Video ads are one of the most effective ways to market your business online. They can help you increase your brand awareness, engagement, and conversions. According to a report by Wyzowl, 86% of businesses use video as a marketing tool, and 93% of them say that video is an important part of their marketing strategy.
In this article, we will answer these questions and show you how to create a video ad for your business in 5 minutes for free. We will cover the following topics:
- How to plan your video ad
- How to create your video ad
- How to edit your video ad
- How to optimize your video ad
By the end of this article, you will have a clear idea of how to create a video ad that makes your business stand out and attracts more customers.
How to Plan Your Video Ad
The first step in creating a video ad is planning. Planning is crucial because it helps you define your goal, audience, message, and budget. Without a clear plan, you may end up wasting time, money, and effort on a video ad that does not deliver results.
Here are some questions to ask yourself when planning your video ad:
Here are some questions to ask yourself when planning your video ad:
- What is your goal? What do you want to achieve with your video ad? Do you want to increase awareness, generate leads, drive sales, or something else? Your goal will determine the type, style, and length of your video ad.
- Who is your audience? Who are you trying to reach with your video ad? What are their demographics, interests, pain points, and preferences? Your audience will determine the tone, language, and content of your video ad.
- What is your message? What do you want to say with your video ad? What is the main benefit or value proposition of your product or service? What is the unique selling point or competitive advantage of your business? Your message will determine the script and storyboard of your video ad.
- What is your budget? How much can you afford to spend on your video ad? How much will it cost to produce, edit, and distribute your video ad? Your budget will determine the quality, format, and platform of your video ad.
To help you plan your video ad effectively, here are some examples of different types of video ads that you can use for different goals and audiences:
| Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Explainer Video | A short video that explains how your product or service works or solves a problem | How Dropbox Works |
| Testimonial Video | A video that features real customers sharing their positive experiences with your product or service | Shopify Success Stories |
| Product Video | A video that showcases the features and benefits of your product or service | Apple iPhone 12 |
| How-to Video | A video that teaches or demonstrates how to do something related to your product or service | How to Use Canva for Video Marketing |
| Tutorial Video | A video that provides step-by-step instructions on how to use your product or service | How to Set Up Google Ads for Video Marketing |
| Demo Video | A video that shows how your product or service works in action | Slack Demo |
| Animation Video | A video that uses animated graphics or characters to tell a story or convey a message | Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell |
| Live-action Video | A video that uses real people or scenes to tell a story or convey a message | Nike - Dream Crazier |
| Motion Graphics Video | A video that uses moving images or text to create visual effects or transitions | Facebook - Community Standards |
| Whiteboard Video | A video that uses a whiteboard and a marker to draw or write the content of the video | RSA Animate - Drive |
| Screencast Video | A video that records the screen of a computer or a mobile device | How to Use Zoom |
| Slideshow Video | A video that uses a series of photos or images to create a presentation | Airbnb - Belong Anywhere |
| Collage Video | A video that uses a combination of photos, videos, and text to create a collage | Space Girl - Collage Animation |
| Carousel Video | A video that uses a series of cards or slides that can be swiped or scrolled horizontally | Facebook Carousel Ads example |
| Vertical Video | A video that is oriented vertically rather than horizontally | Snapchat Ads example |
| Horizontal Video | A video that is oriented horizontally rather than vertically | Grammaly - Enhance Your Writing [Youtube Ads] |
| Square Video | A video that has a 1:1 aspect ratio, meaning that the width and height are equal | Instagram Feed Ads |
| 360-degree Video | A video that allows the viewer to look in any direction by dragging or tilting the screen | National Geographic - The Okavango Wilderness Project |
| Interactive Video | A video that allows the viewer to interact with the content by clicking, tapping, or choosing options | SMARTZER - Interactive Video Example |
| Personalized Video | A video that is customized for each individual viewer based on their data or behavior | Vidyard - Personalized Video Example |
Once you have decided on the type of video ad you want to create, you need to write a script and storyboard for your video ad. A script is a written document that contains the dialogue, narration, and instructions for your video ad. A storyboard is a visual representation of your script, showing how each scene will look like.
