How to Get & Keep Your Followers’ Attention

blog tips

I always talk about my man Gary Vee because, well his stuff is good, like really good. He is my ultimate #mcm. Like, if/when I meet him I hope his wife isn’t around, (sorry boogs).

In all seriousness my attraction to him is strictly business related. There is nothing hotter to me than when a person is confident in their craft and that’s exactly what Gary Vee is. Not only that but he’s right in everything he says 99% of the time so he’s not just blowing smoke.

Anyway, this post isn’t about him but it’s about a little something I learned from him which is: attention.

Attention is ultimately what any influencer or entrepreneur wants. Because when we have people’s attention, anything is possible. Think about Ellen DeGeneres, she brings people on her show who have grabbed people’s attention through funny videos, an act of kindness, extreme talent, etc. And once you’re on The Ellen Show it’s game over.

Now I know getting on Ellen may be a stretch but getting people’s attention is not, so that’s why I’m going to talk about how to do all that and more.

how to get your followers’ attention

The best way to get attention is to look for it. You might be thinking, “Wow, great advice Britt thanks”, but hear me out…

When you pay attention to attention, you’ll know exactly what to do and where to go. For example, where do you spend most of your “down time”? On your phones. (Don’t argue with me, it’s the truth.)

So what are you doing on your phone? You’re stalking people on Facebook, you’re scrolling through Instagram, you’re watching Snapchats, etc. This means that these platforms are the platforms where people’s attention is, so you want to create content that is conducive to Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, YouTube, etc.

Because these platforms change their algorithm so often, it’s really unpredictable so you need to do two things: stay up on the changes and create high quality content that people want.

Notice that when Instagram changed its algorithm, the people who already had high engagement kept their engagement because they were producing valuable content therefore they kept/keep attracting valuable consumers.

Those who were just starting out and/or struggling to build a loyal community were the ones who suffered from these changes. I’ll be honest, I definitely took a hit from the latest Instagram change.

But because I know Instagram is one of the main platforms that has people’s attention, I keep moving and try different strategies that seem to be working.

Ultimately you want to go where attention goes.

how to keep your followers’ attention

Getting attention is easy, it’s keeping it that’s the hard part. As I’ve mentioned before you have to have the talent and strategy and be interesting enough to make it in this industry. And “making it” is dependent upon keeping people’s attention.

Do you remember the Snooki & Jwoww show? I won’t blame you if you don’t because the show couldn’t keep people’s attention so it just fizzled out.

Anyway, on the other hand you have the Kardashians who have managed to stay relevant for decades! Here’s why: they innovate (lipkits, workout routines, kimoji swag), they keep the drama alive from Kylie and Tyga to Rob and Chyna to Khloe and Lamar, and they’re hilarious and ridiculous. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the Kardashians really know their stuff. They’ve found a recipe that works yet they’re willing to try new things.

So the same is true for you, if you want to continue to grow your blog/brand you have to innovate, which means trying out different content ideas and engagement strategies. You also want to have surprises up your sleeve whether it be new products/services, giveaways, or special sales.  And you want to keep your audience on the edge of their seats like ‘What’s she going to do next?!’.

 

What it comes down to is human psychology, understanding your audience, and trend forecasting. You want to put yourself in the shoes of your ideal follower/consumer. Where does she spend most of her time? What are her interests? What new things is she likely to try? That is where you’ll get everything you need to know to get and keep your followers’ attention.

 

How do you hook your followers or is that something you struggle with? Either way, tell me in the comments below!

xx

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8 Comments

  • Reply
    Liyana Aris
    05/02/2017 at 6:24 am

    I have in the past talk admiringly of the Kardashians/Jenners, only to have people scoffing at it. I may not “keep up” with them constantly, but I genuinely think of them as actual businesswomen, when others would argue that the correct term would be “opportunists”. I mean, sure, I guess they could be that too, like most reality stars are, but how many “opportunists” out there are as successful as they are? Being opportunistic was not what keeps them around the scene (and making them money!). It’s them being savvy enough to turn their 15 minutes of fame into an empire.

    The fact that you use their success story here in this article makes perfect sense to me, actually, and I hope others would, too. As a blogger, it’s easy to feel like you’re stuck in a rut. I feel it all the time. I may not want to be as big as reality stars (I really don’t, I’d find the attention nauseating and reeeaaally scary) but I always want to do better, you know? Reading everything you says here makes me think about ways I can innovate and improve my blogging game, so thank you, Brittany!
    Liyana Aris recently posted…Army Green Jacket & More Mickey In Xintiandi, ShanghaiMy Profile

    • Reply
      brittany
      05/02/2017 at 5:54 pm

      Trust me I have gotten in HUGE “debates” with people over the success of the Kardashian/Jenner clan, but one thing you can’t deny is that they’re making more money than all of us so they must be doing something right! The proof is in the pudding!

      There is nothing wrong with self-improvement for the sake of self-improvement whether it be blogging or a fitness routine or whatever. I respect your honesty Liyana and always appreciate your authentic comments. Thank you for all your support! xx

  • Reply
    Carrie this fit chick
    05/02/2017 at 9:36 am

    Totally agree with these tips!! I think it’s incredibly important to stay relevant and to keep producing QUALITY content that resonates with your audience!
    Carrie this fit chick recently posted…Recipes, Round-ups and Q+AMy Profile

    • Reply
      brittany
      05/02/2017 at 5:45 pm

      100% Carrie! P.s. just checked out your blog and Instagram… love it! You’ve got great stuff over there. Keep up the hustle babe! xx

  • Reply
    Breanna Marie
    05/02/2017 at 12:33 pm

    Do you have any favorite news resources you rely on for updated information on new algorithms and trends?

    https://bybreannamarie.com/

    • Reply
      brittany
      05/02/2017 at 5:51 pm

      Hey Bre! I actually don’t use any one source. I just keep my eye out and whenever I notice things go funny or see other influencers/bloggers do certain things or stop doing certain things I find out why via Google (lame answer I know). However, Mashable.com is great source for tech news, but it’s not something I check religiously. Going right to the source like Snapchat’s blog or Instagram’s blog isn’t a bad idea either. Thanks for your question doll! xx

  • Reply
    Sue Grantham
    05/03/2017 at 5:35 am

    Hi Britt,
    I agree 100% with your opinion of the K’s and J’s, they are masters at getting our attention and are very astute business people.
    I struggle with what my IG followers are telling me. I actually reached 100 followers, a really big deal for me. I posted a thank you and within 24 hours I was under 100 followers and quickly heading south. Also, I love posting on IG but don’t feel the same way about my blog. I think I need to make my blog more about pictures and less about writing… what are your thoughts?

    • Reply
      brittany
      05/09/2017 at 11:08 am

      Hi Sue! Nice to hear from you. Congrats on reaching 100! I know the feeling. 🙂 You’re going to lose followers left and right, and sometimes there is no rhyme or reason but as long as you’re gaining more than you’re losing you’re in good shape. When you start to lose more, then it may be time to re-evaluate some things. Hope this helps! Keep me posted on your progress and thank you for your comment! xx

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