted. Your company can create an effective campaign using Google Ads, quickly and affordably.

From location focused advertising to targeting relevant customers, advertising on Google Ads gives you a great, cost-effective marketing solution. When you craft your campaign to be audience-focused, authentic, and unique, your Google Ads campaign will give your brand an impressive edge and enormous boost! 

The post Advertising on Google: 12 Tips and Tricks You Need to Know appeared first on Adspace® The Web Design & Digital Marketing Agency.

Facebook ads enable businesses worldwide to reach a vast audience with minimum effort. They are also the most cost-effective advertising methods, but are you optimizing your ad campaigns properly? When you create a strategic campaign, Facebook ads can generate enormous exposure and growth. While the Facebook advertising world is constantly evolving, there are innovative ways to cut through the noise and create dynamic campaigns. This article will address the best Facebook advertising tips to increase engagement and drive conversions for your brand.

What are the Benefits of Facebook Advertising?

There are many social media platforms on the scene, but Facebook has retained its popularity and relevance thanks to its constant evolution and addition of new features. Today, it boasts an astounding 1.66 billion daily active users.

Facebook attracts a diverse demographic. Unlike many other social media platforms that primarily appeal to younger users, Facebook users span several age groups. Because of this, Facebook is the perfect tool to expose your brand to millions of potential customers. It also helps cultivate your brand identity and voice to engage with audiences. 

If you want to take your marketing strategy to the next level, follow these 13 tips to create a dynamic Facebook ad strategy. 

Plan Your Facebook Ad Budget

A defined advertising budget is crucial for crafting your Facebook ad campaign. Luckily, Facebook offers highly flexible pricing options. With just a few bucks, you can launch an ad on the platform and achieve tangible results.

Facebook offers budgeting tools that allow you to control your spending completely. You can set a daily budget and an overall budget for the duration of your campaign. 

The platform also offers a results-based bidding price model. Here, you can specify the amount you will pay for each desired action. This means you only pay for the actual results your ad generates.

Under this pricing model, you’ll pay the specified amount every time someone views, clicks, or completes the desired action for your ad. Despite this, you’ll remain within your predetermined budget. This maximizes the effectiveness of your spending.

Decide on Your Business Goal For Facebook Advertising

It’s important early on in your campaign to define your goals. What exactly are you trying to get out of your Facebook advertisements?

Are you trying to draw Facebook users to your website? Are you trying to grow the audience for your page? Regardless of your choice, choosing a strategic goal allows you to take advantage of Facebook’s sophisticated algorithms to reach your goals.

Fortunately, Facebook makes this super easy. When you create an ad, you are immediately required to set your goal, making customizing your advertising easier from the get-go. 

Target Your Facebook Ad Audience

One of the most tried-and-true marketing strategies is clearly defining your target market. This is especially true on Facebook, where you can target a specific audience and tailor your campaign to them.

It’s crucial to be strategic when targeting your audience. There’s no point in investing your budget in consumers who have no interest or need for your product. Your campaign’s success hinges on selecting an audience that aligns with your brand and existing customer base.

Facebook offers a convenient feature where you can set and save audiences directly on your ad creation page. The sliding age selection tool allows you to target a particular gender or age group. The Detailed Targeting tool allows you to select several other things, including education, lifestyle, and career.

When choosing different attributes, it’s crucial to observe the potential reach gauge. This visual aid helps you find the optimal balance between being overly broad and overly specific. Targeting the green range can lead to improved outcomes.

With this tool, Facebook can estimate the number of viewers your ad will reach. This data is updated each time you adjust your target audience criteria.

Remind and Expand Your Customer Base

The Ads Manager on Facebook also offers tools to narrow your target audience further. This feature allows you to retarget customers after their initial exposure to your brand. 

Facebook ads are a great way to remind audiences about your brand. The Custom Audiences tool allows you to showcase specific ads to users who have previously visited your website. Sometimes, a little nudge is needed to get a user to complete a purchase.

You can also create what’s called a Lookalike Audience. Facebook automatically creates this audience based on behaviors new users have in common with your existing source audience.

These shared traits make them highly likely to be interested in your product. By creating a Lookalike Audience, you can identify individuals more inclined to engage with your brand due to their similarity to your current customers.

Develop a FB Ads Placement Strategy

Facebook ad placement is critical to gaining engagement and visibility for your brand. Luckily, Facebook offers several different types of ad placement strategies. 

If you choose Automatic Placement, Facebook’s algorithm will place your ad in the optimal location for your audience. It will also use the most cost-effective strategy based on your budget amount. 

You can also manually place your Facebook ads. Facebook has several choices for ad placements:

• Facebook News Feed
• Instagram News Feed
• Facebook Marketplace
• Facebook Video Feeds
• Facebook Right Column
• Instagram Explore
• Messenger Inbox
• Facebook Stories
• Instagram Stories
• Messenger Stories

You can choose one or multiple placements for your ad to appear. One significant advantage of Facebook advertising is the ability to seamlessly advertise on Instagram as well. This increases the reach of your ads and increases the traffic to your business.

Set the Tone For Your Facebook Advertising

A clear voice is essential for a successful ad campaign. The tone and energy of the ad dictate how audiences interpret it. If you focus on a younger consumer, keep your ads light and bright. 

If your target audience are middle-aged, suburban consumers, be sensible and informative. You will want to provide facts and information that helps a potential consumer decided if your brand is right for them. 

Colors, imagery, and music help set the tone of your Facebook ads. When these elements work well together, your sites will experience more traffic and engagement.

Keep It Consistent, For Best Ads Results

It is also important to ensure your Facebook page matches your brand identity. Even if your Facebook campaign deviates slightly from your usual marketing approach, there should still be a sense of alignment across all channels. Consumers crave familiarity. A logo or familiar jingle can trigger a user’s subconscious memory, reminding them of your brand or products. 

If you aim to boost website traffic, ensure a seamless transition to your website. If your site starkly contrasts with your ad, it may confuse shoppers. This can lead to potential users to abandon your site if they feel misdirected.

Offer a Promotion or Contest In Your Facebook Ad

Consumers like to feel they have gained something from interacting with a brand. You can provide them with value through excellent deals or promotions.

Research indicates promotions influence consumers at every stage of the purchasing journey. A compelling deal not only attracts them but can also clinch the sale.

Using a promo code on Facebook is an effective method of driving traffic to your site. For example, Brumate shared a discount code in its Facebook ad for its popular can insulators.

The post garnered thousands of engagements and naturally encouraged Facebook sharing and friend tagging. This clever tactic led to exponential exposure as users tagged friends and shared posts to meet the four-item promotion requirement together.

