Are TikTok ads actually worth it for small businesses... anyone tried them?

Social Media Marketing Forum
1

I’ve been thinking about running TikTok ads for my small business, but I’m not sure if it’s worth the effort. I’ve heard it’s great for reaching younger audiences, but I’m worried about the competition and learning curve. Has anyone here tried TikTok ads? Did it work for you?

2

@Jo
What kind of ads did you run? In-feed or something else?

3

TikTok ads are super cost-effective compared to Instagram or Facebook. I’m on a tight budget, and it’s been working well for me. Just make sure your content feels authentic—people can tell when it’s too polished.

4

@Cary
What do you mean by ‘authentic’? Like, should I just film on my phone?

5

Kiran said:
@Cary
What do you mean by ‘authentic’? Like, should I just film on my phone?

Yeah, exactly! TikTok users love raw, relatable content. I just film quick clips with my phone, add some trending music, and it works way better than my super edited stuff.

6

I tried TikTok ads, but it didn’t work out for me. The competition is insane, and I couldn’t keep up with the trends. Maybe I just didn’t give it enough time though.

7

Ember said:
I tried TikTok ads, but it didn’t work out for me. The competition is insane, and I couldn’t keep up with the trends. Maybe I just didn’t give it enough time though.

Same here. I feel like you need to post constantly to stay relevant. It’s exhausting.

8

FYI, TikTok’s targeting options are pretty solid. You can narrow down your audience by age, interests, and even behaviors. It’s not perfect, but it’s better than I expected.

9

Dru said:
FYI, TikTok’s targeting options are pretty solid. You can narrow down your audience by age, interests, and even behaviors. It’s not perfect, but it’s better than I expected.

What’s FYI?

10

@Joss
Oh, it means ‘for your info.’ Just a quick heads-up!

11

I’ve seen small businesses like The Pink Stuff and Chunk Cosmetics kill it on TikTok. They went viral with their ads and saw huge sales boosts. It’s definitely possible if you get it right.

12

Oli said:
I’ve seen small businesses like The Pink Stuff and Chunk Cosmetics kill it on TikTok. They went viral with their ads and saw huge sales boosts. It’s definitely possible if you get it right.

Yeah, but those brands had influencers helping them. I don’t have the budget for that.

13

@Rowen
True, but micro-influencers are way cheaper and can still give you a good boost. Worth looking into!