The Top 20 Best Online Video Ads to Inspire Your Next Campaign

The best video ads have left people with a lasting impression – sometimes, a nostalgia that makes them want to tear up even though they have seen such an ad a hundred times. That’s the effect a powerful video advertisement creates. They don’t intend to sell products relevant to an audience but arouse emotions that will hook you for years.

The advertising niche has great video ad campaigns that can inspire you to create an even more compelling ad that resonates with the target audience. From animated and social media videos to small business videos, you can create ad campaigns that transcend boundaries and redefine engagement.  

Are you looking to create an effective ad but don’t know how to begin? This blog explores online video ads that will inspire you to create attention-grabbing ad campaigns. These video ads showcase the power of advertising and how you can leverage the ingenuity behind these ads to achieve your intended goal.

Introduction to Video Ads

Video advertising has become an effective way to reach and engage target audiences. Combining visuals with sound and storytelling can create a compelling message that will resonate with viewers. That’s what brands do to win prospects and turn them into repeat customers.  

Video ads are a powerful way to engage audiences and promote products or services. They can create emotional connections, leverage celebrity talent, and display humor. Effective video ad strategies can lead to successful advertising campaigns.

What makes a great video ad is its intention. A great video ad resonates with the target audience and leaves a good impression. Therefore, your video content should be creative, engaging, and memorable. A great video ad can promote a product or service or raise brand awareness.

Effective Video Ad Strategies

We know the power of video ads, but how do you make one? Creating an effective video ad goes beyond great visuals and sounds; it entails understanding your audience’s needs and strategically making an impactful and memorable video ad. It involves using the storytelling approach to win your potential customers over. Below are proven video ad strategies that will inspire your next content.

Creating Emotional Connections through Video Ads

Emotional connections are fundamental to a successful video ad. It involves evoking emotions, such as excitement or sadness through storytelling, music, and visuals. By creating an emotional connection, brands can develop ads that will leave an immense impression on viewers. 

Examples of emotional video ads include:

“Rang-tan” by Iceland

The use of storytelling and compelling visuals was evident in this advertisement. The issues of palm oil production and its effect on her habitat were meticulously addressed interestingly and educatively. The outstanding animation and narration created a powerful message that evoked empathy. Of course, this was the objective – to create an ad that deeply connects with the audience. 

“The Sculptor” by Peugeot 

Arguably the best car ad of all time, “The Sculptor” by Peugeot used intuitive graphics and a sentimental storyline to highlight the craftsmanship and design of Peugeot automobiles. This created an emotional bond between existing users and non-users. Existing users could become repeat customers, while the non-users could become first-time purchasers. This perfect online video ad can inspire your next car ad campaign.

Leveraging Celebrity Talent in Video Ads

Celebrity endorsement or branding is a highly influential advertising strategy that can positively influence a customer’s purchase decision or behavior. The rationale is to leverage the celebrity’s popularity to persuade consumers to buy a product or service. 

Market research has shown that consumers are more trusting if their favorite celebrity endorses a product or brand. Besides, it creates the perception that the product or service is high quality. Celebrity endorsement doesn’t always work, especially if people doubt their credibility. However, celebrity talent can help elevate a brand message.

Examples of video ads that leverage celebrity talent include: 

  1. “The Barber” by Lamborghini

This advertisement features a celebrity barber who uses his reputation to pinpoint the sleek design and luxuriousness of Lamborghini cars.

  1.  “Basic Fun! Commercial – Together We Tonka”.

This ad was set in a nostalgic setting, featuring some popular figures. It brings an exciting touch to the Tonka brand.

Humor in Video Ads: The Power of Offbeat Humor

Humor can be used to create a memorable and engaging ad. Unconventional or offbeat humor can make ads stand out and create a lasting impression. Additionally, it can delight the audience while passing the most important message to win their hearts. Examples of ads that use humor include:

“Web of Fries” by Taco Bell

This very short film is one of the cleverest ads ever made. It uses a mock conspiracy to introduce Taco Bell’s fries entertainingly. Its captivating and humorous narrative shows you can create a satirical or laughter-provocative ad and retain its message. Advertisers can learn from the ‘Web of Fries’ to develop a humorous advert to delight the audience and communicate the intended message.

