How to create ads and promos for social media on CapCut

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to create ads and promos for social media on CapCut. In a few quick steps, you’ll learn the basic workflow for creating ad campaigns. You’ll be producing promos quicker than ever. And you’ll be able to reach a broader audience and inspire them to take action. Let’s go!

Getting started with CapCut ads: Exploring the benefits

If you’re not familiar with CapCut, no worries. It’s a newer entrant into the crowded video editing space. Why does CapCut stand out? Largely because it’s mobile-focused. It’s a mobile app that you can download on your Apple or Android device. Plus, there are desktop versions for seamless editing.

With CapCut, you can create amazing ads and promos on any topic with ease. The benefits are many:

• The interface is intuitive and easy to use. CapCut is made for video editors of all skill levels. In other words, you don’t have to be an expert! The interface is clearly designed and simple to navigate. With your touchscreen device, you can easily browse effects, make edits, and more. 
• You’ll enjoy seamless social media integration. CapCut was created by ByteDance. Who are they? Odds are, you know their popular social media video app, TikTok. With CapCut, you can directly share your ads and promos right to TikTok. Direct sharing also works for Instagram, Facebook, and more. Plus, download your finished product for total freedom.
• Mobile means portable. CapCut goes on your phone, and your phone can go in your pocket. I love this because it’s ready for you when creative inspiration strikes. When an idea for an ad or promo hits, you can get to work right away. 
• The price is right: free! I mentioned already that CapCut is free. But it bears repeating. You can produce fully-featured promo videos completely free of charge. Additional effects and features are available with a Pro upgraded version.

As you can see, CapCut is a good choice for rapid ad and promo design. Without further delay, let’s get to work learning how to use it.

How to create ads and promos with CapCut, step by step

We’ll be using CapCut to create a sample promo video. As you read through the steps, you’ll see a stock video clip in use. It comes from Envato Elements. If you’d like to download the video, you can do so here right away. 

I’ll be using CapCut on an iPhone running iOS 17. If you’re using CapCut on a different platform, you might experience a slightly different workflow. 

1. Launch CapCut and create a project

Get started by opening CapCut on your device. When you do, you’ll be on the main screen. Five menu options can be found at the bottom. In order, they’re Edit, Templates, Library, Inbox, and Me. To create a promo video in CapCut, tap on the Edit button.

When you do, you’ll be in the Project section of CapCut. It’s here that you can browse videos you’ve created in the past. And you can create a brand-new production. Let’s make a new one for our promo video. 

Tap on the blue New project icon at the top of your screen. You’re on your way to amazing promo videos in CapCut.

2. Import video footage for a promo

When you choose New project, your device’s Camera Roll will launch. This is where your device stores videos and other multimedia. You may have videos saved or downloaded from other sources. Or, you might have recorded them right on your device. Either way, CapCut lets you browse to them.

At the top, you can choose what folder you want to import videos from. Below, you’ll see thumbnails showing each video in your chosen location. You can also tap on the Photos button if you want to use still images. Although CapCut is a video editor, it’s perfectly capable of working with still images, too. In fact, this is often useful for promotional slideshows and more.

Choose one or more videos or photos by tapping on their thumbnails. When you do, the Add button in the lower right corner will illuminate in blue. Tapping Add causes CapCut to import your chosen multimedia. Keep in mind: it may take a few moments if you’re using a lot of files, or have longer videos. 

3. Apply text overlays

When you import your videos and images, you’ll find yourself on the main Edit panel in CapCut. At the top is the video preview area. It’s here that you’ll see edits and changes appear in real time. 

Below the preview is the Timeline. Here, you can reorder and rearrange your media clips. And at the bottom is the menu toolbar. It’s there that you’ll access the editing and effects that CapCut is well known for.

An absolutely integral part of a good promo video is text. Having supporting text makes your offer crystal-clear. It lets you produce accessible ads that are still impactful, even without sound.

To add text to your CapCut ad, find the Text button on the menu bar. Tap Text and you’ll see the menu options change. You’ll see Add text, Auto captions, Stickers, and more. For truly custom text overlays, click Add text.

Once you choose Add text, a text box will appear right on your video. You can replace the contents with your own words, just by typing them in. Once you’ve typed something, tap on the small keyboard icon on the right. This hides the keys and opens up a world of effects and options.

