Valentine's Day is all about matters of the heart (or a really great marketing ploy for chocolate makers, amiright?), but it's not just for personal relationships. Your brand's relationship with its audience matters, too, especially in the world of social media. In this blog post, we will explore the turn-ons and turn-offs for your audience when it comes to social media and what it will take to make them swipe right on you!
Turn-Offs:
QR Codes in Emails and Social Posts
Just like receiving a gift that's not quite right, encountering QR codes on social media posts can disappoint the user. They often indicate a lack of exploration into the audience's experience and journey. According to data collected in December 2023, over 92% of internet users access the internet from their phone… if they’re looking at your content on their phone, how will they scan the QR code also from their phone? Instead, focus on engaging content that adds value to your audience's lives by providing relevant information within the content. And if you must redirect them? Utilizing in-app opportunities to provide links is helpful and eases the user journey.
The Millennial Pause
A "millennial pause" in social media, characterized by a deliberate and often awkward silence at the beginning of recorded videos and a slow speech pattern throughout the content, can be a significant turn-off for various reasons. While some might view it as a unique stylistic choice (and let’s face it: for a lot of us, it’s a habit), it often comes across as inauthentic or forced.
In today's fast-paced digital world, where attention spans are shorter than ever, viewers are looking for content that quickly grabs their interest and delivers value. The millennial pause can disrupt this expectation, causing viewers to lose interest before the content even begins. It can also contribute to a perception of self-indulgence or a lack of professionalism, which can deter users from seeking concise, engaging, and informative content. In essence, this practice can create a disconnect with viewers who prefer more immediate and engaging content experiences. We know that breaking a habit can be tough–we’ve all been there!--as you work on reducing the pause, make sure you take the time to edit Millennial Pauses out of your video before you publish. A little snip, and it’s like it never happened!
Content That Takes Too Long to Ramp Up
Ever stumbled upon a blog post or video that took forever to get to the point? It's like a never-ending date with no chemistry. Ew. Because the average attention span is about 8 seconds (and getting shorter, we say!), we recommend you get to the heart of your subject matter within the first 3 seconds to keep your audience engaged.
Turn-Ons:
Quick, Relatable, and Helpful Content
Just like a good conversation, quick and relevant content that helps your audience is a major turn-on. Share tips, tricks, and information that resonate with your target demographic. Make it clear how your brand can improve their lives.
Utilizing a trendy sound and funny, cutaway clips, Lauren addresses a commonly questioned community management tactic that has been proven to increase sales for brands.
Funny Content
Laughter is a universal language of love. Injecting humor into your social media can create a deeper connection with your audience. Share funny memes, jokes, or witty comments that align with your brand's personality.
Caitlin, our team graphic designer–and resident funniest person on our team–uses a trending meme to address a common issue in the agency world. It’s educational AND pretty funny, if you ask us…or the other 1,500 people who watched it ;)
Effective Call to Action (CTA)
A great way to win your audience's heart is by making them feel valued. Use CTAs that encourage responses, such as asking for opinions, and feedback, or encouraging user-generated content. Make them an active part of your brand's journey.
Just like in love, building a strong brand presence on social media requires understanding what turns your audience on and off. By avoiding social media turn-offs like QR codes and the Millennial Pause and embracing turn-ons like relatable content, humor, and effective calls to action, your brand can foster a loving relationship with its followers that will last far beyond Valentine's Day. So, go ahead, spread the love on social media, and watch your brand's engagement grow. And if you still need help to get your audience to swipe right? The Betsy Babe team are pretty skilled matchmakers and we’re happy to help.