Chief Marketing Officer / Marketing Consultant at maksymzakharko.com
Answered 6 months ago
What consistently grabs my attention online is authentic, value-driven content that offers genuine insights rather than surface-level observations. Based on my experience growing my LinkedIn presence, I've found that thoughtful engagement with others' content—asking questions and adding substantive comments—creates meaningful connections far more effectively than passive consumption. When people share real challenges or lessons from their work and engage in genuine conversation, I'm much more likely to follow them and continue the relationship. Conversely, I quickly scroll past promotional content that lacks depth or authentic perspective, particularly posts that are clearly automated or generic. The online interactions that truly resonate are those where professionals bring their unique expertise to the conversation rather than simply broadcasting messaging or following engagement formulas.
One thing that makes me stop and engage is personality — when someone sounds like a real human with a point of view, not a brand trying to "optimize authenticity." I'll share something funny, brutally honest, or oddly specific way faster than a polished marketing post. What makes me scroll right past is recycled advice, fake enthusiasm, or anything that smells like it was written by committee. If it feels scripted, I'm out.
One thing that makes me engage or pay attention online is specificity backed by data. I'm drawn to content that doesn't just make a claim but shows the "why" behind it , especially when it's based on real audience insights. For example, I help businesses personalize their email marketing based on how subscribers actually behave, not on guesses. When a post or email reflects that kind of understanding , when it feels like it's written for me , I stop scrolling. What makes me scroll past or disconnect is vagueness disguised as expertise. Posts that sound polished but lack substance, or rely on generic tips that could apply to anyone. In 2025, attention belongs to those who show they listen to their audience first. It's true for creators, consultants, and for law firms too. The agencies and firms that understand what their clients actually care about (and speak to that directly) will always win attention over those shouting the loudest.
What grabs my attention in 2025 is simplicity and sincerity. I engage with posts that feel like real people sharing lessons, not brands chasing algorithms. On LinkedIn, raw insights from entrepreneurs perform better than polished graphics. In email, short, story-driven messages get replies because they feel human. I skip anything that sounds overly optimized or stuffed with hooks. People can tell when content was written for clicks instead of connection. The creators winning right now are those who show up consistently, share useful takeaways, and sound like themselves.
What gets my attention online is specificity. Posts that share one clear idea, backed by a real number or short story, always stand out. For example, a creator sharing how one tweak doubled their click-through rate feels more genuine than vague "growth hacks." That kind of transparency builds trust and sparks conversation. What makes me scroll past are generic, overly polished posts that feel like they were written by AI or a marketing intern. Audiences in 2025 crave a human voice and visible imperfections. That is what makes digital spaces feel authentic again.
I pay attention to content that demonstrates to me how something works, rather than stating that it works. When a user writes code and includes performance characteristics or when he or she splits the two to understand why an algorithm is being run in such a logarithmic time, I pause and read. The video explanations that follow the logic step-by-step are the most used by students at AlgoCademy instead of automatically giving out the solution. The actual problem-solving process is much better than polished results since you get to learn by observing where the other person has become stuck and how he or she has to debug his or her thinking. Posts that contain vague inspirational information or posts that promise results but do not indicate how to do it make me scroll. Slogans such as master algorithms fast or find your dream job are not coupled with a specific curriculum or quantifiable results and are indicative of empty marketing. The author lacks any depth on the subject because the advice being given is generic, which could apply to anything. The creators in technical education, more particularly, get a following by producing walkthroughs of the actual code and test cases, whereas the creators putting inspirational graphics of the coding journey, get no attention. Aspirational message about tomorrow should not be applied today as people desire substance that they can use.
One thing that leads me to become engaged online is when there is content that combines captivating visuals with a powerful or uplifting message. It seems authentic and usually brings me joy or an inspiring feeling, and I feel compelled to comment on it or choose to share. By nature, I am drawn to things that are creative and authentic. When I encounter something that evokes a particular emotion, it makes it more likely that I will become engaged with it. On the other hand, I scroll past those posts that are overly political or divisive, especially if they don't align with my interests or beliefs. The political or divisive content evokes a sense of oppression, conjuring a feeling of fatigue that makes it easy to dismiss and lose interest, eventually leading to disengagement.
What captures attention is honesty that reflects genuine purpose content. When I come across content that connects to the land, community or a meaningful cause, it feels authentic and draws me in. I value creators who show care for the environment and share insights shaped by real experiences. Their words carry warmth and sincerity, which builds trust and makes their message stand out naturally. I often ignore content that feels forced or made only for visibility without true intention. Authenticity inspires reflection and creates a deeper bond between the creator and the audience. It reminds me that meaningful stories come from passion and respect for what truly matters. When content reflects genuine purpose, it becomes a shared understanding that inspires and uplifts.
