Creating effective ad copy is a skill—and a challenge. How do you pack the most compelling message into just a handful of words?
Here’s a secret: It takes creativity, strategy, and a deep understanding of your audience, but it doesn’t have to be hard. Artificial intelligence (AI) can help marketers make the process faster, easier, and more impactful.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to use an AI headline generator to create standout ad headlines for any format, whether it’s for print, social media, Google Ads, or email.
Watch the demo video below for a brief tutorial on how it’s done, then read on for action tips for writing winning AI headlines.
Key Steps
- Set up the AI tool. Sign up and get started with an AI tool designed for AI headline generation (like our Media Shower platform).
- Input key information. Enter basic details like your name or company and key points or keywords to emphasize. The more detail you provide, the better your results will be. (Or get a free trial of the Media Shower AI platform, which already knows your company and audience.)
- Customize the output. Refine the AI ad copy until you get exactly the message you want. For example, try telling the AI, “make them punchier” or “more compelling,” or “focus on [word or phrase].”
Tips for Writing Great Ad Headlines Using AI
If you’re new to using AI for ad copy, these tips will help you get started. We’ll use a hypothetical marketing company called “Clarity Marketing Solutions,” which specializes in brand storytelling and messaging strategies to help businesses connect with their audiences.
Start with a clear goal
Before you begin, clarify your objective. Do you want to drive clicks, increase awareness, or generate leads? Your goal will guide the tone and structure of your ad.
For example, a lead-generation ad might emphasize value: “Download Your Free Brand Storytelling Guide Today.”
Craft precise prompts
The quality of your AI output depends on the quality of your input. Instead of a vague prompt like “Write an ad headline,” give the AI clear instructions:
“Write a 3-frame animated ad headline for Clarity Marketing Solutions. Frame 1: Highlight the importance of strong messaging. Frame 2: Introduce brand storytelling as a solution. Frame 3: End with a call to action.”
Specific prompts result in more relevant, actionable outputs.
Refine using creative techniques
Ask the AI to incorporate elements like wordplay, alliteration, or rhyming to make your headlines more memorable. Example: “Your Story. Your Brand. Your Success.”
Iteration is a critical step in the crafting of effective headlines. Think of the AI as a collaborator, not a one-and-done solution.
Tailor copy to the ad format
Different platforms require different approaches. For instance:
- Google Ads. Short and action-oriented (example: “Stronger Messaging, Bigger Impact—Try Clarity Today.”).
- Social media. Conversational and scroll-stopping (example: “Your Brand Has a Story. Let’s Tell It.”).
- Email subject lines. Personalized and intriguing (example: “Master Your Brand’s Story in 30 Minutes.”).
Let the AI know which format you’re working with so it can create the right type of copy.
Keep testing and refining
AI makes it easy to test multiple headline variations. Use A/B testing to find out which ones resonate most with your audience.
Sample Prompts for AI-Generated Ads
The key to getting great results from AI is creating great prompts. Below are sample prompts and outputs tailored to our hypothetical company, Clarity Marketing Solutions.
Google Ads
Step 1. Generate
“Write Google Ad headlines for Clarity Marketing Solutions, a brand storytelling agency. Emphasize the value of better messaging for business growth. Keep them under 10 words.”
Output examples
- “Stronger Messaging. Bigger Results. Start with Clarity.”
- “Tell Your Brand’s Story. Grow Your Business.”
- “Messaging That Connects. Results That Last.”
Step 2. Refine
“Rework #3 to make it more action-oriented and add an emphasis on storytelling as a solution.”
Refined output
- “Tell Stories that Connect for Results that Last.”
- “Share Your Story. Build Connections that Last.”
- “Craft Stories that Connect with Clarity.”
These headlines are more action-oriented while still emphasizing storytelling as a powerful tool to connect with their audience and drive lasting growth.
Social media ads
Step 1: Generate
”Write 3 Instagram ad headlines for Clarity Marketing Solutions targeting small business owners. Highlight the importance of storytelling for brand growth. Use a friendly and inspiring tone.”
Output examples
- “Your Brand Has a Story. Let’s Tell It.”
- “Turn Your Message Into Your Superpower.”
- “Connect. Inspire. Grow. Start With Clarity.”
Step 2. Refine
“I like #3. Rework this headline to make it more specific to small businesses and emphasize how storytelling can empower growth.”
Refined output
- “Your Story, Your Strength. Empower Growth With Clarity.”
- “Turn Your Brand Story Into Business Success.”
- “Storytelling for Small Businesses. Clarity Makes It Easy.”
We’ve now sharpened the focus on small business growth and tied it more closely to storytelling, creating variations that are specific, actionable, and inspiring for the target audience.
Multi-frame social media ads (like LinkedIn carousels)
Sample social media carousel slides.
Step 1: Generate
“Write a 3-frame animated ad headline for Clarity Marketing Solutions. Frame 1: Highlight the importance of storytelling. Frame 2: Show the value of strong messaging. Frame 3: End with a call to action.”
Output examples
- Frame 1: “Every Brand Has a Story to Tell.”
- Frame 2: “Clarity Makes Yours Unforgettable.”
- Frame 3: “Stronger Stories. Stronger Brands. Let’s Begin.”
Step 2. Refine
“Rework this 3-frame headline to emphasize transformation and how storytelling drives business growth. Include a stronger call to action in Frame 3.”
Refined output
- Frame 1: “Your Story Deserves to Be Heard.”
- Frame 2: “We Transform Words Into Business Growth.”
- Frame 3: “Start Building a Stronger Brand Today.”
The refined options shift the focus to enterprise-level impact, positioning Clarity Marketing Solutions as a strategic partner for achieving trust and growth through storytelling.
Email subject lines
Step 1. Generate
“Write 3 email subject lines for Clarity Marketing Solutions inviting small business owners to a free webinar on brand storytelling. Keep it under 10 words and highlight exclusivity.”
Output examples
- “Exclusive Webinar: Master Your Brand’s Story.”
- “Your Brand Story, Your Biggest Opportunity.”
- “Learn Storytelling Secrets to Grow Your Brand.”
Step 2. Refine
“Rework #1 to emphasize urgency and the specific benefits of the webinar for small business growth.”
Refined output
- “Last Chance: Master Brand Storytelling to Grow Your Business.”
- “Unlock Your Storytelling Power—Exclusive Webinar for Small Businesses.”
- “Your Brand’s Story, Simplified—Reserve Your Spot Today.”
The refined versions add urgency and specificity (small businesses), making the email more likely to capture attention and encourage immediate registration for the webinar.
Marketer Takeaways
- AI accelerates creativity. AI-powered tools act as creative partners, generating ideas quickly and helping refine ad headlines more effectively.
- Tailored prompts deliver better results. Specific, well-crafted prompts lead to AI ad copy that aligns closely with your brand’s goals and voice.
- Match the format to the message. Different platforms require tailored approaches—design headlines to fit the tone, length, and style of formats like Google Ads, social media, or email.
- Refinement is key. The results you get with an AI headline generator are just the starting point; refine and iterate to create headlines that truly resonate with your audience.
Turn your headlines into head-turners with Media Shower’s AI platform, the AI tool that already knows your audience. Click here for a free trial.
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