Want to start managing campaigns in China?
Of course you do!
As the country with the highest number of internet users, China represents the future for digital advertising across the globe.
But how can your clients tap into this difficult and largely closed-off market?
In this article, we’ll be breaking down that exact question, as we share with you our top tips and expert advice on the steps you need to take to become the China-able advertising agency the future demands.
So, first things first: what’s the easiest way for agencies to get started in China?
Although tapping into China could be huge for your agency, it won’t be without its difficulties.
There are tough regulations to overcome, difficult interfaces to navigate, and costs that can be too high to risk.
That’s why agencies looking to offer Chinese marketing solutions should consider partnering up with a China advertising platform — the easiest (and most secure) route into the market.
Take AdChina.io, for example.
We help brands and agencies across the world unlock the Chinese market once and for all, without all the risks and hassle.
How?
Well, let us break it down.
The top 6 benefits of using a platform like AdChina.io
Here’s how a China advertising platform will supercharge your ad agency:
1. Access to an all-in-one dashboard
Each advertising channel in China comes with its own requirements, interfaces, and regulations — all of which can be very difficult (and costly) to navigate.
Sign up to a China advertising platform, however, and you’ll have no such stress.
AdChina.io, for example, lets businesses advertise on 11 of the top Chinese marketing channels all in one place… saving time, money, and resources, in the process.
Specifically, you’ll be able to manage campaigns on:
- Tencent (including video, news, QQ, and Yingyongbao)
- Baidu (display and search advertising)
- Bytedance (across Toutiao, Douyin, and Xigua Video)
- And LinkedIn China
All without having to use each platform separately!
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2. Improved transparency
Due to language barriers and closed-off interfaces, advertising in China can often be shrouded in mystery.
That’s why a China advertising platform is so helpful.
You’ll be able to access real-time insights whenever you want to, share them with your clients at the drop of a hat, and optimize your campaigns as and when you need to.
The result?
Happy clients, more bookings, and a reputation that’ll pay off way into the future!
3. Comprehensive reporting features
We know how important reporting is to agencies and their clients.
You’ve said you’ll deliver — but you need to be able to prove that.
And that’s where a platform like AdChina.io comes in.
Our innovative and first-of-its-kind software lets our users download comprehensive overviews of their campaigns, ready to share with their clients whenever they need to.
4. Laser-focused targeting
Want to target a very specific market in China?
No problem!
AdChina.io gives marketers access to granular targeting tools, where you’ll be able to reach users according to:
- Their age
- Where they live
- Their gender
- What interests they have
- Previous buying habits
- Level of education
- And so much more!
…. depending on the channel you are advertising on. And you’ll be able to do it all from one place, too.
So, no matter who your clients want to target — with AdChina.io, you’ll have them firmly in sight.
5. Manage multiple accounts at once
If you’re working with multiple clients wanting to advertise in China, a platform like AdChina.io is a must. It’ll let you manage and monitor several campaigns at once, and allow you to manage multiple client accounts from one place.
This will not only open your agency to more opportunities but will also give you the necessary framework to build and scale your services in the future.
6. Benefit from local expertise
AdChina.io is more than just a piece of software.
We’re backed by one of the most impressive teams in the Chinese marketing industry, and are fully committed to sharing what we know.
It’s our mission to help brands and agencies learn the secrets of advertising success in China — and to do that, we’ll be on hand whenever you need advice, top tips, and local expertise that’ll give you the necessary know-how to hit the ground running in China.
And don’t worry.
Your clients won’t have to rely on us for support. We’ll work directly with you, train you up, and hand over the reins when you’re ready. Whatever works for you, will work for us.
Want to learn more?
Book your free demo today to unlock the world’s biggest market with AdChina.io.
But what’s the difference between AdChina.io vs. running campaigns yourself?
Not convinced you need a China advertising platform like AdChina.io?
We get it.
You’ve worked with hundreds of clients and know this industry like the back of your hand.
But becoming a China advertising agency is a whole new challenge — and here’s how we can help you overcome it:
Sound good?
Get in touch, and we’ll get you on the right track to breaking down those barriers in no time at all.
AdChina.io in action — how we can increase your clients’ ROI, and boost your business as a result
We know that actions speak louder than words.
That’s why we want to share with you a time AdChina.io was seriously put to the test.
The challenge:
A year ago, we started working with an EU-based agency looking to build a client’s brand awareness and sales in China.
To do this, the agency needed to find a partner to run ad campaigns in China.
And that’s where AdChina.io came in…
We knew our platform was the missing piece in our partner’s puzzle.
They had the questions, and we had the answers.
But how did we help them achieve their goals?
- We started with three months of in-depth campaign planning, working with the agency to build a comprehensive China entry strategy.