“The Worst Song in the World” by Monoprix

Monoprix employs unconventional humor by making a bad song to draw attention to its products in this ad. In this video advertisement, a woman walks down the street listening to an awful song. Unfortunately, the song worsens as it goes. The lady gets frustrated as she listens and no one understands her misery. Eventually, the copy reads, “Having your hands free changes everything… get your groceries delivered.”

This song was deliberately made and incorporated to perplex the viewers and promote the brand’s convenience simultaneously. This is another intelligently-made advert that advertisers can learn and adopt.

Innovative Video Ad Techniques

Innovative video advertisements involve telling stories creatively with exceptional visuals about a product or innovative technology. We will explain some techniques used for this kind of ads.

The Art of Product Advertisement Videos

Product advertisement can be used to showcase the features and benefits of a product. Not just talking about the product but doing that clearly and engagingly. Examples of product advertisements include:

“iPhone 14 & iPhone 14 Plus | Hello Yellow” by Apple

Apple has always been innovative when creating ads for its products and services. In this ad, the company uses vibrant colors and high-quality visuals to pinpoint iPhone 14 and 14 Plus features, making these products desirable and fashionable. The appeal of this ad is persuasive enough to purchase these products.

“McAfee Product Teaser”

This ad engages suspense and intrigue to highlight the product’s features. The ad aims to pique viewers’ curiosity engagingly and trigger a buying decision. This technique would be immensely helpful if you have a new product to promote.

Product advertisements can promote a product or service and increase sales.

Behind the Scenes Video Ads: Exclusive Access

This advertising technique isn’t commonly used but can be effective. It offers a glimpse into manufacturing a product or service, creating a sense of deeper engagement. Behind-the-scenes video ads can give audiences exclusive access to a product or service. 

Examples of behind-the-scenes video ads include: 

“Home Alone Again with Google Assistant”

The use of Home Alone in this ad shows Google’s creative ingenuity and innovative prowess. This ad produces a sneak-peek moment of a recreated Home Alone scene, showcasing Google Assistant’s capabilities. In addition, it brings a nostalgic effect to viewers while exposing the features of Google Assistant. 

“Top Gun: Maverick”

This ad builds on the popularity and universal love for the original film to create sneak-peek footage from the making of the sequel. It created excitement and anticipation among movie lovers. 

Behind-the-scenes video ads can create a sense of exclusivity and increase engagement.

3D Animated Video Ads: Visual Storytelling

3D animation has revolutionized how brands convey their ad message. The immersion of this technique creates visually stunning and engaging ads that will leave a good impression.

Examples of 3D animated video ads include: 

“Gulp” by Nokia

“Gulp” by Nokia shows the use of 3D animation in telling an interesting story. Fun fact – this ad holds the Guinness World Record for the largest stop-motion animation set. The ad shows a fisherman navigating a sea of surprises. The fluid animation isn’t only engaging but highlights Nokia’s innovative prowess.

“The Unique Connection” by Pandora

The Unique Connection is a heartwarming ad that explores the connection between mothers and their children. This 3D ad features an emotional experiment where blindfolded children identify their mothers. The use of sentiments showcases how emotion can promote a message. Pandora’s use of emotive animation couldn’t have been deployed in a better way.

3D animated ads tell a story and promote a product or service. They allow advertisers to create rich content that effectively evokes strong emotional responses. With these ads, brands can leave a memorable impression on viewers. 

In-Game Advertising: A New Frontier

In-game advertising is a new kind of advertising brands integrate into their advertising campaigns to reach a targeted audience. The use of gaming environments to deliver a message summarizes in-game advertising. Furthermore, this advertising strategy is into two – static in-game ads and dynamic in-game ads.

Static In-Game Ads: Targeted Advertising

Static ads can target specific audiences and promote products or services. They are strategically incorporated into the gaming environment to promote real-life brands, mostly game developers, companies, and their associates. Static in-game advertising uses mostly billboards and posters.

Examples of static ads include: 

Virtual Billboards

FIFA and NBA 2K are masters at using virtual billboards to display real-world brands on the playing field. These ads focus on particular audiences, such as sports enthusiasts. 

Product Placement

Grand Theft Auto V is another video game that features virtual brands and items resembling real-life counterparts. The aim was to promote the products within the gaming environment subtly. 