What grabs my attention online is when content feels real and helpful, not just salesy. If someone shares some practical advice, a genuine story, or a real solution that actually makes my job easier, I'm far more likely to read through, leave a comment and share it with others. On the other hand I'm quick to click away when posts are over polished but still utterly empty, or clearly just trying to sell without offering value. Those feel shallow and waste my time. I lose interest fast when there's no real story or personality behind it. I really value content that takes my experience seriously and talks to me like a real person, not some corporate robot. Its the genuine conversations and the useful insights that keep me coming back again and again for more.
I engage with content that feels human and looks intentional. A post catches my eye when it tells a real story with clean, dynamic visuals—something that feels curated but not overproduced. I like creators or brands that share behind the scenes, lessons learned or failures they've turned into growth. It's the same principle I use at AIScreen with digital signage: clear storytelling that connects emotionally in seconds. On the other hand I scroll past anything that feels algorithmically forced or performative—overused hooks, clickbait headlines or posts full of buzzwords but no substance. I also tune out when I sense someone is chasing visibility rather than adding value. Authenticity, consistency and intention always stand out in a crowded feed. The internet moves fast but genuine voices still stop the scroll—especially those that combine honesty with visual clarity.
When a brand or creator shares something real, not polished, that teaches or inspires me, that's what makes me stop and engage online. I'll always stop to listen to a story that has a purpose. Empty noise, like recycled trends, forced positivity, or AI-generated posts that sound like everyone else, is what makes me scroll past right away. I stop paying attention if it doesn't sound human.
Data Scientist, Digital Marketing & Leadership Consultant for Startups at Consorte Marketing
Answered 6 months ago
Engagement for me starts with relevance, but it sticks with emotional honesty. I follow people who make complex ideas accessible, while respecting my intelligence and abilities. When someone shares a practical insight from their own experience, it piques my interest. I comment when a post feels like an open conversation rather than a broadcast. I share when a post reminds me of a friend with a problem to solve. What makes me tune out is overproduction or forced branding. I'm looking for connection, not an advertisement. In 2025, the best engagement still feels analog in spirit: a moment of shared understanding in a noisy digital space.
Show me a marketing test that bombed and what you learned from it. That's what I pay attention to. Generic success stories full of numbers without any context, I scroll right past. At Plasthetix, I found that people stick with posts that share specific actions and real results. No fancy words, just what happened.
What grabs me are legal posts that share real client stories, especially the ones explaining cultural context. A lawyer just bragging about wins? I scroll right past. I've found that when you talk about people's actual problems and use straightforward language, people listen. The generic claims are just noise. It's about showing, not telling.
I'm a sucker for real tips I can actually use as a homeowner, like upgrades that don't break the bank or things that genuinely add value. If a post is just a wall of industry jargon with nothing useful, I'm gone immediately. A clear before-and-after or a quick win always gets people talking, sharing their own stories in the comments.
You know what actually makes me stop scrolling online? When someone working in mental health admits they had a tough day or didn't have all the answers. That feels real. The super polished posts with stock photos just make me keep going. My advice is to share the actual journey, the parts that aren't perfect. People connect with that.
I'm a sucker for those real before-and-after cleaning shots, especially when they explain how they handled a weird job. Those stories grab me. I've tried sending our team different updates and found that posts about our wins, or even our struggles, get way more comments than company news. If it looks like some generic ad, I just scroll right past.
When someone shares the whole picture of their business, the good and the bad parts, I'm drawn in. A property investor recently broke down a tough financing deal, numbers and all, and I found myself following immediately. Vague posts promising overnight success? I skip right past. My team agrees, practical stories get real comments while generic content just gets ignored.
When I talk with patients or colleagues, they respond best to a simple before-and-after story or a straight answer to their questions. Explaining why I chose a certain treatment always brings in more comments. I just skip the posts that are too technical or feel like a sales pitch. They don't seem helpful.
For me, I notice myself engaging most with posts featuring before-and-after photos of home transformations and people sharing what worked for themthose stories feel genuine. If a brand or person is always pushing hard to sell, or their message feels generic, I tend to ignore it and keep scrolling. Simple, real communication that respects my time stands out. In my experience, a friendly update or helpful tip outperforms a flashy ad every time.