{"id":10667,"date":"2018-02-02T19:19:00","date_gmt":"2018-02-02T09:19:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.tired-sense.flywheelsites.com\/?p=10667"},"modified":"2023-07-19T15:23:43","modified_gmt":"2023-07-19T05:23:43","slug":"15-marketing-hacks-to-design-better-facebook-ads","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/undullify.com\/15-marketing-hacks-to-design-better-facebook-ads\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Marketing Hacks to Design Better Facebook Ads"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text]\n\n\n

15 Marketing Hacks to Design Better Facebook Ads<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

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Feel like your Facebook ads are stagnating?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nonsense! You don\u2019t have to settle for the same old ads. Instead, whip out some of these simple hacks to design better Facebook ads and inject new life into your marketing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Keep Things Simple<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While it\u2019s hardly anything new, there\u2019s something to be said for the good old KISS principle (Keep It Simple, Stupid).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t need to tack on a lot of bells and whistles and use a super clever image to stand out (although having strong optics<\/a> will definitely give you an edge).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Distill your ad down to its most basic line of copy and a straightforward image that gets the point across.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, this \u201chack\u201d only works if you target your ad<\/strong> particularly well. Otherwise, your simple ad will just be swept away in the noise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Take the example above. It is what it is. \u201c25% off everything\u201d is a super simple statement, and if you target the ad well, that\u2019s all your viewers need to know to click through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ads with a simple messaging need to be well-targeted to be the most effective.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Here\u2019s another example. The image copy gets the point across, with some effects on the letters that make the PlayStation connection obvious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This ad is also scarily well-targeted; I don\u2019t even want to know how Facebook knows I own a PS4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Do Something Unexpected<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you want people to stop scrolling through their feeds and actually look at your ad, create something that makes people do a double-take.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s more than one way to do this \u2013 you can do something really unexpected, use contrasting colors, or make your copy short and sassy. Or you can do all three, like in this ad by Quip:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3. Create a Sense of Urgency<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the oldest tricks in the book, its power can\u2019t be denied: there are few better ways to make people take action than creating a sense of urgency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are so many stories of people using urgency and scarcity to increase their conversion rates by epic amounts, like this example where it increased conversions by 332%<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This ad by Social Triggers creates a sense of urgency in several ways. Of course, there\u2019s the \u201clast chance to join\u201d copy over the image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But then you\u2019ve also got the equally urgent \u201cEnrollment CLOSING\u201d CTA in the description, and that striking image of Derek Halpern holding up his watch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tell me you aren\u2019t pulling out your wallet already.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Use Long Copy to Advertise Your Opt-In<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With the pressure of creating a strong ROI, it is easy to spend all your time thinking about how you can use ads to sell your products or services. Isn\u2019t that what it\u2019s all about? That makes it easy to overlook using ads to promote your opt-in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No, it may not result in as many immediate sales. But advertising your opt-in is playing the long game, which is just as important a component of your marketing mix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plus, free opt-ins have a lower barrier to entry, which makes them easier to sign up for. Then, you\u2019ve got all these new leads on your mailing list, where you don\u2019t need to pay to reach them next time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This ad makes its case in several interesting ways. First, you\u2019ll notice its length \u2013 this is easily the longest ad on this list. While that can be eye-catching in and of itself, remember that Facebook will most likely collapse your copy in the feed if it gets too long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I like the enticement of the phrase \u201cGet for free what others have paid $1000\u2019s to receive.\u201d And, of course, you\u2019ve got that simple CTA button to \u201cDownload\u201d right there, driving home the point that this guide is free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Make it Pop with Simple Videos<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Everyone seems to be jumping on the video bandwagon with their ads these days. But did you know that shorter videos can actually pack more of a punch<\/a>, especially for mobile users?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You could go the 30- or 60-second commercial route, sure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But some brands are using video ads to create simple, looping video ads that include enough movement to hold someone\u2019s interest, but not so much that they need to commit to watching a video. They might not realize it\u2019s even a video at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This first example, by Brandless, is simply a slideshow of images.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even better, they appear to be a collection of user-submitted images from their followers, showing off their love for these products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This example is even simpler, just some text overlaying and transitioning off of an appealing image of different veggie toasts. Very millennial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Create a Curiosity Gap<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve written about the power of creating a curiosity gap<\/a> before. Essentially, the trick is to entice the viewer to click by giving them enough information to make them curious, but not enough to answer all the resulting questions that pop into their head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Take this example. How is this law school grad paying off $250,000 in student loans without the cushy lawyer job? I don\u2019t know, guess you\u2019ll just have to click it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Make Your Product the Hero<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a pretty simple entrepreneurial principle: find a problem. Solve it. Profit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use this principle to create an ad that answers all your target audience\u2019s prayers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The power of spreadsheets, plus it\u2019s beautiful to boot? Count me in!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I really love this example, because it appeals to a sense of frustration: stop wasting all your time searching out contact info, and let this tool do it for you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Use Flattery<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As the saying goes, you\u2019ll catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, you\u2019re probably not going to pay to insult someone with your Facebook ads anytime soon (though, I admit, it would certainly be eye-catching), but you can totally put on the charm to win over your audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Treat yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Offer a Taste for Next to Nothing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Otherwise known in the marketing world as a tripwire, this is a bit of a classic but that’s because it works: get XYZ, for less than a cup of coffee!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reason it works?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s so low-commitment that pretty much anyone can do it and not miss a couple of dollars they put down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have a low introductory price \u2013 or can create a special one for the people who click through your ad \u2013 this can be a really effective way to draw people in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I get it, stop guilt tripping me over my Starbucks addiction already.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It\u2019s only a cent difference, but this example from Spotify is so much more compelling than the whole-dollar offer above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s actually a scientific reason for that: it\u2019s called the \u201cLeft Digit Effect<\/a>,\u201d and it means that your brain catches on the leftmost digit of a price. The leftmost digit in this ad is 0. They\u2019re practically giving it away!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. Use Drool-worthy Photography<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I can\u2019t be the only person who can mindlessly scroll past a dozen of my friends\u2019 posts on Facebook and then linger on a Tasty video for 10 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s just something about delicious food that really makes people stop and look; if you are in the food industry, you\u2019d better be taking advantage of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This post isn\u2019t even about smoothies specifically, but I can\u2019t stop ogling these works of edible art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11. Capitalize on FOMO<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Take a cue from a million Outbrain ads, and instill your target audience with FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is really just a more specific version of our sixth hack, creating a curiosity gap, but it goes one step further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Look at the copy: \u201cWho knew this was possible?\u201d \u201cThe secret Expedia trick millennials know that you don\u2019t\u201d \u201cIf you ever book anything online, you need to check this out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top it off with a jealousy-inducing photo of a dream vacation, and Honey\u2019s struck FOMO gold here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

