HERE IT IS!! Capturing Attention in Social Media

What does it take to keep your attention? Whether its in day to day life, T.V. shows, or social media; what will keep you focused? Capturing and keeping one’s attention especially in the world of social media is no easy task. To capture the attention of social media users means to keep them constantly looking, constantly scrolling and keeping them engaged and looking forward to what is to come. Keeping users engaged is especially important if you are using social media to market, sell, or advertise your business. The challenges in doing so are intense! There are thousands, if not millions of users doing the same thing you are doing. Because the human attention span is at such a small number there are many other challenges that come with living in the day and age of social media. When a web page is too slow that tends to turn people off, if a user is dissatisfied and reaches out on social media- respond QUICKLY! be proactive and get to advertising (Stevens, 2016).

· Three strategies to keep them viewers:

Bring Out the Visuals

Our brains can process an image way faster than words, so get creative (Sheares, 2015). Bring out the pictures, gather the videos. Tell your story with graphics, grab the attention and use it to your advantage. Keep the users entertained with an image that will hold their attention.

Be Pro Mobile

In today’s society the cell phone is the new desktop! When thinking about grabbing and keeping the attention of social media users don’t just make it cell phone friendly, it’s got to be 100% effortless and not a task for consumers (Mendenhall, 2016).

Be in the Present

Social media users like to be in on the latest trend and in the know of what is happening live. Take advantage of big events and happenings to get a hold of the attention of the viewers, go live, engage with viewers, and keep them entertained (Frasco, 2015).

• Maintaining Engagement in Social Media

So, you have gotten the attention of the viewers, that’s all nice and dandy but don’t forget you have to keep that going. It’s a hard-enough task trying to capture that attention but even harder to maintain it. To keep your viewers engaged you will have to strategize, don’t be afraid of putting yourself out there and being successful in the social media world.

· Three strategies to maintain the engagement

Be an engaged social listener

Being an effective and active learner is a key factor in keeping your viewers (Templeman, 2017). No one likes to be ignored or felt like they are only being used for a quick sale. If your viewers reach out to you or your site, react, let it be known that you are there.

Use language relevant to your viewers

It is important to use phrases that are going to keep your viewers (Templeman, 2017). Using words or sentences that do not pertain to your audience or are not relevant to what you are trying to relay will quickly lose the attention and engagement of your viewers.

Strategize, strategize, strategize

Come up with a plan (Templeman, 2017). Get everything together that has been learned through the trial and error process and work it out. Have discussions with peers, ask for advice, write out thoughts, and evaluate what has worked and what hasn’t.

References

Frasco, S. (2015). 3 Ways To Make Your Social Media Posts Attract The Right Attention. Convert with Content. Retrieved from https://www.convertwithcontent.com/3-ways-to-make-your-social-media-posts-attract-the-right-attention/

Mendenhall, N. (2016). 4 Ways to Capture and Keep Your Target Audience’s Attention. SocialMediaToday. Retrieved from https://www.socialmediatoday.com/marketing/4-ways-capture-and-keep-your-target-audiences-attention

Sheares, A. (2015). 3 Social Media Tips for Capturing Audience Attention. Cision. Retrieved from https://www.cision.com/us/2015/04/3-social-media-tips-for-capturing-audience-attention/

Stevens, J. (2016). Decreasing Attention Spans and Your Website, Social Media Strategy. ADWEEK. Retrieved from http://www.adweek.com/digital/john-stevens-guest-post-decreasing-attention-spans/

Templeman, M. (2017). Social-Listening: 5 Ways To Really Engage With Your Social Media Audience. Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/miketempleman/2017/01/26/how-to-really-engage-with-your-social-media-audience/#744dee2d2b0e