Social Media Ads: How to Capture and Keep Attention

Social media ads are one of the most efficient and helpful ways of interacting with your potential and current clients. If your brand is not represented on social media, it becomes invisible to a great part of your target audience.

However, it's crucial to keep in mind the bigger picture — your project goals. This will influence the channels you choose and the kind of social media promotion you use since each has benefits and drawbacks to take into account.

For you to determine the perfect match, we looked at the four most significant types of social media ads.

Video Ads

When compared to static image commercials, video social media ads frequently generate greater engagement, more clicks, and are simply more successful at retaining viewers' attention. No wonder that social media sites like Instagram and Facebook urge users to share more video content.

Here is what you can do with video ads.

• Create an intriguing series of videos (with plot twists or an unexpected ending) and make your viewers crave the next one!
• Use catchy music that will play in the audience's heads all day long.
• Create a more emotional connection through honest interviews with buyers.
• Use animations or stop-motion films to demonstrate the processes related to your brand.

No commercial should be created without first doing in-depth research to establish the main preferences of your intended audience. It means that before you create a video ad, consider the platforms and devices on which your target audience will view it.

If your audience prefers TikTok, the style and timeframe of your video will be different from the format you would choose for an audience that watches more YouTube content. In terms of devices, consider whether your video is more likely to play on a smartphone or a laptop.

Note that various platforms may accept only certain video ad formats and may have different video length restrictions. For instance, the limit for an Instagram reel is 60 seconds.

An ad should be an appetizer, not a buffet.

Lee Clow, TBWA\Worldwide chairman

Static Image Ads

Compared to video commercials, static image ads may look a little stale or out of date. There is no sound or movement, just a plain picture. However, there are plenty of creative methods to add engagement to your static image advertisements. Using an image carousel is one of them. With a series of images, you can achieve the following.

• Demonstrate all the possible applications of your product to potential customers.
• Display different models or designs of the goods you sell.
• Create a story that will encourage viewers to keep swiping until they reach the last picture.

Although it may appear obvious, keep in mind that the image itself should be appealing and of the highest possible quality for image ads. Make sure that the photography and graphic design are done by professionals.

Another tip is to fill in the alt text. Describe the image using precise but vivid language. This makes your content accessible to users with visual impairments. And as a bonus — alt text is SEO friendly.

Text Ads

A text ad is a more traditional type of advertising. It can appear boring at first sight. However, a strong copy can be very useful. Here are some tips.

• Text adverts should be short and to the point. They must hook you with an incredible offer right away. On microblogging sites like X (formerly known as Twitter), this is especially important.
• Include all the key information about your product or other offer. 
• Pay attention to the font. Double-check that it reflects your brand but is readable. Functionality is more important than aesthetics, even though you can usually have both.

Interactive Social Media Ads

Nowadays, users have become so accustomed to advertising that they developed “banner blindness”. Many of them try to skip ads as quickly as possible or tend to ignore them completely. This urges businesses to discover fresh, creative methods to catch consumers' attention. Interactive advertising allows you to turn the ad into an "experience." Also, it’s a great way for the brand to communicate with consumers directly. 

This type of social media ad requires some kind of action from the users: take part in a game or survey, vote in a poll, or submit their own photo. Here you can let your creativity flow!

Interactive social media ads provide several advantages since they are typically more enjoyable and user-focused. They:

• increase brand recognition;
• bring more leads;
• drive sales;
• discover information about your customers;
• urge users to share more of your content.

Social Media Ads: In Conclusion

Social media ads might seem like a lot of work. They require time, knowledge, and effort! Regardless of the medium you choose, it is a complex and creative project. Insolvo freelancers might help you if you're feeling overwhelmed.