3 Ways to Capture Attention on Social Media
Capturing Attention in Social Media may seem easy enough in the world of instant information, viral videos, selfies, and retweets, but it actually takes much time and thought to curate captivating posts. Capturing attention in the social media means your post had the potential to reach others and keep their interest long enough to deliver your message. You may be thinking: How hard can it be to post something people will like? It’s harder than you think and there are challenges to consider. A 2015 study by Microsoft found that the average attention spans in humans are rapidly declining. In fact, the average attention span is 8 seconds in humans as opposed to 9 seconds attention span on average in a gold fish!

Decreasing average human attention span aside, there are opportunities and strategies that can help us capture that 8- second window of opportunity.
1. Compelling visuals- visual content extends your reach for your audience by saying more with less. A study by Hubspot in 2012 found that photos on FB received 53% more likes than an average post. (Corliss 2012.)
2. Give the people what they want!- Find what interest your audience and deliver it. Analytics have helped social media a powerful tool to see what content people are visiting most and want to see.
3. Speed it up- Slow load times can have big effects 51% of U.S online shoppers cite slow loading times as the reason they abandon a purchase. (Moth, 2012).
Maintaining Attention in Social Media
1. Social psychologist Robert Zajonc discovered Mere exposure effect which states that people exposed to something will develop a preference for it over time. A great way to maintain engagement is to host a regular online event. Giveaways, Q&A’s, and overall regular online presence will keep people interested and engaged.
2. Ask for and respond to feedback. Keeping accounts interesting by responding regularly and asking for feedback. (Naylor 2015).
3. Make your content valuable and unique. Content that is unique captures attention and provides value followers can’t get anywhere else. (Naylor, 2015.)
Making these things a habit in your social media posts can make the difference between capturing that elusive 8 second attention span and being scrolled past.
Corliss, R. (2012, November 15). Photos on Facebook Generate 53% More Likes Than the Average Post. Retrieved July 21, 2017, from https://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/33800/Photos-on-Facebook-Generate-53-More-Likes-Than-the-Average-Post-NEW-DATA.aspx
Mcfadden, K. (2015, May 14). Science: You Now Have a Shorter Attention Span Than a Goldfish. Retrieved July 21, 2017, from http://time.com/3858309/attention-spans-goldfish/
Naylor, S. (2015, September 14). Ideas for Maintaining Attention on Social Media. Retrieved July 21, 2017, from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ideas-maintaining-attention-social-media-stephanie-naylor
Moth, D. (2012, October 23). Site speed: case studies, tips and tools for improving your conversion rate. Retrieved July 20, 2017, from https://econsultancy.com/blog/10936-site-speed-case-studies-tips-and-tools-for-improving-your-conversion-rate/