For example, you can choose a new custom font! Or, you can launch the Styles tab and add cool text effects. You can add shadows, make your text glow, and so much more. Spend some time exploring these options. There’s no right or wrong way to blend them together. The key is to always ensure your video remains visible, and the text stays readable. 

When you’re finished, tap on the Checkmark icon and return to the main menu using the arrows on the bottom left corner of your CapCut screen.

4. Don’t forget the music

Never underestimate the value of music in a video. That’s never more true than with promo videos for social media. Choose an engaging soundtrack, and you’ll inspire viewers to take action. Don’t rely on visuals alone to grab their attention. Music can help you do exactly that.

Back on the main CapCut menu, find and select the Audio button. Once again, the menu bar transforms into a series of options. This time, they’re focused on audio. To quickly add music, tap Sounds. The Sounds panel opens with an array of choices.

On the All tab, you can log into your TikTok account to unlock TikTok sounds. Or, you can tap the Folder icon. These options actually allow you to import music that you might have saved. It’s perfect if you want to use your own music or sound effects that you recorded.

CapCut also includes a large library of music that you can use in your videos. Find it by going to the Commercial tab at the top of the Sounds panel. Scroll through the available options. 

Tapping a song selects it and plays a preview. Find one you like? Click the blue + icon on the right. CapCut will add the song to your Timeline.

5. Explore animations and other cool effects

Back on the Edit panel once more, spend some time exploring other options in CapCut. In seconds, you’ve built out the framework for a winning ad promo for social media! You’ve added text, music, and video. Often, that’s all you will need. But it’s not all that CapCut can do.

Scroll through the menu bar at the bottom. For example, tap on the Effects button to open it up. With the Video effects, you can transform the visual look of your promo video. 

Remember: you need a social media video that stands out right away. Attention spans are short, and competition is fierce. Adding eye-catching effects like flickers and ripples helps you grab – and retain – audience attention.

CapCut also offers Stickers and Filters. These are extra visual transformations that you can add. As one example, you can place emojis right onto your videos. And you can apply tints and shades like sepia for timeless retro vibes.

Once again – CapCut leaves the creative control in your hands. You can go as far as your creative vision will take you! It’s how to win customers using a social media promo video in 2024. 

6. Share your ad across the globe

You’ve made your first social media promo video on CapCut. Now, all that’s left is to share it! The best videos aren’t worth much if no one sees them.

To share your ad video, tap the Share icon. You’ll find it in the very upper right corner of your CapCut screen. When you select Share, CapCut will export your video. This may take a minute or two.

When it finishes, you’ll have a saved video file right on your device. But you will also see sharing options right inside CapCut. At the touch of a button, you can share directly to TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and more.

It’s just another way that CapCut streamlines the once-daunting process of creating ads and promos for social media. 

Learn more about CapCut and social media marketing (top tutorial guides)

Above, you experienced the process of creating ads and promos with CapCut. It’s but one of many things the app can do. And when you use it to create ads and promos, it pays to embrace the latest trends in social media marketing. That way, you’re setting the stage for your own success.

To help you upgrade your skills rapidly, turn to the tutorials below. From the Envato Tuts+ library, these are top guides for 2024 and beyond:

• 

  How to Quickly Remove a CapCut Watermark

  

  Andrew Childress

  21 Jun 2024

• 

  How to quickly apply blur effects to videos in CapCut

  

  Andrew Childress

  12 Sep 2024

• 

  How Many Views Are Needed to Go Viral (+Quick Video Tips)

  

  Andrew Childress

  07 Nov 2023

• 

  How to Edit TikTok Videos (Beginner Guide for 2025)

  

  Andrew Childress

  06 Dec 2023

• 

  Corporate Video Production Quickstart Guide for 2025

  

  Marie Gardiner

  31 Jan 2024

Build your next promo video in CapCut today

In this tutorial, I showed you the steps for creating promo and ad videos with CapCut. Simply import your videos that you’ve recorded or saved. Apply eye-catching overlays and graphics to spell out your offer. Find a pumping soundtrack that gets people engaged.

And finally, share with the world across your social media channels! With CapCut, it only takes a few moments. Don’t hesitate to upgrade your video promos with CapCut.