No One is Reading Your Instagram Captions

Spoiler alert, no one is reading your captions on social media and I can prove it. 

Actually, I can’t prove it. I just made that up. 

But I made you want to keep reading, right? Please say yes. 

Let’s talk about the power of the hook. 

In journalism we call this a lede, in copywriting we call it a hook. It’s the first few words of your caption or script on a reel. It’s the line that catches your audience's attention so they keep reading or watching your content. 

This is why GRWM videos started popping off on TikTok. Influencers were reeling you in with an opening line like, “Get ready with me to go break up with my boyfriend / go to my grandmother’s funeral / call out my best friend for hooking up with my ex boyfriend.” 

With a hook like that, it feels illegal to keep scrolling and not hear the rest of the story. 

This is why your opening line matters – it makes people want to see more. 

All day, every day we are inundated constantly with ads, content, and influencers influencing, so the amount of time I have to grab your attention is mere seconds. 

Even as a consumer I’m guilty of this. I give a creator no more than 5 seconds to hook me then I am on to the next post like BYE. My screen time is precious. 

I want you to be the Alix Earle of hooks, the OG Queen of GRWM’s and knowing how to hook an audience with a story.

Here’s how she and so many other content creators you love are doing it. 

1. A bold statement or question – This needs no further explanation.

2. Using numbers or lists – “5 things I wish I would’ve known when I started my business…”

3. Tapping into emotions or humor – “Ever tried to 'eat healthy' for a week, only to end up in a serious relationship with a bag of chips by Wednesday?”

4. Create urgency or curiosity – “Pack with me for my European summer vacation only my plane leaves in an hour.” (These videos stress me out because I genuinely don’t believe they’re that last minute of a packer but I am watching and I am sweating, sis!)

5. Speak directly to your audience – Make them feel like the post was created just for them with a statement like, “Listen, I made a goal to read 20 books this year and I’m on book #5 in October.” 

If you really want to hook your audience (in video format) while not offending all of Gen Z on the World Wide Web, then learn what the Millennial Pause is and never – I repeat never – do it. 

Whether you’re telling a story, educating, or trying to get your followers to take action – your opening line should be bold and memorable. 

Because let’s remember…no one is reading your captions on social media and I can prove it.

Xo, The Salesgirls