How to Stop Doom Scrolling by Creating Content That Stands Out and Engages

A Step-by-Step Guide for Social Media Marketers

In the age of endless feeds, doom scrolling has become an epidemic. People mindlessly scroll through their social media, often feeling more stressed or disengaged. However, as content creators and marketers, there is a way to stop this cycle by crafting content that stands out, cuts through the noise, and encourages users to actively seek your brand's content rather than stumbling upon it by chance.

This guide will walk you through actionable steps to create content that captivates your audience and keeps them engaged, ultimately putting an end to doom scrolling.

Step 1: Understand What Makes People Doom Scroll

Before you can create content that breaks the doom-scrolling habit, it’s important to understand why it happens. Social media platforms are designed to keep users hooked through an endless stream of content. Often, this leads to mindless consumption, where users scroll through the feed without any real engagement.

To counter this, your content must interrupt this cycle by being more purposeful and attention-grabbing.

Step 2: Identify What Your Audience Truly Cares About

To stand out, you need to understand what matters most to your audience. Instead of trying to be everything to everyone, hone in on specific topics, emotions, or issues that resonate deeply with your audience. This will make them more likely to seek out your content.

• Use analytics to see what types of posts or content have the most engagement.

• Survey your audience through stories, polls, or direct messages to get insights into what they find valuable.

• Focus on solving problems or answering burning questions that your audience has.

Step 3: Create Visually Compelling and Emotionally Charged Content

In a sea of content, what stops someone from scrolling past your post? The answer lies in visuals and emotional connection. Content that combines stunning visuals with emotionally engaging messages will more likely capture attention.

• Use vibrant and unique visuals that align with your brand’s voice.

• Tell a story through your imagery and captions that resonates on an emotional level.

• Include user-generated content to create an authentic connection.

Visual storytelling is powerful, but it’s the emotional hooks that make people pause and interact.

Step 4: Use Interactive Content to Capture Engagement

Interactive content, such as polls, quizzes, and live streams, encourages your audience to participate rather than passively consume. By inviting users to engage, you can make your content stand out in their feeds and increase its visibility.

• Run polls or quizzes related to topics your audience cares about.

• Host live Q&A sessions or webinars to allow direct engagement.

• Create challenges or contests that require audience participation.

When users are actively involved, they are less likely to doom scroll and more likely to seek out similar content in the future.

Step 5: Optimise for Discoverability and Search

Instead of relying solely on social media algorithms, create content that people actively search for. This can be done through SEO optimisation for platforms like YouTube, Instagram (via hashtags), and TikTok.

• Research trending keywords and hashtags that align with your content.

• Incorporate SEO strategies into your social media posts and profiles.

• Create evergreen content that remains relevant and searchable over time.

If your content is discoverable via search, your audience will seek it out rather than stumble upon it.

Step 6: Foster a Community Around Your Content

To encourage people to seek your content actively, focus on building a strong community where your audience feels connected. When people feel a part of something larger, they’re more likely to return to your content.

• Create a sense of belonging by replying to comments and messages promptly.

• Feature user-generated content to make your audience feel involved.

• Host exclusive events or create content just for your community members.

A strong community will actively seek your content and engage in discussions, breaking the doom-scrolling habit.

Step 7: Prioritise Quality Over Quantity

Rather than pumping out endless content, focus on creating fewer but more impactful posts. High-quality content that resonates deeply with your audience will always perform better than a large volume of mediocre posts.

• Take time to craft meaningful content that speaks directly to your audience's needs and desires.

• Balance creativity and strategy—don't just create content for the sake of filling up the calendar.

• Test different types of content to see what resonates most.

When your audience expects high-quality content, they will seek it out intentionally.

Doom scrolling doesn’t have to be the norm for your audience. By creating visually compelling, emotionally charged, and highly interactive content that people seek out, you can break the cycle and stand out in an overwhelming sea of posts. Focus on quality, community, and discoverability, and you'll see your engagement soar while keeping your audience coming back for more.