How to Make a Promo Video with AI: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

A great promo video does in 30 seconds what a sales page tries to do in 2,000 words: it makes someone care about your product, your event, or your brand enough to take the next step. Promo videos are the workhorses of digital marketing -- they launch products, fill events, announce sales, introduce brands, and drive conversions across every platform and channel.

The problem has always been production. A professional promo video traditionally costs $3,000 to $20,000 and takes 2-4 weeks from concept to delivery. For small businesses, startups, and marketing teams that need promotional content on a weekly or even daily basis, that math does not work.

AI video generation has eliminated the production bottleneck. In 2026, you can create a polished, platform-optimized promo video in under an hour -- from concept to final export -- using AI tools that handle the heavy lifting of video generation, animation, voiceover, and formatting. The quality gap between AI-generated promo videos and traditionally produced ones has narrowed to the point where audiences cannot tell the difference, and in many cases, AI-generated content outperforms because it can be optimized and iterated faster.

This guide walks you through every step of creating effective promo videos with AI: the five proven promo video formats, script frameworks for each, a detailed step-by-step AI workflow, platform-specific specs and optimization, music and sound design, CTA strategies, and budgeting for promo video production at any scale.

What Makes an Effective Promo Video?

Before touching any tools, understand what separates a promo video that drives action from one that gets scrolled past.

The Five Elements of High-Converting Promo Videos

1. A Hook That Stops the Scroll (0-3 Seconds)
The opening frames must arrest attention. On social feeds, users decide within 1.5 seconds whether to keep watching. Your hook must either present a problem the viewer recognizes, show a result they desire, or create curiosity they need to resolve.

2. A Clear Value Proposition (3-10 Seconds)
Within the first ten seconds, the viewer must understand what this is and why it matters to them. Not what it does -- why it matters. The distinction is critical. Features are what something does. Value is what it means for the viewer.

3. Visual Proof (10-20 Seconds)
Show, do not tell. Product in action, results in context, testimonials on screen, before-and-after transformations. Visual proof converts skepticism into interest.

4. Urgency or Motivation (20-25 Seconds)
Give the viewer a reason to act now rather than later. Limited-time offers, exclusive access, scarcity, seasonal relevance, or the cost of inaction.

5. A Single, Clear CTA (Final 3-5 Seconds)
One action. Not three options. One clear instruction: "Sign up free," "Shop now," "Register today," "Download the app." The CTA must be visible as text on screen and, if possible, stated in the voiceover.

Promo Video Length by Platform

• TikTok: 15-30 seconds (shorter wins for cold audiences)
• Instagram Reels: 15-30 seconds
• Instagram Stories: 15 seconds per story frame (create 2-3 frame sequences)
• Facebook Feed: 15-30 seconds (autoplay with captions)
• YouTube Pre-Roll: 6 seconds (bumper ads) or 15 seconds (skippable, hook in first 5)
• YouTube Shorts: 15-60 seconds
• LinkedIn: 30-60 seconds (longer format accepted for B2B)
• Landing pages and email: 30-90 seconds (audience has already shown intent)

The 5 Proven Promo Video Formats

Every effective promo video falls into one of five formats. Each format has a specific structure, audience stage, and conversion goal.

Format 1: Product Demo

The product demo shows your product in action, demonstrating key features and the user experience.

Best for: SaaS products, physical products with unique features, apps, tools, and platforms.

Structure:

• Hook: Present the problem your product solves (0-3s)
• Introduction: Show the product with one-line positioning (3-6s)
• Feature 1: Demonstrate the primary feature with visual proof (6-12s)
• Feature 2: Show a secondary feature that reinforces value (12-18s)
• Result: Show the outcome or end state the product creates (18-23s)
• CTA: "Try it free" or "See it in action" (23-27s)

Script framework:
"Tired of [problem]? [Product name] lets you [primary benefit] in [timeframe]. [Show Feature 1 in action]. Plus, [Feature 2 benefit]. [Show result]. Start [your free trial / using it today] at [URL]."

