Advertising is like that friend who’s great at throwing surprise parties—they keep things exciting, creative, and maybe a tad loud at times. Over the years, ads have evolved from dull fluff to the kind of stuff that either cracks us up or has us hitting replay just to admire the cleverness. Let’s be honest, no one’s actively DVR-ing commercials, but the good ones still find a way to stick. After all, advertising is how new products get their 15 seconds of fame (or 15 million views on YouTube). I mean, without them, how else would we know which trendy kitchen gadget or oddly specific subscription box we didn’t know we needed?
In my time with Lisa (my advertising partner-in-crime), we’ve whipped up a few humorous ads ourselves—and let me tell you, funny ads work. Like a toddler with stickers, they grab attention and refuse to let go. People love to laugh, and if they associate your product with that snort-laugh moment, you’re winning.
But here’s the thing: mediocre ads aren’t cutting it anymore. Consumers, designers, and general internet scrollers deserve better. It’s time for businesses to step up and give us something that makes us pause mid-scroll. Are you ready? Great! Below, you’ll find six advertising design tips that’ll help your campaigns not only *turn heads*, but also maybe roll a few across the floor laughing.
Keep It Simple, Silly (KISS)
You know what they say: less is more. Okay, they usually say that about makeup or pizza toppings, but the wisdom also applies to advertising. Overloading an ad with text, images, or complicated metaphors isn’t a good look. It’s like trying to cram all your thoughts into one sentence—you’re left with something that looks like a Wordle puzzle gone rogue.
Here’s a better strategy: break your message into digestible points or focus solely on one main idea. Simple ads are memorable. Why? Because our brains have limited bandwidth, and it’s better to occupy that precious space with something easy to recall rather than a mental scavenger hunt.
Example: Adidas’ “Impossible Is Nothing”
Let’s look at Adidas. Their iconic campaign, “Impossible Is Nothing,” zones in on overcoming obstacles. It’s direct. It’s relatable. And frankly, it’s inspiring without being preachy. The video, seen by over 14 million people, features real stories paired with a strong tagline. No fluff. Just feels. And the audience? They lapped it up. (Check out the video: Adidas’ Impossible Is Nothing.)
Get to the Point: Keep Text Short and Sweet
Ain’t nobody got time for reading a novel in an ad. Seriously, unless your audience has bookmarked your ad as “light reading for later,” keep the copy concise. A killer tagline, a witty sentence, or a short yet powerful statement will do the trick.
Think of it this way: ads are like billboards speeding past on a highway. If it’s not easy to read and digest quickly, it gets ignored. So here’s your mantra: “One or two sentences max.” You want your ad to feel like a mic-drop moment, not a corporate email.
Pro Tip:
- Use action words to energize the text.
- Test what resonates by gauging readers’ responses on platforms like Instagram and Facebook.
Call to Action: Shout It Out Loud
“Don’t miss out!” “Buy now!” “Run (don’t walk) to get yours!”—sound familiar? That’s a call to action (CTA), and believe it or not, when done creatively, it works. Your CTA is your moment to not-so-subtly nudge your audience into, well, doing something. But don’t just throw in a standard “Click Here.” Spice it up! Make it irresistible.
Monarto Zoo’s Example
Take Monarto Zoo, for instance. Instead of saying, “Visit us for animals,” they paired their CTA with humor and context, giving audiences a reason AND an image to consider. Check it out for yourself (and maybe steal a page from their creative playbook):
Crafting Killer CTAs:
- Use urgency: “Limited time offer!”
- Show value: “Get 50% off – Today Only!”
- Add curiosity: “What’s inside? Click to find out!”
Be Bold, Be Creative, But Don’t Forget Readability
We’ve all seen it: a snazzy design that screams “LOOK AT ME!” but is harder to read than a doctor’s handwriting. Pro tip: No one likes working harder than they have to—especially not your audience. Make your designs bold and eye-catching, yes, but also ensure they’re clean and easy to interpret.
Think of your ad as a first date. Too much flair or confusion, and you’re ghosted. Instead, use readable fonts, proper contrast, and clear visual hierarchy. Oh, and when in doubt, ask your five-year-old niece if she can read it. Kids are brutally honest, and they’ll tell you if your ad looks like it’s been designed by a spaghetti monster.
What to Avoid:
- Overly cursive or fancy fonts (save them for wedding invites).
- Lazy alignment—trust me, bad alignment is like wearing mismatched socks to a job interview.
- Background and text colors that clash—no neon pink text on an orange background, ever. Please.
Test, Tweak, Repeat
Remember back in school when your science teacher made you conduct experiments? Ads are no different. Treat them like lab rats (okay, maybe slightly better—they don’t squeak), and A/B test until you find which design delivers the best results.
Create two or three versions of your ad with small variations—different headlines, imagery, or layouts—and see which one your audience responds to. Is that extra exclamation point doing the trick? Or is the clean, minimalist approach stealing the show? Let analytics guide you to advertising nirvana.
Quick Testing Tips:
- Try different color palettes for your call-to-action button (red versus green works wonders).
- Experiment with diverse images—humans versus product-only shots.
- Measure click rates, engagements, and even comments for insights.
Let Your Audience Fill in the Blanks
Here’s an advertising paradox: sometimes saying less actually says more. Let your audience play detective by giving them just enough info to get curious without spelling EVERYTHING out. Leave a little wiggle room, and they’ll happily do some mental gymnastics to figure out your ad.
Clever ads with a sprinkle of humor or mystery go a long way. The trick is to trust your audience’s intelligence and creativity. Sure, you might worry that some won’t “get it,” but as long as you keep it playful and relatable, you’re golden.
FAQs
What’s the most critical element to include in an ad?
An irresistible call to action. Without it, your ad is like a map without directions—it looks good but doesn’t go anywhere.
How can I make sure my ad design works?
Test, test, and test some more. Let analytics guide your decisions based on real-world responses to your creative experiments.
Should I always use humor in my ads?
Not necessarily. While humor can be engaging, it’s best to align your tone with your target audience and brand message. If sophisticated minimalism suits your product better, skip the punchlines.
Where can I find tools to create professional ads?
Check out Laughingbird Software for some fantastic design tools. They make ad creation approachable and dare I say, fun!
Final Thoughts
Creating standout ads in today’s click-happy world doesn’t need a magic wand or a million-dollar budget. Focus on keeping it simple, short, visually stunning, and above all, creative. Remember, rules are there to guide you, but daring to stand out with humor and fresh ideas will take your ads from forgettable to iconic. So, go forth, create the ad equivalent of a standing ovation, and have fun doing it. After all, you’re not just selling a product; you’re telling a story!
