Building an Audience vs. Chasing Attention: Key Lessons for Long-Form Content Creators

On social media, it's easy to feel pressured by all the advice on "hooks" and "hacks" for grabbing attention. We recently came across a video that took a different approach, and it sparked a great conversation about the difference between building a loyal audience and constantly chasing new viewers.

The Creator's Approach

The creator explained that his YouTube videos aren't heavily edited. From idea to published video (with title and thumbnail), the entire process only takes him about two and a half hours—and that's on purpose. He focuses less on fast cuts and flashy edits and more on delivering valuable content to an audience that's willing to sit down, watch, and engage.

His mindset is simple: he doesn't want to "trick" people into watching his videos. Instead, he wants to build a strong, loyal audience who truly connects with his material. In his view, the kind of people who need to be constantly entertained and tricked into watching aren't the people who will become real fans or buyers.

Our Take: Audience Stage Matters

At first, this approach felt refreshing. It takes some pressure off when you're trying to build content that is true to you. But we realized he's really talking about a very specific stage in the audience journey: after someone already knows who you are.

If you're trying to attract new followers, you do still need strong hooks and engaging intros. Especially on highly competitive platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, you only have a few seconds to capture someone's attention before they scroll past. If you don't give them a compelling reason to watch, they'll never even reach the point where they can become loyal fans.

Hooking vs. Keeping

The key distinction is:

• Hooking brings in new people.

• Authenticity and Value keeps them there.

The creator we watched still uses visual hooks—good production quality, clear audio, attention-grabbing thumbnails, and even stimulating visuals throughout the video. He’s not abandoning "hooking" altogether; he's just applying it differently depending on where someone is in the journey.

If you're building a personal brand, authenticity matters even more. People will sniff out fake "entertainment hacks" a mile away if they sense you're not genuine. And if your audience values you for your teaching, insights, or expertise, you don't need constant jump cuts and flashing lights. But you do need to give them a good reason to click in the first place.

What This Means for Small Businesses

If you're promoting a physical or digital product rather than a personal brand, the rules shift. You still need:

• Eye-catching thumbnails

• Quick, engaging intros

• Strong hooks to stop the scroll

Only after you've grabbed someone's attention can you rely on your quality product and brand story to turn them into loyal customers.

Key Takeaways

• Different stages require different strategies. Use strong hooks to attract attention; use authenticity to keep it.

• Platform matters. Fast-paced hooks are critical on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts. Longer form YouTube videos can be slower once your audience is committed.

• Personal brands need authenticity. Products and services can lean a little more into direct-response tactics.

We’re all competing for attention online, but how we earn that attention—and what we do with it once we have it—makes all the difference.