This is why Facebook contests thrive. You gain substantial additional advertising by stipulating that users tag friends or share the ad to participate. As more friends share posts and tag others, the advertisement spreads. This enables your brand to access a wider audience than the initial paid target at no additional cost.

Work to Stand Out From All the Other Facebook Ad Competition

Facebook users are there to be entertained and informed, so the most important thing is to stand out enough to draw them into your ad.

Your business has to draw Facebook scrollers in with an enticing headline. Offer a contest, make a big announcement, or include a call to action. You only have a few words to make browsing eyes pay attention to your ad.

When your ad stands out from the white noise of social media, it tends to be more memorable. You want to give consumers a strong impression of your brand and a need for your product.

Pay Attention to Trends

In the world of social media, trends are everything. You will want to discover the most popular posts. Check out the ads and posts that have the most likes and shares. What do they have in common? What components could you mimic and make your own? Being in tune with these trends shows that your brand is current and up to date.

You can also consider seasonal events and social movements when crafting your campaign. Check out this ad for dress wear retailer eShakti. This company adjusted its manufacturing to the need for stylish masks during the pandemic. 

To take advantage of the increased demand for masks, they feature their new product in several ads to bring more customers to their site.

Utilize an Influencer or Endorsement On Facebook

Facebook has many popular influencer and celebrity accounts that you can leverage to boost your brand. These users are called influencers because, you guessed it, they are highly influential. They have a huge collection of followers engaging with all their posts.

To make this method effective, it’s essential to collaborate with an influencer who resonates with your brand. The partnership shouldn’t be so distant that the influencer wouldn’t genuinely use the product you’re selling.

Are you selling sports equipment? Athletes and fitness profiles are a great option. Marketing cosmetics? Beauty-oriented Facebook influencers can give your product credibility. Getting one of these influencers to appear in your ad can significantly impact your traffic. Consumers tend to trust the words and opinions of these online trendsetters.  

Engage with Facebook Commenters

Facebook is a fantastic marketing tool because it gives your brand the ability to interact with your customers directly. Using your advertisements to engage in discussion and develop relationships with them is important. 

These interactions give your brand personality and a voice. Because of this, responding quickly and appropriately to any comments you can answer is essential. This gives you additional chances to share your message and displays that you are a reliable communicator. Let’s check out an example of a successful customer interaction from the fitness equipment brand Tempo.

As you can see, Tempo reaches out to thank their current customer, but they also make a genius move. They repeat the tag and respond to one commenter’s recommendation to a friend. In a lighthearted but informative way, they reinforce the benefits of their brand.

Measure Your Facebook Advertising Strategy and Adjust

One of the remarkable aspects of Facebook advertising is the access to metrics. Based on your priorities and objectives, you can monitor the real-time effectiveness of your ads. You can also access detailed reports telling you how well your audience is targeted.

The split testing strategy tool can provide reliable and valuable data for future campaigns. You can compare the results by running two ads with different strategies to see which is more effective. 

Facebook attribution goes beyond mere views to provide insights into the actual impact of your ads. It reveals the conversions your ads generate, empowering you to adjust your strategy to achieve your desired objectives.

Conclusion

Facebook advertising is one of the most potent tools in your marketing toolkit. The extensive user base and cost-effective ads make it a compelling option. Moreover, its intuitive features and intelligent algorithms simplify the process of clever advertising. How do you leverage access to Facebook’s vast consumer base to enhance your brand? Consider partnering with Adspace for expert guidance and support in navigating the dynamic world of Facebook advertising.

The post The 13 Best Tips for Facebook Advertising appeared first on Adspace® The Web Design & Digital Marketing Agency.

When YouTube launched in 2005, it was a platform to easily find and share video clips online. It was created by three tech geniuses that had early roles in the successful payment app, PayPal. Little did they know that their idea would become one of the most popular and addictive platforms in the entire world. 

As the site grew, it was eventually acquired by Google in 2006 and integrated into other Google platforms and applications. This change would transform the platform and launch it to a new level. 

Today, YouTube has amassed billions of account holders. YouTube channel stars have developed almost cult-like followings. The video-sharing website has become a booming industry in and of itself.

With such a dominant place in the market, YouTube is an awesome opportunity to advertise your business. Here, we’ll talk about all of the makings of a great YouTube ad campaign. You can use these tips and tricks to make the video-sharing platform work wonders for your business.

The Growth of YouTube, The Giant

YouTube was born in a pretty humorous way. The genius minds that started the site were inspired by unique problems they hoped to solve.

One creator, Jawed Karim, was frustrated that he was unable to find video footage of Janet Jackson’s infamous wardrobe malfunction anywhere after the incident. The other two creators, Chad Hurley and Steve Chen, just wanted to create a video dating site to solve the world’s romance problems.

Their ideas were founded through simple concepts, but when they created YouTube, they unknowingly launched one of the most impactful websites ever. 

YouTube is now the largest video sharing platform in the entire world. Its two billion active users are scrolling and searching the site, watching an astounding five billion videos per day. 

This amazing level of viewership just continues to grow, stemming from an intriguing cycle. Videos are posted, viewers eat them up, they go viral, then the channel posts another video hoping to make it even more viral than the last.

The company is now believed to be worth $300 billion, making it one of the most valuable companies in the entire world. It’s certainly a place your business could see big value in being a part of.

Why YouTube is Different for Advertisers

You might think, “My company already has a social media marketing strategy.” However, if that strategy doesn’t include advertising on YouTube, you’re missing the marketing boat. 

YouTube has similar benefits to advertising on traditional social media platforms. But it’s differences are what makes having your product or company featured on the site truly amazing. 

First, there’s nothing out there like YouTube. The popularity of many social media platforms tends to ebb and flow and some are better than others at targeting specific groups and demographics.

YouTube, however, has become a part of today’s culture. 

It’s now the second most popular website worldwide with an average of over eight daily page views per visitor. It’s no understatement that web users are spending some major time on this site.

Part of YouTube’s appeal is its diverse collection of content. No matter your interests and preferences, there’s something on YouTube that will appeal to you. Thanks to the sophisticated algorithms that recommend similar videos, it’s easy to get drawn into a longer-than-you-realize viewing session.

The site plays host to everything from how-to videos for home projects to the latest pop music videos. There are videos posted by celebrities, athletes, and home-based experts on everything from cooking to decorating. Kids are even getting in on the YouTube game.

The platform has also launched many YouTubers into stardom. Music groups like Pentatonix have become viral sensations on the platform and ended up with lucrative deals and sell-out concert tours. The tricksters from Dude Perfect started on YouTube and ended up partnering with Nerf for their own line of merchandise. 

It’s no lie that seemingly endless revenue streams can be generated on YouTube. Your company can benefit from this money-making powerhouse. All you need to do is create a well-rounded and strategic YouTube ad campaign.

