How to Actually Capture Attention on Social Media

Everyone trying to sell you something claims to have a “secret technique” that is “so simple” and something that “anyone can implement” in the “next 30 days” to “make six figures this year”. If you’ve ever had an annoying Facebook ad that never seemed to go away, you probably recognize a ton of those phrases in quotes.

WELL, I don’t have that. (Spoiler alert: no one does.) But I do genuinely have what I believe the most honest way to capture people’s attention on social media.

In my experience (which I’m about to detail) this has the ability to:

1. Impress people enough to make them say, “Wow! This is amazing!”

2. Compel people to comment on your post (without manipulating them)

3. Cause people to share your content with others

4. Stick out as a memorable thing someone saw in their feed

5. Help someone actually consider buying your product

Sounds pretty good, right? Here’s what it is:

Until I die, I will push that video is the best way to engage your audience online.

If you’re a skeptic, here’s why I believe this is true:

1. Video engages more of our senses: it is visual and audial, thus 2/5; as opposed to podcasting or a photo

2. It entertains us; especially those averse to reading long captions but willing to sit through a video

3. It causes followers to linger longer on your post, which social media platforms track, and thus rewards your content the next time you share

4. When done well, video is a higher calibre of content, and commands more of our memory and attention

Here’s 3 ways video has directly benefited me this week:

1. I shared a 15-second video I made for a client recently to my Facebook. I had received 3 comments on it in minutes, and another share of that exact video on someone’s personal page. Neither of these things are common with my modest and niche following.

2. I created a 1-minute long video (that was really almost more of a slideshow with audio) that made my client respond with an overjoyed reaction when, to me, this was not even making the most of my capabilities.

3. I shared that same video in #1 through my clients’ social media, and we saw a spike 3x the size of their average amount of comments, likes, saves, and ‘sends’ through Instagram.

Those are staggering numbers, considering I paid for nothing; this is all organic. At a time when we’re all dying to stand out from the pack on social media, video is the most readily available tool that can get you there.

But many people will never utilize video to promote their business.

Why the heck not?!

1. Video takes time to create. In the time I edited together a single 1-minute video, I could’ve edited 50 some photos.

2. Video takes intentionality. It’s not just time, it’s that you have to have something to say in your video. You have to have something you’re actively trying to communicate. This takes forethought and effort.

3. Video involves more of you. It involves peeling back the curtain on your business a little. If you follow all my beliefs and get your own face on camera, it involves being brave enough to put yourself out there. Most business owners I speak to are waaaayyyyyy nervous to do that.

4. Video seems too difficult. Business owners don’t believe they have the time to figure video out.

Here’s the great news, particularly in relation to the last one there:

Utilizing video to benefit your business does not have to be an impossible task.

While many businesses will benefit far greater from a professional, well-executed video strategy, I have seen soooooo many businesses still benefit from just trying anything with video. I mean it.

If you know you need to take video more seriously and are struggling to figure out how to do that, check out my other blog 7 Video Ideas for Business to Try. It will give you all that you need to get started!