- Next, we developed an extensive content plan, devised a keyword strategy, and picked out which channels would be right for the B2B brand.
- With AdChina.io, our agency partner was then able to manage their Chinese campaigns in English, delivering an easy-to-follow and transparent service to their client.
The results:
With the help of AdChina.io, our client was able to:
- Create a complete WeChat posting strategy that boosted their client’s followers on the platform by 100%, and beat the industry average for the cost of acquiring each new follower.
- Combined, this raised the company’s brand awareness in China and boosted sales, as a result.
Want to achieve similar results?
Top advertising channels in China — what every agency needs to know
So, now you know how to get started with advertising in China — what platforms should you expect to work on, exactly? Here are the biggest channels to look out for:
1. WeChat
WeChat is China’s most popular app, attracting over 1.2 billion monthly users each month. It’s also used by a very wide range of users, too, with 25% of them aged between 25-30 years old, and almost 20% over the age of 41.
Advertising on this platform is an absolute must, then, if you’re looking for maximum exposure in China.
Check out our ultimate guide on WeChat advertising to learn more about this powerful platform, and how you could incorporate it into your agency’s services.
2. Tencent
Owner of WeChat, Tencent also owns several other platforms worth paying attention to.
These include:
- Tencent Video (a video streaming website with over 590 million monthly users)
- Yingyongbao (the Tencent app store, which is the No.1 android store in China)
- Tencent News (a news app with almost 300 million active monthly users)
- Tencent QQ (China’s biggest instant messaging app with over 2 billion accounts)
Collectively, these channels have an unparalleled reach of over 90% of Chinese internet users, attracting over 16 billion page views a day.
Want to learn more about how your agency could tap into these hugely popular platforms?
Our complete guide to Tencent advertising has got you covered.
Check it out, and get in touch to get started with your Tencent campaigns today.
3. Baidu
With a mighty market share of over 76% of the search engine market in China, Baidu is a prime spot for agencies working with clients looking for international expansion.
Brands can invest in display ads or search advertising, depending on their needs.
To get to grips with this powerful channel, give our Baidu advertising guide a read.
4. Bytedance
Like Tencent, Bytedance owns several extremely popular platforms in China.
There’s:
- Douyin: the Chinese (and original) version of TikTok, with over 400 million daily active users, making it the biggest short video app in China — and the world.
- Xigua Video: China’s third-biggest short video app, with over 3 billion daily views.
- Huoshan Video: China’s fourth-biggest short video app, with a uniquely young (70% 18-35) and predominantly male audience (over 60%).
- And Toutiao: China’s most popular news app, with over 220 million daily users.
Combined, these channels could connect your clients to billions of monthly users in China. Click on the links above to discover the opportunities on offer.
5. LinkedIn China
Looking to work with B2B clients, or those wanting to target a market with high purchasing power?
Look no further than LinkedIn China.
In just six years, the platform has grown to almost 50 million monthly users, of which 49% hold management positions or higher.
For agencies, this offers a great opportunity to deliver some seriously great results — particularly for clients looking to increase sales in the business sector.
Head over to our comprehensive guide on advertising on LinkedIn China to learn more.
And what are the costs of advertising in China?
There are four types of costs involved in advertising in China:
1. Channel registration costs
Each advertising channel in China has its own initial set-up fee to open an official ad account. These will vary platform by platform. An official WeChat account, for example, costs around $99 a year for an overseas organization.
Get in touch for more information on what your initial set-up fees might look like to get started in China.
2. Initial ad deposit required by the channel
Again, these will vary by platform, but most channels in China require brands to commit to a minimum ad deposit before advertising. This is approximately $7,500 USD on WeChat, and $863 USD on Baidu, as just two examples.
3. Ongoing ad spend
Once you’ve set up their accounts, your clients will then have to commit to an ongoing ad spend. There is no fixed cost for this, as all channels in China work on a bidding basis, which means that your CPM (cost per thousand impressions) will be dependent on the industry you’re working in.
To wow your clients with an ROI that’s through the roof, create a free AdChina.io account to optimize your agency’s ad spend today.
4. Platform cost
And finally, if you invest in a China advertising platform, you’ll also have to pay a monthly fee for that, too.
At AdChina.io, we have plans that’ll suit agencies and brands of all sizes, starting from our free accounts right up to our scale package:
We also have an Enterprise Plan if you’re looking for a custom solution to fit the needs of your agency. Get in touch, and let’s build something great.
Ready to dive in with a China advertising platform?
More and more brands are on the hunt for a Chinese advertising agency that’ll manage their marketing in China.
So, request your free AdChina.io demo and become the one-stop-shop for all things advertising in China. You’ll grow your agency on the back of it, and be perfectly placed for a digital age where China is leading the way.
