Ad Copy Templates Reference
Provides formulas and templates for writing ad copy across search, social, and professional platforms.
What this file does
Provides formulas and templates for writing ad copy across search, social, and professional platforms.
When to use it
- Writing ad copy for Google, Meta, or LinkedIn campaigns
- Structuring primary text with proven formulas like PAS or BAB
- Choosing CTAs based on funnel stage and audience warmth
- Testing ad copy elements by priority order
Ad Copy Templates Reference
Detailed formulas and templates for writing high-converting ad copy.
Contents
- Primary Text Formulas (Problem-Agitate-Solve, Before-After-Bridge, Social Proof Lead, Feature-Benefit Bridge, Direct Response)
- Headline Formulas (For Search Ads, For Social Ads)
- CTA Variations (Soft CTAs, Hard CTAs, Urgency CTAs, Action-Oriented CTAs)
- Platform-Specific Copy Guidelines (Google Search Ads, Meta Ads, LinkedIn Ads)
- Copy Testing Priority
Primary Text Formulas
Problem-Agitate-Solve (PAS)
[Problem statement]
[Agitate the pain]
[Introduce solution]
[CTA]
Example:
Spending hours on manual reporting every week? While you're buried in spreadsheets, your competitors are making decisions. [Product] automates your reports in minutes. Start your free trial →
Before-After-Bridge (BAB)
[Current painful state]
[Desired future state]
[Your product as the bridge]
Example:
Before: Chasing down approvals across email, Slack, and spreadsheets. After: Every approval tracked, automated, and on time. [Product] connects your tools and keeps projects moving.
Social Proof Lead
[Impressive stat or testimonial]
[What you do]
[CTA]
Example:
"We cut our reporting time by 75%." : Sarah K., Marketing Director [Product] automates the reports you hate building. See how it works →
Feature-Benefit Bridge
[Feature]
[So that...]
[Which means...]
Example:
Real-time collaboration on documents So your team always works from the latest version Which means no more version confusion or lost work
Direct Response
[Bold claim/outcome]
[Proof point]
[CTA with urgency if genuine]
Example:
Cut your reporting time by 80% Join 5,000+ marketing teams already using [Product] Start free → First month 50% off
Headline Formulas
For Search Ads
| Formula | Example |
|---|---|
| [Keyword] + [Benefit] | "Project Management That Teams Actually Use" |
| [Action] + [Outcome] | "Automate Reports | Save 10 Hours Weekly" |
| [Question] | "Tired of Manual Data Entry?" |
| [Number] + [Benefit] | "500+ Teams Trust [Product] for [Outcome]" |
| [Keyword] + [Differentiator] | "CRM Built for Small Teams" |
| [Price/Offer] + [Keyword] | "Free Project Management | No Credit Card" |
For Social Ads
| Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Outcome hook | "How we 3x'd our conversion rate" |
| Curiosity hook | "The reporting hack no one talks about" |
| Contrarian hook | "Why we stopped using [common tool]" |
| Specificity hook | "The exact template we use for..." |
| Question hook | "What if you could cut your admin time in half?" |
| Number hook | "7 ways to improve your workflow today" |
| Story hook | "We almost gave up. Then we found..." |
CTA Variations
Soft CTAs (awareness/consideration)
Best for: Top of funnel, cold audiences, complex products
- Learn More
- See How It Works
- Watch Demo
- Get the Guide
- Explore Features
- See Examples
- Read the Case Study
Hard CTAs (conversion)
Best for: Bottom of funnel, warm audiences, clear offers
- Start Free Trial
- Get Started Free
- Book a Demo
- Claim Your Discount
- Buy Now
- Sign Up Free
- Get Instant Access
Urgency CTAs (use when genuine)
Best for: Limited-time offers, scarcity situations
- Limited Time: 30% Off
- Offer Ends [Date]
- Only X Spots Left
- Last Chance
- Early Bird Pricing Ends Soon
Action-Oriented CTAs
Best for: Active voice, clear next step
- Start Saving Time Today
- Get Your Free Report
- See Your Score
- Calculate Your ROI
- Build Your First Project
Platform-Specific Copy Guidelines
Google Search Ads
- Headline limits: 30 characters each (up to 15 headlines)
- Description limits: 90 characters each (up to 4 descriptions)
- Include keywords naturally
- Use all available headline slots
- Include numbers and stats when possible
- Test dynamic keyword insertion
Meta Ads (Facebook/Instagram)
- Primary text: 125 characters visible (can be longer, gets truncated)
- Headline: 40 characters recommended
- Front-load the hook (first line matters most)
- Emojis can work but test
- Questions perform well
- Keep image text under 20%
LinkedIn Ads
- Intro text: 600 characters max (150 recommended)
- Headline: 200 characters max (70 recommended)
- Professional tone (but not boring)
- Specific job outcomes resonate
- Stats and social proof important
- Avoid consumer-style hype
Copy Testing Priority
When testing ad copy, focus on these elements in order of impact:
- Hook/angle (biggest impact on performance)
- Headline
- Primary benefit
- CTA
- Supporting proof points
Test one element at a time for clean data.
What's inside
5 primary text formulas, 2 headline tables, 4 CTA categories, 3 platform guidelines, 1 testing priority list
Change this for your project
- Replace
[Product]with your actual product name in all examples - Replace
[Product]in headline formulas like"500+ Teams Trust [Product] for [Outcome]" - Replace
Sarah K., Marketing Directorwith a real testimonial if using social proof lead
Where it goes
Keep it in your repository where the agent or team that needs it will read it.
Worth borrowing
- Testing copy elements in order of impact (hook first, then headline, etc.)
- Using platform-specific character limits to guide copy length
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