What Makes This Storytelling Ad So Effective

Happy Thursday!

Why do some ads grab your attention instantly, while others get lost in the scroll?

Today, we’re breaking down the secret sauce behind a great storytelling ad, discussing the tactics that pull viewers in, build trust, and keep them watching.

If you’re ready to create ads that truly resonate, read on!

Watch the ad here: What Makes This Storytelling Ad So Effective

1. Setting Up the Problem

"This is a true story, this is no BS. Every afternoon around 2 p.m. I'd feel like dying. I was drinking coffee every day."

This ad opens with a line that feels like an honest confession, instantly pulling viewers in. By addressing that afternoon crash (a struggle so many can relate to) it keeps things friendly and straightforward.

Action Item: Lead with a hook that names a specific, relatable problem. A line like, “How I stopped feeling like a zombie at 3 pm,” gets attention, especially if it’s something your audience is dealing with too.

2. Describe the Problem

"My creativity would crash until like six. I found the window from two to five being zero creative flow and just frustration."

Here, the creator dives deeper into how those energy crashes affected daily life, especially when it came to productivity and creativity. It’s all about building empathy, and those specifics make people think “Yeah, I’ve felt that.”

Action Item: Describe the problem in vivid, everyday language. Instead of saying something generic like “I felt tired” try “I’d sit at my desk, staring at my screen with zero creative flow.” Specifics make the experience more relatable.

3. Introduce the Solution

"I started drinking the original MUD\WTR in 2018 and eventually I quit coffee."

The creator introduces MUD\WTR as the answer, doing it casually, without a hard sell. It’s just a natural shift in the story, which feels honest and fits the “no BS” vibe.

Action Item: Introduce your product as a natural part of the journey. Avoid overhyping. Frame it as a genuine discovery that solved the issue. This low-key approach can build curiosity and credibility without overhyping.

4. Highlight Unique Benefits that Solve the Problem

"Now I don't feel like I have crashes and I don't feel that afternoon dip. I can have a second cup of MUD\WTR and sleep fine at night and I feel like I'm actually doing something positive."

The creator highlights real, specific benefits like steady energy, no afternoon crash, and better sleep, that make MUD\WTR stand out from coffee.

It’s a powerful way to help viewers picture the benefits in their own lives.

Action Item: Focus on specific benefits that hit home with your audience. Avoid generalities and try something like “no jitters, no crash, just steady energy” or “a second cup that doesn’t mess with my sleep.” The clearer you are, the easier it is for viewers to picture these advantages.

5. Use Long-Term Credibility

"And now here I am five years later drinking a cup of MUD\WTR."

Closing the ad with a reference to five years of loyalty adds an authentic touch and underscores the product’s long-term value. It shows this isn’t just a quick fix or fad.

Action Item: Mention how long you or others have relied on the product. For example: “Five years in, and it’s still my go-to every morning.” Highlighting consistent use builds trust and shows viewers they’re not jumping on a fleeting trend.

Quick Takeaways to Improve Your Ad Creative Today

1. Open with a Relatable Hook

Start with a statement that hits on a specific problem your audience knows well.

Phrasing like “How I beat my daily 2 p.m. crash” or “Why I swapped coffee for real energy” catches attention while creating curiosity about your solution.

2. Describe the Problem with Specifics

Instead of general lines like “I was tired” dive into the experience: “I’d feel totally drained by mid-afternoon, struggling to even focus on simple tasks.”

Specifics like these make the problem feel real and recognizable.

3. Present Your Product as Part of the Story

Frame your product as a natural discovery, like: “Then I came across [Product] and decided to give it a shot.”

This makes the solution feel authentic, not pushy—like a friend sharing a great find, not a brand pushing a pitch.

How We Can Help You

Whenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways we can help you…

1. Looking for a creative partner to handle everything? We’ll produce winning ads every month and help you scale. Apply to work with us here. Our clients include brands like HexClad, BestSelf, and Morning Brew.

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3. Don’t want to hire anyone but still want a steady stream of winning ads? Join our program and learn the creative production process we’ve developed over 3 years and tens of thousands of ads.