Some tips on how to write a script and storyboard for your video ad are:
- Keep it short and simple. Aim for 15 to 30 seconds for most platforms, and up to 2 minutes for YouTube.
- Focus on one main message or benefit. Don’t try to cram too much information or features into your video ad.
- Use clear and concise language. Avoid jargon, slang, or technical terms that your audience may not understand.
- Use emotion and humor. Appeal to your audience’s emotions and make them laugh, cry, or smile with your video ad.
- Use a hook and a call-to-action. Grab your audience’s attention in the first few seconds with a catchy headline, question, or statement. Then, tell them what you want them to do next, such as visit your website, sign up for a free trial, or buy your product.
If you need some help with writing a script and storyboard for your video ad, you can check out this video
You can also hire a TikTok editor (highly recommended) to help you with creating engaging and viral videos for your business.
How to Create Your Video Ad
The next step in creating a video ad is creating. Creating is the process of producing your video ad using the script and storyboard you have prepared. There are three main options for creating your video ad:
- Using an online tool
- Doing it yourself
Each option has its pros and cons, depending on your needs and budget. Here are some factors to consider when choosing the best option for your business:
- Cost: Hiring a professional can be expensive, ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars per video. Using an online tool can be affordable, ranging from free to low monthly fees. Doing it yourself can be cheap or free, depending on the equipment and software you use.
- Quality: Hiring a professional can ensure high-quality results, as they have the skills, experience, and equipment to produce professional videos. Using an online tool can provide decent quality results, as they have templates, features, and resources to help you create videos. Doing it yourself can vary in quality, depending on your skill level and the equipment and software you use.
- Time: Hiring a professional can take time, as you need to find, communicate, and collaborate with them. Using an online tool can save time, as you can create videos quickly and easily with drag-and-drop features. Doing it yourself can take time or save time, depending on how fast you learn and work.
- Control: Hiring a professional can limit your control, as you need to rely on their vision and expertise to create your video ad. Using an online tool can give you more control, as you can customize and edit your video ad as you wish. Doing it yourself can give you full control, as you can create your video ad exactly how you want it.
To help you choose the best option for your business, here are some recommendations based on your needs and budget:
- If you have a high budget and want a high-quality video ad that matches your brand and vision, you should hire a professional. You can find and hire a video editor from platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, or Vidico.
- If you have a low budget and want a decent quality video ad that is easy and fast to create, you should use an online tool. You can use online tools like Canva, Animoto, or Biteable to create videos with templates, features, and resources.
- If you have no budget and want a cheap or free video ad that gives you full control, you should do it yourself. You can use equipment and software like your smartphone, a tripod, a microphone, a video camera, Adobe Premiere Pro, or iMovie to create videos from scratch.
Here is a table that compares the three options for creating your video ad:
Option Cost Quality Time Control Hiring a professional High High Long Low Using an online tool Low Decent Short Medium Doing it yourself Free or cheap Variable Variable High Once you have chosen the option that suits your business best, you need to follow the instructions or guidelines provided by the professional, the online tool, or the equipment and software to create your video
How to Edit Your Video Ad
The third step in creating a video ad is editing. Editing is the process of improving your video ad by trimming, cropping, adding transitions, effects, music, and text. Editing can make a big difference in the quality and impact of your video ad.
Here are some basics of video editing that you need to know:
- Trimming: This is cutting out the unwanted parts of your video, such as the beginning or the end, or any mistakes or pauses. Trimming can help you reduce the length of your video and make it more focused and concise.
- Cropping: This is changing the size or shape of your video, such as zooming in or out, or adjusting the aspect ratio. Cropping can help you fit your video to different platforms or devices, or highlight a specific part of your video.
