Six Ways to Prevent Ineffective Video Ads

ineffective video ads

While video advertising is a successful tool and the current go-to method for online advertising, it does not automatically guarantee success for advertisers. Like with any ad format, to achieve the desired results with video ads, advertisers need to know precisely what can impact their campaign. Here are some reasons why advertisers end up with ineffective video ads and what they can do to prevent this. 

How to Prevent Ineffective Video Ads

In order to improve your video ad campaign, you need to know the root of your problem. While there can be many reasons why your video ads are ineffective, there are some common issues that many advertisers face. Low ad spending, poor targeting, faulty analytics, creatives, and content quality, as well as bad ad placements, can greatly impact the performance of your video ads

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Improve Audience Targeting

One of the reasons your video ads aren’t doing well might be poor targeting. Audience targeting is crucial for a successful video campaign, and creating the identity of your target audience is the first step in this process. 

This can be done by relying on demographics (audience characteristics like age, gender, and other measurable factors), user information (GEO location, subscriptions, mobile device data, etc.,), and behavioral patterns (purchase histories, page dwell time, likes, link clicks, and other online interactions). Once you’ve precisely established this persona (what kind of a person you aim to reach), you’ll see more positive results. 

Retargeting 

A way to better your targeting efforts is retargeting. What this means is that you’ll be targeting users who have already, in some way, interacted with your brand or have previously visited your brand’s website. For example, an online shop might retarget users who viewed a specific product with a video ad showcasing that product. 

Change Your Method 

If your current targeting method isn’t achieving satisfactory results, changing it up and trying an alternative is the best way to go. For instance, let’s say you’re relying on behavioral targeting. While garnering success in the past, behavioral targeting has many problems advertisers today wish to avoid, especially now, in the wake of the post–cookie era (age of privacy). So, an alternative solution for you would be employing contextual targetinga less intrusive way to deliver relevant video ads to the end user

Of course, bear in mind that audience targeting is a trial-and-error process, so expect a lot of A/B testing and many missed marks before getting it right. 

ineffective video ads targeting
Appropriate targeting can prevent ineffective video ads

Find Reliable Analytics 

Finding a platform that offers quality analytics to help track your progress in real-time is necessary. Conversion rate tracking, audience insights, and A/B testing are just some of the tools your video analytics needs to have. The data you receive from these tools is substantial in refining your strategy. So, if you’re unsure how to choose an appropriate analytics solution, check testimonials, see what features are available with each offer, and check professional certifications, don’t choose without carefully considering all your options.   

ineffective video ads analytics

Avoid Low-Quality Inventory 

To avoid serving ads on inappropriate or irrelevant websites, advertisers should look for a quality video ad network that offers deals with trustworthy premium publishers instead of settling for low-quality inventory.  

For instance, many platforms like TargetVideo, offer advertisers placements on well-targeted websites that are related and relevant to their brand. What this means is that, if you, for example, have a car paint brand, your ads will be placed on a reputable related website such as a car dealership or repair shop website. 

However, do note that quality ad inventory can be on the expensive side, but the turnover is worthwhile. This is made obvious by the fact that 84% of marketers in Europe are willing to pay a premium for higher quality trusted inventory

graph that showcases how much advertisers are willing to pay a premium for quality trusted inventory

Upgrade Your Creatives 

One of the reasons why your video ads are ineffective might be the quality of your videos. Creating catchy copy, and producing a high-quality video that also includes a good storyline and concise messaging, all wrapped up in 30 seconds or less is quite the challenge. However, it is the recipe for a successful ad. In addition to following this standard approach, what you can do to make your video ads stand out more is incorporate user-generated content such as testimonials and product reviews to make your video ads more relatable and trustworthy to the viewers.  

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Fix Your Landing Page 

Sometimes video ads have good CTR but unfortunately low conversion rates. This can somewhat be attributed to the landing page of your brand’s website/app. Whether it is poor design choices or the lack of relevant information, it can potentially lead to high bounce rates. 

A way to ensure that users stay on your website when they come from your ad is to create a landing page that aligns with the ad’s message; include a clear CTA and ad-relevant copy, and focus on optimizing the user experience on your website. 

landing page ineffective ads

Invest More!

It’s no secret that higher budgets enable better advertising campaigns. While it does not necessarily mean that expensive video ads will fare well, investing too little can be an issue. Quality targeting options often come with higher costs; without them, you would have to settle for broader targeting that will generate fewer leads. Low spending can also limit the frequency of your video ads as well. 

In addition, video production costs are nothing to sneeze at. So, to ensure your video ads are a success you will need to separate a reasonable amount for the above-mentioned, along with any other marketing tool that you might need. 

Make Your Campaign a Success With TargetVideo

Effectively reach your desired audience with TargetVideo’s advertising solution. We offer advertisers well-targeted premium ad placements across a network of top-tier publishers, an exclusive library of original video content, all industry-standard ad formats, and extensive campaign production services. Make your video ad campaign effective with TargetVideo! 

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Mina Andric

Mina Andric is an experienced technical, content, and copywriter in the spheres of digital advertising, marketing, web design, and IT. She has a Master’s Degree in English Language and Literature and has a strong passion for studying Eastern Asian languages. With a classical music education background, she has over fourteen years of experience playing the flute and piano.