10 Advertising Techniques [With Real Examples]

Marketing isn’t just about what you sell, it’s about why it matters to the person seeing it.

That’s where advertising techniques come in. From storytelling to social proof, these methods are what make people stop scrolling, take notice, and eventually click that buy button.

In this article, we’ll break down 10 powerful advertising techniques that still work in 2026, complete with real-world examples and how you can apply them in your campaigns.

1. Emotional appeal

Emotion is powerful. Whether it’s joy, nostalgia, love, or even fear, the right emotion taps into people’s desires and creates memorable campaigns.

Example:

Google’s “Year in Search” campaigns summarize each year with emotional global moments. People cry, smile, and share it because it feels human — not corporate.

How you can use it:

• Highlight a customer transformation story.
• Use music and visuals to trigger emotion.
• Craft Valentine’s Day campaigns that tug at the heart.

A pro tip: Use emotional copy variations in dynamic catalog ads to match audience moods based on retargeting behavior.

2. Scarcity & urgency

When something feels rare or time-sensitive, people act fast. This is the FOMO effect at work.

Example:

Amazon’s Lightning deals with countdown timers that push users to act now. So do brands like Supreme, known for limited drops that sell out in minutes.

How you can use it:

• Add timers to landing pages or ad copy.
• Use “Only 2 left in stock” messages.
• Announce product drops for a limited time.

A pro tip: You can set up urgency-based rules in catalog ads that show scarcity automatically (e.g. when stock is below 5 units).

3. Social proof

People trust people. Ratings, reviews, and user-generated content increase credibility and help undecided shoppers feel confident.

For instance:

Fenty Beauty uses user reviews and UGC on its product pages and in its ads. Real skin, real people, real results.

How you can use it:

• Add testimonials to video ads.
• Showcase review scores in headlines.
• Turn UGC into a campaign series.

Did you know that the tool, Cropink, can pull in your Shopify reviews and use them dynamically in retargeting ads?

4. Storytelling

A story sticks. When people understand the “why” behind your brand or product, they remember it.

Example:

Airbnb’s “Made Possible by Hosts” campaign features real stories from hosts and travelers. It’s emotional, authentic, and speaks to human connection.

How you can use it:

• Share your founder's story in an ad.
• Show behind-the-scenes of how your product is made.
• Create a 30-second visual journey from pain point to solution.

5. Humor

A good laugh makes your brand feel relatable — and shareable.

Example:

Old Spice’s “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” was absurd, funny, and massively viral. It made deodorant entertaining.

How you can use it:

• Add a funny twist to your product demo.
• Use exaggerated metaphors or comparisons.
• Meme it up (but on-brand).

6. Contrast & visual disruption

You’ve got a fraction of a second to grab attention. Use visual disruption, high-contrast colors, unexpected images, or movement, to stop the scroll.

Example:

Apple’s colorful iMac ad showed the same desktop in every color in a bold grid, it popped instantly.

How you can use it:

• Design contrast-heavy carousel ads.
• Use movement in short video loops.
• Add sharp visual cues (like split screens or bold typography).

Create and test multiple visual variations from your product feed to discover what stops your audience.

7. Problem → solution format

This one is classic. You start with a relatable pain point. You offer a solution. The audience sees themselves in the story and wants in it.

Example:

“Tired of bad sleep?” ads for weighted blankets that show someone tossing and turning, followed by calm sleep with the product.

How you can use it:

• Start your video ad with a relatable frustration.
• Walk through how your product addresses the issue.
• End with a benefit-driven CTA.

8. Personalization

In 2025, personalization is expected. People want ads that feel like they were made just for them.

Example:

Spotify Wrapped isn't just marketing, it’s personal. And it drives massive sharing and brand love.

How you can use it:

• Recommend products based on past behavior.
• Use personalized names or dynamic offers in your emails and ads.
• Tailor your messaging based on user location, time, or past views.

9. Anchoring & price framing

Presenting your product as a deal (even if it’s premium) by anchoring it next to a higher value or competitor helps justify the price.

Example:

“Compare at $129 — Today only $89” or bundling a $40 product free with a $100 order.

How you can use it:

• Add “compared to” price messaging.
• Frame the offer with savings.
• Show before-after comparisons in results.

10. Call-to-Action with clarity

Your ad should always make it clear: what next? Don’t be vague.

Example:

“Shop now. Ships free in 24 hours.” It tells people what to do and what they’ll get.

How you can use it:

• Use clear, low-friction CTAs (e.g., "Try it free" vs. "Sign up")
• Avoid generic language; be specific.
• Match the CTA to where they are in the funnel (awareness vs. conversion).

Do’s & don’ts of using advertising techniques

Here are a few quick rules to keep your ads high-converting and brand-safe:

Tip: Platforms like Cropink make it easy to test, tweak, and scale creative variations, so your do’s stay effective and your don’ts stay in check.

Final thoughts

There’s no magic formula for advertising success, but there is a pattern.

The best campaigns don’t rely on just one technique. They mix emotion, credibility, clarity, and creativity to guide the customer from scrolling to clicking to buying. That’s the real power of these 10 advertising techniques, they work together.

Maybe your audience needs a nudge with social proof. They may act faster when you frame scarcity just right. Or they may wait for an ad that feels personal enough to convert finally.

Whatever the case, the best brands test, refine and evolve, and they do it fast.

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