Learn how to run TikTok ads in Pakistan with this step-by-step guide. Discover how to set up a TikTok Business account, create ad campaigns, and optimize your campaigns with tips from Nexma, a digital marketing agency in Lahore.
Why TikTok Ads Matter in Pakistan
TikTok has exploded in popularity across Pakistan, with the platform’s ad targeting reach now exceeding 79.7 million Pakistanis. This massive audience makes TikTok marketing a powerful way to promote your brand. (Note: TikTok was temporarily banned multiple times in Pakistan, but it remains widely used today.) With so many potential viewers, running TikTok advertising in Pakistan can drive brand awareness and engagement.
Digital marketing experts emphasize the potential: Pakistani agencies are gearing up to help businesses leverage TikTok’s reach. For example, Nexma – a digital marketing agency in Lahore – notes that many local brands are keen to tap into TikTok’s youthful audience. By following the steps below, you can add TikTok ads to your marketing mix and reach Pakistani consumers where they spend time.
1. Set Up a TikTok Business Account
Before you can run ads, your TikTok profile must be a Business Account. Switch your existing TikTok profile by going to Settings > Manage Account > Switch to Business Account. In the app, TikTok guides you through selecting a category (e.g., “Entertainment”) and providing contact info. This process unlocks business features, including ad creation.
Key Steps (App):
- Open the TikTok app and go to your profile.
- Tap Settings & Privacy → Manage Account.
- Choose Switch to Business Account and follow the prompts (select a category, enter email, etc.).
Completing these steps ensures your TikTok account is eligible for advertising features. Once your account is a Business profile, you can proceed to ads.
(If you’re new, create a personal TikTok account first and then switch it to Business.)
2. Create a TikTok Ads Manager Account
Next, you need a TikTok Ads Manager account. This is the platform where you will create and manage campaigns. The official TikTok Ads help recommends the following steps:
- Visit the TikTok Advertising Signup Page: Go to ads.tiktok.com and click Sign Up.
- Register Your Login: Use an email address or phone number to set up your login. You’ll receive a verification code to confirm your contact info.
- Provide Business Details: Enter your legal business name, select Country/Region (choose Pakistan), and specify your industry and time zone. Be sure these match your legal documents.
- Agree to Terms and Register: Review TikTok’s terms and click Register.
- Add Billing Information: Enter your billing address, payment method, and currency (typically Pakistani rupee). TikTok will guide you on which payment methods are supported.
After registration, TikTok reviews your account. Most new accounts are approved within 24 hours. Once approved, you will have access to the Ads Manager dashboard to start creating campaigns.
Regional Note: Currently, TikTok does not allow the creation of an agency ad account directly from Pakistan. If you encounter restrictions, one workaround is to use a friend or colleague in the UAE or Saudi Arabia for phone verification. The friend can receive the verification code for you. However, stay updated with TikTok’s policies as this may change. Usually, a standard business account setup should suffice for basic ads. https://ads.tiktok.com/i18n/signup/
3. Create Your First TikTok Ad Campaign
With Ads Manager ready, you can now create a campaign. TikTok’s campaign structure has three levels: Campaign, Ad Group, and Ad.
- Campaign: Click Create in Ads Manager and choose an objective (e.g., Traffic, Conversions, Brand Awareness). Set a campaign budget if desired (either daily or total budget).
- Ad Group: Within the campaign, create an Ad Group to define targeting. Choose Placement (TikTok, Pangle, etc.), or let TikTok auto-select. Set Targeting to Pakistan and specify age, gender, interests, and any custom audience. Define your ad schedule (start/end dates) and budget for the ad group.
- Creative (Ad): Finally, create the ad by uploading your video or image. TikTok favors vertical or square videos (9:16 or 1:1 aspect ratio). Add engaging text and a call-to-action button (e.g., “Learn More,” “Shop Now”). Preview the ad to ensure it displays correctly.
How to Add TikTok Ads (Key Tips):
- Video Content: Make short, attention-grabbing videos (15–60 seconds). Use trending sounds or music to boost engagement.
- Captions/Hashtags: Write a clear caption and include relevant hashtags. For Pakistani audiences, include Urdu or English hashtags that local users follow.
- Call to Action: Always include a strong CTA (e.g., “Visit our website,” “Call now,” or “Download the app”).
After setting everything up, submit your ad for review. TikTok will review your ad content and, once approved, your ad will start running based on your schedule and budget.
4. Targeting and Optimization Tips
Success on TikTok depends on more than just setup; you must optimize your campaigns:
- Audience Targeting: Use TikTok’s granular targeting to reach the right people. Target by demographics (age 18-35 often works well in Pakistan), interests (e.g., entertainment, fitness, tech), and even behaviors. You can also upload custom audiences (customer lists) or retarget past website visitors.
- Creative Strategy: Test different creatives to see what resonates. For example, try influencer-style videos vs. informational ads. Given TikTok’s highly visual format, experiment with effects, filters, and text overlays.
- Budget & Bidding: Start with a moderate budget to gather data. TikTok offers various bidding strategies (e.g., cost per click, cost per mille). Monitor your cost per result and adjust bids as needed.
- Monitor Performance: In Ads Manager, track metrics like impressions, click-through rate (CTR), and conversions. If an ad underperforms, pause it and allocate budget to higher-performing ads.
- Optimize Continually: Use A/B testing. Change one element at a time (like the thumbnail image or the caption) to see what improves performance.
TikTok advertising is an ongoing process of testing and learning. Because Pakistani user trends can be unique, consider leveraging local insights – perhaps even creating content in Urdu or featuring local cultural elements.
5. Next Steps & Working with Nexma
Running TikTok ads can be straightforward if you follow the steps above, but it can also be complex. If you need expert help, Nexma – a top digital marketing agency in Lahore – can set up and manage your TikTok campaigns. The Nexma team has experience with TikTok marketing and can ensure your ads are targeted, compliant, and optimized for the Pakistani market.
For more resources, check out Nexma’s Social Media Marketing and Digital Marketing Services pages.
Ready to launch TikTok ads? Contact Nexma today or request a consultation to get started on your TikTok advertising campaign. Nexma’s experts will guide you through the process and help you engage Pakistan’s vast TikTok audience.
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