In the crowded room that is social media and digital marketing, standing out and capturing your audience's attention can be tricky but crucial. With billions of users online each day, all competing for viewership, engagement, and conversions, the days of relying strictly on organic content to get your message out there might be becoming a thing of the past, which is why more and more brands are pulling out the stops and kicking it into high-gear with their digital marketing efforts. 

That's right, we're talking about ads. 

Higher Stakes, Higher Rewards

While it's true that shifting focus toward paid ads isn't the most financially appealing route, it is far more likely to create action. Whether you're looking to increase website traffic, get more followers, or simply educate a social media sector about your product or services, ads can target precisely who you want to speak to and ensure they see it. 

With that being said, the stakes for content are much higher. Once the ad is out there and you've got money behind it, you can only hope it performs to the best of its ability (duh!).

At Packia, it's not our first time at the ads rodeo, and over the past few months, we've come up with a few critical tips for creating engaging ads on Instagram and Facebook. If you're ready to make some vertical video ads that generate viewership and lead to conversions, then keep on reading! 

Eye-Catching Vertical Video

First things first, make sure your ad is eye-catching and has movement! We may be biased, but if you're looking for stunning vertical video content with thousands of videos for all industries, you've come to the right place. Whether you're selling cosmetics or are a tech company looking for new clients, a vertical video on Packsia will work perfectly for the aesthetic you're going for. Our search tool lets you find the perfect video for your ad background by industry, aesthetic, holiday, color, and more!

Add Voiceover (And Captions!)

Don't just add music; add a human element with a voiceover. You can use your voice, a friend's voice, or even an AI voice using one of the various voice-generating tools on the internet or TikTok. Having a voice communicate directly to the viewer is a great way to grab attention and stop the scroll—and don't forget to double down with some subtitles, as well! 

Have One Ask Only

Ads are not the time to teach your audience all about you and your company. When creating an ad, have one call-to-action only and stick with it. You can refer to our previous blog about creating a quality and impactful call to action here.

Solve a Problem

Don't just showcase a product or service; tell your audience how it will solve an inconvenience in their life and make each day easier. Include this in the ad caption, voiceover, and (if possible) in the main heading (see next point for more details). 

We also wrote a blog about how to switch your wording to sell the emotion rather than the thing itself. Check it out here!

Use A Bold Heading

In addition to your eye-catching Packsia video background, we recommend a bold heading on the graphic. We're talking "30% OFF SHOES" in bold text or "ARE YOU READY TO SAVE HOURS IN THE MORNING?" as the main element of your design. If you're looking for stylish ways to create graphics using our videos in Canva, you can peek at our tutorials page for some inspo! 

Make the First Seconds Count

By now, we all know that attention spans on social media are shorter than ever. To capture and retain your audience's attention, you need a strong hook in the first few seconds of your ad—and we mean it. Insider Intelligence reported that Gen Z has a one-second attention span, while older generations have as little as three seconds to give an ad before moving on, so there is truly no time to waste. Whether your tactic is a surprising visual, a compelling statement, or a teaser that piques curiosity, make it happen quickly and hook them in. 

Ads might seem overwhelming, but we assure you they don't have to be. Take your time putting together an ad, show your friends to get feedback, and start small with your ad spend! We promise that with some practice, you'll be the Don Draper of Meta ads in no time. 

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