Let’s be honest, attention spans are short. Like, really short. If your video does not stop someone within the first few seconds, they’re gone. Scrolled past. Moved on.
So how do you grab attention and maintain it? It’s about taking advantage of quick, smart strategies that build interest immediately and sustain it. Here are some video marketing tips to implement that will increase engagement literally before their eyes.
1. Use a Hook (in the first 3 seconds)
This one is non-negotiable. The first 3 seconds of your video must stop someone and get them to watch. Be curious, make a bold statement, or surprise them with a crazy visual. For example:
- Ask a question (“What if I told you that your marketing funnel is leaking money?”)
- Exploit shock value (“This $0 trick doubled our traffic overnight.”)
- Tease the payoff (“Stick around for 10 seconds, and I’ll tell you how to…”)
Your goal here is to interrupt their pattern enough to stop the scroll.
2. Use Captions and On-Screen Text
Most of us watch videos on mute (especially on social), so using captions and big, bold on-screen text can help your message be accessible without sound, and even support the deliverable visually.
Pro-tip: Make sure your text is animated or working with the beat in the edit to add some movement.
3. Make it Short and Snappy
Feeling like this got rambly? That’s the world we live in! We all want things to be brief (especially video!). Even with long-form video, viewers probably want you to keep them engaged every 10–15 seconds. Use quick cuts, angle changes, and scene changes to keep the viewer visually engaged throughout the video.
As a rule of thumb for social video, anything under 60 seconds usually performs better than anything longer (unless you’re doing longer-form video for Youtube). IG Reels and TikTok can be very selective about their preferred video length.
4. We’re Wired for Stories: Tell a Micro-Story
As humans, we’re wired for stories! A good short video can still hook someone in emotionally with a micro-story (problem → solution → outcome). Example:
- Problem: “Having trouble getting clients?”
- Solution: “Here’s the outreach strategy we have used.”
- Outcome: “It landed us 5 new leads in 1 week.”
That’s it, it’s quick, it’s clear, and it works.
5. Include a Strong CTA (Call to Action)
Once you have captured their attention, you should guide it, don’t leave them wondering. If you want them to comment, click or share, ask for it. Instead of just “like and subscribe”, try:
- “Tag a friend who needs to check this out.”
- “Comment ‘YES’ if this helped.”
- “Hit save so you don’t forget this later.”
The more specific your CTA is, the better your response will be.
6. Use Assets Native To Each Platform
Make sure your videos are made for the platform. A horizontal video that looks great on Youtube may flop on Instagram stories.
- TikTok & Reels: Vertical, short, fast paced.
- Youtube: Horizontal, slightly longer, value packed.
- LinkedIn: Professional tone, subtitles, action-oriented.
Using native formatting will lead to higher algorithm push which means better opportunity for higher engagement.
7. Use User Generated Content & Testimonials
Authenticity sells. Authentic videos of real customers, back of house footage or casual moments with team members feels human and builds trust. These videos don’t have to be highly edited, they simply need to be real.
Conclusion
You don’t need a huge budget to make scroll-stopping videos; you just need to value their time, add value quickly, and be visually interesting. It could be a quick tip, a bold insight, or a 15-sec story…if you have the right strategy, you can grab their attention and keep it before the first scroll occurs.
Have any questions about creating a video magnet out of your brand? Let’s talk strategy, reach out today to get your content working harder, faster, and smarter.