How to make a video ad for your business, step by step

The 6 part structure of a short video ad

Almost every short ad that sells follows the same shape. Learn it once and use it for everything:

• Hook (first 1 to 2 seconds): the thing that stops the thumb. A bold claim, a question, or the product in action. 'Your generator is wasting your money.'
• Problem: the pain your customer already feels. 'Fuel price keeps going up and the noise never stops.'
• Product: show it solving the problem. 'Our 3kVA inverter runs your fridge, TV and fans quietly all night.'
• Proof: something believable. A real customer photo with permission, a guarantee, how long you have been in business.
• Offer: price in naira and anything that makes now the right time. 'From N450,000, installation in Lagos this week.'
• Call to action: one action only. 'Send us a WhatsApp message to book.'

Pick the right length

Shorter is usually better, but the length should fit the job. Kreyta's video tool makes vertical 9:16 videos built from 8 second clips, so you choose 8, 16, 32 or 64 seconds:

• 8 seconds: one strong scene for a simple offer or a teaser. Great for Status.
• 16 seconds: hook, product and call to action. The sweet spot for most small business ads.
• 32 seconds: room for the full 6 part structure. Good for Reels, TikTok and products that need explaining.
• 64 seconds: an explainer, a brand story or a 'how it works' video.

A script template you can copy

Fill the blanks and paste it as your idea: 'A [length] video ad for [business] in [city]. Open with [hook]. Show [product] solving [problem]. Mention [price or offer]. End with [call to action] and our logo.' For example: 'A video ad for Ada's Shawarma in Enugu. Open with a close-up of the shawarma being wrapped. Show it being delivered hot to an office. Mention the lunch combo for N3,500. End with order on WhatsApp.'

Write the way you talk to customers. If your customers speak Pidgin, say so in your idea. Many people watch with the sound off, so make sure the offer is also on screen as text or captions.

Step by step: how to make a video ad for your business in Kreyta

Open the video tool and type your idea. Kreyta writes the script and plans the scenes first, then makes the scene pictures, then turns them into the video with a voiceover, unless your idea asks for music and visuals only. You see the price before each paid step.

When it is done, open it in the Kreyta editor if you want changes. Type an instruction like 'cut it to 15 seconds, add captions, lower the music, put my logo at the end'. The editor shows the change before you apply it, and you can undo it in one tap.

Want a voice in Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Pidgin or Nigerian English? Make it with the Voiceover tool and add it in the editor. Need a sound? Music and jingles makes a 30 second jingle with your business name in it.

Mistakes that kill video ads

• A slow start with your logo spinning for three seconds. Lead with the hook, put the logo at the end.
• No price. People assume it is expensive and scroll on.
• Two or three calls to action. Pick one.
• Tiny text. Most people watch on a phone held at arm's length.
• Pretending. Do not show results, products or places that are not real. Use your own photos for anything specific.

Step by step

1. Write one sentence

   Business, city, hook, offer and call to action, in your own words.

2. Choose a length

   16 seconds for most ads, 8 for a teaser, 32 or 64 to explain.

3. Check the plan

   Kreyta writes the script and scene plan first. Read it before the video is made.

4. Polish in the editor

   Type changes like 'add captions' or 'cut to 15 seconds' and apply them.

5. Post with captions

   Use the free caption pack for Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp Status and Facebook.

Examples

Questions and answers