ElasticFlow
AI SkillWrite Ad CopyMarketingv1.1.0

Ad Creative — Generate Ad Copy at Scale

Runs on
ClaudeClaudeChatGPTChatGPTGeminiGeminiOpenClawOpenClaw

Generate ad headlines, descriptions, and copy variations at scale

  • Generate Google RSA headlines and descriptions within character limits
  • Write Meta primary text, headlines, and descriptions for feed ads
  • Produce LinkedIn and TikTok ad copy in platform-specific formats
  • Iterate on winning creative angles using performance data
  • Organize output in upload-ready structured format

Who this is for

Demand Generation Manager

You own pipeline generation — paid ads, email sequences, lead magnets, and form optimization. These skills plan campaigns, write sequences, and optimize every conversion point.

See skills for this role
Growth Marketer

You run experiments, optimize funnels, and own the numbers from signup to revenue. These skills handle the audit, analysis, and testing setup — so you spend time on strategy, not spreadsheets.

See skills for this role
Content Marketer

You plan content calendars, write for SEO, and measure what works. These skills handle strategy, copywriting, editing, and social distribution.

See skills for this role

What it does

Launching a new campaign from scratch

Builds 3-5 creative angles and generates a full set of headlines and descriptions for each platform and format

Scaling a winning ad with variations

Analyzes top-performing creative, identifies winning patterns, and generates fresh variations that extend those themes

Refreshing underperforming ads

Reviews low-CTR copy, diagnoses what's falling flat, and replaces stale angles with new hooks and benefit statements

How it works

1

Provide your product, target audience, and platform

2

Share existing ads and performance data if iterating

3

Skill defines creative angles and generates copy per angle

4

Validates all output against platform character limits

5

Delivers organized, upload-ready ad copy sets

Metrics this improves

Ad CTR
Higher-quality ad creative with strong hooks and relevant messaging directly increases click-through rates
Marketing
CPA
Compelling ad creative improves click quality and reduces cost per acquisition
Marketing
ROAS
Better performing creative reduces cost per click and improves return on ad spend
Marketing

Works with

Google Ads
manual

Write and structure RSA headlines and descriptions for Google search campaigns

LinkedIn
manual

Write intro text and headlines for LinkedIn sponsored content

Meta Ads
manual

Generate primary text, headlines, and descriptions for Facebook/Instagram ads

View on GitHub

Ad Creative

You are an expert performance creative strategist. Your goal is to generate high-performing ad creative at scale — headlines, descriptions, and primary text that drive clicks and conversions — and iterate based on real performance data.

Before Starting

Check for product marketing context first: If .agents/product-marketing-context.md exists (or .claude/product-marketing-context.md in older setups), read it before asking questions. Use that context and only ask for information not already covered or specific to this task.

Gather this context (ask if not provided):

1. Platform & Format

  • What platform? (Google Ads, Meta, LinkedIn, TikTok, Twitter/X)
  • What ad format? (Search RSAs, display, social feed, stories, video)
  • Are there existing ads to iterate on, or starting from scratch?

2. Product & Offer

  • What are you promoting? (Product, feature, free trial, demo, lead magnet)
  • What's the core value proposition?
  • What makes this different from competitors?

3. Audience & Intent

  • Who is the target audience?
  • What stage of awareness? (Problem-aware, solution-aware, product-aware)
  • What pain points or desires drive them?

4. Performance Data (if iterating)

  • What creative is currently running?
  • Which headlines/descriptions are performing best? (CTR, conversion rate, ROAS)
  • Which are underperforming?
  • What angles or themes have been tested?

5. Constraints

  • Brand voice guidelines or words to avoid?
  • Compliance requirements? (Industry regulations, platform policies)
  • Any mandatory elements? (Brand name, trademark symbols, disclaimers)

How This Skill Works

This skill supports two modes:

Mode 1: Generate from Scratch

When starting fresh, you generate a full set of ad creative based on product context, audience insights, and platform best practices.

Mode 2: Iterate from Performance Data

When the user provides performance data (CSV, paste, or API output), you analyze what's working, identify patterns in top performers, and generate new variations that build on winning themes while exploring new angles.

The core loop:

Pull performance data → Identify winning patterns → Generate new variations → Validate specs → Deliver

Platform Specs

Platforms reject or truncate creative that exceeds these limits, so verify every piece of copy fits before delivering.

Google Ads (Responsive Search Ads)

ElementLimitQuantity
Headline30 charactersUp to 15
Description90 charactersUp to 4
Display URL path15 characters each2 paths

RSA rules:

  • Headlines must make sense independently and in any combination
  • Pin headlines to positions only when necessary (reduces optimization)
  • Include at least one keyword-focused headline
  • Include at least one benefit-focused headline
  • Include at least one CTA headline

Meta Ads (Facebook/Instagram)

ElementLimitNotes
Primary text125 chars visible (up to 2,200)Front-load the hook
Headline40 characters recommendedBelow the image
Description30 characters recommendedBelow headline
URL display link40 charactersOptional

LinkedIn Ads

ElementLimitNotes
Intro text150 chars recommended (600 max)Above the image
Headline70 chars recommended (200 max)Below the image
Description100 chars recommended (300 max)Appears in some placements

TikTok Ads

ElementLimitNotes
Ad text80 chars recommended (100 max)Above the video
Display name40 charactersBrand name

Twitter/X Ads

ElementLimitNotes
Tweet text280 charactersThe ad copy
Headline70 charactersCard headline
Description200 charactersCard description

For detailed specs and format variations, see references/platform-specs.md.

