How to Produce AI Ads that Convert

I created this AI ad for my client, HiBob.

It brought in so many leads that we’re now turning it into a CTV ad. Here’s a breakdown of the process, prompts, and prices:

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Step 1: Inspiration

A few months ago, I saw a TikTok of a woman working on her laptop in the ocean. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with it, but I knew it was a fantastic visual hook, so I created this little vision board:

Then, while doing research for HiBob’s payroll feature launch, I saw this Reddit comment. Something clicked.

To find this testimonial, I used Perplexity Labs. Perplexity is literally the best thing that happened to my marketing research.

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Step 2: Concept and Script

I pitched the concept to the client, like this:

And then, GPT helped me come up with more bizarre places where our character could work.

AI usually can’t create good concepts, but once I have one, it’s great for expanding it.

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Step 3: Visuals

Then I generated our character, Emma, in Gemini and kept changing her outfit and background.

The easiest way to maintain character consistency is to change one thing at a time.

It didn’t always work, of course.

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Step 4: Image Enhancement and Video

I enhanced Emma’s skin texture and turned the images into videos.

Enhancor’s video model is less powerful than Runway, VEO, Sora etc. But it generates videos that feel more authentic, less AI-glossy.

Note: When Enhancor failed, I also used Kling 2.1.

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Step 5: Voiceover

I generated ~15 different hooks and versions, all on the free plan.

Plus, ElevenLabs’s new model (v3) lets me “direct” characters.

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Step 6: Editing, Music, and SFX

Then, I reduced color saturation to make the videos look more natural.

And finally, I added titles, voice-over, and music.