054: Shopi-fail or Shopi-fly?

Hello, you powerful Creatives!

Welcome to Volume 5️⃣4️⃣ of Creative Cuts 🔪 - your weekly dose of creative strategy from your friends at Creative OS.

Today, we’re going to go over an ad with you and give some great takeaways so you:

• Understand the quality of the assets

• Strength of copy

• Psychology used to convert customers

• And how you can leverage these tactics easily

Now that you know what you’re in for, onto the show 👊

Best,

Chase

AG1’s Ad 💪

What’s working ❤️‍🔥:

1. Strong Pain Point Framing
   The headline, "Outages hurting your sales?" directly taps into a critical frustration for retailers. System downtime leads to lost revenue, customer dissatisfaction, and operational inefficiencies. By posing a question rather than making a statement, the ad encourages self-reflection, increasing the likelihood of engagement.
   

2. Trust-Building Statistic (99.99% Uptime)
   Highlighting "99.99% uptime" reassures potential customers that Shopify POS is a reliable solution. This statistic serves as social proof, positioning the platform as a trustworthy alternative to competitors that may struggle with outages.
   

3. Clean, Modern Visuals with a Clear Product Showcase
   The ad effectively balances product imagery with text, showcasing the Shopify POS system in a retail environment. The device is displayed at an angle that emphasizes its sleek design and intuitive interface, making it visually appealing. The warm, neutral tones in the background complement Shopify’s branding while maintaining a professional feel.
   

4. Clear Call to Action ("Let’s talk.")
   The CTA is concise and conversational, which reduces friction and makes the next step feel approachable. Instead of a generic “Learn More,” it invites direct engagement, which could work well for higher-intent prospects.

What could be better 🛠️:

1. Lack of Urgency or Differentiation
   While the ad presents a strong case for reliability, it doesn’t create urgency. Why should a retailer switch to Shopify POS today rather than next quarter? Adding a time-sensitive incentive (e.g., “Limited-time offer: Get your first 3 months free”) could push prospects to act faster.
   

2. No Explicit Competitive Advantage
   The ad hints at reliability but doesn’t contrast Shopify POS with other systems. Many retailers may already be using Square, Lightspeed, or Toast. A direct comparison—either visually or in text—could help clarify why Shopify POS is the superior choice. Example: “Unlike [Competitor], Shopify POS ensures near-perfect uptime and seamless integration with your online store.”
   

3. CTA Lacks Clarity on Next Steps
   "Let’s talk." is friendly, but it doesn’t explain what happens next. Is this a sales consultation? A free demo? A one-on-one onboarding session? Making the CTA more specific (e.g., “Book a free demo now” or “Get a personalized consultation”) would likely increase click-through rates.
   

4. Missed Social Proof Opportunity
   A testimonial or brief success story would add credibility. For example:
   "Since switching to Shopify POS, we’ve had zero downtime and increased in-store revenue by 15%." – [Brand Name]
   Real-world validation helps hesitant buyers move forward with confidence.

What to do 🚀

1. Make the Pain Point More Urgent

   • Adjust the headline to emphasize potential revenue loss:
     "Every minute of downtime costs you sales. Switch to Shopify POS today."
     

2. Incorporate a Competitive Edge

   • Use a comparison statement to position Shopify POS as the best choice:
     "Unlike other POS systems, Shopify keeps your store running 24/7 with 99.99% uptime."
     

3. Refine the CTA for Clarity and Actionability

   • Change “Let’s talk.” to a stronger, more directive CTA:
     “Book a free demo today—see Shopify POS in action.”
     

4. Integrate Social Proof

   • Add a short testimonial or customer logo to reinforce credibility.
     

5. Include a Limited-Time Offer

   • Example: “Switch today and get 3 months free.” This encourages immediate action rather than passive interest.

That’s all! If you’re looking to find inspiration or get the best ad templates out there, come hang out with us at Creative OS and tell your friends!