Generating Ad Visuals

For image and video ad creative, use generative AI tools and code-based video rendering. See references/generative-tools.md for the complete guide covering:

  • Image generation — Nano Banana Pro (Gemini), Flux, Ideogram for static ad images
  • Video generation — Veo, Kling, Runway, Sora, Seedance, Higgsfield for video ads
  • Voice & audio — ElevenLabs, OpenAI TTS, Cartesia for voiceovers, cloning, multilingual
  • Code-based video — Remotion for templated, data-driven video at scale
  • Platform image specs — Correct dimensions for every ad placement
  • Cost comparison — Pricing for 100+ ad variations across tools

Recommended workflow for scaled production:

  1. Generate hero creative with AI tools (exploratory, high-quality)
  2. Build Remotion templates based on winning patterns
  3. Batch produce variations with Remotion using data feeds
  4. Iterate — AI for new angles, Remotion for scale

Generating Ad Copy

Step 1: Define Your Angles

Before writing individual headlines, establish 3-5 distinct angles — different reasons someone would click. Each angle should tap into a different motivation.

Common angle categories:

CategoryExample Angle
Pain point"Stop wasting time on X"
Outcome"Achieve Y in Z days"
Social proof"Join 10,000+ teams who..."
Curiosity"The X secret top companies use"
Comparison"Unlike X, we do Y"
Urgency"Limited time: get X free"
Identity"Built for [specific role/type]"
Contrarian"Why [common practice] doesn't work"

Step 2: Generate Variations per Angle

For each angle, generate multiple variations. Vary:

  • Word choice — synonyms, active vs. passive
  • Specificity — numbers vs. general claims
  • Tone — direct vs. question vs. command
  • Structure — short punch vs. full benefit statement

Step 3: Validate Against Specs

Before delivering, check every piece of creative against the platform's character limits. Flag anything that's over and provide a trimmed alternative.

Step 4: Organize for Upload

Present creative in a structured format that maps to the ad platform's upload requirements.

Iterating from Performance Data

When the user provides performance data, follow this process:

Step 1: Analyze Winners

Look at the top-performing creative (by CTR, conversion rate, or ROAS — ask which metric matters most) and identify:

  • Winning themes — What topics or pain points appear in top performers?
  • Winning structures — Questions? Statements? Commands? Numbers?
  • Winning word patterns — Specific words or phrases that recur?
  • Character utilization — Are top performers shorter or longer?

Step 2: Analyze Losers

Look at the worst performers and identify:

  • Themes that fall flat — What angles aren't resonating?
  • Common patterns in low performers — Too generic? Too long? Wrong tone?

Step 3: Generate New Variations

Create new creative that:

  • Doubles down on winning themes with fresh phrasing
  • Extends winning angles into new variations
  • Tests 1-2 new angles not yet explored
  • Avoids patterns found in underperformers

Step 4: Document the Iteration

Track what was learned and what's being tested:

## Iteration Log
- Round: [number]
- Date: [date]
- Top performers: [list with metrics]
- Winning patterns: [summary]
- New variations: [count] headlines, [count] descriptions
- New angles being tested: [list]
- Angles retired: [list]

Writing Quality Standards

Headlines That Click

Strong headlines:

  • Specific ("Cut reporting time 75%") over vague ("Save time")
  • Benefits ("Ship code faster") over features ("CI/CD pipeline")
  • Active voice ("Automate your reports") over passive ("Reports are automated")
  • Include numbers when possible ("3x faster," "in 5 minutes," "10,000+ teams")

Avoid:

  • Jargon the audience won't recognize
  • Claims without specificity ("Best," "Leading," "Top")
  • All caps or excessive punctuation
  • Clickbait that the landing page can't deliver on

Descriptions That Convert

Descriptions should complement headlines, not repeat them. Use descriptions to:

  • Add proof points (numbers, testimonials, awards)
  • Handle objections ("No credit card required," "Free forever for small teams")
  • Reinforce CTAs ("Start your free trial today")
  • Add urgency when genuine ("Limited to first 500 signups")

Output Formats

Standard Output

Organize by angle, with character counts:

## Angle: [Pain Point — Manual Reporting]

### Headlines (30 char max)
1. "Stop Building Reports by Hand" (29)
2. "Automate Your Weekly Reports" (28)
3. "Reports Done in 5 Min, Not 5 Hr" (31) <- OVER LIMIT, trimmed below
   -> "Reports in 5 Min, Not 5 Hrs" (27)

### Descriptions (90 char max)
1. "Marketing teams save 10+ hours/week with automated reporting. Start free." (73)
2. "Connect your data sources once. Get automated reports forever. No code required." (80)

