How to Execute TikTok Campaigns in Australia: The Complete Guide for Startup Founders
- Christopher. H
- Oct 7
- 5 min read
Many founders underestimate TikTok because they think it is “just for teens dancing.” When you learn how to execute TikTok campaigns properly, you discover it’s one of the most powerful and cost-effective ways to reach Australian audiences right now.
TikTok isn’t about polish. It’s about authenticity and fast-moving creative. Campaign execution is where most founders either unlock viral reach—or burn budget on ads that look out of place.
When Leah launched her eco-friendly skincare brand in Melbourne, she ran TikTok ads using polished studio videos recycled from Instagram. They looked like commercials. After $1,500 spent, her CTR was under 0.3%.
We helped her pivot, and executed TikTok campaigns with native-style videos: her team using products in everyday routines, overlaid with trending sounds. Same budget, same targeting, but CTR jumped to 1.8%, and she was acquiring new customers at $14 each.
The takeaway? TikTok rewards brands who execute campaigns like creators, not corporations.
What Exactly Is Executing TikTok Campaigns?
Executing TikTok campaigns means building and running ads inside TikTok Ads Manager that blend seamlessly with the platform’s content while driving measurable business goals.
Key elements include:
Campaign objective (traffic, conversions, app installs, reach).
Ad group setup (audiences, placements, budget, bidding).
Creative execution (short, native-style videos).
Tracking (TikTok Pixel or Events API).
Optimisation (A/B testing, creative refresh).
Examples:
Afterpay ran TikTok campaigns with playful “Pay in 4” messages tied to trending music.
Culture Kings (AU streetwear) used creators to showcase outfits, driving thousands of purchases via TikTok.
Canva reached younger professionals with tutorials in native TikTok format, scaling their global adoption.
On TikTok, campaign execution is more about style and speed than polish.
Why This Could Make or Break Your Business
Financial Impact: TikTok CPMs are cheaper than Meta or LinkedIn. Weak execution wastes that cost advantage.
Audience Growth: TikTok is Australia’s fastest-growing platform, with users spending over 1.5 hours daily. Poor campaigns = missed reach.
Brand Authenticity: Executing campaigns in TikTok’s native style makes your brand relatable. Poor execution feels like spam.
Scalability: TikTok campaigns can go viral fast. Executed right, small budgets can deliver outsized returns.
For early-stage founders, this is one of the cheapest ways to punch above your weight.
Before You Start
Checklist for founders before launching TikTok ads:
TikTok Business Manager account created.
TikTok Pixel installed on your site (or Events API for apps).
Defined audience persona (age, interests, behaviours).
Campaign goal decided (sales, leads, app installs).
Creative assets ready (short, authentic videos shot vertically).
Budget defined (start with at least $50–100/day).
Trend research complete (check TikTok Creative Center for inspiration).
TikTok rewards preparation plus agility.
How to Execute TikTok Campaigns:
Step by Step
Step 1: Create Your Campaign in TikTok Ads Manager
Choose your objective (conversions, traffic, reach).
Name campaigns clearly (e.g., “Skincare | AU | Conversions | Aug 2025”).
Result: Your campaign aligns with real business goals.
Step 2: Configure Ad Groups
Pick placements (start with Automatic for scale).
Set targeting (interests, demographics, lookalikes).
Define daily budget ($50–100 recommended for testing).
Choose optimisation event (purchase, lead, app install).
Result: TikTok’s algorithm knows who and where to target.
Step 3: Upload Native-Style Creatives
Shoot videos 9:16 vertical, 15–30 seconds.
Use trending audio (licensed through TikTok).
Add on-screen text for clarity.
Look like a creator, not a brand.
Mentor Tip: Test Spark Ads (boosting creator posts) for authentic reach.
Result: Your ads blend in, not stand out as “ads.”
Step 4: Install and Verify Tracking
Add TikTok Pixel to your site.
