How to make content that captures attention

SCROLL-STOPPING 101: THE 3 SECOND QUESTION THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING

Let’s be real, Reels are everywhere. Everyone’s posting, editing, lip-syncing, and trend-chasing like their algorithmic life depends on it. But in a world where every second is a scroll, one question can make or break your content: “Would I stop scrolling for this?”

It sounds simple, but that three-second gut check can save you from posting yet another forgettable video.

Why the 3-second question works?

When people scroll through Reels, their brains make decisions faster than they can blink. They don’t think, “Hmm, this seems like a well-structured brand message.”
They think, “Do I care?”

If your video doesn’t make them curious, amused, or emotionally invested within the first three seconds — they’re gone.
The key? Create emotion before you create motion.

The 3-second test:

Step 1: Watch it without sound.
Does it still grab attention? If not, add movement, text overlays, or strong visuals.

Step 2: Read your first line or on-screen text.
If it doesn’t make you curious, it won’t work on them.

For example - Weak: “5 tips to grow your Instagram.”
Strong: “You’re losing followers because of this mistake”

Step 3: Check the “Why should they care?” factor.
Teach, entertain, or surprise — otherwise it’s just content clutter.

Step 4: Look at your thumbnail.
Would you click it? If not, your audience won’t either.

The 5 Emotional Hooks That Make People Stop Scrolling:

1. Curiosity - the “wait, what?” hook

“The trick every social media manager uses but never admits”
“I tried posting at 3 a.m. for a week — here’s what actually happened.”
“Why your viral post secretly flopped — and you didn’t even notice.”

2. Relatability - the “this is literally me” hook

“When your ‘just testing this post’ performs better than your campaign”
“That 2 a.m. panic when you realise you posted from the wrong account”
“Your analytics after you finally take a break”

3. Surprise - the “no way that worked” hook

“This post had zero budget and outperformed paid ads.”
“Guess which campaign idea the intern came up with (It’s the viral one.)”
“The brand used MS Paint… and still went viral.”

4. FOMO — the “am I already late?” hook

“If you’re still using hashtags like it’s 2020, we need to talk”
“Everyone’s jumping on this new audio… except you”
“While you’re reading this, 10 brands just went viral using this trick.”

5. Humour - the “too real to ignore” hook

“Client: ‘Make it viral.’ Me: turns on fan - done.”
“Your face when the intern’s meme outperforms your paid campaign”
“Social media managers when someone says ‘just post consistently’

At the end of the day, every scroll is a tiny battle for attention and you only get three seconds to win it. The next time you’re about to hit “post,” pause for a moment and ask yourself: “Would I stop scrolling for this?”

If the answer’s yes, you’re not just creating content, you’re creating connection.
And that’s exactly what makes a Reel worth watching.