I have complicated feelings about Instagram. 🤪

On one hand, I love it. I love scrolling through it, I love Stories, and I think it’s such a fun platform.

On the other hand, and as far as work goes, Instagram (can) *stress* me… and I know it stresses my clients, too. There seems to always be something new to try or something additional to keep up with, and it can be challenging to not get caught up on the hamster wheel.

So, if you’re wondering if the professionals feel the same way that you do: YES! However, I’ve worked in this space long enough to know that you can cultivate community, and you can create a lot of growth online.

One of my very favorite ways to do this with my clients AND with myself is by capturing attention through video content… specifically during a launch. So, without further ado, here are some of my favorite tips (and ideas!) for capturing attention on IG like your business and launch deserve!

How to Capture Attention on IG: Video Edition

1. Do it quickly: You only have around 3 seconds to capture attention on video before people start scrolling. It makes sense, huh? In a world of powerful short form content — and really engaging long form content — people choose quickly what’s worth their time. The best way to capture attention is by focusing on your hooks. Ask yourself what your audience is going to be attracted to, and then use that to your advantage. 

Want some video hook ideas? Here are a few of my favorites:

• Utilize a problem/solution hook. What problems do your ideal clients face, and how can you instantly show that you’ll fix them? (For example: “After YEARS of low engagement on Pinterest, my client reached out to me. Within a month, we 15X her reach!”)
• Engage in visual storytelling: Immediately capture eyes with vibrant colors and beautiful graphics. For instance, are you a graphic designer? Start your next Reel with a quickfire edit of your latest brand identity. Are you an email marketing expert? Show bold numbers of open rates and click through rates on a recent send!
• Show off a killer statistic: Numbers add instant proof to any point you’re trying to make, which is where an excellent stat can come into play. For instance, if you’re a Pinterest marketer, open your video with a question like “Did you know? Businesses see a 30% increase in traffic with an effective Pinterest strategy.” You’ll immediately create buy-in this way.

2. Play with some non-typical CTAs: A really fun way to spur engagement is by utilizing calls to action that are a little less, well… boring than your typical CTA. Here are a few ideas to tie into your next IG video caption that spur engagement and/or action:

• Tap for a surprise!
• Hit “save” to come back to this later (it’s that good).
• Tag a friend you know would love this, too!
• Stalk our highlights for more just like this.
• Explore more by tapping the link in my bio!
• Turn up the volume!
• Say hi in our DMs!

3. Outsource it, baby: I know firsthand that it feels like a LOT to post consistently, so why not let someone else do it? This can definitely mean outsourcing to a social media agency, but it can also mean utilizing UGC (user-generated content). This allows you to build a deeper connection with your audience, get buy-in from real people, and encourage your people to participate. 

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There you have it, friends — just a few ways to capture attention on IG and drive some (actual) results from the hard work you’re putting in. And, psst… if you combine it with paid ads, you can really make some magic and scale. We can help with that here.