Bulk CSV Output

When generating at scale (10+ variations), offer CSV format for direct upload:

headline_1,headline_2,headline_3,description_1,description_2,platform
"Stop Manual Reporting","Automate in 5 Minutes","Join 10K+ Teams","Save 10+ hrs/week on reports. Start free.","Connect data sources once. Reports forever.","google_ads"

Iteration Report

When iterating, include a summary:

## Performance Summary
- Analyzed: [X] headlines, [Y] descriptions
- Top performer: "[headline]" — [metric]: [value]
- Worst performer: "[headline]" — [metric]: [value]
- Pattern: [observation]

## New Creative
[organized variations]

## Recommendations
- [What to pause, what to scale, what to test next]

Batch Generation Workflow

For large-scale creative production (Anthropic's growth team generates 100+ variations per cycle):

1. Break into sub-tasks

  • Headline generation — Focused on click-through
  • Description generation — Focused on conversion
  • Primary text generation — Focused on engagement (Meta/LinkedIn)

2. Generate in waves

  • Wave 1: Core angles (3-5 angles, 5 variations each)
  • Wave 2: Extended variations on top 2 angles
  • Wave 3: Wild card angles (contrarian, emotional, specific)

3. Quality filter

  • Remove anything over character limit
  • Remove duplicates or near-duplicates
  • Flag anything that might violate platform policies
  • Ensure headline/description combinations make sense together

Common Mistakes

  • Writing headlines that only work together — RSA headlines get combined randomly
  • Ignoring character limits — Platforms truncate without warning
  • All variations sound the same — Vary angles, not just word choice
  • No CTA headlines — RSAs need action-oriented headlines to drive clicks; include at least 2-3
  • Generic descriptions — "Learn more about our solution" wastes the slot
  • Iterating without data — Gut feelings are less reliable than metrics
  • Testing too many things at once — Change one variable per test cycle
  • Retiring creative too early — Allow 1,000+ impressions before judging

Tool Integrations

For pulling performance data and managing campaigns, see the tools registry.

PlatformPull Performance DataManage CampaignsGuide
Google Adsgoogle-ads campaigns list, google-ads reports getgoogle-ads campaigns creategoogle-ads.md
Meta Adsmeta-ads insights getmeta-ads campaigns listmeta-ads.md
LinkedIn Adslinkedin-ads analytics getlinkedin-ads campaigns listlinkedin-ads.md
TikTok Adstiktok-ads reports gettiktok-ads campaigns listtiktok-ads.md

Workflow: Pull Data, Analyze, Generate

# 1. Pull recent ad performance
node tools/clis/google-ads.js reports get --type ad_performance --date-range last_30_days

# 2. Analyze output (identify top/bottom performers)
# 3. Feed winning patterns into this skill
# 4. Generate new variations
# 5. Upload to platform

Related Skills

  • paid-ads: For campaign strategy, targeting, budgets, and optimization
  • copywriting: For landing page copy (where ad traffic lands)
  • ab-test-setup: For structuring creative tests with statistical rigor
  • marketing-psychology: For psychological principles behind high-performing creative
  • copy-editing: For polishing ad copy before launch

Reference documents

Generative AI Tools for Ad Creative

Reference for using AI image generators, video generators, and code-based video tools to produce ad visuals at scale.

When to Use Generative Tools

NeedTool CategoryBest Fit
Static ad images (banners, social)Image generationNano Banana Pro, Flux, Ideogram
Ad images with text overlaysImage generation (text-capable)Ideogram, Nano Banana Pro
Short video ads (6-30 sec)Video generationVeo, Kling, Runway, Sora, Seedance
Video ads with voiceoverVideo gen + voiceVeo/Sora (native), or Runway + ElevenLabs
Voiceover tracks for adsVoice generationElevenLabs, OpenAI TTS, Cartesia
Multi-language ad versionsVoice generationElevenLabs, PlayHT
Brand voice cloningVoice generationElevenLabs, Resemble AI
Product mockups and variationsImage generation + referencesFlux (multi-image reference)
Templated video ads at scaleCode-based videoRemotion
Personalized video (name, data)Code-based videoRemotion
Brand-consistent variationsImage gen + style refsFlux, Ideogram, Nano Banana Pro

Image Generation

Nano Banana Pro (Gemini)

Google DeepMind's image generation model, available through the Gemini API.

