They Don't Care About Your Watch Time

Here’s what I’ve found

The thing is, it’s not always the super polished, professional-looking stuff that get’s shared. Nope, it’s the raw, behind-the-scenes shorts that are most likely to get me to save and share a piece of content, or at the very least, watch all the way through.

So… I asked myself. what was it that kept me watching? What was it about that video, that made me want to share it a friend? 

The video that i’m referring to was one from a creator I follow. This particular video showed him doing daily tasks in his office – nothing special. There were no fancy camera angles, it was a static shot from a couple of different angles, locked off on a tripod – super simple. No fancy edits, and sprinkled throughout, was a storyline about how he had overcome a design challenge over the years of working on his craft. It was interesting. Insightful. And it kept me watching.

As a side note here–it has always been the content the tells great stories that wind up with the best performance.

So the video wasn’t rehearsed. It wasn’t scripted. It certainly wasn’t perfect. But even still, I found it valuable, entertaining and insightful.

So I shared it with a friend.

It lead to conversation about how we do edit. How we deal with the ever increasing storage needs. How we think about filming interviews. Ultimately, it lead me to consider a new perspective. Now was all of our conversation sparked by the video I had shared? No, not all of it. But it certainly got the ball rolling.

So what are the content types that I am most likely to share with others. 

For me… I know I am very focused on education–I’m always looking for ways that I can learn. So naturally, I will tend to find myself consuming that kind of content. If I look at the people I personally follow… it’s pretty obvious that is the case. But overall, what are the types of content that get’s the most shares?

“DOGS” I hear you shouting…

Yes of course–dogs and other cute animals, things that kids do, people slipping on ice… all the typical eye catchers have always outplayed other content, and personally, they are often the things i share too… don’t lie, I know you’re in the same boat!

But looking more broadly, typically there are four (4) main categories of content that performs well. And once you hear it, you’ll know it’s true, because you stay up late at night, scrolling through this kind of content all the time. 

Those categories are:

• Entertainment

• Educational

• Inspirational Stories

• Visual Storytelling

Let me explain.

 

Entertainment:

This is anything that’s funny or intriguing. They catch attention and make people want to share them with friends. What does that look like? Well, you’ve got reaction videos, popular tv show quotes, standup comedy, behind-the-scenes, UGC, skits, asking strangers questions, podcasts, and in a surprising way–singer/songwriters and artist who are focusing on social to get their start. There are endless examples of these types of creators.

Some creators that come to mind: you can check them out later

 

• • @howridiculous
  • @mrbeast
  • @zachking
  • @joerogan
  • @wegotthechocolates
  • @lalalandkindcafe

Most known bands and artists have big followings, but some artists who are intentionally making great content for socials are being discovered on the global platform because of it:

• • @hiforrest
  • @connorprice

Alright, let’s continue.

Educational Content:

This is the informative stuff. Things like tutorials, ‘talking head’ videos sharing something you realised that others might not, and ‘hot take’ content where you respond to something happening in the news, local areas, or within specific companies are great for this. You’ve got podcasts, talk shows and creators that teach how to do something specific. 

Have you ever heard the term ‘show, don’t tell’? – that’s exactly what this type of content does.

Informative posts that teach something new are super shareable. People love to learn, especially when it’s something that can help them. This type of content lends itself well to ‘positioning yourself as an expert’.

I put that in brackets because “everyone’s an expert”. But if you’ve got knowledge that can help others; you should share it! Sharing knowledge builds trust and if everyone else in your industry is sharing their 2 cents; then you had better start sharing also.

Think about the last time you learned a neat trick or discovered a useful piece of information—weren’t you excited to finally understand?

Educational content should be clear, concise, and genuinely useful.

For instance, if you’re in the tech industry, a step-by-step guide on how to troubleshoot common issues can be very valuable.

If you’re in fitness,  showing proper form and how to perform specific exercises correctly can help your viewer improve their workouts and health. You can also help them avoid hurting themselves during workouts because of this.

The key here is to provide value. When your audience feels like they’ve learned something new and useful, they’re more likely to share it with their network.

Storytelling:

Inspirational stories are all about telling great stories that resonate. Instead of just throwing out motivational quotes or success stories, focus on crafting narratives that connect with your audience’s values and experiences. Share stories that are relatable to where they are at right now.

Here’s how to tell a great inspirational story:

• Start with a Relatable Hero: Your story should have a protagonist that your audience can relate to. This could be a customer, a team member, a parent, or even themselves.
• Show the Struggle: Great stories often involve overcoming challenges. Don’t shy away from sharing the obstacles your hero faced. This makes the eventual success more meaningful. Things like common challenges, outcomes people want to avoid, fear, anxiety, and perhaps even a misconception.
• Highlight the Transformation: What changed for the hero? This could be a shift in mindset, a major achievement, or a significant life change. The transformation is where the inspiration lies.
• Keep it Authentic: Authenticity is key. Make sure your story is genuine and relatable. People are inspired by real stories that show vulnerability and growth.

For example, you might tell the story of a small business owner who, against all odds, managed to turn their business around through perseverance and innovative thinking. Or share a story about a customer whose life was positively impacted by your product or service. These stories not only inspire but also demonstrate the real-world value of what you offer. It doesn’t have to be wildly inspirational. It could be as simple as revealing a problem you struggled with, sharing the reveelation, and showing the positive outcome.

• Problem
• Revelation
• Outcome

There are many frameworks for telling great stories, so you don’t need to lock yourself into any single one. Switch it up.