AI production approach: Generate product showcase visuals using text-to-video with prompts that describe your product in context. For software products, combine screen recordings with AI-generated contextual scenes (person using laptop in a clean office, team celebrating results). For physical products, use image-to-video to animate product photos with dynamic camera movements, lighting transitions, and lifestyle context.

Format 2: Brand Story

The brand story introduces who you are, what you stand for, and why the viewer should care.

Best for: New brand launches, market expansion, brand repositioning, awareness campaigns.

Structure:

• Hook: Open with a bold statement about your mission or the change you are creating (0-4s)
• Origin: Brief visual story of how and why the brand exists (4-10s)
• Values: What makes your approach different (10-16s)
• Impact: Show real outcomes, customers, or community (16-22s)
• Invitation: Welcome the viewer into the brand world (22-26s)
• CTA: "Join us" or "Learn more" (26-30s)

Script framework:
"We started [brand name] because [problem/mission]. While everyone else was [conventional approach], we believed [your different approach]. Today, [impact metric or customer outcome]. This is what happens when [your core belief]. [CTA]."

AI production approach: Brand story videos benefit from cinematic visuals and atmospheric footage. Use text-to-video generation to create aspirational scenes that represent your brand's world -- the environments, activities, and emotions associated with your brand identity. Layer in talking avatar narration for a personal, human touch using one of Persona AI's 100+ avatars.

Format 3: Event Promo

The event promo drives registrations, ticket sales, or attendance for a specific event.

Best for: Conferences, webinars, product launches, sales events, workshops, concerts.

Structure:

• Hook: The single most compelling reason to attend (0-3s)
• What: Event name, date, and format (3-7s)
• Why: 2-3 key value propositions (speakers, content, networking, exclusive access) (7-15s)
• Social proof: Previous attendee quotes, past event visuals, speaker credentials (15-21s)
• Urgency: Early bird pricing, limited seats, registration deadline (21-25s)
• CTA: "Register now" with URL or QR code (25-30s)

Script framework:
"[Number] [industry professionals / experts / entrepreneurs] are gathering on [date] for [event name]. Featuring [speaker/content highlight 1], [highlight 2], and [highlight 3]. Last year's attendees called it [quote]. [Urgency element]. Secure your spot at [URL]."

AI production approach: Event promo videos need energy, visual polish, and credibility. Generate dynamic event environment visuals with AI -- conference stages, networking spaces, packed audiences -- that create the feeling of being there. Overlay speaker photos, event details, and testimonials as text graphics. Use high-energy transitions and pacing that match the event's vibe.

Format 4: Launch Trailer

The launch trailer builds anticipation and excitement for an upcoming product, feature, or collection.

Best for: Product launches, feature releases, collection drops, app updates, seasonal campaigns.

Structure:

• Teaser: Atmospheric visual that establishes mood without revealing the product (0-4s)
• Reveal: Product or feature first look with bold text overlay (4-8s)
• Feature showcase: 2-3 key features or details in rapid sequence (8-16s)
• Lifestyle context: Show the product in the customer's world (16-22s)
• Date and availability: When it launches and how to get it (22-26s)
• CTA: "Coming [date]" or "Join the waitlist" (26-30s)

Script framework:
"Something [new / game-changing / you have been waiting for] is coming. Introducing [product name] -- [one-sentence positioning]. [Feature 1]. [Feature 2]. [Feature 3]. Available [date]. [CTA]."

AI production approach: Launch trailers are all about visual impact. Use text-to-video to generate cinematic reveal sequences -- dramatic lighting, slow-motion product reveals, atmospheric environments. Layer multiple AI-generated clips with increasing energy to build excitement through the trailer's arc. Add motion graphics for feature callouts and date reveals.

Format 5: Social Proof Video

The social proof video uses customer testimonials, results, and reviews to build credibility and convert skeptical prospects.

Best for: Mid-to-bottom funnel marketing, retargeting, high-consideration purchases, overcoming objections.