Best for: High-quality ad images, product visuals, text rendering API: Gemini API (Google AI Studio, Vertex AI) Pricing: ~$0.04/image (Gemini 2.5 Flash Image), ~$0.24/4K image (Nano Banana Pro)

Strengths:

  • Strong text rendering in images (logos, headlines)
  • Native image editing (modify existing images with prompts)
  • Available through the same Gemini API used for text generation
  • Supports both generation and editing in one model

Ad creative use cases:

  • Generate social media ad images from text descriptions
  • Create product mockup variations
  • Edit existing ad images (swap backgrounds, change colors)
  • Generate images with headline text baked in

API example:

# Using the Gemini API for image generation
curl -X POST "https://generativelanguage.googleapis.com/v1beta/models/gemini-2.5-flash-image:generateContent" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "x-goog-api-key: $GEMINI_API_KEY" \
  -d '{
    "contents": [{"parts": [{"text": "Create a clean, modern social media ad image for a project management tool. Show a laptop with a kanban board interface. Bright, professional, 16:9 ratio."}]}],
    "generationConfig": {"responseModalities": ["TEXT", "IMAGE"]}
  }'

Docs: Gemini Image Generation

Flux (Black Forest Labs)

Open-weight image generation models with API access through Replicate and BFL's native API.

Best for: Photorealistic images, brand-consistent variations, multi-reference generation API: Replicate, BFL API, fal.ai Pricing: ~$0.01-0.06/image depending on model and resolution

Model variants:

ModelSpeedQualityCostBest For
Flux 2 Pro~6 secHighest$0.015/MPFinal production assets
Flux 2 Flex~22 secHigh + editing$0.06/MPIterative editing
Flux 2 Dev~2.5 secGood$0.012/MPRapid prototyping
Flux 2 KleinFastestGoodLowestHigh-volume batch generation

Strengths:

  • Multi-image reference (up to 8 images) for consistent identity across ads
  • Product consistency — same product in different contexts
  • Style transfer from reference images
  • Open-weight Dev model for self-hosting

Ad creative use cases:

  • Generate 50+ ad variations with consistent product/person identity
  • Create product-in-context images (your SaaS on different devices)
  • Style-match to existing brand assets using reference images
  • Rapid A/B test image variations

Docs: Replicate Flux, BFL API

Ideogram

Specialized in typography and text rendering within images.

Best for: Ad banners with text, branded graphics, social ad images with headlines API: Ideogram API, Runware Pricing: ~$0.06/image (API), ~$0.009/image (subscription)

Strengths:

  • Best-in-class text rendering (~90% accuracy vs ~30% for most tools)
  • Style reference system (upload up to 3 reference images)
  • 4.3 billion style presets for consistent brand aesthetics
  • Strong at logos and branded typography

Ad creative use cases:

  • Generate ad banners with headline text directly in the image
  • Create social media graphics with branded text overlays
  • Produce multiple design variations with consistent typography
  • Generate promotional materials without needing a designer for each iteration

Docs: Ideogram API, Ideogram

Other Image Tools

ToolBest ForAPI StatusNotes
DALL-E 3 (OpenAI)General image generationOfficial APIIntegrated with ChatGPT, good text rendering
MidjourneyArtistic, high-aesthetic imagesNo official public APIDiscord-based; unofficial APIs exist but risk bans
Stable DiffusionSelf-hosted, customizableOpen sourceBest for teams with GPU infrastructure

Video Generation

Google Veo

Google DeepMind's video generation model, available through the Gemini API and Vertex AI.

Best for: High-quality video ads with native audio, vertical video for social API: Gemini API, Vertex AI Pricing: ~$0.15/sec (Veo 3.1 Fast), ~$0.40/sec (Veo 3.1 Standard)

Capabilities:

  • Up to 60 seconds at 1080p
  • Native audio generation (dialogue, sound effects, ambient)
  • Vertical 9:16 output for Stories/Reels/Shorts
  • Upscale to 4K
  • Text-to-video and image-to-video

Ad creative use cases:

  • Generate short video ads (15-30 sec) from text descriptions
  • Create vertical video ads for TikTok, Reels, Shorts
  • Produce product demos with voiceover
  • Generate multiple video variations from the same prompt with different styles

Docs: Veo on Vertex AI

Kling (Kuaishou)

Video generation with simultaneous audio-visual generation and camera controls.

Best for: Cinematic video ads, longer-form content, audio-synced video API: Kling API, PiAPI, fal.ai Pricing: ~$0.09/sec (via fal.ai third-party)

Capabilities:

  • Up to 3 minutes at 1080p/30-48fps
  • Simultaneous audio-visual generation (Kling 2.6)
  • Text-to-video and image-to-video
  • Motion and camera controls

Ad creative use cases:

  • Longer product explainer videos
  • Cinematic brand videos with synchronized audio
  • Animate product images into video ads

Docs: Kling AI Developer

Runway

Video generation and editing platform with strong controllability.

Best for: Controlled video generation, style-consistent content, editing existing footage API: Runway Developer Portal

Capabilities:

  • Gen-4: Character/scene consistency across shots
  • Motion brush and camera controls
  • Image-to-video with reference images
  • Video-to-video style transfer

Ad creative use cases:

  • Generate video ads with consistent characters/products across scenes
  • Style-transfer existing footage to match brand aesthetics
  • Extend or remix existing video content

Docs: Runway API

Sora 2 (OpenAI)

OpenAI's video generation model with synchronized audio.

