Guide to Good Caption Writing
- kate3633
- Aug 11, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 15
Caption Writing to Captivate Your Audience
3 seconds.
That’s all you get is 3 seconds. 3 seconds to capture the attention of everyone scrolling through social media.
How do you do this? For starters, you need to have an intriguing visual to stop their scroll. After that, it’s all about the caption, so you need to have a strong hook. That first sentence must make them say, “ok, tell me more”!
Before you start writing, take a moment for some prep work. What is your intention of the post you’re creating a caption for? Are you hoping to receive answers to a question in the comments? Do you want your audience to take a specific action after reading your post? Or are you simply looking to inform them? Writing with intention is an absolute must!
If you have a basic caption idea, take it a step further and consider how to incorporate an open-ended question to encourage conversation and engagement. Now we’re getting into the meat and potatoes of your caption. This is where you want to add value. Adding value doesn’t mean you always have to inform your audience; providing them with some inspiration for their day or even a joke could be just what they need!
Once you have your caption written, adding a Call to Action (CTA) at the bottom may be a good idea. Don’t do this every single time. Sprinkle it in to nudge the audience in the right direction. Here are some examples of CTAs you could use:
Double tap if you can relate
Save this post for later
Follow us for more [tips, inspo, ideas, etc.]
Learn more – Visit our website – Link in bio
Share if you agree
Avoid FOMO – Subscribe to our [email list, newsletter, blog, etc.]
Let’s review. To captivate your audience in 3 seconds, you should:
Use an intriguing visual
Know your intention/goal of the post
Have an opening hook
Provide value and encourage conversation
End with a call to action
Finally, I want to leave you with this – DON’T OVERTHINK IT!
That’s right, don’t think so hard about what you’re writing. Remember to stay true to who you are: your personality, your brand, and your beliefs. If you do that, the words will flow. Social media is about making genuine connections with real people, so humanize your captions by being you.
If you’re still feeling stuck, our inbox is always open.
About the Author: Vicki Goebner, Social Philly
Vicki Goebner is the founder of Social Philly, a social media management organization that helps small businesses and personal brands grow their online presence. Vicki is passionate about taking entrepreneurs’ social media to the next level by implementing strategies proven to initiate organic growth. She is one of Hart House Creative's collaborators. Follow Vicki on Instagram @SocialPhilly for best practices to help your brand thrive.
Everything we share here is meant to be helpful and inspiring. We’re speaking from experience. Please consult a qualified professional to help make decisions. You are responsible for how you choose to use this information, and we are not liable for any loss, damages, or issues that may arise. We can’t be responsible for how things play out, but we’re always rooting for your success!
Credits
Author and Editor: Vicki Goebner
Associate Editor: Jenn Hart (More About Me)
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