You have likely seen social media posts with a long train of hashtags attached to the caption. There is a misconception among social media users that more hashtags will get you more views, and therefore, more followers.

Most social media users now have the best gadgets, cameras and editing tools at their disposal to create eye-catching posts and attract more followers. This means it’s no longer enough to just have colourful flat lays (pictures that are shot from above to give a bird’s eye-view of various items) or sprawling vistas sprinkled across your timeline; the words that accompany these images have the ability to stop your audience from scrolling past your post and lure them into clicking “more”.

So, what does it take to create an effective caption for your social media posts? Here are four essential tips on how to draw more followers in with the power of words.

Create a 'voice' and stick to it

Captions give you the perfect opportunity to express your personality by establishing a distinct “voice” for your platform. Are you an easygoing person with a fun, lighthearted approach to social media? Don’t be too formal in your post descriptions; feel free to use slang and short, casual phrases with a dash of humor. But if you’re aiming to convey a candid yet professional persona, use full sentences and descriptive language to offer thought-provoking messages. That being said, never try to be someone you’re not. The key is to be yourself and magnify your personality to create content that is a genuine reflection of who you are.

Keep it simple

Your audience will not have the patience to read a paragraph of text attached to your post! Keep your captions to a maximum of three lines (100-150 characters) that tell your viewers all they need to know about the image. If it absolutely calls for a lengthy explanation, start with a short attention-grabbing phrase or sentence to pique people’s curiosity and encourage them to read on. One way to do this is by using alliteration, or the repetition of sounds in a phrase: 'Sun, sand and swimming!' or 'Ice cream on my mind.'

Foremost, social media should be a fun, stress-free experience, so don’t pressure yourself into creating the perfect caption or worry about making errors. Be yourself and create a platform that is true to who you are!

Ask a question

An important part of building a social media presence is engagement, or your interaction with followers, as it is a proven way to gain more “likes” and comments, and generally boost interest in your platform. A great way to do this is to add a simple question to your caption about a specific element of your post and encourage your viewers to respond: “What do you prefer?” or “What is your favorite ___?” This gives them the positive feeling of being involved.

Mind your #hashtags

You have likely seen social media posts with a long train of hashtags attached to the caption. There is a misconception among social media users that more hashtags will get you more views, and therefore, more followers. However, they can be very distracting for your readers and simply take away from the aesthetic of your platform. Stick to two or three hashtags at the most, but make sure they are relevant and accurately reflect your post.

Foremost, social media should be a fun, stress-free experience, so don’t pressure yourself into creating the perfect caption or worry about making errors. Be yourself and create a platform that is true to who you are!

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