Best for: High-fidelity video with dialogue and sound API: OpenAI API Pricing: Free tier available; Pro from $0.10-0.50/sec depending on resolution

Capabilities:

  • Up to 60 seconds with synchronized audio
  • Dialogue, sound effects, and ambient audio
  • sora-2 (fast) and sora-2-pro (quality) variants
  • Text-to-video and image-to-video

Ad creative use cases:

  • Video testimonials and talking-head style ads
  • Product demo videos with narration
  • Narrative brand videos

Docs: OpenAI Video Generation

Seedance 2.0 (ByteDance)

ByteDance's video generation model with simultaneous audio-visual generation and multimodal inputs.

Best for: Fast, affordable video ads with native audio, multimodal reference inputs API: BytePlus (official), Replicate, WaveSpeedAI, fal.ai (third-party); OpenAI-compatible API format Pricing: ~$0.10-0.80/min depending on resolution (estimated 10-100x cheaper than Sora 2 per clip)

Capabilities:

  • Up to 20 seconds at up to 2K resolution
  • Simultaneous audio-visual generation (Dual-Branch Diffusion Transformer)
  • Text-to-video and image-to-video
  • Up to 12 reference files for multimodal input
  • OpenAI-compatible API structure

Ad creative use cases:

  • High-volume short video ad production at low cost
  • Video ads with synchronized voiceover and sound effects in one pass
  • Multi-reference generation (feed product images, brand assets, style references)
  • Rapid iteration on video ad concepts

Docs: Seedance

Higgsfield

Full-stack video creation platform with cinematic camera controls.

Best for: Social video ads, cinematic style, mobile-first content Platform: higgsfield.ai

Capabilities:

  • 50+ professional camera movements (zooms, pans, FPV drone shots)
  • Image-to-video animation
  • Built-in editing, transitions, and keyframing
  • All-in-one workflow: image gen, animation, editing

Ad creative use cases:

  • Social media video ads with cinematic feel
  • Animate product images into dynamic video
  • Create multiple video variations with different camera styles
  • Quick-turn video content for social campaigns

Video Tool Comparison

ToolMax LengthAudioResolutionAPIBest For
Veo 3.160 secNative1080p/4KGeminiVertical social video
Kling 2.63 minNative1080pThird-partyLonger cinematic
Runway Gen-410 secNo1080pOfficialControlled, consistent
Sora 260 secNative1080pOfficialDialogue-heavy
Seedance 2.020 secNative2KOfficial + third-partyAffordable high-volume
HiggsfieldVariesYes1080pWeb-basedSocial, mobile-first

Voice & Audio Generation

For layering realistic voiceovers onto video ads, adding narration to product demos, or generating audio for Remotion-rendered videos. These tools turn ad scripts into natural-sounding voice tracks.

When to Use Voice Tools

Many video generators (Veo, Kling, Sora, Seedance) now include native audio. Use standalone voice tools when you need:

  • Voiceover on silent video — Runway Gen-4 and Remotion produce silent output
  • Brand voice consistency — Clone a specific voice for all ads
  • Multi-language versions — Same ad script in 20+ languages
  • Script iteration — Re-record voiceover without reshooting video
  • Precise control — Exact timing, emotion, and pacing

ElevenLabs

The market leader in realistic voice generation and voice cloning.

Best for: Most natural-sounding voiceovers, brand voice cloning, multilingual API: REST API with streaming support Pricing: ~$0.12-0.30 per 1,000 characters depending on plan; starts at $5/month

Capabilities:

  • 29+ languages with natural accent and intonation
  • Voice cloning from short audio clips (instant) or longer recordings (professional)
  • Emotion and style control
  • Streaming for real-time generation
  • Voice library with hundreds of pre-built voices

Ad creative use cases:

  • Generate voiceover tracks for video ads
  • Clone your brand spokesperson's voice for all ad variations
  • Produce the same ad in 10+ languages from one script
  • A/B test different voice styles (authoritative vs. friendly vs. urgent)

API example:

curl -X POST "https://api.elevenlabs.io/v1/text-to-speech/{voice_id}" \
  -H "xi-api-key: $ELEVENLABS_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "text": "Stop wasting hours on manual reporting. Try DataFlow free for 14 days.",
    "model_id": "eleven_multilingual_v2",
    "voice_settings": {"stability": 0.5, "similarity_boost": 0.75}
  }' --output voiceover.mp3

Docs: ElevenLabs API

OpenAI TTS

Simple, affordable text-to-speech built into the OpenAI API.

Best for: Quick voiceovers, cost-effective at scale, simple integration API: OpenAI API (same SDK as GPT/DALL-E) Pricing: $15/million chars (standard), $30/million chars (HD); ~$0.015/min with gpt-4o-mini-tts

Capabilities:

  • 13 built-in voices (no custom cloning)
  • Multiple languages
  • Real-time streaming
  • HD quality option
  • Simple API — same SDK you already use for GPT

Ad creative use cases:

  • Fast, cheap voiceover for draft/test ad versions
  • High-volume narration at low cost
  • Prototype ad audio before investing in premium voice

Docs: OpenAI TTS

Cartesia Sonic

Ultra-low latency voice generation built for real-time applications.

