Shooting without a plan leads to wasted time, messy edits, and ads that don’t convert. That’s why every good video starts with a storyboard — even if it’s just on paper.
Here’s how to quickly map out a scroll-stopper ad before you hit record.
1. Hook. Write a punchy, personal opener that grabs attention.
The first shot should stop the scroll. That means a strong face, bold text, movement, or emotional trigger. Write the line. Picture the image. This is your thumb-stopper.
Examples:
2. Problem. Show the pain, frustration, or situation your viewer feels.
Don’t just say it — show it. Use a relatable setup or quick visual metaphor. Think about what your audience is struggling with.
3. Solution. Introduce your product doing the work.
Now the payoff. This shot should clearly show what the product is, how it’s used, and what result it gives.
4. Call to action. Tell them exactly what to do next.
Don’t get fancy. Just be clear. You’ve got 2–3 seconds max here.
Storyboard tip:
You can sketch this out in four boxes or even write it as a list. The point is to pre-visualize the flow. That way, your shoot is focused and your edit fast.
Final thought
The best videos look effortless — but they’re built with structure. Storyboarding gives you that. It’s how you turn a good idea into a clear, clickable ad.
Want to avoid the five most common video ad mistakes?
Download our free guide at upstir.co/5-video-ad-mistakes
It is 14 pages of real tips to help you improve your hooks, lower ad costs, and create content that actually works.
Here’s how to quickly map out a scroll-stopper ad before you hit record.
1. Hook. Write a punchy, personal opener that grabs attention.
The first shot should stop the scroll. That means a strong face, bold text, movement, or emotional trigger. Write the line. Picture the image. This is your thumb-stopper.
Examples:
- “I wasted $200 on this — until I found the real one”
- A creator walking into frame, shaking their head
- Fast zoom on a product with big text: “READ THIS”
2. Problem. Show the pain, frustration, or situation your viewer feels.
Don’t just say it — show it. Use a relatable setup or quick visual metaphor. Think about what your audience is struggling with.
- Close-up of dry skin
- A screen recording of a slow website
- A facepalm moment
3. Solution. Introduce your product doing the work.
Now the payoff. This shot should clearly show what the product is, how it’s used, and what result it gives.
- Applying the product with visible effect
- A demo with fast-forward results
- A creator saying “I tested this — and here’s what happened”
4. Call to action. Tell them exactly what to do next.
Don’t get fancy. Just be clear. You’ve got 2–3 seconds max here.
- “Get yours today — link below”
- “Tap to shop”
- On-screen text with arrow or swipe motion
Storyboard tip:
You can sketch this out in four boxes or even write it as a list. The point is to pre-visualize the flow. That way, your shoot is focused and your edit fast.
Final thought
The best videos look effortless — but they’re built with structure. Storyboarding gives you that. It’s how you turn a good idea into a clear, clickable ad.
Want to avoid the five most common video ad mistakes?
Download our free guide at upstir.co/5-video-ad-mistakes
It is 14 pages of real tips to help you improve your hooks, lower ad costs, and create content that actually works.