Did you know that television viewers now see more commercials than ever?
The right commercial can serve as a breakthrough for your business. Of course, that’s predicated on your ability to create a great commercial in the first place.
And make no mistake, making a great ad is easier said than done.
Curious to find out what makes a good commercial? Well, you won’t have to wait much longer! Keep reading to find out about the biggest blunders to avoid.
1. Taking on Production Yourself
Unless you have experience making commercials, taking a do-it-yourself approach isn’t a great idea, no matter how much money you’d save. This is your business, after all, you can’t afford to waste money on an amateur-looking commercial.
While it’s true you can go out to your local Best Buy and pick up a camera for your commercial, that doesn’t mean doing so is a wise idea. Even the nicest prosumer camera doesn’t look as effective as a professional-grade camera, and the same can be said for audio.
If you’re still not convinced, click here to learn more about how professional video production services can make all the difference.
2. Making It Too Long or Too Short
The standard TV spot is between 15 and 30 seconds long. Take a minute to think about how difficult it’d be to make a good impression in that short of a time span.
As tough as that sounds, that’s what you’re tasked with when creating effective commercials.
You have no time to waste, and advertisers can charge thousands of dollars depending on the timeslot. Always script commercials with brevity in mind.
3. Selling Rather Than Storytelling
The advertising methods of yesteryear don’t work anymore. Consumers are smarter and more skeptical than ever, and you’ll have a harder time gaining their trust if you focus on selling first.
Instead, take a narrative approach to your advertisements. Tell a story, whether it’s about your company and its values or your product and how it can improve customers’ lives.
Emotion is a powerful tool. Adding some emotional levity to your advertisements can be quite effective.
4. Advertising on the Wrong Platforms
A moment ago, we talked about how smart and thoughtful today’s consumers are. That’s not the only change, though.
People get their entertainment and news from a variety of different sources now, meaning you’ll need to think long and hard about where you want to advertise. Younger demographics skew toward online content, for example, while older audiences watch plenty of TV.
5. Forgetting a Call-to-Action
You’re advertising to get a high return-on-investment, right? Giving consumers a better idea of the next step you want them to take is a great way to increase that ROI.
A great CTA reiterates what your business does, why you’re different, and how they can find more information or purchase your product. Something like ‘call today’ or ‘visit our website’ works perfectly.
What Makes a Good Commercial? A Strong Plan
So, what makes a good commercial? It comes down to thoughtfulness.
You’ll need to make great choices during every step of the process, from choosing the right production company to ending your video with a great hook.
Speaking of which, don’t forget to check back with our blog for additional tips on how you can grow your business.
