Audience’s Attention Spans Aren’t Shrinking
I don’t believe audience’s attention spans are shrinking.
All that talk about goldfish memories and 3-second video clips? I don’t believe it.
The reality?
- People binge 6-hour Dan Carlin history podcasts like it’s their job.
- Folks devour entire seasons of shows in one sitting.
- Yet these people can’t sit through a 30-second Instagram Reel?
I believe the conversation shouldn’t be about attention spans. It’s about envionment.
Social media platforms are like digital casinos.
They’re designed to pull your attention in 80,000 different directions at once.
You’re not here for the deep dives. You’re here for the quick hits of dopamine.
Think about it:
- You don’t go to the mall to save money.
- You don’t go to the bar to stay sober.
- You don’t go on social media for “long-form content”
It’s not that our brains are melting. It’s that we’re using the wrong tool for the job.
Expecting someone to consume your magnum opus on LinkedIn is like trying to meditate in the Times Square. It ain’t gonna happn.
But it’s not all bad.
Social media is great to:
- Tease your longer content
- Share bite-sized wisdom
- Build relationships
- Show your personality
Then, lead your audience to platforms designed for deeper engagement. Your blog, your email list, your podcast, or even face-to-face interactions (how old school).
Social media is the appetizer, not the main course.