Structure:

• Hook: Lead with the most impressive customer result (0-3s)
• Testimonial 1: Customer quote with context (3-9s)
• Testimonial 2: Different customer, different use case (9-15s)
• Data point: Aggregate social proof ("Join 10,000+ customers") (15-18s)
• Testimonial 3: Most relatable customer story (18-24s)
• CTA: "See why [X] customers chose us" (24-28s)

Script framework:
"[Customer name] increased [metric] by [percentage] in [timeframe] using [product]. And they are not alone. [Quote from second customer]. Over [number] [businesses / customers / teams] trust [product] to [core benefit]. [CTA]."

AI production approach: Social proof videos are the ideal use case for AdCreate's talking avatar technology. Generate realistic AI avatar testimonials that deliver actual customer quotes in a natural, conversational tone. With 100+ avatars and 40+ languages, you can create diverse testimonial content that represents your actual customer base without requiring video recordings from individual customers.

Step-by-Step AI Workflow: Concept to Export

Here is the complete workflow for creating a promo video with AI, from initial concept to final export.

Step 1: Define Your Objective (5 minutes)

Before anything else, answer three questions:

1. What is the single action you want the viewer to take? (Sign up, purchase, register, download, visit)
2. Who is the viewer? (Demographics, psychographics, where they are in the buyer journey)
3. Where will this video appear? (Platform determines format, length, and specs)

Write these down. They guide every decision that follows.

Step 2: Choose Your Format (5 minutes)

Select from the five proven formats based on your objective:

• Launching something new? Launch trailer
• Demonstrating product capabilities? Product demo
• Building brand awareness? Brand story
• Driving event registrations? Event promo
• Converting warm leads? Social proof video

Step 3: Write Your Script (15-20 minutes)

Using the script framework for your chosen format, write a tight script:

• Keep it concise: 60-80 words for a 30-second video. Read it aloud and time it.
• Front-load value: The most important information comes first.
• Use active voice: "Create stunning videos" not "Stunning videos can be created."
• Include the CTA in the script: Write the exact words you want on screen and in audio.
• Write for scanning: Many viewers watch with sound off. Your key message must be conveyed through text overlays alone.

If you struggle with scripting, use AdCreate's AI Toolbox which includes 16+ tools for content generation, including ad copy and script writing assistance.

Step 4: Create a Visual Shot List (10 minutes)

Break your script into visual segments. For each segment, describe:

• What appears on screen (scene, subject, product)
• What text overlay appears (headline, feature callout, CTA)
• What the camera does (static, zoom, pan, reveal)
• Duration of this segment (in seconds)

Example shot list for a 30-second product demo:

Time	Visual	Text Overlay	Camera
0-3s	Person frustrated at desk	"Still doing [task] manually?"	Close-up, slight zoom out
3-6s	Product interface hero shot	"Meet [Product Name]"	Smooth zoom in
6-12s	Feature 1 in action	"[Feature benefit]"	Screen recording + context
12-18s	Feature 2 in action	"[Feature benefit]"	Dynamic angle change
18-23s	Happy customer using product	"[Result metric]"	Warm lighting, medium shot
23-27s	Product logo + CTA	"Try Free Today"	Static, clean composition

Step 5: Generate Video Clips with AI (20-30 minutes)

Now produce your video content using AI generation:

For scene-based clips (environments, lifestyle, product contexts):
Use AdCreate's text-to-video feature to generate each scene from your shot list. Write detailed prompts for each clip:

• Include the visual description, camera movement, lighting, and mood
• Specify the aspect ratio for your target platform (16:9 for YouTube, 9:16 for TikTok/Reels, 1:1 for Feed)
• Generate 2-3 variations of each clip and select the best

AdCreate gives you access to multiple AI video models -- Veo 3.1 for cinematic quality, Sora 2 for photorealistic scenes, Wan 2.5 for stylized visuals, Kling 2.6 for dynamic motion, and Runway Gen-4 for precise editing control. Choose the model that best matches each scene's requirements.

