Ad Copy That Converts: Words That Sell on Social Media

Mary Helbling
Apr 21
2 min read

When it comes to social media ads, your visuals might grab attention—but it’s your words that seal the deal. Whether you're selling a product, promoting an event, or driving traffic to your site, your ad copy has one job: get the right person to take the right action.

So how do you write ad copy that actually converts? Here are the key ingredients to words that sell on social media.

🧲 1. Start With a Hook

People scroll fast. If your first line doesn’t catch them, they’re gone.

Examples of great hooks:

“Struggling to sell tickets? You’re not alone.”
“What if your skincare routine could save you time and money?”
“This one trick helped me triple my sales (and no, it’s not what you think).”

Tips:

Speak to a pain point or goal.
Use curiosity or an unexpected fact.
Keep it punchy—aim for 10 words or less.

💬 2. Write Like a Human, Not a Billboard

Your ad should sound like something someone might say out loud—not like a formal sales pitch.

Instead of:

“Our innovative, state-of-the-art solution streamlines user functionality.”

Try:

“Finally—a tool that makes running your business easier.”

Speak your audience’s language. Keep it clear, casual, and relatable.

🎯 3. Focus on Benefits, Not Just Features

People don’t buy features—they buy what those features do for them.

Feature: “Includes 10 video modules”Benefit: “Learn the skills in just one weekend—no fluff.”

Always connect the dots between what you offer and why it matters to your audience.

📢 4. Use Power Words That Drive Action

Certain words trigger emotion or urgency, which makes people more likely to act.

Power words to use:

Free
Instantly
Proven
Limited-time
Secret
Exclusive
Simple
You

But use them sparingly—authenticity beats hype every time.

👣 5. End With a Strong CTA (Call to Action)

Tell people exactly what to do next.

Examples:

“Grab your early bird ticket now.”
“Download the guide—totally free.”
“Sign up before we close registration on Friday.”

Be clear. Be direct. Assume they’re interested, and make it easy to say yes.

✨ Final Tip: Test, Tweak, Repeat

There’s no such thing as perfect copy on the first try. Test different headlines, body text, and CTAs to see what performs best with your audience. Even small tweaks can lead to major results.