{"id":10317,"date":"2026-06-26T15:06:20","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T15:06:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/licensing.routenote.com\/blog\/?p=10317"},"modified":"2026-06-26T15:06:23","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T15:06:23","slug":"how-to-grab-viewers-attention-on-social-media","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/licensing.routenote.com\/blog\/how-to-grab-viewers-attention-on-social-media\/","title":{"rendered":"5 alternative ways to grab viewers attention and stop the scroll"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We all know there are many proven ways to attract people to your content and inspire a click. The problem is, everyone knows and uses these tricks. Sometimes the most effective tactic is to stop someone in their scroll with something completely unexpected.

So in this post we will take a break from conventional wisdom and offer up some alt ideas to inspire that magical click.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Offer anti-advice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This approach definitely flies in the face of conventional wisdom. When we’re presented with a statement that seems obviously wrong or counterintuitive, our natural instinct is to investigate further. What begins as, “Surely they can’t be serious?”<\/em> quickly becomes, “Why are they saying that?”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Few creators have used this strategy more effectively than Mark Manson<\/a>. While his tone has softened in recent years, much of his meteoric rise was fuelled by his willingness to challenge popular beliefs and take a contrarian stance on topics that others accepted as fact. And he’s far from alone. Many creators have built hugely successful careers by telling people how not<\/em> to be successful, productive, happy, or fulfilled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The key is that the shock value can’t be the whole story. A provocative title or thumbnail may earn the click, but the content must deliver. The best examples don’t just challenge conventional thinking, they provide a compelling explanation, a fresh perspective, and genuine value. If the content doesn’t support the claim, audiences quickly lose trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are a few examples of anti-advice titles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Title:<\/strong> Stop saving money
Thumbnail:<\/strong> A person feeding cash into a paper shredder.
Thumbnail Text:<\/strong> “Worst Advice Ever?”
Why it works:<\/strong> Saving money is universally accepted as a good habit. The audience clicks to find out why someone would suggest the opposite. The content might then explain the difference between saving and investing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Title:<\/strong> Being average is an advantage
Thumbnail:<\/strong> One plain grey circle surrounded by brightly coloured circles.
Thumbnail Text:<\/strong> “Average Wins”
Why it works:<\/strong> Society encourages people to stand out. The idea that average could be beneficial feels wrong enough to investigate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Title:<\/strong> Stop Taking Notes
Thumbnail:<\/strong> Someone scrunching up a notebook.
Thumbnail Text:<\/strong> “You’re Learning Wrong”
Why it works:<\/strong> Note-taking is associated with learning and productivity. Suggesting it’s ineffective creates a strong pattern interruption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. Celebrate a supposed flaw or negative<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Another great technique is to confound people by taking something that’s traditionally considered a negative and flipping it to become a positive. Most of us spend our lives trying to avoid being average, lazy, awkward, impatient or selfish, so when it’s suggested that these traits might actually be useful, it stops you in your tracks, creating a sense of curiosity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This approach works because it challenges deeply held beliefs. The audience expects to hear why a particular trait is holding them back. Instead, they’re presented with an alternative perspective. The resulting tension creates an irresistible urge to find out more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But this technique isn’t simply about glorifying bad behaviour for the sake of it. Instead, you should aim to uncover situations where a perceived weakness can become a strength, or where society may have unfairly labelled something as negative. Done well, this type of content feels refreshing and thought-provoking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are a few examples of titles that celebrate a supposed flaw or negative:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Title:<\/strong> Why Average People Have the Edge
Thumbnail:<\/strong> One ordinary-looking runner quietly overtaking a group of elite athletes.
Thumbnail Text:<\/strong> “Average Wins Again”
Why it works:<\/strong> Modern culture constantly celebrates exceptionalism. The suggestion that ordinary people might hold an advantage feels surprising and counterintuitive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Title:<\/strong> Impatience Is a Superpower
Thumbnail:<\/strong> Someone skipping a long queue and taking a shortcut.
Thumbnail Text:<\/strong> “Stop Waiting”
Why it works:<\/strong> Impatience is generally considered a character flaw. The title hints that impatience can drive action, innovation and faster decision-making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Title:<\/strong> Why Quitting More Often Could Improve Your Life
Thumbnail:<\/strong> A person walking away from a mountain labelled “Bad Goal”.
