Most Ads Suck. Here’s Why

Marketing Shenanigans (#045)

I’ve worked on ads that flop and ads that print money—and the difference comes down to one simple question: Are you solving a problem for your audience?

No matter what you’re selling, if your ad educates, convinces, or reminds someone that you solve a problem—they’ll pay attention.

And if they don’t? It’s because you haven’t made them care.

Here’s The Problem With Most Advertising

It’s either:

• All fluff with no value.

• Or so focused on selling that people tune it out.

The best ads don’t do either. They strike the perfect balance by doing three things:

1️⃣ Educate

• Great ads teach the audience something they didn’t know.

• Maybe it’s a problem they didn’t realize they had. Or a better, faster way to solve one they’re already dealing with.

• Education builds trust—and trust builds loyalty.

2️⃣ Convince

• They don’t just say you’re the solution—they show why.

• And they do it without tearing down competitors. Instead, they clearly explain how your way works and why it’s worth their time, money, or attention.

• They reframe your reality.

3️⃣ Remind

• Even the best message needs repetition.

• People forget, and your job is to make sure you stay on their radar.

• Whether it’s through retargeting, consistent posting, or strategic touchpoints, the goal is simple: be the first solution they think of when they need one.

But Here’s The Kicker

It’s not just about what you say—it’s about how you say it.

• Selling a product? Show how it solves a real-life problem.

• Telling a story? Make it relatable.

• Sharing an insight? Make it actionable.

Think about your favorite brands. The ones you follow, trust, and buy from without hesitation.
They’re not just selling—they’re:

• Teaching you something.

• Solving your problems.

• And making you feel seen.

That’s why you keep coming back.

So, if you’re running ads, ask yourself:

• Am I teaching my audience why this matters?

• Am I showing them why I’m the best fit for their problem?

• Am I staying on their radar so I’m the first solution they think of?

The Takeaway

Advertising isn’t about chasing eyeballs—it’s about solving problems and showing up for the right people at the right time.

Educate. Convince. Remind.

Do that, and you’ll stop just running ads—you’ll start building a genuine brand.

TL;DR: The best ads educate, convince, and remind. Focus on solving problems and staying top of mind, and you’ll turn ads into connections—and connections into sales.

Teddy Giard

In case you don’t already know, my name is Teddy, and I operate a firm that specializes in marketing strategies for outdoor brands. Our approach is simple: align your product development timeline with your marketing production timeline; by doing so, we can own the distribution of our message and our products.

If you’d like to explore working together, feel free to fill out this form, and if we’re a good fit, we can schedule a discovery call. We ask this because we keep a fairly narrow target for whom we work, and we like to be as open about that on the front end as possible. After all, time is life’s most valuable resource.