For product imagery animation:
Use image-to-video to animate your existing product photos, screenshots, or brand imagery. Upload the image and specify the type of motion you want -- camera zoom, product rotation, environment animation, parallax effect.

For talking-head and testimonial segments:
Use Persona AI talking avatars to generate presenter segments. Select an avatar that matches your brand's tone and target audience. Input your script and generate the narrated video segment. With 100+ avatars and 40+ languages available, you can create localized promo content for any market.

For template-based promo videos:
If you want a faster path, use AdCreate's Ad Wizard with 50+ pre-built promo video templates. Select a template that matches your format, customize with your product details, brand colors, and messaging, and generate a complete promo video in minutes.

Step 6: Assemble and Edit (15-20 minutes)

Combine your AI-generated clips into the final promo video:

• Arrange clips according to your shot list sequence
• Add text overlays matching your script callouts
• Insert transitions between clips (cuts are usually best for promo pacing -- avoid overusing fancy transitions)
• Add your logo, brand colors, and visual identity elements
• Insert the CTA screen as the final frame with adequate hold time (2-3 seconds minimum)

Step 7: Add Music and Sound Design (5-10 minutes)

Select background music that matches the energy and emotion of your promo:

• Product demos: Upbeat, modern, energetic but not overpowering
• Brand stories: Emotional, building, inspirational
• Event promos: High-energy, exciting, crescendo toward the CTA
• Launch trailers: Dramatic, building tension, powerful release at the reveal
• Social proof: Warm, trustworthy, confident

Use royalty-free music libraries to source tracks. Adjust music volume so it supports but does not compete with voiceover or key audio elements.

Step 8: Export and Optimize (5 minutes)

Export your final video in platform-specific formats:

• Resolution: 1080p minimum for all platforms, 4K for YouTube and landing pages
• Aspect ratio: Match your target platform (details in the platform specs section below)
• File format: MP4 with H.264 encoding for universal compatibility
• File size: Under 500MB for social platforms, under 100MB ideal for faster upload and processing
• Captions: Burn in or upload as SRT file for accessibility and sound-off viewing

Total workflow time: 60-90 minutes from concept to finished promo video.

Platform-Specific Promo Video Specs

Every platform has optimal specs. Matching these specs ensures your promo video displays correctly and receives maximum distribution.

TikTok Promo Video Specs

• Aspect ratio: 9:16 (vertical)
• Resolution: 1080x1920 pixels
• Duration: 15-30 seconds (sweet spot for promo content)
• Max file size: 500MB
• Format: MP4 or MOV
• Safe zones: Keep critical text and visuals within the center 80% -- TikTok's UI elements cover the edges

TikTok promo tips: Start with your strongest visual hook. The first frame is the thumbnail in search results. Use trending sounds when possible to get an algorithmic boost. Include text on screen for the sound-off audience (which is larger than most marketers assume). End with a CTA that directs to your bio link or TikTok Shop.

Instagram Reels Promo Specs

• Aspect ratio: 9:16 (vertical)
• Resolution: 1080x1920 pixels
• Duration: 15-30 seconds (algorithm favors this range)
• Max file size: 650MB
• Format: MP4
• Safe zones: Keep important content out of the top 15% and bottom 25% where UI elements appear

Instagram promo tips: Use the first second for your text hook on screen. Tag products if applicable for shoppable Reels. Include 5-8 relevant hashtags in the caption. Post during peak engagement hours for your audience. Consider running top-performing organic promos as Reels ads for amplification.

YouTube Promo Specs

YouTube Shorts:

• Aspect ratio: 9:16
• Duration: 15-60 seconds
• Resolution: 1080x1920

YouTube Pre-Roll Ads:

• Aspect ratio: 16:9
• Duration: 6 seconds (bumper), 15-30 seconds (skippable)
• Resolution: 1920x1080 or 3840x2160

YouTube promo tips: For pre-roll ads, your hook must land within the first 5 seconds (before the skip button appears). For Shorts, include a subscribe CTA. Keyword-optimize your title and description for YouTube search. Custom thumbnails dramatically impact click-through rate for non-Shorts content.