Creating an Effective YouTube Advertising Campaign

Launching a campaign on YouTube is pretty quick and easy. With a little planning, you can get your campaign off the ground in no time. 

There are a few strategies you can think about to make your campaign more effective. With a little extra thought and effort, you’ll likely reap bigger rewards from your YouTube ads.

Know Your YouTube Ad Types

• Masthead Ads
  • Plays at the top of the main video stream
  • Great for creating brand or product awareness
  • Autoplays for up to thirty seconds

• Skippable In-Stream Ads
  • Play before, after, or during other videos
  • Can be skipped after five seconds
  • Awesome for driving web traffic and sales leads
  • Bid based pricing means you pay per 30-second views

• Non-Skippable In-Stream Ads
  • Play before, after, or during other videos
  • Fifteen seconds or shorter
  • Perfect for broad reach and to generate brand awareness
  • Pay per impression

• Bumper Ads
  • Play before, after, or during a video
  • Only six seconds long and not skippable
  • Can be great to drive brand awareness
  • Pay per impression for the most effective spend

• Video Discovery Ads
  • Play alongside search results, related content, or on the YouTube mobile homepage
  • Displayed as a clickable image
  • Only pay when your image is clicked
  • Great for exposure to target audiences

• Outstream Ads
  • Only appear on mobile versions of Google partner sites and apps
  • Do not appear on YouTube
  • Only charged for each two-second view
  • Works well to expand your audience and create brand awareness

Having a basic understanding of these ad types will not only allow you to create better ads, but it will also help you decide what type of ads can best help you achieve your marketing objectives.

Narrow Your YouTube Advertising Objective

Marketing without an objective is pretty pointless. Sure, you’re getting exposure, but your campaign will be much more effective with a clear and defined objective. 

Are you trying to raise awareness of your brand? It’s important that you are innovative with your voice if you are a new brand. 

It’s also essential that you are authentic if you are well established. You don’t want to throw off your current customers. 

Your objective may be to increase interest in your brand. Trying to encourage consideration of your product may require you to focus on its benefits so you can use your campaigns to communicate them. 

If your goal is to increase sales or website visits, your ad format will likely have to change a bit. You’ll want to make sure your call to action is stronger and the transition to your site is seamless.

No matter what your objective is, your strategy will be built around it. Everything from your tone to your ad design will need to reflect your goals. We’ll discuss those strategies in a minute.

Get the Most Bang For Your YouTube Ad Buck

First off, how much money are you willing to throw towards your YouTube campaign? You’ll also want to decide if you want to focus on a set amount or a bidding strategy that’s more results-driven. 

Fortunately, you can start a local YouTube campaign for just a few bucks. This allows you to try all kinds of strategies to see what works best for you before making a significant investment in a longer campaign.

What’s great is that YouTube allows you to set your budget. Your daily spend can automatically be capped at a certain dollar amount. 

It’s also easy to adjust this amount and payment method at any time. This allows you to ramp up your campaign or save money as necessary.

Decide Who You’re YouTube Ads’ Target Audience is

When your ad is played for people that would never use your product in a million years, it’s a complete waste of your marketing cash. Thoughtfully selecting your audience can give your campaign the most potential for success.

One of the first things you need to determine is your target audience. Consider if you are trying to deepen awareness with your current demographic or trying to expand your audience. 

Once you have settled on a targeting goal, you can select the audience for your YouTube campaign. Luckily, intuitive YouTube tools make this super easy. 

The Find My Audience tool is an awesome way to narrow down who you are targeting and select your audience. There are two types of audiences you can target. 

Search history is some seriously valuable data and YouTube utilizes it to your advantage. Creating an in-market audience allows you to target shoppers that are already looking for products in your category. This gives you great placement for website conversions and an opportunity to increase sales.

Targeting an affinity audience allows you to greatly increase brand awareness with the consumers that matter the most to your brand. YouTube can place your ad in front of those viewers that matter most. These are selected by their interests that relate to your brand like food and dining, or sports and fitness.

Once you define your audience, think about their characteristics and viewing habits. This will allow you to better create your ad and set the tone for your campaign.

Set the Tone for Your YouTube Advertising Campaign

One of the ultimate goals of marketing is creating a voice for your brand. The tone of your campaign gives your brand a personality. So, you want to make sure it prompts a great impression.

Your campaign’s tone should reflect your product and its characteristics. It should also consider the audience that you’re marketing to. Your brand’s voice is how consumers connect with your brand. 

Your tone should match the feelings you are trying to invoke with your message. It should give the viewer a sense of how your products can meet their needs.

Are you selling serious products like financial services or health care? Your ad should convey a genuine and reassuring tone to let consumers know that they can put their trust in your brand. 

Take this ad from Fidelity. The music is calm and subtle. The people in the ad have serious expressions on their faces as they review their information with their calm and polished adviser.

This ad lets the viewer know that Fidelity is a safe choice for them. They are also likely targeting a more mature audience with higher incomes that can appreciate the more serious tone of this ad.

However, your brand might be one that can benefit from a little excitement. This is especially true if you are marketing to a younger crowd. 

With a lively and dynamic tone, you can make your brand feel exciting. You will let consumers know that your brand will add fun and adventure to their lives.

Check out this clickable banner ad from workout studio AKT. Even without video, they are able to create an energetic feel.

The models have excited expressions and are clearly active. The graphic, bright colors and short verbiage appeals to those looking for high-energy products.

Striking the right tone can be key to making sure consumers interact effectively with your ad. It can also go a long way in drawing viewers in and keeping them around. Also, your tone will be a big part of the impression they have of your brand that lasts long after seeing your ad. 

Check Out What’s Trending on YouTube

To speak to YouTube viewers, you need to know what they are into. Obviously, in this fast-paced digital world, that’s constantly changing. However, staying in tune with what’s currently trending can help you market better.

Check out the trending page on YouTube. What kinds of videos are popular? Check out common themes and characteristics of these videos. This can give you a good start when creating your ad. 

Look for the types and genres of music that are trending at the moment. This can help you select the most appealing music for your ad. 

Are there any big current events, sports seasons, or popular trends that you can tie into your advertising? Not only does this show that your brand is relevant and aware of what’s popular, but it might pay off in capturing the attention of interested viewers. 

Get to The Point Quickly in Your Youtube Ad

With most types of YouTube ads, you only have a few seconds before a viewer can skip it or scroll on by. That’s why it’s super important to get to the point quickly.

There is a lot to include in those first few moments to make your ad effective. Sure, it’s only six seconds, but it is really valuable air time.