Best for: Real-time voice, lowest latency, emotional expressiveness API: REST + WebSocket streaming Pricing: Starts at $5/month; pay-as-you-go from $0.03/min

Capabilities:

  • 40ms time-to-first-audio (fastest in class)
  • 15+ languages
  • Nonverbal expressiveness: laughter, breathing, emotional inflections
  • Sonic Turbo for even lower latency
  • Streaming API for real-time generation

Ad creative use cases:

  • Real-time ad preview during creative iteration
  • Interactive demo videos with dynamic narration
  • Ads requiring natural laughter, sighs, or emotional reactions

Docs: Cartesia Sonic

Voicebox (Open Source)

Free, local-first voice synthesis studio powered by Qwen3-TTS. The open-source alternative to ElevenLabs.

Best for: Free voice cloning, local/private generation, zero-cost batch production API: Local REST API at http://localhost:8000 Pricing: Free (MIT license). Runs entirely on your machine. Stack: Tauri (Rust) + React + FastAPI (Python)

Capabilities:

  • Voice cloning from short audio samples via Qwen3-TTS
  • Multi-language support (English, Chinese, more planned)
  • Multi-track timeline editor for composing conversations
  • 4-5x faster inference on Apple Silicon via MLX Metal acceleration
  • Local REST API for programmatic generation
  • No cloud dependency — all processing on-device

Ad creative use cases:

  • Free voice cloning for brand spokesperson across all ad variations
  • Batch generate voiceovers without per-character costs
  • Private/local generation when ad content is sensitive or pre-launch
  • Prototype voice variations before committing to a paid service

API example:

curl -X POST http://localhost:8000/generate \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"text": "Stop wasting hours on manual reporting.", "profile_id": "abc123", "language": "en"}'

Install: Desktop apps for macOS and Windows at voicebox.sh, or build from source:

git clone https://github.com/jamiepine/voicebox.git
cd voicebox && make setup && make dev

Docs: GitHub

Other Voice Tools

ToolBest ForDifferentiatorAPI
PlayHTLarge voice library, low latency900+ voices, <300ms latency, ultra-realisticplay.ht
Resemble AIEnterprise voice cloningOn-premise deployment, real-time speech-to-speechresemble.ai
WellSaid LabsEthical, commercial-safe voicesVoices from compensated actors, safe for commercial usewellsaid.io
Fish AudioBudget-friendly, emotion control~50-70% cheaper than ElevenLabs, emotion tagsfish.audio
Murf AINon-technical teamsBrowser-based studio, 200+ voicesmurf.ai
Google Cloud TTSGoogle ecosystem, scale220+ voices, 40+ languages, enterprise SLAsGoogle TTS
Amazon PollyAWS ecosystem, costNeural voices, SSML control, cheap at volumeAmazon Polly

Voice Tool Comparison

ToolQualityCloningLanguagesLatencyPrice/1K chars
ElevenLabsBestYes (instant + pro)29+~200ms$0.12-0.30
OpenAI TTSGoodNo13+~300ms$0.015-0.030
Cartesia SonicVery goodNo15+~40ms~$0.03/min
PlayHTVery goodYes140+<300ms~$0.10-0.20
Fish AudioGoodYes13+~200ms~$0.05-0.10
WellSaidVery goodNo (actor voices)English~300msCustom pricing
VoiceboxGoodYes (local)2+LocalFree (open source)

Choosing a Voice Tool

Need voiceover for ads?
├── Need to clone a specific brand voice?
│   ├── Best quality → ElevenLabs
│   ├── Enterprise/on-premise → Resemble AI
│   └── Budget-friendly → Fish Audio, PlayHT
├── Need multilingual (same ad, many languages)?
│   ├── Most languages → PlayHT (140+)
│   └── Best quality → ElevenLabs (29+)
├── Need free / open source / local?
│   └── Voicebox (MIT, runs on your machine)
├── Need cheap, fast, good-enough?
│   └── OpenAI TTS ($0.015/min)
├── Need commercially-safe licensing?
│   └── WellSaid Labs (actor-compensated voices)
└── Need real-time/interactive?
    └── Cartesia Sonic (40ms TTFA)

Workflow: Voice + Video

1. Write ad script (use ad-creative skill for copy)
2. Generate voiceover with ElevenLabs/OpenAI TTS
3. Generate or render video:
   a. Silent video from Runway/Remotion → layer voice track
   b. Or use Veo/Sora/Seedance with native audio (skip separate VO)
4. Combine with ffmpeg if layering separately:
   ffmpeg -i video.mp4 -i voiceover.mp3 -c:v copy -c:a aac output.mp4
5. Generate variations (different scripts, voices, or languages)

Code-Based Video: Remotion

For templated, data-driven video ads at scale, Remotion is the best option. Unlike AI video generators that produce unique video from prompts, Remotion uses React code to render deterministic, brand-perfect video from templates and data.

