What makes a video ad impossible to ignore?
When everyone’s in a rush, getting noticed isn’t enough, you need to make an instant impact. Those first moments of your ad are the difference between being remembered or forgotten. Let’s uncover how to create video ads that draw viewers in and inspire them to take meaningful action.
We’ll skip the jargon and focus on what works. From eye-catching intros to visual masterpieces, we’ll uncover the methods that transform casual watchers into engaged customers.
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The three-second challenge
The notion of short attention spans is well-known, but the reality is even more pressing: you have about 3 seconds to capture someone’s interest and stop them from scrolling. It’s a brief window, but it’s more than enough with the right approach.
What's working now
1. The pattern break
Effective video ads begin by disrupting viewer expectations.
When scrolling through social media, it’s the unexpected that grabs attention. This pattern break is crucial for standing out.
The Old Spice ad transcript exemplifies a winning pattern interrupt strategy. It begins with a compliment about someone’s skin, then humorously shifts to discussing the benefits of Old Spice, capturing viewers’ attention with unexpected dialogue and tone changes. The playful banter about skincare, combined with humor, acts as a pattern interrupt, breaking the monotony of typical ads and engaging viewers. By incorporating relatable and humorous elements, Old Spice effectively uses pattern interrupts to grab attention, making the ad memorable and impactful. This approach not only highlights the product’s benefits but also reinforces Old Spice’s brand identity as fresh and confident.
2. Problem-solution snap
Present a problem your audience faces, followed immediately by the solution.
This approach is quick, clean, and effective, eliminating unnecessary fluff and elaborate setups.
The Monday.com ad transcript is a compelling example of a problem-solution hook. It begins by resonating with viewers by highlighting the common pain point of being overwhelmed by work management tasks. Monday.com is then presented as the solution, simplifying workflows and enhancing collaboration, allowing teams to focus on their core work. The ad emphasizes the platform’s visual benefits, providing a clear overview of project statuses, and highlights efficiency gains through automation, such as reduced meetings. By clearly identifying a problem and offering a tangible solution, Monday.com effectively engages viewers and demonstrates how its platform can transform team productivity.
3. Visual impact
Strong visuals in the first few seconds consistently outperform clever copy.
The mantra here is simple: show, don’t tell.
This is a masterful example of impactful visual storytelling in advertising. By tapping into societal anxieties about uncertainty and distrust, the campaign positions KFC’s chicken as a reliable constant in a chaotic world. The visuals are striking, featuring a dystopian aesthetic with zombie-like characters and a hypnotic soundtrack, which creates a memorable experience without needing extensive copy. The use of cult-like imagery, such as a crowd worshipping a dancing chicken, reinforces the idea of unwavering faith in the product. The clever juxtaposition of chaotic scenes with the simple pleasure of enjoying chicken highlights its reliability, while dark humor adds an engaging layer without feeling preachy. Overall, this campaign is a feast for the eyes, delivering a clear and memorable core message that resonates with audiences by leveraging current societal sentiment to position KFC chicken as a source of comfort and stability.
Platform personalities
Each social media platform has its own unique rhythm and audience preferences. For instance, Instagram thrives on high-quality visuals and narrative-driven content, with a sweet spot of 30-60 seconds for storytelling. YouTube, on the other hand, requires a strong hook that offers value immediately, often through educational content and emphasizes quality over speed. Facebook focuses on community-driven narratives with a casual tone, allowing for flexible video lengths.
The attention-grabbing formula
Video ads succeed when they address one of three primary viewer motivations: solving a problem, learning something new, or being entertained. To capture attention, your ad must promise (and deliver) at least one of these within the first few seconds. This promise sets the stage for engagement and conversion.
To make your video ads impactful, start strong by jumping straight into action or leading with results. Use engaging questions to pique curiosity and incorporate visual motion to keep viewers engaged. Maintain attention by changing pace every 5-7 seconds, using visual variety, and keeping text minimal. Finally, drive action with a clear call to action and create urgency naturally without being pushy.
Common mistakes to avoid
Avoid over-producing your ads, focusing instead on the message. Skip slow starts and ensure your content aligns with each platform’s unique audience. Tailoring your approach to each platform’s rhythm is crucial for maximizing engagement.
Tomorrow's video ad essentials
As video advertising evolves, certain principles remain timeless: authenticity trumps perfection, results speak louder than promises, simplicity usually wins, and speed matters. Your video ad must achieve three key objectives in its first few seconds: stop the scroll, show value, and promise a payoff. After that, it’s about delivering on that promise quickly and clearly.
Experiment with different hook variations such as starting with a problem, a result, a question, or a pattern break. Track key metrics like watch time, engagement, click-throughs, and conversions. Remember, what works for others might not work for you, so test everything and adjust based on your results.
Ready to create?
Great video ads aren’t about tricks or trends; they’re about understanding your audience and showing them something worth their time. Focus on that, and the rest falls into place. Start with these basics, test consistently, and adjust based on your results.
That’s how you create video ads that don’t just get views—they get results.
Now, go make something worth watching.
Want to brainstorm with our team on new ways to scale your business with YouTube Ads (and other performance video platforms)?
Join us for a free YouTube ad brainstorming session:
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Beth Preston, Copywriter
Beth is a rising star on our copywriting team. She always brings her A-game to the table, delivering a fresh perspective and incredible converting copy for our clients.
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