10 Fixes That Can Save a Campaign in 30 Minutes

If your holiday ads are live but not moving, don’t panic. December campaigns rarely fail because of big strategic mistakes. They stall because of small leaks.

This is a 30-minute audit. No rebuilds. No new creatives. Just ten quick checks that can rescue performance before the season slips away.

1. Check the First 3 Seconds (Creative)

Fix: Watch your ad with the sound off.

If nothing visually interesting happens in the first 3 seconds, you’re bleeding attention.

Quick win:

• Add motion

• Tighten the opening shot

• Move the offer text up sooner

2. Kill the Vague Headline

Fix: Replace “Holiday Sale” with something concrete.

Bad:

Better:

Clarity beats clever every time in December.

3. Verify Your CTA Still Makes Sense

Fix: Make sure your CTA matches urgency.

If it’s December 15 and your CTA says:

• “Learn More” ❌

• “Shop Now” or “Order by Friday” ✅

Mismatch = hesitation.

4. Check Mobile Cropping

Fix: Preview your ad on a phone.

Holiday ads die quietly when text or faces get chopped.

Quick win:

• Re-center text

• Increase safe margins

• Duplicate a mobile-first version if needed

5. Confirm the Offer Still Applies

Fix: Click your own ad.

Are you promising:

• Items that are sold out?

• Shipping deadlines that have passed?

• Discounts that expired?

Nothing kills trust faster than a broken promise.

6. Tighten the Destination Page

Fix: Remove distractions.

Your landing page should answer one question only:

Quick cleanup:

• Remove sliders

• Push testimonials lower

• Put the offer above the fold

7. Refresh Social Proof

Fix: Swap in recent proof.

Holiday buyers want reassurance, not history.

• “Just ordered for my husband!”

• “Arrived in 3 days!”

• “Perfect gift!”

Even one fresh line helps.

8. Check Frequency Fatigue

Fix: Look at ad frequency.

If it’s creeping above 3–4, people are seeing the same ad too often.

Quick win:

• Duplicate the ad

• Change the headline

• Swap the thumbnail

Same message, new coat of paint.

9. Simplify the Message

Fix: Remove one benefit.

Holiday ads perform better when they say less:

• One offer

• One product

• One outcome

Confusion costs conversions.

10. Set a Short, Real Deadline

Fix: Add a clear cutoff.

Not:

But:

Deadlines turn browsing into buying.

The Big Truth

Holiday ads don’t fail because businesses “missed the trend.”

They fail because no one stopped to tighten the bolts once things went live.

Thirty focused minutes can outperform a week of panic changes.

If you want a second set of eyes, we offer quick holiday ad audits for local businesses and nonprofits.

No long-term commitment. Just honest fixes that respect your budget and your time.

Email: allen@gracewilliamscreative.com