Test events (purchase, sign-up, add-to-cart).
Check attribution inside Ads Manager.
Result: You measure outcomes, not just clicks.
Step 5: Launch and Enter Learning Phase
Expect 3–5 days of algorithm learning.
Don’t change budgets too fast.
Watch CTR, CPA, ROAS.
Result: Campaigns stabilise and TikTok optimises delivery.
Step 6: Refresh Creatives Regularly
TikTok ads fatigue quickly (2–3 weeks).
Batch-shoot 5–10 videos at once.
Rotate in fresh hooks and trends weekly.
Result: Campaigns stay fresh, costs stay low.
Step 7: Scale Winning Campaigns
Increase budgets gradually (20–30% daily).
Duplicate campaigns to test new audiences.
Use Automated Creative Optimisation for faster scaling.
Result: Growth without breaking performance.
Mistakes to Avoid
A Brisbane founder reused Instagram Story ads on TikTok. They looked polished but out of place. Engagement was terrible. Always shoot native TikTok content.
A SaaS startup forgot to install the TikTok Pixel. They couldn’t track conversions—$3,000 wasted without knowing ROI.
A Melbourne brand ran one video ad for 6 weeks. CTR tanked as audiences saw the same creative repeatedly. TikTok demands frequent refresh.
Real-World Examples
Sydney-based Culture Kings leveraged Spark Ads by partnering with TikTok creators. Their ads felt authentic, drove 100k+ likes, and converted into thousands of orders.
A Perth fintech launched TikTok campaigns using slideshows of PowerPoint graphics. It screamed “corporate,” and users swiped instantly.
The difference? Native execution vs. out-of-place content.
What It Costs and How Long It Takes
DIY / In-house:
$0–$100 cash (TikTok Ads Manager is free), but 15–30+ hours creating UGC, testing creatives, and optimising.
Time heavy.
Template/Resource:
$50–$300 for TikTok ad creative packs/templates;
cuts time to 3–8 hours.
Professional / Done-for-you:
$1,000–$8,000+ for TikTok ad agencies or creative studios.
Ongoing / Renewal:
$100–$500/year for fresh creative assets and optimisation tools.
Hidden Costs: weak creative = zero reach, or wasted budget on trends that don’t convert.
Mentor Tip: DIY small TikTok spends, then scale with pro creative once you find a winning format.
What to Do Next
By moving today, you ride momentum instead of missing the trend.
➡️ Download free business tools from ProDesk’s resource library—clean templates + walkthroughs so you can execute with confidence and track ROI from day one. [ProDeck.com].
➡️ Want it done for you? Book a session. Replace guesswork with a proven operating system that will save weeks of founder time and avoid expensive missteps.[Noize.com.au].
➡️ Use The StartupDeck—a simple, powerful way to cut through the noise and focus on what really grows your business and how. [theStartUpDeck.com].
The Bottom Line
TikTok isn’t a fad—it’s the present and future of social media attention. Executing campaigns here isn’t optional if your target audience spends time on the platform.
Get execution wrong, and you waste budget on content nobody watches. Get it right, and TikTok becomes a scalable growth channel that delivers customers at a fraction of other platforms’ costs.
Founders who execute TikTok campaigns with speed, authenticity, and strategy are the ones outpacing competitors.
FAQs
Do TikTok ads really work for B2B, or just consumer brands?
They can work for both. While B2C is more common, smart B2B founders use TikTok for brand awareness and funnel traffic to lead magnets.
How long should TikTok ads be?
15–30 seconds is the sweet spot. Anything longer tends to lose viewers.
Do I need to use trending sounds?
Yes—TikTok rewards content that taps into platform trends. Use licensed sounds inside TikTok Ads Manager.
How much should I spend on TikTok ads?
Start with $50–100/day per campaign to exit learning and gather real data.
Do I need professional video production for TikTok?
No. Native, authentic videos shot on phones often outperform studio ads.
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