Steal these 20 caption formulas (that actually sell) 💬✨

Don’t let weak captions cost you engagement. Here’s how to turn them into sales machines.

Author

Creative Strategist
September 01, 2025

In partnership with

👋 Hey there, welcome back to POV: Ads + UGCs Unlocked!
This week, we’re switching gears from tools to something just as powerful — ✨ the words behind your content ✨.

Here’s the truth: your visuals might stop the scroll, but it’s your captions that convince people to engage, save, or even buy. Too often, captions get treated like an afterthought… but when done right, they can make or break your results.

That’s why today’s edition is all about tips & tricks for writing captions that sell — without sounding salesy. Whether you’re creating UGC, running ads, or simply posting to grow your personal brand, these strategies will help you write words that connect and convert.

🔥 Plus, stick around until the end — not only will you get a mini swipe file of plug-and-play caption formulas you can use right away, but I’ll also spotlight a powerful tool that can take your ads to the next level. (Hint: you’ll want to check this one out 👀).

Let’s dive in! 📝💡

🔑 The Secret Sauce to Captions That Actually Convert 🚀


🎣 1. Hook Them Fast

The first line is everything. Remember: most people only see the first few words before “Read more.” That’s your golden window to grab their attention.

Hooks can be bold, curious, emotional, or relatable.

Examples:

  • “What if your skincare routine is secretly making your skin worse?”

  • “I wasted $500 on ads until I learned this one trick 👀”

  • “POV: You finally find a coffee that doesn’t make you crash at 2PM ☕”

Think of it like fishing — the hook gets them on the line, the rest of the caption reels them in.

✨ 2. Sell the Feeling, Not the Features

Features tell. Benefits sell. People don’t just want to know what something is — they want to feel why it matters.

Example:

  • ❌ “This serum contains vitamin C.”

  • ✅ “Say goodbye to dull mornings — this serum makes your skin glow like you just had 10 hours of sleep ✨.”

When you shift from listing features to painting the experience, your captions instantly feel more magnetic.

📖 3. Use the Power of Storytelling

Stories = connection. And connection builds trust. Even a tiny 2–3 sentence story can make your caption more human.

Example:
“Last year, I struggled to stay consistent with my workouts. I’d start strong but lose motivation after a week. That’s why I created this simple 10-min routine — now I’ve stuck with it for 6 months, and I actually look forward to it 💪.”

When your audience sees themselves in your story, your product or offer naturally becomes the solution.

🗣️ 4. Keep It Conversational

The best captions read like a chat with a friend — not a billboard ad. Use “you,” contractions (it’s, don’t, you’ll), and sprinkle in emojis or questions to keep it approachable.

Example:

  • “Ever bought a planner that ends up collecting dust? 👀 Same. That’s why this one is undated — you can jump in anytime. Would you use this?”

  • “Okay, but why does every serum promise ‘glowing skin’ and then do nothing? 😂 This one actually made me look like I slept 8 hours (even when I didn’t). Want the deets?”

  • “You know that 2PM slump when coffee just isn’t cutting it? ☕😴 Same. That’s why I switched to this blend — no crash, just steady energy. Wanna try it?”

The more natural you sound, the easier it is for people to trust you.

✅ 5. Make the CTA Crystal Clear

Your audience shouldn’t have to guess what to do next. A clear CTA (call-to-action) guides them — whether that’s clicking a link, leaving a comment, or DM-ing you.

CTA Examples:

  • “Tap the link in bio to grab yours today 🔗.”

  • “Comment 💡 if you want me to share my script template.”

  • “DM me ‘CAPTION’ and I’ll send you the exact formula I use.”

Think of your CTA as a friendly nudge. Without it, people will just scroll on.

🔥 Mini Caption Swipe File (Save This!)

Need a plug-and-play formula for your next post? Try one of these:

Problem → Solution → CTA
“Struggling with [pain point]? I’ve been there. That’s why I use [product/solution]. It saves me every time. Tap the link to try it.”

POV + Relatable Situation
“POV: You finally find jeans that actually fit. 👖✨ Want the link?”

Before/After Transformation
“Before: Hours of editing just to get one decent video. ⏳
After: 10 minutes with [tool/product]. 🚀
Game changer. Try it here.”

Authority + Quick Tip
“After working with 50+ brands, here’s what I learned: captions with questions get 2x more comments. So here’s mine — would you try this?”

Urgency/Scarcity
“Creators, don’t sleep on this — only 3 spots left for August collaborations. DM me ‘AUG’ to grab one.”

💡 Want the full swipe file with 20 caption formulas you can copy-paste for your next posts?
👉 [Click here to download it now!]

💡 Your Challenge for the Week:
Pick one of these formulas, try it in your next caption, and see how your engagement shifts.
Because remember — the best captions don’t just talk, they connect.

📺 Spotlight Tool: Roku Ads Manager

When we think about running ads, our minds usually go straight to the big two: Facebook and Google.
But here’s the thing: not all of your audience is scrolling… a lot of them are streaming. 👀

That’s where Roku Ads Manager comes in.

It’s an ad platform that lets you reach people directly on their TV screens — while they’re already watching their favorite shows and movies. And the best part? You don’t need a huge budget or a massive team to make it work.

Think of it as an extra tool in your marketing toolkit. If you’re already investing in social ads, Roku can help you extend your reach and stand out in a less crowded space.

👉 Curious to see how it works? .

Find your customers on Roku this Black Friday

As with any digital ad campaign, the important thing is to reach streaming audiences who will convert. To that end, Roku’s self-service Ads Manager stands ready with powerful segmentation and targeting options. After all, you know your customers, and we know our streaming audience.

Worried it’s too late to spin up new Black Friday creative? With Roku Ads Manager, you can easily import and augment existing creative assets from your social channels. We also have AI-assisted upscaling, so every ad is primed for CTV.

Once you’ve done this, then you can easily set up A/B tests to flight different creative variants and Black Friday offers. If you’re a Shopify brand, you can even run shoppable ads directly on-screen so viewers can purchase with just a click of their Roku remote.

Bonus: we’re gifting you $5K in ad credits when you spend your first $5K on Roku Ads Manager. Just sign up and use code GET5K. Terms apply.