Lead with the most important information about your product. What are you marketing and why do they need it? You need to get that info to the viewer straight out of the gate.

Your brand name and ideally your logo or tag line should be in the first view seconds of the ad. That way if it’s skipped, you’ve at least created a few moments of brand exposure.

However, it’s not all about your brand. It’s also about drawing the viewer in so they will keep watching. Make your ad intriguing so YouTube viewers yearn to find out more. 

Whatever the storyline of your ad is, start it quickly and keep it moving. Try to strategically accelerate the rising action so viewers will stay tuned in longer so they can see the climax of your mini-story.

Use a Multi-Sensory Approach to YouTube Ads

Making a video is about more than just visuals. You need to make sure your sound is on point for an effective and engaging advertisement.

Think about your music carefully. Not only the beat and tempo but the volume as well. You want the music to enhance your ad, not overpower it.

Consider the timing of your music as well. This is a trial and error strategy and something you can play with. 

Some video ads do best with music playing the entire time while others do best with the music fading in and out, or creating dramatic impact. Some are best with no music at all. 

The most important part of a well-formulated ad is making the viewer feel something. You want to elicit an emotion that will want them to have a relationship with your brand. 

To do this successfully, you need to appeal to as many of their senses as possible. It’s also important to do this in a way where audio and visuals mesh seamlessly together to make sense.

Keep Your YouTube Ads Simple

YouTube is full of loud, crazy, and overstimulating ads. Sometimes the best thing you can do to stand out is to keep it simple. 

By streamlining your ad, you allow your message to shine through. You also might be giving the viewer a calm break they didn’t realize they were craving.

Sometimes, simplicity gives you the chance for more clarity, especially if you are attempting to share a lot about your brand in a small snippet of time. 

Solid backgrounds, crisp graphics, and simple sound effects create minimalism that many can appreciate. It also prevents you from creating an ad that seems overproduced and overdone.

Charts, graphs, and tables are perfect ways to share clear visual information about your brand. It allows the consumer to gather all of the facts they need to make a decision about your brand. 

It seems like a simple ad may not garner much attention. However, sometimes in the often overwhelming world of YouTube, less can definitely be more.

Create a Lasting Memory

You have this small chance to make a big impact. Your goal is for customers to not only view your ad but have a positive memory of your brand that lasts long after it. 

This strategy should be used from the beginning of the ad to the end. You only have a few seconds to engrain your brand in the viewer’s mind, so use them wisely. 

Grab their attention at the start of the ad. An alert viewer is going to soak up much more information about your brand and will more likely remember it.

Create a story that allows the consumer to feel like they are a part of it. Encourage them to imagine themselves interacting with your brand.

Take this ad from the fro-yo spot Menchie’s. They are strategically telling you why and how you need their product.

They are also tying themselves to popular events many people experience. This correlation buries itself in the mind of the consumer, only to spontaneously and subconsciously return when it’s time for a birthday party.

This connection that Menchie’s has created between their brand and celebrations can drive these consumers to choose them the next time they need an event cake.

Testimonials are also powerful and memorable. Feature your current happy customers and their glowing reviews.

Consumers feel more connected to and trust other consumers than they do brands. The bridge between personal connections can lead new customers to want to try your brand. 

The energetic satisfaction of your customers can make viewers want to have the same feeling of being thrilled with your product. This can cause them to turn to your brand for their next purchase.

Include a Powerful Call to Action in Your YouTube Ads

Your ad must leave the viewer with a powerful ending. They’ve heard your message, now what the heck do you want them to do?

A strong and clear call to action is the perfect way to end your ad. Depending on your objective, it can be as simple as visiting your site or signing up for a free trial.

Maybe you’re trying to increase brand awareness. You can use a soft call to action that’s less demanding than if you are trying to increase sales.

Suggest they reach out to learn more about your brand. Ask them to keep an eye out for your product in local stores. Now that they know about your product, gently asking them to consider it can leave them with positive feelings about it. 

Measure and Analyze Your YouTube Ads Campaign

Another great perk of YouTube advertising is incredible real-time results. You can see exactly how effective your ads are at reaching your objectives. 

This allows you to adjust quickly and try out different strategies. You can immediately see the trends and impacts of any changes that you make. 

You can further refine or even expand your audience to see how well your ad is received. You can even increase your budget and pricing strategy and see how it affects your views.

The trick to all of this is staying on top of it and making needed adjustments quickly and regularly. That way, you’re getting the most out of your campaign.

Your Successful YouTube Campaign

These strategies can help you implement and manage a highly successful YouTube campaign. You’ll be able to create great ads and reach your goals and objectives in no time. By tapping into the huge YouTube audience, you’re gaining some great brand exposure. 

The vast reach of YouTube is a marketer’s dream. Having the tools to fine-tune your audience and objectives at your fingertips makes it even more amazing. YouTube makes creating a truly great campaign simple and accessible. 

How can you use YouTube’s incredible reach to benefit and boost your brand?

The post YouTube Advertising: The Tips and Tricks You Need to Know appeared first on Adspace® The Web Design & Digital Marketing Agency.

Are you trying to break into a younger market? Maybe you want to expand your current customer base. Taking advantage of the countless people that have their faces constantly gazing at their phones is a smart move.

TikTok usage accounts for a ton of time for many scrollers. The popular Chinese app is making waves as it becomes a frenzied trend all around the world. 

In fact, TikTok’s parent company ByteDance now has over one billion users worldwide. That’s a lot of reach. Advertising on the platform gives you an invaluable opportunity to reach this massive following.

TikTok has amassed a following thanks in part to its uniqueness in the social media marketplace. Videos quickly become viral sensations. Some accounts become so popular that they launch their creators into actual TikTok stardom.

But why are people so obsessed with TikTok? And how do you break into this powerful platform? How can you use TikTok’s tools to optimize your campaign and reach your target audience? 

We’ll guide you through everything from the basics of TikTok to creating dynamic ads. These tips will help you understand the TikTok world better so you can use it to boost your brand. Then, you’ll be able to take this knowledge to create a truly impactful TikTok campaign.

What is TikTok? 

TikTok is the current social media app taking the world by storm. Why? Because it’s content is diverse, engaging, and appeals to all sorts of users. 

On the app, you can create short video clips about nearly anything. Users can be watched doing everything from lip-syncing and dancing to performing challenges and tricks. 

The platform allows for videos up to a minute long. This is the perfect timeframe for users to fit in the max number of videos in a short scrolling session. It also appeals to the ever-shrinking attention spans of social media users. 

With following features, users can hone in on their favorite videos to see them first. Like other platforms, collecting followers is key to creating influencers. But we’ll get to that later.

The app’s algorithms take into account each unique user’s preferences. It creates a feed based on the types of videos you watch, like, and the users you follow. 