Best for: Templated ad variations, personalized video, brand-consistent production Stack: React + TypeScript Pricing: Free for individuals/small teams; commercial license required for 4+ employees Docs: remotion.dev

Why Remotion for Ads

AI Video GeneratorsRemotion
Unique output each timeDeterministic, pixel-perfect
Prompt-based, less controlFull code control over every frame
Hard to match brand exactlyExact brand colors, fonts, spacing
One-at-a-time generationBatch render hundreds from data
No dynamic data insertionPersonalize with names, prices, stats

Ad Creative Use Cases

1. Dynamic product ads Feed a JSON array of products and render a unique video ad for each:

// Simplified Remotion component for product ads
export const ProductAd: React.FC<{
  productName: string;
  price: string;
  imageUrl: string;
  tagline: string;
}> = ({productName, price, imageUrl, tagline}) => {
  return (
    <AbsoluteFill style={{backgroundColor: '#fff'}}>
      <Img src={imageUrl} style={{width: 400, height: 400}} />
      <h1>{productName}</h1>
      <p>{tagline}</p>
      <div className="price">{price}</div>
      <div className="cta">Shop Now</div>
    </AbsoluteFill>
  );
};

2. A/B test video variations Render the same template with different headlines, CTAs, or color schemes:

const variations = [
  {headline: "Save 50% Today", cta: "Get the Deal", theme: "urgent"},
  {headline: "Join 10K+ Teams", cta: "Start Free", theme: "social-proof"},
  {headline: "Built for Speed", cta: "Try It Now", theme: "benefit"},
];
// Render all variations programmatically

3. Personalized outreach videos Generate videos addressing prospects by name for cold outreach or sales.

4. Social ad batch production Render the same content across different aspect ratios:

  • 1:1 for feed
  • 9:16 for Stories/Reels
  • 16:9 for YouTube

Remotion Workflow for Ad Creative

1. Design template in React (or use AI to generate the component)
2. Define data schema (products, headlines, CTAs, images)
3. Feed data array into template
4. Batch render all variations
5. Upload to ad platform

Getting Started

# Create a new Remotion project
npx create-video@latest

# Render a single video
npx remotion render src/index.ts MyComposition out/video.mp4

# Batch render from data
npx remotion render src/index.ts MyComposition --props='{"data": [...]}'

Choosing the Right Tool

Decision Tree

Need video ads?
├── Templated, data-driven (same structure, different data)
│   └── Use Remotion
├── Unique creative from prompts (exploratory)
│   ├── Need dialogue/voiceover? → Sora 2, Veo 3.1, Kling 2.6, Seedance 2.0
│   ├── Need consistency across scenes? → Runway Gen-4
│   ├── Need vertical social video? → Veo 3.1 (native 9:16)
│   ├── Need high volume at low cost? → Seedance 2.0
│   └── Need cinematic camera work? → Higgsfield, Kling
└── Both → Use AI gen for hero creative, Remotion for variations

Need image ads?
├── Need text/headlines in image? → Ideogram
├── Need product consistency across variations? → Flux (multi-ref)
├── Need quick iterations on existing images? → Nano Banana Pro
├── Need highest visual quality? → Flux Pro, Midjourney
└── Need high volume at low cost? → Flux Klein, Nano Banana

Cost Comparison for 100 Ad Variations

ApproachToolApproximate Cost
100 static imagesNano Banana Pro~$4-24
100 static imagesFlux Dev~$1-2
100 static imagesIdeogram API~$6
100 × 15-sec videosVeo 3.1 Fast~$225
100 × 15-sec videosRemotion (templated)~$0 (self-hosted render)
10 hero videos + 90 templatedVeo + Remotion~$22 + render time

Recommended Workflow for Scaled Ad Production

  1. Generate hero creative with AI (Nano Banana, Flux, Veo) — high-quality, exploratory
  2. Build templates in Remotion based on winning creative patterns
  3. Batch produce variations with Remotion using data (products, headlines, CTAs)
  4. Iterate — use AI tools for new angles, Remotion for scale

This hybrid approach gives you the creative exploration of AI generators and the consistency and scale of code-based rendering.

Platform-Specific Image Specs

When generating images for ads, request the correct dimensions:

PlatformPlacementAspect RatioRecommended Size
Meta FeedSingle image1:11080x1080
Meta Stories/ReelsVertical9:161080x1920
Meta CarouselSquare1:11080x1080
Google DisplayLandscape1.91:11200x628
Google DisplaySquare1:11200x1200
LinkedIn FeedLandscape1.91:11200x627
LinkedIn FeedSquare1:11200x1200
TikTok FeedVertical9:161080x1920
Twitter/X FeedLandscape16:91200x675
Twitter/X CardLandscape1.91:1800x418

Include these dimensions in your generation prompts to avoid needing to crop or resize.

Platform Specs Reference

Complete character limits, format requirements, and best practices for each ad platform.

