🧊 Ice, Spine, and Sales: 2 YouTube Shorts That Hit a Nerve (Literally)

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: “My Wife Got Me This Ice Bath… I’m Hooked.” — IcePod Leans on Back Pain + Everyday Energy

This 38-second long YouTube Shorts ad is testimonial-style and credibility-rich, delivered by a regular guy with real pain—and real relief. 

It’s not overproduced, but it hits hard by stacking benefits you’d never expect from cold water:

 ✅ Real-world intro = relatability
 ✅ Problem → unexpected solution = curiosity
 ✅ Clear benefits beyond the product (sleep, stress, focus)
 ✅ Ends with a strong price CTA

Let’s break it down in more details:

Hook – "I Got This as a Gift…”

Visual: Man standing next to his ice pod in a backyard

👉 Why it works:

• Sounds like a personal vlog, not an ad.
  

• “I’ve been struggling with back pain…” hooks anyone over 30 instantly.
  

• The phrase “I’m hooked” adds a casual, believable endorsement.
  

Middle – Cold Water, Big Wins

Visual: B-roll of him stepping into the pod, overlaid with benefits list

👉 Why it works:

• Explains how cold immersion actually helps (muscle soreness, inflammation, chronic pain).
  

• Pivots from price pain of massages to affordable alternative.
  

• Transitions into broader emotional/mental benefits (focus, happiness, sleep).
  

Product + CTA – “Just $99”

Visual: On-screen price overlay + site URL

👉 Why it works:

• $99 price anchors this as a steal.
  

• “Changed my life” is big, but believable in the calm, reflective tone.
  

• The landing page mention is fast, but clear.
  

🧠 Key Takeaways from this Ad

• Product embedded in real-life use = trust
  

• Back pain → happiness arc = strong narrative shift
  

• “Massages are $150/wk” = excellent price contrast
  

• Perfect for Shorts: Fast, clean, authentic
  

Before we dive into the next ad analysis, let’s also take a quick look at this advertiser’s landing page!

First, you get to spin the wheel and get mystery prizes…

…and this is what their actual lander looks like:

💤 Ad #2: “Sleeping on Your Side is Destroying Your Neck” — Pillow Ad Goes Full Doctor-Mode

Our next ad of choice is an ad that is educational, intense, and doctor-delivered.

It grabs attention through fear, then reframes your nightly habit as an easily fixable mistake:

 ✅ High-authority delivery = instant credibility
 ✅ Visual demonstration = fast understanding
 ✅ Problem-agitate-solve formula
 ✅ Black Friday CTA = urgency without hype

Let’s break it down:

Hook – “You’re Damaging Your Vertebrae”

Visual: Doctor holding a limp pillow next to a model spine

👉 Why it works:

• Sounds like a warning, not a pitch.
  

• Immediately reframes something millions of people do (side-sleeping) as dangerous.
  

• Tone is confident, not dramatic.
  

Middle – Alignment + Circulation Demo

Visual: Hand-under-pillow vs. ergonomic model overlay

👉 Why it works:

• Quick, visual comparison makes it tangible.
  

• “You’re cutting off circulation” adds a second pain point.
  

• Sets up urgency without saying the word “urgent.”
  

Solution + CTA – Pillow Fix + Black Friday Sale

Visual: Ergonomic pillow displayed, link prompt at bottom

👉 Why it works:

• “Ergonomic” + “properly align your spine” = logic-driven benefit
  

• “Avoid blood clots” is an emotional health motivator
  

• Black Friday sale mention closes with a soft nudge
  

🧠 Key Takeaways from this Ad

• Fear → logic → fix = classic direct response flow
  

• Doctor-led demo boosts retention + trust
  

• Black Friday anchor adds urgency without shouting
  

• Feels like a PSA but sells like a DR ad

To finish off with for this week, here’s a quick look at this advertiser’s lander:

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!

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