This creates an amazingly engaging personalized feed. The custom stream of videos hone in on and appeal to your preferences. All of this makes scrolling through TikTok a popular and addictive pastime. 

Why Advertise on TikTok?

With over a billion downloads last year, TikTok has become the most popular non-game downloaded app. It draws users from all over the world that spends hours on the platform.

So why advertise on TikTok? Because you simply can’t afford not to!

TikTok has an image of hipness and newness. Your ad on the platform can give your brand the same vibe. Seeing that you’re part of TikTok gives your brand a certain coolness.

But, “TikTok’s just for kids”, you say! You may think your target demographic isn’t on TikTok. However, you might be shocked at the app’s ability to span age ranges. 

While it’s true that the majority of the users are on the younger side, there is a decent percentage of users at every age range. With the huge audience on TikTok, even smaller groups make up a pretty significant number of users. 

TikTok is an amazing opportunity to capture the eyes of consumers of all ages. It’s also not super jam-packed with ads yet. So you’ll likely get more bang for your buck than on other platforms. 

Types Of TikTok Ads

One of the best things about TikTok advertising is the options. The app allows you to create super customizable campaigns. This lets you advertise in the best way for your brand. 

• In-feed Ads: These pop up in users’ News Feeds. They visit their “For You” page and can feel seamlessly part of their scrolling for high-impact results. 
• Brand Takeover: These first appear when a user opens TikTok. They remain on the screen for a few seconds before transitioning into an In-Feed Video.
• Branded Hashtag Challange: This engaging ad type gets users involved in challenges by encouraging them to hashtag their posts with your verbiage. It pops up on the “Discover” page.
• Branded Effects: Allows you to promote your brand with 2D/3D/AR content that users can add to their videos. 

Each of these ads has its own pros and cons. Don’t be tempted to stick with one type of TikTok ad. Creating a combination of these will likely give you the best impact.

In-feed ads can give you the chance to include a link to your site. It also gives you time to entice viewers and throw in a few calls to action. The fifteen-second limit gives you ample chance to share what’s great about your brand. 

However, there’s nothing making viewers actually watch your in-feed ad. They can scroll right by, completely ignoring your message. The key to overcoming this is being super engaging.

Brand Takeover ads pop up right when the app is open. This is the perfect chance to get the complete attention of your audience.

They are, of course, pricey. So make sure you make them meaningful if you spring for them.

A branded hashtag challenge can give you exponential exposure. They are a fun way to get users involved and increase brand awareness quite a bit.

The downside, they can be pricey and also come with the chance of failure.

Branded effects also give you the chance to rapidly spread brand awareness through other user videos. It gives you the air of hipness. 

Again, this also has the chance of failure and completely depends on users getting on board with your strategy and brand. 

Successfully Advertising on TikTok

Simply popping an ad on TikTok is not going to guarantee you results. As with any marketing strategy, you need to be strategic.

We know that branding is mainly about emotion and giving your brand personality. However, marketing smartly will save you cash and extend your marketing dollars. 

There are a few things you should keep in mind when developing your TikTok advertising strategy. 

Brainstorming a Dynamic Campaign

First things first, give your brand a voice. Decide what you’re trying to communicate to consumers and stick to it. Nothing is more confusing to buyers than an inconsistent message.

Plan to align your campaign across all of your channels. You want things to feel cohesive. To consumers, cohesive says reliable. 

Think about all of your marketing tools: 

• Social Media Platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok)
• Your Web Page (Desktop Site, Mobile Site, Blog)
• Outbound Communications (Email, Print Media) 
• Signage (In-Store Displays, E-Billboards) 

These should all have the same general feel. Think a consistent color scheme, similar fonts, same mood.

Users that click on your TikTok ad should feel a seamless transition to your website. Your emails should mimic the feel of your print media. Your in-store displays should draw in shoppers with the familiarity of your brand. 

So, before you dive into your TikTok ad, be sure to have a clear campaign outlined. This will set you up for success as you can tailor your ads to be part of your message.

Set an Ad Budget

Now we know that marketing comes with financial constraints. Your budget dictates the extent of your campaign. 

This is just as true, if not more, with social media marketing. 

Your ad campaign should have a clearly defined budget. Your TikTok advertising budget should be part of that. 

What’s great about advertising on TikTok is that they make it super simple to stick to your set amount. 

Your campaign budget must be at least $500. At, the ad group level, the cost must be above $50. Other than that, you can set the best budget for you.

You can set your budget by the day or the cost of your total campaign. And this isn’t set in stone. You can change this amount at any time during your campaign.

Consider your budget when you decide on your ad types. They vary in price and potential impact. 

• In-feed Ads: Pre-pay per each view with a guaranteed minimum
• Brand Takeover: Pay per day with a minimum total time viewed
• Branded Hashtag Challange: Pay a flat cost for the week
• Branded Effects: Can vary based on how complicated the graphics are

This gives you an idea of how you can spread your budget. Some guarantee visibility while others allow for the chance to spend a little more for larger, exponential reach. 

Really, what also drives this decision is what you are trying to achieve with this campaign. And that brings us to deciding on your objective.

Decide on Your TikTok Advertising Objective

Defining a clear objective will help you move forward with purpose. What’s the whole point of your campaign and TikTok presence?

Are you trying to drive traffic to your site? Is your main goal to increase downloads of your app? Maybe you’re just trying to increase brand awareness.

When creating your ad, TikTok allows you to select your advertising objectives. The sophisticated algorithms will then best place your ad to achieve this goal.

Not only does this determine the optimal ad type for you, but it helps you determine your demographic and target audience.

Select Your Targeting Preferences

Another awesome thing about TikTok advertising is the ability to fine-tune your audience. This gives you the most effective way to reach your target demographic.

Before creating your ad, think about who exactly you are trying to reach. Are you trying to deepen your presence in your current market? Or are you trying to expand your customer base to new demographic groups?

TikTok allows you to set the categories for the audience you are trying to reach by:

• Age
• Location
• Gender
• Languages
• Interests

Once you have figured out these parameters, keep them in mind when you create your ad.

Younger audiences have short attention spans. Your best bet is to create ads that are immediately engaging. 

Think about location and seasonality when targeting certain markets. Even things like regional trends and current events can come into play.

Gender marketing is also important to consider. Tailor your ads to appeal to the specific sex that you’re targeting. 

Think about the tone of your message and the colors you use to appeal to each gender. You can also strive for gender neutrality and attempt to reach a broader audience.  

Check Out the Ad Competition

When it comes to marketing, why reinvent the wheel? Check out what your competition is doing well for some helpful hints.