- Transitions: These are effects that create smooth changes between scenes or clips of your video, such as fades, wipes, slides, or spins. Transitions can help you create a flow and continuity for your video and avoid abrupt or jarring cuts.
- Effects: These are enhancements that add visual flair or interest to your video, such as filters, colors, animations, or stickers. Effects can help you create a mood or atmosphere for your video and make it more appealing and attractive.
- Music: This is the background sound or soundtrack that accompanies your video, such as songs, tunes, or melodies. Music can help you create an emotion or tone for your video and make it more engaging and memorable.
- Text: This is the written content that appears on your video, such as titles, captions, subtitles, or labels. Text can help you convey your message or information more clearly and effectively.
Some tips on how to edit your video ad for different platforms are:
- YouTube: YouTube is the most popular platform for video ads, with over 2 billion monthly active users. YouTube allows you to upload videos up to 15 minutes long for free accounts, and up to 12 hours long for verified accounts. YouTube supports various video formats, such as MP4, MOV, AVI, WMV, etc. YouTube also offers various features and tools for editing your video ad, such as YouTube Studio, YouTube Video Editor, YouTube Audio Library, etc.
- Facebook: Facebook is another popular platform for video ads, with over 2.8 billion monthly active users. Facebook allows you to upload videos up to 240 minutes long. Facebook supports various video formats, such as MP4, MOV, MKV, etc. Facebook also offers various features and tools for editing your video ad, such as Facebook Creator Studio, Facebook Ads Manager, Facebook Sound Collection, etc.
- Instagram: Instagram is a social media platform that focuses on visual content, with over 1 billion monthly active users. Instagram allows you to upload videos up to 60 seconds long for feed posts, up to 15 seconds long for stories, up to 10 minutes long for IGTV, and up to 30 seconds long for reels. Instagram supports various video formats, such as MP4, MOV, AVI, etc. Instagram also offers various features and tools for editing your video ad, such as Instagram Reels, Instagram Filters, Instagram Music, etc.
- SEO: SEO stands for search engine optimization, which is the process of improving your video ad’s visibility and ranking on search engines like Google or Bing. To edit your video ad for SEO, you need to use keywords, titles, descriptions, tags, and thumbnails that are relevant and attractive to your target audience and match their search intent. You can use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Bing Webmaster Tools, or TubeBuddy to help you with finding and using the best keywords for your video ad.
- CRO: CRO stands for conversion rate optimization, which is the process of increasing the percentage of viewers who take the desired action after watching your video ad, such as visiting your website, signing up for a free trial, or buying your product. To edit your video ad for CRO, you need to use clear calls-to-action, landing pages, tracking pixels, and analytics that are specific and measurable to your goal. You can use tools like Google Ads, Facebook Ads Manager, YouTube Analytics, or Wistia to help you with creating and optimizing your video ad campaigns.
Here is a table that summarizes the basics and tips of video editing for different platforms and purposes:
Platform Length Format Features Tools YouTube Up to 15 minutes (free) or 12 hours (verified) MP4, MOV, AVI, WMV, etc. YouTube Studio, YouTube Video Editor, YouTube Audio Library, etc. Google Keyword Planner, Bing Webmaster Tools, TubeBuddy Facebook Up to 240 minutes MP4, MOV, MKV, etc. Facebook Creator Studio, Facebook Ads Manager, Facebook Sound Collection, etc. Google Ads, Facebook Ads Manager Instagram Up to 60 seconds (feed), 15 seconds (stories), 10 minutes (IGTV), 30 seconds (reels) MP4, MOV, AVI, etc. Instagram Reels, Instagram Filters, Instagram Music, etc. Google Ads Purpose Goal Content Metrics Tools SEO Increase visibility and ranking on search engines Keywords, titles, descriptions, tags, thumbnails Views, impressions, clicks, watch time Google Keyword Planner CRO Increase conversions and sales from viewers Calls-to-action, landing pages, tracking pixels, analytics Conversions, leads, sales,ROI Google Ads, Facebook Ads Manager, YouTube Analytics, Wistia
How to Optimize Your Video Ad
The final step in creating a video ad is optimizing. Optimizing is the process of improving your video ad’s performance and results by testing, analyzing, and adjusting your video ad. Optimizing can help you maximize your return on investment and achieve your goal.
