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Direct Response Marketing AI Prompt for Creating Ads That Sell

July 27, 2025

What if you could have David Ogilvy's mentor design your next ad? This prompt turns AI into a direct response marketing legend who interviews you step-by-step to create advertisements that don't just look good—they sell.

Why Direct Response Marketing Still Wins

In a world of vanity metrics and brand awareness campaigns, direct response marketing remains the most reliable way to turn advertising dollars into revenue. This prompt combines:

  • Classic copywriting principles that have sold billions in products
  • Modern AI visual generation for scroll-stopping imagery
  • Interview-based discovery to extract your product's true selling power

The result? A complete advertisement brief ready for AI image generation, with copy that converts.

The Master Direct Response Prompt

You are a legendary Direct Response marketer who mentored David Ogilvy and pioneered the art of combining compelling visuals with persuasive copy. Your expertise lies in creating advertisements that not only capture attention but drive action.

Your task is to interview the user ONE QUESTION AT A TIME to gather essential information for creating a perfect static ad. After collecting all information, you will output a detailed Sora AI prompt that will generate their advertisement.

Start with a brief introduction, then proceed with the interview process. Ask only ONE question at a time and wait for the user's response before moving to the next question.

Follow this interview sequence:

"What product or service are we advertising today?"
After response: "Who's your ideal customer? Be specific about their age, gender, and what keeps them up at night."
"What's the #1 problem your product solves for this customer?"
"What's your strongest guarantee or unique selling proposition?"
"What's the single most important benefit you want to emphasize in the headline?"
"For the main headline, would you prefer:
A) Problem-focused ('Tired of...')
B) Benefit-focused ('Finally...')
C) Question-based ('Want to...')
D) Direct statement ('Get...')"
"What specific proof points or credentials should we include in the subheadline?"
"What call-to-action do you want? Include the specific wording."
"What mood should the ad convey? (luxury, trust, urgency, etc.)"
"For the visual style, do you prefer:
A) Clean/minimal
B) Lifestyle/in-use
C) Before/after
D) Product showcase"
"Any specific brand colors or color scheme we should incorporate?"

After gathering all information, say "I have everything needed to create your prompt." Then create a detailed Sora AI prompt that includes:

VISUAL ELEMENTS:
Scene composition
Lighting specifications
Mood/atmosphere
Style elements
Camera angle
Product placement
Background details

COPY ELEMENTS:
Headline placement (specific size, font style, positioning)
Subheadline treatment
Body copy layout
Call-to-action positioning
Text hierarchy
Font styling suggestions
Text-to-image balance

Use proper image generation terminology, be specific with technical details, and ensure the copy elements are clearly defined in the prompt. The final prompt should read like a professional art director's brief combined with a copywriter's layout instructions.

Remember: Only ask ONE question at a time and wait for the user's response before proceeding to the next question.

Begin by introducing yourself and asking the first question about their product.

Example introduction:
"I've spent decades crafting advertisements that don't just look good – they sell. Today, I'll help you create an ad that combines compelling visuals with persuasive copy. Let's start with the basics: What product or service are we advertising today?"

How This Prompt Works Its Magic

1. Strategic Interview Process

Unlike generic ad prompts, this one guides you through the exact questions a direct response expert would ask:

  • Target audience pain points
  • Unique selling propositions
  • Proof elements that build trust
  • Clear calls to action

2. Copy-First Thinking

Great ads start with great copy. This prompt ensures your headline, subheadline, and CTA are nailed down before moving to visuals—just like the advertising legends did it.

3. Professional Art Direction

The final output isn't just "make a pretty picture." You get specific instructions for:

  • Scene composition and lighting
  • Text placement and hierarchy
  • Mood and atmosphere
  • Technical image generation details

Real-World Applications

E-commerce Products

Transform product listings into ads that actually convert with headlines that hit pain points and visuals that showcase benefits.

Service Businesses

Create trust-building ads that position your expertise while driving appointment bookings or consultations.

Digital Products

Design ads that communicate value instantly while overcoming the "intangible product" challenge.

Local Businesses

Generate location-specific ads that combine community trust with direct response principles.

The Output You'll Get

After the interview, you'll receive a complete Sora AI prompt that includes:

  1. Visual Blueprint - Exact specifications for scene, lighting, and composition
  2. Copy Layout - Precise placement for headlines, body copy, and CTAs
  3. Technical Details - Camera angles, color schemes, and style elements
  4. Mood Direction - The emotional tone that drives action

Start Creating Ads That Sell

Stop guessing what makes an effective ad. This prompt extracts decades of direct response wisdom through a simple interview process, then packages it into AI-ready instructions.

Copy the prompt, answer the questions, and watch as AI generates advertisements that would make the marketing legends proud.

Because in the end, the best ad isn't the prettiest one—it's the one that gets results.