Political advertisers are working hard to get their messages in front of the right eyeballs as we barrel the November midterm elections. Social media platforms provide an opportunity for candidates and cause them to connect with voters.
Still, creating ads that stand out from the noise and generate actual results can be challenging. We will look at creative ways to make social media political ads more effective.
What is Social Media Political Ads?
Social media political ads are online advertisements that feature a political message or promote a candidate for office. They can appear on any social media platform, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Why use Social Media Political Ads?
Social media platforms have become an increasing part of the political landscape. In the 2016 election cycle, candidates and outside groups spent $81 million on Facebook ads alone. And the numeric is only expected to grow in the 2020 election.
Social media political ads offer a way to reach voters where they spend more and more of their time. They also offer targeting options that allow campaigns to focus on key demographics, like women aged 18-34 or independents in a swing state.
When done well, social media political ads can be an extremely effective way to reach and persuade voters. But with the high stakes and competition for attention on social media, ensuring your political ads are up to snuff is more critical than ever.
Proven ways to make Your Social Media Political Ads more effective
Social media political ads are a great way to connect with voters. Here are some tips to make your social media political ads more effective:
Target, target, target:
Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter offer many targeting options that allow you to laser-focus your message on critical demographics. For example, you can target women aged 18-34 or independents in a swing state.
Use strong visuals:
A picture is worth a thousand words, especially on social media. Ensure your visuals are solid and eye-catching – think of bright colors, exciting graphics, and compelling photos.
People are visual creatures; strong visuals will help your ad stand out. Make sure that visuals are high quality and eye-catching.
Use emotion:
Emotional appeals are highly effective in political ads. Use images and copy that evoke positive or negative emotions to get people to pay attention to your ad.
Use a call to action:
Tell people what you want them to do after seeing your ad. Whether signing up for your email list, attending a rally, or donating, make sure your call to action is clear.
Test, test, test:
Always test different ad versions to see what works best. Try additional images, copies, and calls to action to see what gets the most engagement.
Keep it short and sweet:
Peers have short attention, so make sure your ad is to the point. Get your message across quickly and efficiently.
Be authentic:
People can spot inauthenticity from a mile away. Don’t try to be something you’re not – just be yourself. Let your personality shine through in your ad copy and images.
Target, target, target:
Make sure you’re targeting your ad to the right audience. The more specific you can be, the better. Use all the targeting options available on each platform to ensure people see the day to engage with it.
Use strong visuals:
A picture is worth a thousand words, so make sure your ad has a vital visual element. People are more likely to remember an ad with an eye-catching image.
Call to action:
Include a call to action in your ad. Tell people what you want them to do, whether signing up for your email list, attending an event, or donating.
Social Media Political Ads best practices
Now that you know some of the critical elements of effective social media political ads, let’s consider some best practices to remember when creating your ad campaigns.
Keep it short and sweet:
People have short attention spans, so make sure your ad is concise and to the point. Get your message across in as few words as possible.
Test, test, test:
Always test different versions of your ad before you roll it out to a broader audience. Try additional images, copies, and calls to action to see what works best.
Be consistent:
Once you find an ad that works well, stick with it! Consistency is vital when it comes to social media advertising.
Target, target, target:
Make sure you’re targeting your ads to the right audience. Social media platforms have various targeting options, so use them to your advantage.
Keep it positive:
Negative ads might be effective sometimes, but you’ll generally want to keep your social media political ads positive.
Have a call to action:
Always include a call to action in your ad. Whether you’re asking people to vote, donate, or volunteer, ensure they know what you want them to do.
Make it visual:
Social media is a visual platform, so make sure your ad is too. Use high-quality images or videos that will capture people’s attention.
Conclusion
Social media can be a powerful tool for political advertising. However, posting a link to your website or blasting a message is not enough. To be effective, you must consider your audience and craft your ad content accordingly. Contact us today for help creating political ads that engage and motivate your target voters. We have the experience and expertise to ensure your campaign reaches its full potential online.
