🦵🍪 From Knee Pain to Protein Gains? 2 Ads That Win With Simplicity

Want to see some YouTube Shorts ads that are scaling right now?

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: The 44g Protein Combo – How Jocko Sells Body Fuel With Just One Line

This ad isn’t just a supplement pitch - it’s a whole vibe.

This ad is in a podcast mode, black-and-white footage rolling, while the guy casually drops his new protein combo. No B-roll, no hype music, no jump cuts.

Just a cookie, a shake, and 44 grams of “the protein machine.”

This ad:

 ✅ Leverages authority and personal use to create trust
 ✅ Uses “combo” language to anchor perceived value
 ✅ Designed to feel authentic, not salesy

Let’s break it down:

🎙 Hook – “You know what my combo is now?”

👉 Why it works:

• Conversational phrasing builds intrigue—“combo” implies it’s personal
  

• Jocko’s serious delivery commands attention instantly
  

• Cuts through polished noise by embracing rawness
  

🍫 Product Reveal – Cookie + Molk = 44g Protein

👉 Why it works:

• Visual of the cookie and Molk side-by-side is simple but sticky
  

• Anchors the 44g protein as a punchline—“the protein machine” sounds almost meme-worthy
  

• Speaks directly to fitness-minded viewers who already count macros
  

💥 Key Takeaways from This Ad

 1️⃣ Podcast Aesthetic = Instant Credibility
Jocko’s visual + audio brand already signals “trustworthy + no BS.” That vibe does most of the selling.

2️⃣ Combo Framing = Value Multiplier
Positioning the two products as one “combo” makes them feel more powerful than sold separately.

3️⃣ One Statement, Fully Delivered
He doesn’t explain features. He doesn’t need to. The simplicity makes it more memorable.

Additionally, here’s what Jock’s landing page looks like:

🦵 Ad #2: 71% Off Knee Relief – This UGC Ad Packs Proof Into Every Frame

This Compressix knee brace ad does something brilliant: it makes relief look real that you can almost feel it yourself through the screen!

From walking up stairs to sitting down to removing the brace, everything screams “I actually use this!”

This ad:

 ✅ Starts with a strong claim and numeric result
 ✅ Builds credibility with mini-timeline and progression
 ✅ Closes with urgency and discount offer

Let’s break it down:

🧊 Hook – “In 14 days, my knee pain went from a 9 to a 2.”

👉 Why it works:

• High-contrast numbers drive immediate interest
  

• Hooks pain-aware viewers with a measurable result
  

• It’s framed as a personal story—not a sales claim
  

🎯 Demonstration & Benefits – Real Use in Real Settings 

👉 Why it works:

• Visuals support each claim: walking stairs, slipping the brace on, taking it off
  

• Testimonial tone builds empathy and believability
  

• Each line adds credibility (“by the 10th day...”, “I can really feel the difference…”)
  

🔥 Urgency CTA – 71% Off But Not for Long

👉 Why it works:

• Discounts framed as temporary = FOMO
  

• Natural way to convert warm viewers without breaking the “story” vibe
  

💡 Key Takeaways from This Ad

1️⃣ Start with Specific, Personal Results
Numbers (“9 to 2,” “14 days”) act like mini-case studies in a single sentence.

2️⃣ Use Realistic Progression
This isn’t a miracle cure—it’s a believable timeline with growing benefits, which builds trust.

3️⃣ Don’t Forget the Offer
After building all that believability, the discount closes the deal.

Finally, here’s what their advertorial-type landing page looks like:

With that, we’re all finished for this week! 🚀

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.

And btw… If you have questions about YouTube ads or YouTube Shorts ads in particular?

Go here to schedule a free chat with our friends at Inceptly. Inceptly is a top Direct Response video ad agency, specializing in high-performing YouTube ad creatives & media buying.

Have a great week!

PS - Go here to Claim Your Free Trial of VidTao Premium: Access 23 Million YouTube Ads & Their Landing Pages!

PPS - Are you spending $1k/day+ on Paid Ads? 👉 Go here to set up a free YouTube Ad brainstorm chat.