12. Tell a Story in Carousel Format<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Facebook has long offered carousel format ads, which allow mobile users to swipe left and right through a series of images. (Desktop users can click the arrows.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of using a collection of eye-pleasing images, you can incorporate text that tells a story as viewers swipe through your ad, like Walmart does in the example below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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13. Tug on Heartstrings (When Appropriate)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tugging on a few heart-strings can be a very effective way to make someone stop scrolling and take in your ad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just remember that this approach doesn\u2019t work for every situation; you\u2019re probably not going to get people really emotional over a purse sale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it can work more often than you might think; for example, you could create a campaign around a charity that your business contributed to in some way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This ad is well-targeted to seek donations, with a bittersweet photo of a child with cancer, compelling ad copy, and a CTA button that says \u201cDonate Now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You don\u2019t have to use this strategy just to seek out donations! In this example, an organization is promoting their event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Depending on your goals, it may be easier to get people to act if you aren\u2019t directly asking for donations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

14. Paint a Picture of a Better Life<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Another classic marketing adage: People don\u2019t buy products, they buy better versions of themselves<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This works especially well if what you are selling is an intangible service or digital product: you\u2019re not selling the product, you\u2019re selling everything the customer will become once they have your product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is another example of a strategy where you need to have really strong targeting. But if you nail it, it can be super effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This example is marketing a course, but the copy and the image are marketing so much more: the idea of being your own boss, able to work on your laptop from anywhere in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

15. Personalize with Facebook Ad Retargeting<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With a more advanced setup, you can use Facebook ads to retarget people who have visited your website recently, or even abandoned their cart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This example is more than just a carousel of products; these are products I actually recently added to my cart on LL Bean\u2019s website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not only are they retargeting me with this ad, but they\u2019re trying to entice me with a promo code. Must\u2026 resist\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wrapping Up<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As you\u2019ve seen from the examples above, there are a lot of marketing hacks and other simple tricks you can use to make your Facebook ads more compelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s a quick list of the tips above, for your reference:<\/p>\n\n\n\n