[2 Shorts Tuesday] Sleepless? Unmotivated? These 2 YouTube Shorts Ads Are Wake-Up Calls

Want to see some YouTube Shorts ads that are scaling right now, using VidTao competitor ad library?

You’re in luck…

Because today is 2 Shorts Tuesday. Why YouTube Shorts ads?

Because YouTube Shorts ad inventory is only going to keep growing: 

...And critically, most DTC & Direct Response advertisers are still under-leveraging YouTube Shorts as an ad placement.

(and the upside is huge)

So, what are some ways you can succeed with YouTube Shorts ads?

Let’s take a closer look at 2 YouTube Shorts ads doing well right now:

🎯 Ad #1: “This Discipline Trick Changed My Life” – A First-Person YouTube Shorts Ad That Feels Like a Confession

Our first pick for this week is an ad by Wisey that uses the “emotional breakdown to hopeful breakthrough” format—a structure that feels personal, vulnerable, and believable.

It blends:

✅ Conversational monologue (like a voice note)
✅ Therapy framing for credibility
✅ A relatable montage of failure → discovery → transformation

Let’s break it down:

Hook – Raw Vulnerability

“This discipline trick changed my life... I have no discipline and it’s seriously ruining my life.”

👉 Why this works:

•Leads with a personal pain statement, not a polished pitch.

•Uses direct language viewers instantly relate to.

•The phrase “ruining my life” is strong enough to stop the scroll—without sounding dramatic for drama’s sake.

Problem Stacking – “Here’s How Bad It Is” 

“My house is always a mess. I’m never on time. I can’t stay focused at work...”

👉 Why this works:

•Lists micro-failures that compound into a bigger emotional load.

•Fast cadence of examples mirrors internal chaos.

•Ends with: “Every time I do [try to change], I always seem to fail”—a line that punches with hopelessness.

Breakthrough Trigger – Therapist Recommends It

“So I told my therapist... and she actually recommended this course.”

👉 Why this works:

•Introduces trusted authority (therapist = built-in credibility).

•Confession-style tone feels unscripted, like real-life venting.

•Frames the solution as reluctantly tried—not hyped, which lowers resistance.

The Differentiator – Not a Planner App 

“This isn’t just another planner app… it discovered my discipline type.”

👉 Why this works:

•Preempts objections (“courses never work”) and disarms skepticism.

•The phrase “discipline type” introduces a new mechanism, giving the product a unique hook.

•Personalized plan = emotional relevancy instead of generic productivity advice.

Transformation – Internal + External Change 

“I started doing the CBT exercises... I got so much better... I finally feel happy.”

👉 Why this works:

•Ends on emotional payoff, not just practical results.

•“CBT exercises” = believability (real methodology, not woo-woo).

•“I finally feel happy” = the real transformation being sold.

🔑 Key Takeaways from this Ad 

1️⃣ Confession-Style Delivery = Instant Trust
The “messy middle” narrative pulls viewers in—it’s not trying to be perfect, it’s trying to be real.
2️⃣ Authority Bridge via Therapist = Built-in Credibility
Using a therapist recommendation makes the product feel vetted and safe.
3️⃣ Mechanism Introduction (Discipline Type) = Differentiation
Rather than “another productivity hack,” this one has a custom-tailored solution.
4️⃣ Preempting Objections Early = Viewer Alignment
Acknowledging skepticism about courses builds trust and keeps people watching.
5️⃣ Emotional Resolution > Functional Benefits
The real outcome isn’t being on time—it’s finally feeling good enough to try again.

Here’s what Wisey’s lander looks like:

🛏️ Ad #2: “Why Are We Still Using Pillows Designed 100 Years Ago?” – A Direct Visual Attack on Sleep Pain

This YouTube Shorts ad by Pillow House hooks with personal pain, builds credibility through demonstration, and reframes an old product (the pillow) with a “why has no one fixed this yet?” tone. It’s a classic problem-solution ad wrapped in relatable frustration.

 This ad gained 2.2M views in around 1 month, just take a look:

 
It combines:

✅ Visual discomfort triggers
✅ Common pain points (neck, circulation, sleep)
✅ A clear product evolution narrative

Let’s get into more details:

Hook – The Pillow Problem, Visually 

“Can’t sleep and your neck and your back constantly hurt… your pillow probably sucks.”
[Shows visibly uncomfortable positioning]

👉 Why this works:

•Calls out an extremely common pain point with language that’s casual + punchy (“sucks”).

•Immediate visual dramatization (arm losing circulation) creates physical empathy.

•Starts with personal frustration, not product hype.

Problem Stacking – Traditional Pillow = Obsolete 

“Pillows have literally looked like this for hundreds of years. Why are we still using that design?”

👉 Why this works:

•Frames old pillows as outdated tech, creating desire for innovation.

•Taps into loss aversion: “You’ve been sleeping wrong your whole life.”

•It’s not just discomfort—it’s a product that should’ve evolved by now.

Solution Reveal – The New Neck-Saving Design 

“Check this one out. It has a dip right here... It supports your neck... You can put your arm on top.”

👉 Why this works:

•Clear visual proof: you see exactly how the pillow works.

•Focus on neck, head, arm support = tailored benefits for side sleepers.

•Relatable upgrade: doesn't require changing sleep position, just the pillow.

Demonstration – The Cradle Effect 

“You see how cradled my head is… completely took my neck pain away.”

👉 Why this works:

•Replaces abstract claims with physical evidence—the viewer feels the support.

•Language like “cradled” and “perfectly supported” is emotionally soothing.

•Sleep = emotional trigger; alleviating pain and improving rest is a dual benefit.

CTA – Urgency + Discount 

“Linked right here. It’s on a huge flash sale right now.”

👉 Why this works:

•Simple, confident CTA—no hype, just a reason to act now.

•“Flash sale” creates urgency.

•Keeps the viewer’s attention focused on trying it for themselves, not technical specs.

🔑 Key Takeaways from this Ad

1️⃣ Visual Pain = Scroll-Stopping Power
The immediate discomfort on screen makes viewers reflexively empathize.
2️⃣ Outdated Design Framing = Justification to Upgrade
By making old pillows seem ancient, the ad primes viewers to want the “next-gen” version.
3️⃣ Product Demo = Belief Builder
You see how the pillow supports the body. No need for over-explaining.
4️⃣ Relatable Language = High Retention
Casual, authentic delivery (“this sucks,” “check this out”) makes it feel like a friend is venting, not a brand pitching.
5️⃣ Dual Benefit Hook = Sleep + Pain Relief
Many pillow ads focus on one or the other—this hits both, making it a broader solution.

Finally, let’s also take a look at this advertiser’s landing page:

And that’s a wrap! 🚀

We hope this week’s selection of high-performing YouTube Shorts ads has sparked new ideas to test yourself!

Want more insights like these?

Stay tuned for next week’s VidTao 2 Shorts Tuesday…

…where we’ll continue breaking down winning YouTube Shorts Ads you can break down + model for your own creatives & campaigns.

Have a great week!