How to Create Powerful Video Ads for Your Business
Video content has become the main form of communication on social media in the last few years, and the same goes for promoting your business online, which isn’t always the easiest thing to do.
However, you won’t be feeling so overwhelmed for much longer when it comes to this task.
I’ve gathered all of the most important steps you need to follow to create video ads that will draw more people to your business, so let’s get right into it! Cover photo by Direct Media.
How To Create An Effective Video Ad – 10 Steps To Follow
The First Few Seconds Are Crucial
You’ve probably heard about people’s attention spans getting shorter and shorter because of the fast-paced lives that we lead and the short-term content we consume.
I know, I heard it a thousand times before, too, and even though it seems like a topic of conversation that’s getting stale, it’s very much relevant when it comes to having effective ads.
This situation implies that you need to grab your potential customer’s attention in the first few seconds of the video.
Nowadays, there is no time for a complex overture, and you have to have a good, simple hook that will make the person watching the ad want to stay.
Answering The Question “Why?”
Whatever it is that you’re doing, there is likely a company that does the same or vaguely similar thing, too, so your task will be to explain, in a simple and concise matter, what makes you better.
This is just the nature of the world we live in, so you will have to be aware of who your competitors are and what your advantages are.
That will be the answer to the question of why should they go with your product and not someone else’s.
Timing Is Key
The timing that your ad takes up can be a huge contributing factor to how your business is perceived.
This means that you want to have everything on the shorter side.
You don’t have to make it so short that you miss some vital information, but going for as straightforward as possible while still making it sense is the way to go.
As a rule of thumb, your ad should be up to 30 seconds long.
Emphasize Brand Highlights
You want your best qualities as a brand to shine through when you advertise, so make sure that that ends up being the case.
Think about what are the things that your brand has and that other brands from your niche don’t, and focus on that when making the ad.
Don’t Forget The Humor
While the humor in advertisements needs to stay more PG, that doesn’t mean that ads have to be boring.
On the contrary, they mustn’t be boring.
That’s why adding a relevant joke to spice it up will make a world of difference when it comes to how people perceive your business.
There’s Always A Story
People love to hear stories behind the brand.
What was the starting point, what is the main idea that keeps you going right now, and what ideals will your business strive to reach in the future?
Humanizing the business will make it so people feel closer to it, making it more likely that they will be drawn to become the customers of your business.
Personalize The Ad
Personalization is a big thing in ads nowadays because that’s how the customer will feel appreciated.
When people develop that kind of feelings towards your business, it’s more likely that they will continue to purchase things from it or start doing that.
Be A Helper, Not A Seller
Your focus should be on problem-solving, meaning that when you try to advertise and sell something, you need to promise that you will solve a particular problem that they are having, and that’s why they need to look for you.
You’re not simply selling a product, and you’re promising that you’re making their life better.
Editing Software Matters
If you don’t have the resources to hire a professional, you will probably be editing your footage yourself.
This means that you will need to get yourself software for that.
There are many expensive ones, there are some free ones, and I’ve tried a lot of them.
Some of the best ones are either the ones from Adobe or from Wondershare, like Final Cut Pro or Filmora.
If you need them for business, purchasing them will definitely be worth it.
You might also need photo editing software for some visuals, so make sure that you’re ready.
Call To Action
The purpose of your ad is to inspire people to go and get the product from you, meaning that it will be in your best interest to end the ad with a call to action.
You can film it yourself, insert it in a written form, or make a graphic, and either way, make sure to encourage the viewers to act upon what they’ve seen in your ad!
What To Consider When Creating Video Ads
Once you’re finished with the leading 10 steps of the ad-making process, you will want to consider adding things that will help you create the most effective video ad.
Here are the three things to consider about your business and the ad itself.
Having A Script
While ads should seem spontaneous and natural, a good script is essential for everything to run smoothly.
Get together with your team and ensure everyone is up to date with what should happen.
Even when you, as the owner, know everything there is to know about the business, that doesn’t mean that you will have the performance in front of the camera be as seamless as you expect it to be without a script.
The script isn’t there to be learned by heart but to serve as a direction for you.
Platform Choice
Deciding which platform you should focus on can make or break your process.
Depending on your target audience and what was proven to be the best choice for you in the past, you should choose which social media platform will be your main one.
Things like YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram are the most widely used platforms nowadays, and all of them have now become mainly centered around video content, so that’s where video ads work the best, too.
Advertising your business on these platforms can require some investment, but that price is minimal compared to what a good ad can bring you.
Channeling Creativity
The concept you come up with and the format you choose to present that concept need to be quite creative and unique.
As you probably know yourself, the most likely response to an internet ad a person will have is to skip it… unless it’s something unique that draws attention.
Don’t be afraid to use your imagination to the maximum; if it needs to be dialed down, you can easily do that in post-production, so take all of your wild ideas out of the back of your head and use them!
These three tips are something that you can apply to each individual step in the previous section, so that’s why you should always have them in your mind.
Conclusion
After following all of the steps above or integrating the ones that make the most sense for what you want to achieve, creating a truly effective ad won’t seem like such a big deal anymore.
Just remember to always remember your end goal and where you want your business to go.
Of course, you might have to work on some of your technical skills, but that’s not too big of a task when you have the gist of it figured out.
FAQ
How do I create an effective video ad for my small business?
Your ad should be creative, uploaded to the right platform, and made after a good plan and a script.
Besides that, make sure to always know what you want to achieve and what your target audience is.
Tell a story, be concise, and call to action in the end.
How do I make a successful video ad?
A successful ad is an ad that makes the viewer interested in the product, so make sure to have a hook, in the beginning, make it short and sweet, and don’t forget to make it feel warm and personal for the viewers and customers themselves.