Facebook Feed Promo Specs

• Aspect ratio: 1:1 (square) or 4:5 (vertical, recommended)
• Resolution: 1080x1080 (square) or 1080x1350 (4:5)
• Duration: 15-30 seconds (in-feed), up to 60 seconds for engaged audiences
• Max file size: 4GB
• Format: MP4 or MOV

Facebook promo tips: Design for autoplay with sound off -- your promo must work as a silent film with text overlays. Use captions. Facebook's audience skews older than TikTok and Instagram, so adjust tone and pacing accordingly. The 4:5 vertical format takes up more screen real estate in the feed and consistently outperforms 16:9.

LinkedIn Promo Specs

• Aspect ratio: 1:1 (square) or 16:9 (landscape)
• Resolution: 1080x1080 or 1920x1080
• Duration: 30-60 seconds (B2B audiences accept longer format)
• Max file size: 5GB
• Format: MP4

LinkedIn promo tips: Lead with business value, not entertainment. Include data points and specific outcomes. Professional tone and clean visuals perform better than flashy production. Executive-style talking head content generates the highest engagement on LinkedIn promos.

Music and Sound Design for Promo Videos

Sound design is the invisible force that makes promo videos feel professional. Even viewers who watch with sound off are impacted by sound design when they do engage with audio, and many platforms autoplay with sound in 2026.

Choosing the Right Music

Match energy to your format:

• Product demos need music that is upbeat but not frantic -- steady momentum that keeps the viewer engaged
• Brand stories need emotional arcs in the music -- a build from understated to powerful
• Event promos need high energy that communicates excitement and urgency
• Launch trailers need dramatic builds with a payoff at the product reveal moment
• Social proof videos need warm, trustworthy tones that do not distract from the testimonials

Match genre to your audience:

• Tech and SaaS audiences: Electronic, modern, clean production
• Lifestyle and consumer brands: Indie pop, acoustic, feel-good
• Luxury brands: Classical elements, minimal, sophisticated
• Youth-focused brands: Current popular genres, bass-driven, energetic
• Professional services: Corporate but not generic -- modern production with understated confidence

Sound Design Elements Beyond Music

• Sound effects: Subtle whooshes for transitions, clicks for feature callouts, ambient sounds for scene setting
• Voiceover: Professional narration adds authority and guides the viewer's attention (AI voiceover tools make this accessible without booking talent)
• Silence: Strategic silence creates emphasis -- a brief pause before the CTA draws attention to it
• Audio ducking: Lower music volume during key spoken moments (voiceover, testimonials) and raise it during visual-only segments

Royalty-Free Music Sources

Use licensed music to avoid copyright issues:

• Artlist, Epidemic Sound, and Musicbed offer subscription-based libraries with commercial licenses
• YouTube Audio Library provides free tracks for YouTube content
• Platform-native audio libraries (TikTok, Instagram) provide music cleared for use on those platforms

Always verify the license covers commercial use and paid advertising if you plan to run your promo as a paid ad.

CTA Optimization: The Moment That Converts

Your CTA is the single most important element of any promo video. Every second of content before the CTA exists to make the CTA compelling.

CTA Placement Strategies

End CTA (most common): Place the CTA as the final 3-5 seconds of the video. This works when your video builds a compelling case and the viewer is ready to act by the end.

Mid-roll CTA + End CTA: Mention the CTA briefly in the middle of the video and repeat it at the end. This captures viewers who are already convinced early and those who need the full pitch.

Throughout CTA (subtle): Include a persistent but non-intrusive CTA element throughout -- a URL at the bottom of the screen, a "link in bio" tag, or a product tag. This catches viewers at any drop-off point.

CTA Copy That Converts

Be specific: "Start your free trial" outperforms "Learn more" by 30-40% in conversion rate.

Reduce friction: "No credit card required" or "Get started in 60 seconds" removes objections at the moment of decision.

Create urgency: "Offer ends Friday" or "Only 50 spots left" motivates immediate action.