Static in-game ads can reach a target audience and increase brand visibility with the right messaging. Brands can leverage this ad to connect with game lovers in a non-disruptively. 

Dynamic In-Game Ads (DIGA): Immersive Experiences

Dynamic in-game ads are more interactive and immersive than static in-game ads. These ads can create real-life experiences within the gaming environment and change based on player behavior. 

Examples of dynamic in-game ads include: 

Interactive Ads

The popular online video game Fortnite uses dynamic ad placements that change according to events within the gaming environment. For instance, the game uses brand-sponsored events to pop up ads that promote products engagingly.

Rewarded Videos

Mobile games use rewarded video ads to incentivize players. Players earn an in-game reward when they watch a short ad in the video game. This strategy benefits the rewarded player and the advertiser, who gains a viewer.  

Dynamic in-game ads engage audiences and increase brand awareness. Therefore, leveraging the immersion of gaming platforms can create interactive experiences through unique ad formats.

Advertising Campaigns: Putting it All Together

Creating a Successful Video Ad Campaign

A successful video ad campaign requires meticulous planning and effective execution. Your strategy is creating targeted, engaging, and memorable ads using various ad formats. To create a successful video ad campaign, you must:

  • Define what you want to achieve with your ad campaign
  • Understand your target audience’s behavior and preferences through research
  • Develop a compelling narrative that resonates with your audience using storytelling, humor, and innovation
  • Use different ad formats to engage your audience across different platforms
  • Track ad performance using various analytics tools to improve campaign results.

Examples of successful video ad campaigns include: 

“Your Place | Get Paid” by Airbnb

This ad campaign uses the storytelling narrative to pinpoint how Airbnb can transform lives through housing. The ad uses real stories from hosts to create a relatable message.

“Camping” by TWIX

Twix uses humor to depict how their products can provide amazing camping experiences. The ad incorporates the TWIX brand in wonderful camping scenarios, making it entertaining and memorable. 

Other online ads to inspire your next campaign include:

“Dumb Ways to Die” By Metro Trains

“Dump Ways to Die” was an ad campaign launched in 2012 to promote rail safety entertainingly and memorably. The ad uses humor to deliver a serious safety message. Unsurprisingly, it took home five awards at the Cannes Lions Festival and amassed over 290 million views. To understand the impact of this ad, the number of accidents on Metro trains was reduced by 20%. It is all due to this powerful ad.  

“Lamp” By IKEA

This emotional and thought-provoking ad will send shivers down your spine. It features a woman picking up an old lamp from the table on a dark, stormy evening. With somber music in the background, she takes the lamp outside in the rain, replacing it with a new one. Furthermore, the tone immediately changes upon replacement. The rationale behind the ad is to tell the audience the new lamp is better in convenience and sustainability. That explains the change in music.

Wrapping Up

The best video ads can be captivating and inspiring when executed properly. Brands and advertisers can create impactful ads using emotional storytelling, humor, and innovation. The examples discussed in this article explain the different approaches advertisers use to create successful video ad campaigns. These ads can inspire your next video ad and leave a good impression on your audience. 

Still don’t know how to create your ad? You can leverage SwipeBuilder to develop your next engaging ad. We help businesses set up the perfect ads for their target audience. Learn more about how we help brands here.

How Much Do YouTube Ads Cost? [Updated 2024 Guide]

YouTube ads cost vary in pricing according to targeting options and ad formats. However, one clear thing is YouTube remains a potent platform for digital advertising, thanks to its video ad format. The Google-powered product allows advertisers to reach out to a massive audience. With over a billion users worldwide, YouTube remains the go-to platform for businesses looking to advertise.

You probably think that running ads on YouTube will be significantly expensive. You’ll be shocked to discover that ad pricing isn’t as costly as you think. This blog covers the cost of YouTube ads, the factors affecting YouTube ad cost, and how to optimize your ad spend for maximum ROI.

How Much Do YouTube Ads Cost?

So, how much does it cost to advertise on YouTube? The average costs of YouTube ads vary based on the ad format, targeting option, bidding strategy, and relevance. 

