Research by Luca Cian, Aradhna Krishna, and Ryan S. Elder—published a behavioural science experiment: ‘A Sign of Things to Come’ which shows that dynamic imagery, or visuals that suggest motion, can actually influence our behaviour.

One of the most interesting tests involved a warning sign for falling rocks. In one version, the rocks had already landed at the bottom of the cliff. In the other, the rocks were depicted mid-fall, as if gravity had just pulled them from the cliffside.

The results were fascinating. Drivers slowed down and paid more attention to the sign with the rocks in mid-air. The implied movement triggered a response—our brains couldn’t help but notice it. This effect isn’t about consciously choosing to look; it’s subconscious. Movement, even implied movement, has a way of pulling our focus.

This got my team and me thinking: if this works on road signs, could it work in marketing? Could images that suggest movement—like kids running through a room, a car driving past a house, or a football with a shadow suggesting it’s just been kicked—grab people’s attention in the same way? And, more importantly, would this attention translate into action? Could it actually generate more leads?

So, we set up a series of experiments to find out. For Facebook ads, we used two types of images: one set featured static visuals, like an empty lounge or a stationary object. The other set used visuals with implied movement, such as kids running through the lounge. We wanted to see which images would make people stop scrolling and click.

But we didn’t stop there. We extended the test to Google Ads and landing pages. Some pages featured static images, while others used animations or visuals suggesting movement. Half the visitors saw one version; half saw the other. The question was simple: does adding motion—or the impression of motion—get more people to leave their details and inquire about a mortgage?

We even asked a few people to compare pairs of images and tell us which one grabbed their attention first. From an empty lounge to kids running, from a plain football to one with a shadow, we wanted to understand what drew their eyes.

Join The Lead Ladies and some of The Lead Engine team in this entertaining episode as they vent about their holiday annoyances!

Featuring input from the Queens of Christmas on what to banish to Room 101, and a surprising twist from our resident Grinch, it’s a festive mix of humour and holiday spirit. 

Brought to you from the team at The Lead Engine who specialise in lead generation, web design and content marketing for financial services.  

In this week’s podcast, Alex chats with mortgage broker Jamie Thompson about his triumphant journey as a first-time buyer specialist, highlighting how he effectively utilises search engine optimisation (SEO) to attract leads and enhance his business. 

Jamie shares practical tips and strategies for other brokers aiming to create impactful content that boosts both traffic and the quality of leads, making this episode a valuable resource for those in the mortgage industry looking to elevate their online presence.

Follow Jamie on LinkedIn.

Visit Jamie Thompson Mortgages.

listen back to Jamie Thompson - Business Superhero Series - Episode 171.

In this month's edition, Alex, Hannah, Stephanie and Tessa from the Talking Ads team delve into the intriguing world of marketing, showcasing standout advertisements that pique their interest. 

They explore a diverse range of products, from cozy electric blankets and effective deodorants to cutting-edge technology and strategies for boosting YouTube engagement. 

By analysing the clever messaging and branding techniques used, the team highlights what makes these ads resonate with consumers, offering insights into effective marketing strategies.

We recommend you view all the adverts before or during listening to this episode to engage in the discussion.

Immerse yourselves here.

If you would like to send in an advert that has caught your eye, please Whatsapp us on +44 7874 469647 and tell us why this made you stop and look, and we will include this on the next episode of Talking Ads. 

Brought to you from the team at The Lead Engine who specialise in lead generation, web design and content marketing for financial services.  

 Alex and Ross reunite to discuss the significant strides made by Blue Fish Mortgage Solutions, particularly in content creation through SEO, which has led to an increase in leads by targeting niche markets. They emphasise how this strategy has not only enhanced visibility but also positioned the company as a thought leader in the mortgage industry. Additionally, they highlight the crucial role of a robust social media presence in complementing the website, driving traffic, and further engaging potential customers, thus reinforcing the overall marketing strategy.

Follow Ross on LinkedIn.

Listen back to episode 260. 

Brought to you from the team at The Lead Engine who specialise in lead generation, web design and content marketing for financial services.  

In this engaging conversation, Alex talks with award-winning business owner and mentor Paul Flavin, who shares insights from his journey transitioning from running multiple mortgage businesses to becoming a business coach. They discuss how Grow Partnership offers valuable strategic guidance and support tailored for small mortgage businesses, including startups, helping them navigate challenges and achieve sustainable growth through targeted coaching services.

Follow Paul on LinkedIn.

Visit Grow Partnership here.

Follow Grow Partnership on YouTube.

Brought to you from the team at The Lead Engine who specialise in lead generation, web design and content marketing for financial services.  

In this episode of Room 101, The Lead Ladies sit down with Paul Huby, a Mortgage and Protection Adviser whose passions extend beyond finance to include Hyrox competitions and hiking adventures.

Paul delves into his biggest pet peeves, touching on issues like the chaos of supermarkets, the commercialisation of Christmas markets, the annoyance of product surveys, and the disruptive use of phones at concerts and festivals, offering a candid look at the societal habits that frustrate him.

Follow Paul on socials:

 @LinkedIn

@Instagram

@Facebook

Brought to you from the team at The Lead Engine who specialise in lead generation, web design and content marketing for financial services.  

In the latest episode of Talking Ads, the team welcomes LinkedIn expert Louise Brogan, who discusses three innovative messaging-style ads from the platform, offering fresh insights while sharing valuable LinkedIn strategies. Alongside her advertising analysis, Louise updates listeners on her YouTube journey and its new goals, all infused with plenty of humour to keep the conversation lively and engaging!

Follow Louise on LinkedIn.

Subscribe and follow Louise on YouTube. 

We recommend you view all the adverts before or during listening to this episode to engage in the discussion.

Immerse yourselves here.

If you would like to send in an advert that has caught your eye, please Whatsapp us on +44 7874 469647 and tell us why this made you stop and look, and we will include this on the next episode of Talking Ads. 

Brought to you from the team at The Lead Engine who specialise in lead generation, web design and content marketing for financial services.  

In this discussion, Alex Curtis is joined by Sam Mears, Regional Account Manager at LV= General Insurance to elaborate on the company's innovative service approach tailored for GI intermediaries, highlighting initiatives like awareness-raising round table events and user-friendly smartphone technology designed to streamline the client experience and enhance adviser efficiency.

Visit LV= General Insurance Intermediaries here.

Find out more about the comparison tool here.

Follow Sam on LinkedIn.

Contact Sam via Tel:  07385533169 or email him [email protected]  

Brought to you from the team at The Lead Engine who specialise in lead generation, web design and content marketing for financial services.  

Following  the solo episodes on Google Campaign Types and Google Bidding Types, Alex Curtis is back to talk more about Google Ads but this time to focus specifically on Keyword Types. 

Brought to you from the team at The Lead Engine who specialise in lead generation, web design and content marketing for financial services.  

This time The Lead Ladies are joined by the managing director of Essex-based brokerage, EHF Mortgages to share his personal pet peeves and a few light-hearted, industry related ones!

Follow Justin on  LinkedIn.

Visit EHF Mortgages here.

Visit Newspage here.

Brought to you from the team at The Lead Engine who specialise in lead generation, web design and content marketing for financial services.