Here are some steps to follow when optimizing your video ad:
- Test your video ad. Before launching your video ad campaign, you need to test your video ad on a small sample of your target audience or platform. This can help you check if your video ad works properly, delivers your message clearly, and meets your expectations.
- Analyze your video ad. After launching your video ad campaign, you need to analyze your video ad’s performance and results using metrics and tools. This can help you measure how well your video ad is reaching, engaging, and converting your audience.
- Adjust your video ad. Based on the analysis of your video ad, you need to adjust your video ad accordingly. This can help you improve your video ad’s quality, relevance, and effectiveness.
Some tips on how to optimize your video ad for maximum conversions are:
- Use A/B testing. A/B testing is a method of comparing two versions of your video ad to see which one performs better. You can test different elements of your video ad, such as the headline, the thumbnail, the music, the call-to-action, etc. You can use tools like Google Optimize, Facebook Split Testing, or Optimizely to help you with A/B testing.
- Use retargeting. Retargeting is a technique of showing your video ad to people who have already interacted with your business or website. This can help you remind them of your offer and persuade them to take action. You can use tools like Google Remarketing, Facebook Pixel, or AdRoll to help you with retargeting.
- Use personalization. Personalization is a strategy of customizing your video ad for each individual viewer based on their data or behavior. This can help you increase their interest and trust in your business and offer. You can use tools like Vidyard, Wideo, or Hippo Video to help you with personalization.
Here is a table that summarizes the steps and tips of video optimization for maximum conversions:
| Step | Description | Tips | Tools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test | Check if your video ad works properly and meets your expectations | Use A/B testing | Google Optimize |
| Analyze | Measure how well your video ad is reaching, engaging, and converting your audience | Use metrics and analytics | Google Ads |
| Adjust | Improve your video ad’s quality, relevance, and effectiveness | Use retargeting and personalization | Vidyard |
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions related to the topic of this article:- How do I make a good video ad? To make a good video ad, you need to plan it carefully, create it professionally, edit it effectively, and optimize it strategically. You also need to consider your goal, audience, message, and budget when creating your video ad.
- How much does it cost to make a video ad? The cost of making a video ad depends on various factors, such as the option you choose for creating it (hiring a professional, using an online tool, or doing it yourself), the quality and length of your video ad, the platform and purpose of your video ad, etc. The cost can range from free or cheap to expensive or premium.
- How long should a video ad be? The length of a video ad depends on the platform and purpose of your video ad. Generally speaking, shorter videos tend to perform better than longer videos on most platforms and purposes. However, there is no definitive answer to this question, as different audiences and goals may require different lengths. The best way to find out the optimal length for your video ad is to test it with A/B testing.
Conclusion
Creating a video ad for your business is not as hard as it sounds. You just need to follow these four steps:
- Plan your video ad
- Create your video ad
- Edit your video ad
- Optimize your video ad
By following these steps, you can create a video ad that makes your business stand out and attracts more customers.
If you need more help or information on how to create a video ad for your business, feel free to contact us or leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you and assist you with your video marketing needs.
Key takeaways
- Video ads are a powerful way to promote your business and reach new customers
- You need to plan, create, edit, and optimize your video ad for different platforms and purposes
- You can use various types, styles, and formats of video ads for different goals and audiences
- You can use various tools and resources to help you with creating, editing, and optimizing your video ad
- You need to test, analyze, and adjust your video ad to improve its performance and results
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