Match the platform: On TikTok and Instagram, "Link in bio" is the standard CTA format. On YouTube, "Click the link below" works. On Facebook, use the platform's native CTA buttons.

CTA Design Best Practices

• Use high-contrast colors for CTA text so it is impossible to miss
• Make the CTA text large enough to read on mobile screens
• Hold the CTA screen for at least 2-3 seconds -- rushing the final frame loses conversions
• Include both text on screen AND spoken CTA when using voiceover
• Animate the CTA entrance (fade in, slide in, scale up) to draw the eye

Budgeting for Promo Video Production

Understanding the cost landscape helps you allocate budget effectively.

Traditional Promo Video Production Costs

Production Level	Cost Range	Timeline	What You Get
DIY / Freelancer	$500-$2,000	1-2 weeks	Basic editing, limited motion graphics, one format
Mid-Range Agency	$3,000-$10,000	2-4 weeks	Professional editing, custom graphics, 2-3 format versions
Premium Production	$10,000-$50,000	4-8 weeks	Full production crew, custom music, multiple format versions, revisions

AI-Powered Promo Video Production Costs

Production Level	Cost Range	Timeline	What You Get
Self-service AI tools	$23-$79/month	1-2 hours	Multiple promo videos, multiple formats, unlimited iterations
AI + light editing	$79-$199/month	2-4 hours	Higher quality, custom sound design, platform-optimized exports
AI + professional polish	$199-$499/month	4-8 hours	Studio-quality output, advanced motion graphics, multi-language versions

ROI Calculation Framework

To determine whether your promo video investment is paying off:

1. Track production cost: Total investment in creating the video (tools + time)
2. Track distribution cost: Ad spend if running the promo as paid media
3. Track conversions: Actions taken as a result of the video (sign-ups, purchases, registrations)
4. Calculate cost per conversion: (Production cost + distribution cost) / total conversions
5. Compare to alternatives: How does this cost per conversion compare to your other marketing channels?

For most businesses, AI-generated promo videos produce a cost per conversion 60-80% lower than traditionally produced videos, primarily because the production cost is a fraction and the ability to iterate and optimize is dramatically faster.

Advanced Tips: Maximizing Promo Video Performance

A/B Testing Your Promo Videos

The biggest advantage of AI-generated promo content is the ability to test at volume. Create multiple variations and test:

• Different hooks: Same video body with 3-4 different opening hooks
• Different CTAs: Same video with different CTA copy, placement, and urgency messaging
• Different visual styles: Same script executed with cinematic, UGC, and animated visual treatments
• Different lengths: 15-second vs. 30-second vs. 60-second versions of the same content
• Different presenters: Multiple AI avatar variations delivering the same script

Run each variation for 48-72 hours with equal ad spend, then scale the winners and kill the underperformers. This optimization loop, powered by AI's ability to produce variations quickly, consistently improves promo video performance by 40-60% over the first month.

Seasonal Promo Video Calendar

Plan your promo video production around key commercial moments:

• Q1: New Year launches, Valentine's Day promos, industry conference season
• Q2: Spring campaigns, Mother's/Father's Day, summer launch teasers
• Q3: Back-to-school, fall collections, early holiday teasers
• Q4: Black Friday/Cyber Monday, holiday campaigns, year-end promotions, New Year countdowns

With AI production, you can create seasonal promo content 2-3 weeks in advance instead of the 2-3 months traditional production requires. This means your seasonal content can be more timely, more relevant, and better aligned with current cultural moments.

Localization at Scale

If you serve multiple markets, AI makes multilingual promo video production practical:

• Generate base promo video content in your primary language
• Use Persona AI's 40+ language capabilities to create localized voiceover versions
• Adjust text overlays for each language
• Adapt cultural references and seasonal timing for each market
• Produce platform-specific versions for platforms popular in each region

What previously required hiring local production teams or translation agencies for each market becomes a workflow you execute in-house using AI tools through AdCreate.

