Maybe you are just starting and learning how to create clever ads. Or maybe you’re a seasoned vet who needs some advice on creating awesome scroll-stopping ads that capture people's attention. No matter what category you fall into, this article is for you. First, let’s define a “scroll stopper.” A scroll stopper is a post/ad/video/picture that completely captures the user's attention. We have all mindlessly scrolled through Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or some other form of social media. Maybe you’re even like me, guilty of scrolling through Instagram instead of writing this article. With all the information thrown at us on social media, how can we create an effective scroll stopper?
A good scroll stopper can also be a clever ad that piques the user's attention. This article will cover what exactly makes clever ads great scroll stoppers and how you can begin creating your own. We will cover topics such as knowing your audience, headlines, copy, and imagery. Each of these plays a vital role in creating the perfect ad to capture your target audience's attention. Scroll stoppers, in general, have a few main features. They are bold, have vivid imagery, and relate to the reader at that moment.
Knowing Your Audience: Who are You Creating the Clever Ads For?
It's possible that you just created the absolute best scroll stopper known to man, and it has no impact. Why, you might ask? This is because if that scroll stopper does not relate to your audience, it does not matter how awesome it looks or how amazing the content is; it just won’t work. Knowing your audience is step one in creating clever ads. Having a clear picture of who you are marketing toward will help you create better ads.
Crafting a direct message to your audience is the perfect way to identify your target audience correctly. For example, as a campground owner, let's say your target audience is RV owners age 40-50. Knowing this allows you to write content, create images, and perfect your Ad for people who fit your target audience. Creating an ad with no target audience is like throwing a dart blindfolded. You never know where it's going to land, and chances are you won’t even be close. Similarly, there's a good chance your target audience will not receive your message if it is not crafted with them in mind.
Headlines: Grabbing Attention Immediately
If you want to command attention, having a great headline on your clever ads is extremely important. On Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites, the header is often displayed in a bold manner that is easy to read and demands attention. On Instagram, your header can be embedded into your picture or written into your caption.
A good headline is short and to the point. It encourages the reader to dig deeper and read the rest of the content you are providing. If your headline is not commanding attention, there's a good chance that the reader will pass over the content. Writing a good headline takes some practice, but in no time can you become an expert. Here are some examples of headlines that have worked for clients of mine in the past.
- Book your stay and receive a free night on us
- The 10 Best campgrounds in (Insert Your State)
- You’ll be sorry if you miss out on this amazing deal
- How you can stay for free at my campground
All of these headlines have one thing in common. You want to learn more and dive deeper into what is offered. Try out a few of these on your own business, and let me know the results.
Copy: The Backbone of Your Clever Ads
Without great copy, no matter how engaging your headline is, you’ll lose your reader at the very next step. Writing great content can take some time, but the results are well with it. Great content serves your target audience, has a straight-to-the-point message that your reader can relate with, and highlights the benefits of whatever product, service, or promotion you are currently advertising.
If you need help writing great content, we have covered how to do so in this quick article designed to show you the ropes of creating engaging website content. This article is also great for blog posts and articles. The principals do not change.
Imagery: Bring Life to Your Scroll Stopping Ads
Imagery breathes life into your clever ads. While having great content is important, people are becoming more and more used to bold images. When designing a clever ad, you want to keep in mind that bold images, videos, and GIFs are all powerful ways to create a scroll stopper. Think about the type of content that makes you stop and take a deeper look into what's being presented to you. What stands out and what really makes you stop.
Once you can answer the question for yourself, put yourself in the shoes of your target audience. What would capture their attention, what deals are they currently looking for, and what types of design elements does that group of people resonate with. Carefully selecting images, colors, and letter types can make all the difference. Be sure to experiment with different colors until you find what works best.
Additional tip: Make sure your content works in dark mode as well. Most social media platforms allow their users to use their phones in dark mode. Certain pictures may not display as you initially intended them to.
Amazing Scroll Stoppers
This section is dedicated to giving you examples of amazing scroll stoppers. Each of these clever ads uses the techniques described above and perfects them. Draw inspiration from this collection and strive to create your own version.
Getting Help
We know you’re busy, and we’re here to help. rvResortScout will gladly help you create some of the best ads in your market. We specialize in getting results for our clients, and utilizing our ad creation team is one of the best ways to get these results. So, if you’re interested, go ahead and schedule a meeting. We will show you what we can offer you and how you can begin driving more clients to your campground today.