Thumbnail Text:<\/strong> “Quitters win”
Why it works:<\/strong> Persistence is almost always praised. The idea that quitting <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Challenging perception<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Much of social media reinforces conventional norms, with creators generally fitting neatly into familiar niches and stereotypes. So when we notice something that doesn’t quite compute we immediately take note. Imagine a sweet-looking 75-year-old grandmother reviewing the latest Slipknot album, or a trendy teenage skateboarder running a channel dedicated to trainspotting. This kind of unlikely contrast is so unexpected that it naturally tweaks our curiosity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re a creator who specialises in a particular topic, it’s worth thinking about ways you can challenge those expectations. Sometimes it’s not the content itself that stands out, but the person delivering it. Some creators take this even further by creating deliberately unlikely ‘spoof’ characters that encourage viewers to question their assumptions. These often inspire the old saying: “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A perfect example of this is YouTuber Barry Beats. A Middle aged Boom Bap Hip-Hop producer, who is more Ned Flanders than Dr. Dre. A glance through the comments section and you find a common theme of “I wasn’t expecting that”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are a few examples of titles that challenge conventional ideas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Title:<\/strong> Pub Crafting sessions with Big Dave
Thumbnail:<\/strong> A big burley tattooed and bearded biker weaving a basket
Thumbnail Text:<\/strong> “Beer and Baskets”
Why it works:<\/strong> The contrast between the creator’s appearance and the activity creates an instant pattern interruption. Viewers want to witness <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Title:<\/strong> Top Score Ted’ Knows More About Gaming Than You
Thumbnail:<\/strong> An elderly man in an old fashioned care home style armchair wearing headphones and holding a modern gaming controller.
Thumbnail Text:<\/strong> “This grandad will take your top score”
Why it works:<\/strong> Gaming content is typically associated with younger audiences. Seeing an older person positioned as an expert immediately challenges expectations and sparks curiosity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Title:<\/strong> Legends of Music that you’ve never heard of: Rod Temperton
Thumbnail:<\/strong> A cheesy image of UK-born songwriter Rod Temperton
Thumbnail Text:<\/strong> Michael Jacksons Hit Maker (from Lincolnshire)
Why it works:<\/strong> We assume that Michael Jackson either wrote his own hits or they were written by an American soul artist. Not a white fella from the North of England. Disbelief of this assumption should inspire a click<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
legendary songwriter Rod Temperton<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Randomness for the win<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When people scroll through social media, they quickly become accustomed to the same thumbnail styles, visual cues and opening shots. One way to break through that filter of familiarity is to introduce something completely unexpected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Technique number four relies on randomness. The image, text or combination of the two should feel unusual enough to stop someone in their tracks. It might be funny, bizarre, completely out of place or seemingly unrelated to the topic at hand. The goal is simple: disrupt the scrolling experience long enough to create a moment of confusion that demands attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The challenge is striking the right balance. If the randomness feels too disconnected from the content, viewers may feel tricked. Worse still it may not communicate properly the videos content meaning that you miss out on attracting the type of viewer the content is intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best examples use unusual imagery to create curiosity while still communicating what the video is about. Often this is achieved by pairing a strange visual with clear thumbnail text that bridges the gap between the image and the video’s subject.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some examples of how randomness can work:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Title:<\/strong> We discovered the best club in Asia
Thumbnail:<\/strong> A picture of the Golden Girls from the 80’s American sitcom.