Repurposing One Promo into Multiple Assets

A single 30-second promo video can be repurposed into:

• 15-second cut for TikTok and Reels
• 6-second bumper ad for YouTube
• 3-second looping GIF for email marketing
• Static thumbnail frame for display ads
• Vertical 9:16 version from a horizontal 16:9 original (or vice versa)
• Audio-only version for podcast ad inserts
• Screenshot frames for carousel social posts

Using AdCreate's AI tools suite with 16+ tools, you can reformat, resize, and re-edit your promo content for every channel in your distribution mix without starting from scratch each time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make a promo video with AI?

A complete promo video can be created in 60-90 minutes from initial concept to final export using AI tools. The breakdown is roughly: 10 minutes for planning (objective, format, audience), 15-20 minutes for scripting, 20-30 minutes for AI video generation, 15-20 minutes for assembly and editing, and 5-10 minutes for music and final export. Compare this to the 2-4 week timeline of traditional production. For brands that need multiple promo videos per week, AI compression of the production timeline is transformative.

What is the best AI tool for making promo videos?

AdCreate offers the most comprehensive platform for promo video creation in 2026, combining multi-model AI video generation (Veo 3.1, Sora 2, Wan 2.5, Kling 2.6, Runway Gen-4), 100+ talking avatars, 50+ promo templates, and 16+ AI tools in a single interface. For businesses that need to produce promo content at scale across multiple platforms and formats, having all these capabilities in one platform eliminates the friction of managing multiple separate tools.

Do I need video editing experience to make promo videos with AI?

No. AI promo video tools have made professional-quality video creation accessible to anyone who can write a clear description of what they want. Template-based workflows like AdCreate's Ad Wizard let you create complete promo videos by selecting a template, inputting your product details, and customizing the output -- no timeline editing required. For more custom productions, the learning curve is still dramatically shorter than traditional video editing.

How much does it cost to make a promo video with AI?

AI promo video production costs range from $23-$499/month depending on volume and quality requirements, with most small to mid-size businesses finding the $79-$199/month range sufficient for their needs. This typically covers unlimited promo video creation including AI video generation, avatar narration, and template access. Compare this to $3,000-$20,000 per video with traditional production. See AdCreate's pricing for current plans.

What makes a promo video convert better: live-action or AI-generated?

Conversion rates depend on content quality and audience targeting, not production method. In A/B tests across multiple platforms, well-crafted AI-generated promo videos perform within 5-10% of live-action production on direct response metrics, and in many cases outperform live-action because AI enables faster iteration and optimization. The key factors that drive conversion are hook quality, message clarity, visual proof, and CTA strength -- all of which can be optimized faster with AI because you can test more variations in less time.

How do I make my AI promo video look less "AI-generated"?

Three techniques: (1) Apply consistent color grading in post-production to give all clips a unified, branded visual identity rather than the default AI output look. (2) Mix AI-generated footage with real product photos, screen recordings, or brand assets so the video is a hybrid rather than 100% generated. (3) Use natural, conversational scripts for any speaking segments -- stilted or overly formal language is what makes AI content feel artificial, not the visuals themselves.

What is the ideal length for a promo video?

The ideal length depends on your platform and audience temperature. For cold audiences on social feeds (TikTok, Reels, Facebook), 15-30 seconds is optimal -- long enough to deliver value and a CTA, short enough to maintain completion rates. For warm audiences on landing pages or in email campaigns, 30-90 seconds works because the viewer has already shown interest. For YouTube pre-roll ads, 6-second bumper ads and 15-second skippable ads are the standard promo formats. When in doubt, err on the shorter side -- a 20-second promo video with 80% completion will always outperform a 60-second video with 30% completion.

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Every product launch, event, sale, and brand moment deserves a promo video that matches its ambition. AI has made professional promo video production accessible to every business -- from solo entrepreneurs to enterprise marketing teams. Create your first promo video in under an hour with AdCreate's AI video platform. Multi-model video generation, 100+ AI avatars, 50+ templates, platform-optimized exports. Start with 50 free credits and see the difference AI makes.