If you’re just breaking into the market, look for leaders in your industry to mimic your strategy against. There is a reason their companies have grown to such success. 

Looking to expand your target audience? Find companies that are popular with that demographic and observe their ad features. 

This is not to say that you should brazenly copy their content. However, there are some key items that can give you some helpful hints when creating your ads. 

Do they include testimonials or endorsements? What is the overall tone of their ads? This can help you decide the energy and items that are best to include in your ads. 

Look to Trending Content

In the world of social media, trends are everything. They pop up and explode quickly and are constantly changing. 

Fortunately, TikTok trends are easy to identify. The “Discover” tab can give you instant access to the most trending hashtags. This information is invaluable in creating engaging content.

Use the search capabilities to find companies similar to yours. This is another great way to use the successful strategies of others to inspire your campaign. 

Check out the top content in your brand category. You can also see the most popular users, videos, sounds, and hashtags related to your industry.

Your ultimate goal is to make it to top rankings on the discover page. You can do this with a branded hashtag ad. However, generating creative and engaging content can also earn you this valuable spot.

Creating Engaging Ads

In-Feed Ads

Stopping the scroll is essential in making your ad impactful. You need users to stop and actually engage with your message. Creating unique ads is vital.

The first impression is everything with in-feed ads. You need to capture your audience’s attention within the first one or two seconds of your ad. Make an immediate effort to grab their focus.

Create a bold statement right off the bat. Music and videos should begin playing immediately. The viewer should know within seconds what you’re selling and why they need it.

End your in-feed ad with a memorable call to action. Leave users with a strong and lasting impression of your brand so they seek it out for future purchases. 

Hashtag Challenges

Hashtag challenges are all about inclusivity. You need to create a challenge that users feel they need to be part of for it to be successful. 

Strike the right combination of fun and hip. Make your hashtag about your brand but also flexible enough that users can put their own spin on it. 

Once your hashtag takes off, the goal is for it to continue to spread. A viral hashtag can give you an absolute ton of brand exposure. Be creative with your hashtag so users engage and increase your brand awareness.

Brand Takeovers

These ads launch when users open the app. They are a perfect opportunity to get in front of eyes that can’t scroll over your ad.

However, not being able to scroll through doesn’t necessarily mean that they are paying attention. Knowing this ad will appear when the app launches, many users simply look away and wait to move on to their scrolling. 

Grab their attention with bold graphics and engaging content. This is a good chance to win the click-through. Make it simple for them by providing a link to your external website. 

Branded Effects

These are another great way to get more brand awareness. When users add your branded content to their posts, you gain organic exposure.

Like hashtag challenges, the key here is making users feel like they want to participate in your marketing. For that, it needs to feel fun and hip.

Create a unique filter that users can use just for your brand. Give users access to stickers they can add to their videos. 

Keep it light and fun, but also reflective of your brand. The goal is to encourage users to want to use your effects, but to also increase branding exposure.

Strategically Placing Your Ads

Ad placement is everything. TikTok luckily has smart tools to help you best place your ads. You can also choose to manually place your ad.

When you advertise on TikTok, you also have access to their partners. This means that your ads can also be placed on popular apps like BuzzVideo, News Republic, and more.

Depending on your preferences and objectives, TikTok can strategically place your ad where it will achieve the best performance. By selecting the “Automatic Placement” option, you can take advantage of this information.

Utilize an Influencer

The advent of social media has brought us a whole new marketing tool. Influencers. These social media users have a cult-like following that trusts and values their opinions.

Using an influencer to market your product can give you both credibility and exposure. An astounding 92% of consumers trust an influencer’s word over traditional ads. 

Look for an influencer that makes sense to your brand. You’ll have access to their large audience and their ability to set trends.

Verified users have little blue check marks next to their names on TikTok. Look for an influencer that has plenty of followers but also makes sense for your product and demographic. 

Are you looking to increase sales of your food product? Check out foodie influencers like home chefs and health gurus. 

Trying to increase your brand awareness amongst a younger demographic? A teen influencer popular with the next generation of consumers could catapult your brand’s reputation. 

Your influencer has amassed a large following due to their ability to appeal to viewers. You can trust that they will create authentic and engaging messaging about your brand.

Adjust as Needed

Another awesome feature of TikTok advertising is the ability to track your reach. Nearly real-time feedback and monitoring allow you to clearly see how your ad is doing.

The TikTok dashboard has useful reports to evaluate your campaign. You can delve into metrics, making it easy to adjust your strategy as needed.

The data allows you to clearly see how well your ad is performing day by day. You can also see the number of individual impressions your ads are making.

It’s easy to evaluate the cost per conversion and your budget. This can help you decide how well your campaigns are working from and investment aspect. 

Bonus Tip – Utilize TikTok’s Advice and Tools

You don’t need a beautifully, professionally produced video to make an impact on TikTok. In fact, some of the most simple videos are the most effective. 

Make sure your video is clear and has a high-resolution. Try to keep the important imagery in the center of the screen for easier viewing.

TikTok provides simple guidelines to make creating great videos easy even for those with no experience. Following these and being creative can earn you more impressions and conversions.

The app’s Video Creation tool makes producing your video super easy. It even includes templates and royalty-free music tracks for a one-stop video making shop.

The TikTok Ad Studio app is a great way to make awesome videos from your mobile device. You can shoot, edit, and add effects and transitions, all in one place! 

With these tools and information, TikTok couldn’t have made it easier to get your ad up and running.

Making Marketing Simple

With this evolution in marketing, advertising is ironically made more simple. Taking a holistic approach can help your brand fit right into the TikTok landscape. 

It’s important to not overthink your branding strategy. Think of your brand as a person. What message are you trying to send?

Your presence on TikTok should seem natural, not forced. With the right combination of ads and engagement, you can take advantage of this platform to grow your brand in new and modern ways.

How can you use these TikTok advertising tips to bring new life to your marketing strategy?

The post TikTok Advertising | Full Guide appeared first on Adspace® The Web Design & Digital Marketing Agency.

With over three million users and growing, social media has become one of America’s most popular modern pastimes. One of the most consistently popular social media platforms has been Snapchat. This makes Snapchat advertising an essential part of any successful social marketing plan.

These platforms are the new cool hangouts, especially Snapchat. Snap, Inc. launched the app in 2011 as a new mobile-centered way to communicate.  Since then, Snapchat has created a huge, and still growing, usership. 

Snapchat quickly morphed into the dynamic must-have app it is today with hundreds of millions of users. The app is now bursting with everyone from tweens just dipping their toes in social media to millennials that have been creating snaps for years.

Your brand can be part of this popular communication tool. Snapchat is the perfect environment to personify your brand and give it a voice. 

