Stuck in a Creative Rut? Here’s Where I Actually Go for Ad Inspiration
Cut the Overthinking and Steal Brandi’s 3 Go-To Places for Ad Creative That Converts
We’ve all been there, staring at a blinking cursor, out of ideas, and one bad headline away from writing, “Are you a woman over 30 who loves dogs and digital products?” Whether you’re burned out from client work or just tired of trying to make “clever” ads happen, this episode is your permission slip to stop reinventing the wheel.
I’m sharing the 3 exact places I go (every time!) to find inspiration for high-converting Meta ads, and spoiler: you already have access to them. If you’re stuck in a creative rut, this is how you get out without spending hours on another AI prompt spiral.
The Truth About Creative Ruts (Even If You’re Good at Your Job)
Every ad manager hits the wall at some point. But instead of panicking or forcing bad copy, here’s how I get back in flow:
- The overlooked goldmine in your client’s own organic content
- What to look for in the Facebook Ad Library (and why adjacent niches matter)
- Why your Instagram Saved folder is secretly your best swipe file
- The mindset shift that’ll save you hours: Curate, don’t create from scratch
The 3 Go-To Sources for Scroll-Stopping Ad Ideas (That Actually Convert)
If you’re stuck trying to write Facebook or Instagram ads that actually get clicks, you don’t need more coffee or another AI tool you need better inputs. These are my tried-and-true places for Meta ad inspiration that help you create ad copy and creatives that connect, convert, and stop the scroll.
1. Your Client’s Organic Content
The easiest place to start? Their own feed.
Before you dig through competitors or spend hours brainstorming clever hooks, look at what’s already working for your client organically. Which Instagram or Facebook posts got the most engagement? What Reels or carousels sparked DMs, shares, or comments? These posts are real-time proof of what connects with your client’s audience—and they make incredible starting points for paid ads.
I break down how to identify top-performing organic posts and turn them into compliant Meta ads without reinventing the wheel. Whether you’re running ads for a course creator, coach, or product-based business, this method saves time and ad dollars.
2. Facebook Ad Library
Your swipe file, built for you—if you know where to look.
The Facebook Ad Library is a goldmine for finding high-performing ad creative ideas. Yes, you can check out your client’s competitors, but the real magic happens when you go outside the box. I share how exploring adjacent niches like using real estate ads to spark ideas for service providers, helps you see new formats, hooks, and visuals that stand out.
You’ll also learn how to tell if an ad is likely converting (hint: it’s not just about likes) and how to ethically reverse-engineer strong ad formulas without copying. If you want to level up your creative strategy and get inspired without feeling stuck, the Ad Library should be in your weekly workflow.
3. Your Instagram Saved Folder
Your most underrated creative weapon.
If you’re not already using the Saved feature on Instagram as your personal swipe file for ad inspiration, now’s the time to start. I explain how she curates scroll-stopping Instagram ads and organic posts from all kinds of niches, restaurants, e-comm brands, local businesses, influencers, and then adapts the formats to fit her own clients’ needs.
This method helps you find fresh angles, engaging copy, and thumb-stopping visuals that might not show up in traditional ad spaces. And because these are posts that actually caught your attention, you already know they work. Pro tip: start a dedicated Saved folder just for ad creative and train your eye to spot trends in real-time.
Here’s A Glance Of The Episode:
00:00 – Welcome & the all-too-relatable moment of creative burnout
01:00 – Why your client’s content is the easiest (and best) place to start
03:10 – What to look for when turning organic posts into paid ads
04:30 – How to use Facebook Ad Library without going down a rabbit hole
06:45 – Curating vs. copying—why analyzing ad structure beats stealing hooks
07:40 – Why saving ads on Instagram is the habit every ad manager needs
08:45 – The real job of an ad manager (and it’s not writing from scratch)
Key Takeaways:
- Use What’s Already Working: Start with your client’s organic posts—they’re mini case studies hiding in plain sight.
- Don’t Stay in Your Niche: Creative breakthroughs often come from unrelated industries. Go look.
- Stop From-Scratch Syndrome: Your job isn’t to be original. It’s to be strategic.
- Build a Swipe System: Your future self will thank you for that Instagram Saved folder.
- Analyze, Don’t Copy: Find what works and adapt the structure, not the words.
- and so much more.
FREE RESOURCE: Streamline Your Ad Manager Workflow
Ready to stop winging it with client work and get organized without overwhelm? 👉 Download the Streamlined Ad Manager AI Guide. Brandi shares the exact prompts, templates, and tools she uses to write ads, organize reports, and keep creative ideas flowing.
Loved This Episode? Check Out More Here. ⬇️
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT AI IN ADVERTISING
Additional Resources
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** This post may contain affiliate links which means I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you if you use one of the links to purchase. This helps keep the podcast going and I only share products I have used, tested and love.”
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Meet Brandi
Brandi Mowles is the host of the Serve Scale Soar® podcast which is a podcast dedicated to helping service-based entrepreneurs scale their online business to five-figure months so they can soar into six-figure years. Brandi is a wife, mom and in less than one year, created a six-figure business. Now she is spilling all her secrets so you can too.
