Running video ads for your dropshipping business can be a game-changer, but if you’re not getting the results you want, you’re not alone. Many sellers face the same problems when making video ads that get sales. The good news is, that most of these problems can be fixed with the right plan.
In this guide, I’ll show you the top 5 mistakes you might be making with your video ads and tell you exactly how to fix them. Let’s look at how you can make your video ads better, get more people to engage, and drive more sales.
Mistake #1: Focusing Too Much on the Product, Not the Audience
When making your video ads, it’s easy to get carried away showing all your product’s features. But if you focus too much on the product itself and not enough on the people you’re trying to reach, your ad might not connect.
Why This is a Mistake:
The truth is that your viewers aren’t looking for a product; they’re looking for a fix to their problem. By focusing only on the product, you miss the chance to show how your product can solve their specific needs.
How to Fix It:
Start by thinking about who your viewers are and what they want. Show how your product can help them reach their goals or make their lives easier. For example, if you’re selling a fitness product, rather than just showing how it works, focus on how it helps your viewers get healthier or reach their fitness goals. Make your video content speak to your viewers’ problems.
Key Strategy:
- Use what your viewers like and how they behave to make your video content about their specific wants.
Mistake #2: Poor Ad Quality (Low-Resolution or Unprofessional Content)
There’s nothing worse than watching a video ad that’s blurry or looks amateur. If your video quality is poor, it can make your brand seem untrustworthy and sloppy.
Why This is a Mistake:
Low-quality ads can hurt how trustworthy you seem and make viewers wonder if they should trust your product. On apps like Instagram and TikTok, where everyone is fighting for attention, viewers will quickly scroll past your ad if it looks unprofessional.
How to Fix It:
Put some effort into better video quality. You don’t need a huge budget, but you should aim for clear pictures and good sound. Even if you’re filming on your phone, make sure you film in high quality (1080p or higher) and pay attention to lighting. You can use cheap ring lights or natural light to make your video look better.
If you’re using editing tools, apps like Canva, iMovie, or Adobe Spark can help create polished content that looks professional and engaging.
Best Practices:
- Use clear pictures, good lighting, and steady shots to make your video look polished.
- Make sure the video is sharp and well-edited to keep it professional and appealing.
Mistake #3: Ignoring the First Few Seconds of the Video
When making your video ad, you only have a few seconds to grab your viewers’ attention. Ignoring this important part of the video can cause you to lose viewers right away.
Why This is a Mistake:
On social media, people scroll quickly, and if your ad doesn’t catch their eye in the first few seconds, they’ll just keep scrolling. The start of your video is critical in convincing viewers to keep watching.
How to Fix It:
Start with a strong opening. You can ask an interesting question, make a bold statement, or show a problem that your product fixes right away. The first few seconds should clearly show why they should care about your product.
For example, if you’re selling a kitchen tool, show the product working right from the start, fixing a common problem, like saving time while cooking. This will immediately grab attention and make the viewer want to see more.
Tips for Success:
- Try different openings to see what works best for your viewers.
- Start with a problem-solution approach to draw people in quickly.
Mistake #4: Overloading the Video with Information
It’s tempting to share all the details about your product in one video, but stuffing too much information into a short ad can overwhelm the viewer. Instead of getting your message across, you risk losing their attention.
Why This is a Mistake:
When you include too many details, your viewers might get confused, and your message gets lost. They might not be able to focus on the main benefit of your product.
How to Fix It:
Keep your video short and focused. Stick to one main point or benefit that speaks directly to the viewer’s needs. For example, if you’re selling a fitness tracker, highlight one key feature, such as tracking steps or heart rate, and show how it helps the user stay healthy. The goal is to give viewers just enough information to get them interested, without overwhelming them.
Effective Content Strategy:
- Keep your video length between 15–30 seconds.
- Focus on one main benefit and clearly explain how it solves a problem for the viewer.
Mistake #5: Not Including a Clear Call to Action (CTA)
A common mistake is forgetting to include a clear next step in your video. After all, if your viewers don’t know what to do next, your ad won’t be effective at driving sales.
Why This is a Mistake:
If you don’t tell your audience what to do after watching your ad, they may simply move on without taking action. Whether it’s making a purchase, signing up for an email list, or learning more, your next step is crucial to guiding the viewer to what you want them to do.
How to Fix It:
Make sure your video ends with a direct and clear next step. Whether it’s “Shop Now,” “Learn More,” or “Get Yours Today,” your next step should tell the viewer exactly what you want them to do. And don’t just put it at the end, show it at the beginning and middle of the video as well.
Best Practices:
- Keep your next step short, actionable, and clear.
- Use urgency when appropriate, such as “Limited time offer” or “Act now!” to encourage immediate action.
Best Practices for Optimizing Video Ads
Once you’ve fixed these common mistakes, here are some good tips to take your video ads to the next level:
A/B Testing Video Content
To see what works, always try different video styles (such as changing the opening, next step button, or pictures). Testing helps you understand what connects most with your viewers, so you can make future ads that work better.
Targeting the Right Audience
Make sure you are showing your ads to the right people. Use basic facts about viewers, what they like, and how they act to reach those most likely to want your product. Apps like Facebook and Instagram give you great options for finding the right viewers.
Platform-Specific Strategies
- Instagram and Facebook: Focus on good-quality, professional videos that fit the app’s style. Use multi-image ads to show different product features.
- TikTok: Keep it fun and creative. TikTok users like spontaneous, trendy content, so think differently to create something entertaining.
- YouTube: Use longer videos that explain the product in more detail. How-to videos or product reviews are great for teaching your audience.
Conclusion
Making good video ads for your dropshipping business is key to growing your brand and getting more sales. By avoiding these top 5 mistakes, talking too much about the product, bad video quality, not grabbing attention in the first few seconds, putting too much information in one video, and forgetting to tell viewers what to do next, you can create videos that catch eyes and make people act.
Remember, testing and making improvements are essential. Make your videos speak to what your viewers need, keep your content simple and clear, and always include a strong next step to encourage buying. With these fixes in place, you’ll be able to run video ads that not only work better but also help grow your dropshipping business.