Ad Formats

YouTube offers various ad formats, such as TrueView In-Stream Ads, TrueView Discovery Ads, Bumper Ads, and non-skippable In-Stream Ads. Each ad format comes with its pricing model. For instance, advertisers pay between $0.10 and $0.30 for TrueView In-Stream Ads if viewers watch the ad for at least half a minute or interact with it. These ads play before, during, or after other content.

TrueView Discovery Ads cost between $0.30 and $0.50 per view. These ads appear in search results and related videos. Advertisers only pay when viewers click the ad. 

Bumper ads, short, non-skippable 6-second banner ads, are based on the cost-per-impression model. Advertisers pay between $1 to $4 per thousand impressions.

Finally, there’s the non-skippable In-Stream Ads (ads that must be viewed before a video plays). These ads cost between $3 and $10 per thousand impressions.

Targeting Options

Coming to the targeting options, the more particular your targeting, the higher the spend. For instance, if you’re specific about the location of your target audience, say the United States, you may likely spend more on ads. Apart from location, you can target ads based on interests, keywords, and placements. Highly-targeted display ads can be effective but often cost more due to increased competition.

Bidding Strategy

Your bidding strategy also affects the cost of YouTube ads. Common bidding strategies include CPV (Cost Per View), CPM (Cost Per Impression), and CPE (Cost Per Engagement). The CPV model is typically used for TrueView In-Stream Ads. Advertisers pay between $0.10 and $0.30 each time a viewer watches a video ad for at least 30 seconds. 

As mentioned, the CPM model charges advertisers based on a thousand impressions. It means you pay for every thousand times your ad is shown, whether users engage with it or not. CPM ranges between $1 to $10.

CPE doesn’t have a fixed rate. Advertisers only pay when a viewer engages with the ad content, such as clicking on the call-to-action. The cost depends on the nature of the engagement, but higher interactions will command more fees. 

Ad Relevance

YouTube rewards relevant ads with better placement and cheaper fees. Ads with high click-through rates (CTR) are effective. Therefore, advertisers will generally not be demanded to pay the same fees as other low-relevant ads. 

YouTube is competitive, which affects YouTube advertising costs. The above factors, including the overall demand and specificity of your targeting, can drive the costs further up.  

Why Advertise on YouTube?

Now that we’ve answered, ‘How much do YouTube ads cost,’ you may still be skeptical about advertising on the platform. I would also be doubtful if I were a newbie to YouTube ads. So, why should you advertise on YouTube? There are many reasons for that, such as:

Massive Audience 

With over 2.5 billion monthly active users, YouTube is undoubtedly the place to leverage if you want unparalleled access to a wide audience. An immense audience size makes it more straightforward to reach your target audience. Conversely, running ads on a smaller platform limits exposure, making it challenging to hit the right audience. Whether you want to raise awareness or share an update with the public, YouTube can help you achieve your aim.

Targeting Capabilities

YouTube ads have advanced targeting features that tailor ads to a precise audience segment. With targeting, you can create relevant ads for users, ensuring they reach the intended audience at the perfect moment. This increases your conversion rate and the effectiveness of your ad spend.

Increased Online Visibility

YouTube videos appear on SERPs, which means the likelihood of your content appearing in search results is high. This increases the chances of people watching your videos.

Cost-Effectiveness

YouTube ads allow you to choose a model for paying ads. Not just that – you can also set spending limits to control your spending. This is great for advertisers who need more time to continuously monitor their ad budget and performance.

Engaging Format

Believe it or not, everyone loves a video. It’s the most engaging form of content. YouTube’s primary format is video ads, meaning you can demonstrate your products’ features compellingly and engagingly. This can leave a more lasting impact compared to test or image-based ads.

Measurable Results

YouTube boasts comprehensive analytics and reporting tools that aid advertisers in tracking their ad performance in real time. These tools can help you identify areas for improvement, allowing for continuous optimization.

How Does YouTube Advertising Work?

YouTube ads operate slightly differently from other ad networks like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. It uses Google’s AdWords to create and manage campaigns with various targeting options and formats.

On YouTube, you can:

  1. Choose your video ads, from TrueView Discovery Ads to Non-Skippable In-Stream Ads. Remember, each format has its pricing structure.
  2. Set your campaign budget and bidding strategy (CPV, CPM, CPE).
  3. Target your audience, ensuring ads reach the most relevant audience.
  4. Develop an engaging and value-driven ad to attract lower costs.
  5. Use analytics tools to monitor and track primary metrics to make data-driven decisions for an effective campaign.