Thumbnail Text:<\/strong> “Raving till dawn”
Why it works:<\/strong> The unexpected visual creates confusion as well as familiarity if the viewer is familiar with the sitcom. You can justify the visual by noting that the age group at the nightclub was wide from 21-75<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Title:<\/strong> What this Potato Taught Me About Finance
Thumbnail:<\/strong> A giant potato sitting at an investment bankers desk
Thumbnail Text:<\/strong> “Game-Changing Insight”
Why it works:<\/strong> Use the analogy of a potato as a metaphor for building a successful investment portfolio. Compare the potatoes growth from seed potato .to being served in a top restaurant <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

TikTok Title:<\/strong> The UK’s Top 10 biscuits have been revealed
Opening Shot:<\/strong> A person in a rubbish squirrel outfit is pushing a trolly nonchalantly in a supermarket
On screen Text:<\/strong> “Crumbs”
Why it works:<\/strong> The image is ridiculous enough to stop the scroll. Viewers click to discover how something so ordinary could possibly relate to productivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

5. Inspire bafflement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

How did he end up with her? How did that old car outrun a Ferrari? How can something be that cheap? Questions like these immediately capture our attention because they appear to defy logic and expectation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This final technique relies on creating a mismatch between what people expect and what they’re boing presented with. The image, title or claim presents a scenario that seems highly improbable, perhaps even impossible. Faced with that contradiction, the viewer feels compelled to investigate further. As humans we are naturally driven to resolve confusion and try to make sense of things that don’t quite add up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most effective bafflement hooks create genuine intrigue rather than simply make an outrageous or uninstantiated claim. The viewer should look at the thumbnail or title and think, “That can’t be right…or can it?” That’s the moment where curiosity takes over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And as with all the techniques in this article, the content itself must deliver. The idea is to present something that initially appears baffling before revealing the explanation. Whether it’s an unexpected result, an overlooked insight or a hidden factor that changes everything, the audience should come away feeling that their curiosity was rewarded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are a few examples of baffling titles and thumbnails:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Title:<\/strong> The secret to dating in 2026
Thumbnail:<\/strong> A thin dweeb like 20 year old male sat on an old sofa reading his phone
Thumbnail Text:<\/strong> “25 matches a day”
Why it works:<\/strong> It uses a high interest subject and subverts it. The average male dating app user realises that getting matches is difficult so how is this guy winning?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Title:<\/strong> How I made a banging beat with THIS!
Thumbnail:<\/strong> A picture of an old 80’s ZX Spectrum computer with CRT display and cassette tape player.
Thumbnail Text:<\/strong> Crazy Beat Making Workflow!!!
Why it works:<\/strong> People are used to traditional music production methods such as digital audio workstations and sampling groovebox’s. The ZX Spectrum is not thought of as a capable beat making machine as it is so old and intended for domestic recreational use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Title:<\/strong> I bought this full designer outfit for under \u00a380
Thumbnail:<\/strong> An extremely glamorous woman posing on a red carpet
Thumbnail Text:<\/strong> list of these names: Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Gucci
Why it works:<\/strong> There is an aspiration for many to own designer garments but price creates a barrier. This title teases a to good to be true scenario. The video goes on to demonstrate how it can be done through careful purchases on sites like Vinted and in charity shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Stop risking your channel\u2019s revenue and momentum on a flawed system.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Click Here<\/a> to Start Your Claim-Safe Journey Today!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We all know there are many proven ways to attract people to your content and inspire a click. The problem is, everyone knows and uses these tricks. Sometimes the most effective tactic is to stop someone in their scroll with something completely unexpected. So in this post we will take a break from conventional wisdom and offer up some alt ideas to inspire that magical click. 1. Offer anti-advice This approach definitely flies in the face of conventional wisdom. When we’re presented with a statement that seems obviously wrong or counterintuitive, our natural instinct is to investigate further. What begins…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":10322,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[283,284,1,2349],"tags":[4810,4516,4809,4808],"yoast_head":"\n5 alternative ways to grab viewers attention and stop the scroll - RouteNote Licensing Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover 5 alternative ways to grab viewers attention using curiosity, contradiction, surprise and pattern interruption to stop the scroll.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/licensing.routenote.com\/blog\/how-to-grab-viewers-attention-on-social-media\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"5 alternative ways to grab viewers attention and stop the scroll\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Discover 5 alternative ways to grab viewers attention using curiosity, contradiction, surprise and pattern interruption to stop the scroll.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/licensing.routenote.com\/blog\/how-to-grab-viewers-attention-on-social-media\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"RouteNote Licensing Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-06-26T15:06:20+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-06-26T15:06:23+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/routenote-licensing-blog\/2026\/06\/fd94d03c-chatgpt-image-jun-26-2026-03_53_08-pm.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1254\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1254\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"5 alternative ways to grab viewers attention and stop the scroll\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"Discover 5 alternative ways to grab viewers attention using curiosity, contradiction, surprise and pattern interruption to stop the scroll.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:image\" content=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/routenote-licensing-blog\/2026\/06\/fd94d03c-chatgpt-image-jun-26-2026-03_53_08-pm.png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\">\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"9 minutes\">\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/licensing.routenote.com\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/licensing.routenote.com\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"RouteNote Licensing Blog\",\"description\":\"RouteNote Licensing Blog - 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