Snapchat is one of the most flexible advertising tools. Amazingly, you can roll out an ad campaign in just minutes. You can also get pretty helpful instant feedback and adjust quickly. 

Here, we’ll go over all of the 10 most important tips you need to create an effective Snapchat campaign. 

This guide will teach you how to target the best audience and optimize your campaign for your objectives. You’ll gain the know-how to create engaging ads and make bold statements that get noticed for great advertising on Snapchat. 

What Makes Snapchat So Popular?

The original draw to Snapchat was that the photos and messages could only be viewed for a snapshot in time. This sense of urgency kept users constantly frantically engaging with the app.

Over the years, the developers over at Snapchat have mixed it up a bit. Today, it looks a ton different than the original app with more features, fun abilities, and even curated content. 

Snapchat has transformed online communication, making it more conversational. You can instantly send pics and videos to your connections, they few it, then it’s gone. 

The whole interaction is much closer than an in-person conversation than scrolling through a feed. 

Snapchat’s popularity is only increasing as it hones its craft. It’s 238 million usage-ship continues to rapidly grow. 

This growing popularity means that you’ll have access to a huge audience. The format also allows for exponential exposure. 

The frequency that users hop on the app to check-in is another win for Snapchat as a marketing tool. In fact, users have been found to spend more time on the app than scrolling through the super-popular Instagram.

This sheer number of users and their consistent usage, not to mention the cost-effective ads, makes Snapchat a savvy place to toss some of your advertising budget. 

Understand the Types of Snapchat Ads

Depending on your objective and budget, Snapchat has a variety of ad types that will work best. Some are best for different purposes and to communicate different messages. 

Story Ads

These are simple to roll out and capture the audience’s attention. They are clickable from the “Discover” tab then fill the screen. They can be anywhere from three seconds to two minutes.

What They Are Best For: These ads include a call to action. They are a great tool to drive traffic to your website or drive app installs. All a viewer has to do is swipe up and they are connected with your company. 

The longer, video format allows for a more detailed message. You can use this to communicate who your brand is or significant updates. 

Helpful Hints: The key here is grabbing the attention of Snapchat users and getting them to click on your ad. You then need them to hang around long enough to soak up your message. 

Your ad should begin immediately and have the energy to engage viewers. Be clear, to the point, and end with an encouraging call to action. 

You can have up to twenty photos or videos as part of your story ad. It’s a good idea to keep the same voice but mix it up a little to avoid users getting ad fatigue from your content.

You’ll have to follow Snapchat’s guidelines when creating your ad:

• An aspect ratio of 9:16
• Resolution of 1080px x 1920px
• A 25 character limit on brand names and a 34 character limit on headlines

You’ll want to make your headline clear and catchy. That might be the only way to entice users to click on your video.

Check out this ad for Invisalign. It grabs the user with the temptation of a contest. Then, the video ad clearly states the benefits and ends with a clear and concise call to action:

Collection Ads on Snapchat

These are unique ads that provide Snapchatters with a seamless purchase experience. Collection ads have similar guidelines and the same three-second to two-minute length restriction.

However, these ads consist of tiles that users can click on and buy your products right from the app. This allows you to showcase multiple items and users can click on the one that appeals to them.

What They Are Best For: These ads can be super effective at driving purchases. By showing a number of options in one place, buyers can make an impulse decision about buying your products. 

Helpful Hints: Again, being engaging is key here. You need scrollers to stop and check out your offerings. 

An eye-catching image or video can tell users why they need your product. This is your chance to create a feeling of need that will lead to the buy.

Be smart about the tiles you display. Make sure they look cohesive and organized. Clear product photographs with consistent backgrounds look crisp and refined.

Make sure to end with a call to action. You want to clearly encourage users to shop your site and buy your products.

Single Image or Video Ads

These ads appear in between stories on a user’s feed. They can be a still image or a short video. 

What They Are Best For: These are great for increasing brand awareness. They can also drive traffic and increase your app downloads. 

Because they are within the feeds of users, they are pretty unavoidable. Consider this when planning your image or video.

Helpful Hints: The fact that these are in between stories is both a plus and a factor to consider. You’re battling users mindlessly scrolling right past your ad. 

Grab their attention and pique their interest. Your ad should have an energetic and engaging first second or two. 

Make your message clear, exciting, and include a strong call to action. Your goal is to distract users from their feed and transition to your site. 

Lens AR and Filter Ads

These are content created by you that users can add to their snaps. These are some of the most unique and fun ways to advertise on Snapchat.

A lens creates and augmented reality within a user’s content that they can then send to their friends. Adding your logo to the top of the lens allows your brand to be part of their snaps. 

Filter ads are overlaid graphics that users can add to their snaps. Again, adding your brand name and logo to the graphic is a great way to get integrated into their content. 

What They Are Best For: These have the potential to boost your brand awareness big time. As users utilize your lenses and filters and share them with friends, you’ll get exponential exposure. 

This is a perfect way for other users to be exposed to your brand organically. When they see their friends and influencers connection to their brand, it can spur them to want to learn mow.

Helpful Hints: For these ads to work, users have to want to use them. Your design is super important to your ad’s success.

Make sure you create lenses and stickers that are fun and relevant. You want them to match your brand, but also the preferences of Snapchatters.

Think of ways that users can use your lenses to express their likes and interest. The goal is for them to both engage with your brand’s message and use it for their creative content.

Check out this lens AR ad for the 2020 NFL Draft. Users can choose their favorite team to show off their fandom. At the same time, their friends are being reminded to tune in to the draft. 

Snapchat Commercials

Snapchat now has a whole collection of curated viewing content. These shows consist of everything from celebrity gossip to hobby tutorials. 

Within these shows are ad spaces. You can create a commercial to run during a Snapchat show.

What They Are Best For: These commercials are best used for the same purposes as traditional television commercials. They can help you raise brand awareness and create demand for your product.

Helpful Hints: There are two options for Snapchat commercial ads:

• Standard Commercial: Non-skippable and three to six seconds long
• Extended Play Commerical: Three seconds to three minutes, but can be skipped after six seconds of play

Now obviously, with those time parameters, the first six seconds of your ad is extremely important. 

You’ll need to fit your whole message in six seconds for a Standard Commercial. You have more time with an Extended Play Commercial, but that content is pointless if a viewer skips through after six seconds.

Creating a dynamic opening is essential to grab the viewer’s attention. Catchy music, energetic images, and bold graphics get your message across quickly and can engage viewers.

Decide on Your Brand’s Voice

No matter what kind of Snapchat ad you decide on, the first step of your campaign should be deciding on your brand’s voice. 

What are you trying to say? How do you want your brand to be perceived?