Who Should I Target with YouTube Ads?

You can target anyone with YouTube ads, but knowing who is crucial for successful YouTube ad campaigns. If you’re new to YouTube advertising, you’ll probably ask who your target options should be. Here are some popular segments to consider:

  • Demographics: Similar to Facebook Ads, Instagram Ads, and LinkedIn, you can target users based on age, gender, household income, etc. This basic segmentation ensures you tailor your ads to the right group.
  • Interests: YouTube lets you create affinity and custom affinity audiences to reach users with particular hobbies and lifestyles. Like demographics, this helps you tailor your ads to people more likely to engage with your products.
  • Behaviors: You can also target your audience based on their online behavior, such as interactions with similar content on YouTube. 
  • Keywords: This is one of the most effective ways to reach users on YouTube. You can target users using specific keywords they actively type when searching for related content. This is useful for driving traffic.  

What Should My YouTube Ad Budget Be?

Your YouTube ad budget should be about 6% to 30% of your overall advertising budget. You can allocate more or less depending on your needs, goals, and expected return. However, most advertisers and companies’ YouTube ad costs don’t exceed 30% of their advertising budget.

Tips for Creating Better Video Ads on YouTube

An effective ad campaign, ad creatives, and optimal targeting can generate a positive return for your business. While video discovery ads on YouTube can maximize your ROI, you need to create a compelling YouTube video ad that will drive engagement and sales. Here are a few tips to help you create effective video ads:

  1. Capture your viewers’ attention within the first few seconds of your video ad. The key is to keep your audience hooked to the ad and encourage them to keep watching. So, grabbing attention early is the first tip.
  2. Keep your ad short and engaging. Aim to convey your message within the shortest possible time. Use powerful visuals, clear messaging, and a compelling CTA to solidify your ad.
  3. Narrate when developing your ad. Everybody loves a good story, but not a long one. Storytelling can make your ad emotional and intriguing and increase the chances of conversion.
  4. Quickly communicate the benefits of your products and services. That’s why I highlighted the importance of the first few seconds of your video. If you can squeeze how your products or service addresses a pain point, you have the audience in your hands.
  5. Use high-quality visuals in your ad creation. Visuals and audio can impact a viewer’s perception of your brand. So, ensure your video content is professional and polished.

YouTube Ads Cost Pro Tips

Many advertisers find optimizing their YouTube ad spend challenging. However, with the right strategies, you can save significant YouTube advertising costs while achieving your marketing goals. 

Here are a few tips to help you make the most out of your budget:

  1. Have the right people working with you if you run an extensive ad campaign. It lessens your burden and makes your ad more effective.
  2. Leverage advanced targeting options, like demographics, interests, and behavior, to reach the right audience.
  3. Test various ad formats to see which resonates with your target audience the most and meets your campaign goals.
  4. Choose the right bidding strategy to manage costs and maximize your ROI. It will depend on the type of ad you want to run.
  5. Create high-quality, relevant ads to reduce CPV.
  6. Utilize ad sequencing to narrate a story that engages your viewers. This is crucial for increasing the conversion rate.
  7. Monitor your ad performance with YouTube’s analytics tools and tweak the inbuilt optimization tools to improve it.
  8. Use remarketing lists to re-engage users who have previously interacted with your business. It is cost-effective, as it leads to a higher conversion rate. 

Start Your YouTube Ad Campaign Today!

YouTube advertising is a powerful way to reach a vast audience at once. You can effectively promote products and services on this platform with a video ad if you know the costs and targeting options. Fortunately, we have explained all that here.

So, what are you waiting for? Start setting your budget and goals, experiment with various ad formats, and continuously track your performance to optimize ad campaigns. These strategies can help you maximize your ROI and achieve your advertising goals on YouTube.If you struggle with creating a compelling YouTube ad, worry no more. With SwipeBuilder, you can create ads by watching your competitors’ YouTube Ads. Save a few swipes from running YouTube ads on your device folder and get inspired to generate your ad. Read more on how to save YouTube Shorts on your device.