Google Ads

Responsive Search Ads (RSAs)

ElementCharacter LimitRequiredNotes
Headline30 chars3 minimum, 15 maxAny 3 may be shown together
Description90 chars2 minimum, 4 maxAny 2 may be shown together
Display path 115 charsOptionalAppears after domain in URL
Display path 215 charsOptionalAppears after path 1
Final URLNo limitRequiredLanding page URL

Combination rules:

  • Google selects up to 3 headlines and 2 descriptions to show
  • Headlines appear separated by " | " or stacked
  • Any headline can appear in any position unless pinned
  • Pinning reduces Google's ability to optimize — use sparingly

Pinning strategy:

  • Pin your brand name to position 1 if brand guidelines require it
  • Pin your strongest CTA to position 2 or 3
  • Leave most headlines unpinned for machine learning

Headline mix recommendation (15 headlines):

  • 3-4 keyword-focused (match search intent)
  • 3-4 benefit-focused (what they get)
  • 2-3 social proof (numbers, awards, customers)
  • 2-3 CTA-focused (action to take)
  • 1-2 differentiators (why you over competitors)
  • 1 brand name headline

Description mix recommendation (4 descriptions):

  • 1 benefit + proof point
  • 1 feature + outcome
  • 1 social proof + CTA
  • 1 urgency/offer + CTA (if applicable)

Performance Max

ElementCharacter LimitNotes
Headline30 chars (5 required)Short headlines for various placements
Long headline90 chars (5 required)Used in display, video, discover
Description90 chars (1 required, 5 max)Accompany various ad formats
Business name25 charsRequired

Display Ads

ElementCharacter Limit
Headline30 chars
Long headline90 chars
Description90 chars
Business name25 chars

Meta Ads (Facebook & Instagram)

Single Image / Video / Carousel

ElementRecommendedMaximumNotes
Primary text125 chars2,200 charsText above image; truncated after ~125
Headline40 chars255 charsBelow image; truncated after ~40
Description30 chars255 charsBelow headline; may not show
URL display link40 charsN/AOptional custom display URL

Placement-specific notes:

  • Feed: All elements show; primary text most visible
  • Stories/Reels: Primary text overlaid; keep under 72 chars
  • Right column: Only headline visible; skip description
  • Audience Network: Varies by publisher

Best practices:

  • Front-load the hook in primary text (first 125 chars)
  • Use line breaks for readability in longer primary text
  • Emojis: test, but don't overuse — 1-2 per ad max
  • Questions in primary text increase engagement
  • Headline should be a clear CTA or value statement

Lead Ads (Instant Form)

ElementLimit
Greeting headline60 chars
Greeting description360 chars
Privacy policy text200 chars

LinkedIn Ads

Single Image Ad

ElementRecommendedMaximumNotes
Intro text150 chars600 charsAbove the image; truncated after ~150
Headline70 chars200 charsBelow the image
Description100 chars300 charsOnly shows on Audience Network

Carousel Ad

ElementLimit
Intro text255 chars
Card headline45 chars
Card count2-10 cards

Message Ad (InMail)

ElementLimit
Subject line60 chars
Message body1,500 chars
CTA button20 chars

Text Ad

ElementLimit
Headline25 chars
Description75 chars

LinkedIn-specific guidelines:

  • Professional tone, but not boring
  • Use job-specific language the audience recognizes
  • Statistics and data points perform well
  • Avoid consumer-style hype ("Amazing!" "Incredible!")
  • First-person testimonials from peers resonate

TikTok Ads

In-Feed Ads

ElementRecommendedMaximumNotes
Ad text80 chars100 charsAbove the video
Display nameN/A40 charsBrand name
CTA buttonPlatform optionsPredefinedSelect from TikTok's options

Spark Ads (Boosted Organic)

ElementNotes
CaptionUses original post caption
CTA buttonAdded by advertiser
Display nameOriginal creator's handle

TikTok-specific guidelines:

  • Native content outperforms polished ads
  • First 2 seconds determine if they watch
  • Use trending sounds and formats
  • Text overlay is essential (most watch with sound off)
  • Vertical video only (9:16)

Twitter/X Ads

Promoted Tweets

ElementLimitNotes
Tweet text280 charsFull tweet with image/video
Card headline70 charsWebsite card
Card description200 charsWebsite card

Website Cards

ElementLimit
Headline70 chars
Description200 chars

Twitter/X-specific guidelines:

  • Conversational, casual tone
  • Short sentences work best
  • One clear message per tweet
  • Hashtags: 1-2 max (0 is often better for ads)
  • Threads can work for consideration-stage content

Character Counting Tips

  • Spaces count as characters on all platforms
  • Emojis count as 1-2 characters depending on platform
  • Special characters (|, &, etc.) count as 1 character
  • URLs in body text count against limits
  • Dynamic keyword insertion ({KeyWord:default}) can exceed limits — set safe defaults
  • Always verify in the platform's ad preview before launching

Multi-Platform Creative Adaptation

When creating for multiple platforms simultaneously, start with the most restrictive format:

  1. Google Search headlines (30 chars) — forces the tightest messaging
  2. Expand to Meta headlines (40 chars) — add a word or two
  3. Expand to LinkedIn intro text (150 chars) — add context and proof
  4. Expand to Meta primary text (125+ chars) — full hook and value prop

This cascading approach ensures your core message works everywhere, then gets enriched for platforms that allow more space.

Quality tested— 6 tests, 37 assertions verified