It’s important that your brand’s voice be strong and consistent. You want consumers to feel familiar with your brand, whether they encounter it on Snapchat or elsewhere.

Make sure all of your marketing communications have a cohesive feel. From color to energy, they should be similar enough that they mesh well. 

If you are a newer brand, you have the opportunity to personify your brand with a blank slate. You can decide on the feel and overall look you want for your brand and market it with that message.

Even if your brand has been around for a while, diving into Snapchat advertising can be the perfect opportunity for a revamp. Update your image and share your new brand identity with the world.

Determine Your Snapchat Ad Budget

Your marketing budget and Snapchat line item will determine the course of your campaign. 

Fortunately, you can get started advertising on the platform for as little as $5 a day! They also make it super easy to control your spending.

You can set a budget for the entire span of your campaign. You can also set a daily budget for each set of ads. 

Also, you can set bid goals based on the reactions of Snapchatters to your ads. This allows you to focus on your objectives and optimize your campaign to your goals.

Things like the number of impressions, app installs, and the number of time users view your video can all come into play with goal-based bidding. 

Set a Clear Snapchat Advertising Objective

It’s important to ask yourself, what are you trying to get out of this campaign? What’s your ultimate objective?

What’s awesome is that Snapchat has built-in tools to help you reach your objectives. This takes the guesswork out of ad creation and placement.

If you are simply trying to get customers to reach out to you or visit your website, the Instant Create tool can help. It can also create ads that drive users to install or visit your app.

Do you have more complicated objectives in mind? The Advanced Create tool can give you more control so you can create a more complex campaign.

This tool can help you create ads to increase your brand awareness and expand your customer base. It is also a great tool to drive sales and engagement with buyers. 

Target Your Snapchat Audience

It’s also important to consider who you are targeting and their demographics. This will help you not only select your placement better, but you can also create messaging that will appeal to the group. 

Obviously Snapchat is the place to be for the younger crowd. If you are looking to grow your market share amongst the next generation of consumers, you’re in the right place. 

However, even if you are looking to target a wider segment, you can still see success on the app. Nearly a third of Snapchatters are between ages 36 and 55. So with hundreds of millions of total users, you’re still reaching a ton of people in your target age range.

What’s great about your Snapchat ad campaign is that you have some pretty cool tools to set your target. You can hone in on some specific details to pinpoint your target audience as specifically as you would like. 

You can start with the basics and target users by their age and gender. You can also narrow your scope and further refine your audience by their interests and in-app behaviors.

If you are looking for a geographical approach, you can select a prime location for your target audience. You can be as broad as a whole country or metro area.

Trying to draw customers into a physical location? You can even narrow your ad targets down to radius surrounding a specific address.

Identifying and selecting this target audience will get your the most bang for your Snapchat ad campaign budget.

Engage with and Expand Your Snapchat Base

Another great aspect of the targeting feature is that it gives you the ability to engage with your current customers. It also allows you to smartly expand your customer base in strategic ways.

Customers often need to visit a site several times before making a purchase. A vast majority of website browsers fail to buy anything on their first visit. 

That’s why it’s vital to get those browsers to come back. Snapchat allows you to target your ads towards your past website visitors so you can remind them to come on back. 

Engaging with your current customers is essential to developing brand loyalty. Match your customer list to those on Snapchat and you can target your ads to them so they are regularly reminded how awesome your brand is.

Expanding your customer base is important to growing a business. And what better way to do that than by using what you know about your current customers?

Snapchat allows you to target what they call “Lookalike Audiences.” These are segments of their users that have similarities to your current customer base. This is a great way to appeal to the consumers that will most likely have an interest in your brand.

Stand Out But Be Authentic With Your Snapchat Advertising

You’re advertising on a social media app, so it’s best to both stand out and fit in. We know that seems confusing, we’ll explain.

Standing out is how your ads will get noticed. It’s how you earn the click and engage users. Making creative content that draws in Snapchatters is how you avoid being scrolled right by.

However, it’s also important to blend seamlessly with the platform’s content. You don’t want your ads to scream, “I’m an ad!”. Your goal is to make ads that look like they naturally belong on the app.

To do this, authenticity is key. Keep your ads light and personable. They should be fun and mirror other content on Snapchat while finding ways to stand out. You want your brand’s amazing personality to shine through and appeal to the emotions of Snapchat users.

Play By The Snap Chat Rules

It’s important to create your ads by the book. Snapchat has some pretty extensive policies with regard to ad content. Make sure to review them for a smooth uninterrupted campaign. 

Obviously, ads that promote unethical and illegal behavior are prohibited. As are ads that include adult products, violence, and drug use.

There are also some industry-specific requirements. So if your brand falls into one of these areas, it’s important to review them.

Ads promoting alcohol have specific guidelines and rules about targeting audiences. As do ads about pharmaceutical and healthcare products. Check them out carefully to avoid unknowingly breaking a rule.

Generally, Snapchat requires products to be advertised in a responsible why to an appropriate market. Their efforts to protect their youngest users show in these strict rules. 

Don’t Beat Around the Bush

Again, social media users are fickle. They are quick to move on from an ad if it’s slow or confusing. The best strategy with your message is to get to the point, and quickly.

Have a clear message in your ad. Especially if you are using image or video or story ads. Remember, you only have a few seconds to get your point across.

Within seconds of seeing your ad, users should know what you’re selling and why they need it. Your message should clearly contain the most powerful benefits of your brand. 

You need to fit a ton of information in a small space. Narrow it down and focus on what will generate the most impact.

If your goal is to drive traffic to your site or increase app downloads, a strong call to action is a must. Leave users wanting to learn more about your brand.

Evaluate Your Snapchat Advertising Results

Another great feature of Snapchat campaigns is the ability to evaluate effectiveness. You can see and analyze extremely helpful data to help you adjust your ad strategy. 

Being able to track the number of impressions you receive is valuable knowledge. You’ll also be able to view the number of swipes and user activities like website visits and app downloads that are related to the objective of your campaign.

The Snap Pixel tool is an awesome part of Snapchat advertising. This helpful dashboard allows you to track the number of conversions your ad receives. You can also adjust your target audience metrics and further optimize ad placement for your objectives.

This easy-to-interpret data will help you not only with your current campaign, but when planning future ones. You’ll gain the knowledge to create more effective strategies with each advertisement.

Snapchat: Here to Stay

With the steadily increasing number of loyal Snapchatters, it seems that the app is certainly not going anywhere anytime soon. Grabbing yourself a slice of the Snapchat advertising pie is definitely a smart move. 

It’s smart to dive in now while advertising prices are still reasonable. As you create, test, and evaluate campaigns, you’ll become a Snapchat advertising wiz.

How can you start using dynamic Snapchat advertising to boost your brand?

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