Why Every Ad Should Be Shorter Than a Goldfish’s Memory

written by

Jim Mucci

posted on

January 4, 2025

concise ads capture attention

Struggling to Keep Customers’ Attention in Today’s Fast-Paced World?

Think about this – our phones buzz all day with ads and messages. It’s like trying to talk to someone at a loud party! But here’s the truth: you only need a few seconds to win people over.

Just like fish swim by quickly, people scroll past ads fast. Most folks only look at things for 8 seconds – that’s less time than it takes to tie your shoes! Short ads work better because they get right to the point. Five-second ads stick in people’s minds almost half the time.

People spend lots of time on social media, but zip past each post super fast – about 2.5 seconds each. That means your message needs to be quick and clear.

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Key Takeaways

People get bored with long ads fast. That’s why smart brands keep their ads short and sweet.

Think of it this way: Even a goldfish can focus longer than we do these days. When we watch ads, we often click away after just a few seconds.

Quick ads that run for 15 seconds or less work just as well as long ones. They cost less to make and don’t tire people out.

When we scroll through social media, we look at each post for about three blinks of an eye. To catch our eyes, ads need to be quick and punchy.

Short ads stick in our minds better. They tell us what we need to know before we lose focus and move on to the next thing.

The Truth About Goldfish Memory

goldfish memory myth debunked

Your friendly goldfish is smarter than you think! People used to say these fish could only remember things for three seconds. This was wrong.

These little fish can do amazing things. They know who you are when you come to feed them. They can find their way through mazes. They even swim to music! Best of all, they can remember these things for many months.

Scientists have watched goldfish learn new tricks since the 1950s. Their tiny brains work a lot like ours do. They learn, remember, and solve problems every day.

Advertising in the Digital Age

People today love quick videos and short messages. Most of us stop watching ads after just a few seconds.

When we look at Instagram or Twitter, we like videos that are less than a minute long. This is why companies now make very short videos to keep us watching.

These tiny videos work better than long ones. They tell their story fast and make us want to watch more.

This big change means companies must think of new ways to grab our eyes and keep us looking.

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Digital Habits Transform Marketing

The way brands talk to people has changed because of the internet. Most of us now spend over 5 hours each day looking at our phones. That’s why brands now try to find us on apps like Instagram and Facebook.

People get bored fast these days. We only stay focused for about eight seconds. This means brands need to catch our eyes quickly. We want things right away – from buying stuff to watching shows.

Getting things done with a few clicks is now normal. Everyone expects it. That’s why brands keep their message simple and fun. They make sure we can find what we want fast on the internet.

They put their ads where we like to look and use smart ways to show up when we search for things.

Short Ads Spark Action

Short ads work like magic on our phones. A tiny 5-second ad sticks in our minds almost half the time. And when we watch a 7-second ad, it works as well as longer ones that run for 30 seconds.

People love to watch things on their phones. When short ads play with short videos, people pay more attention. Young adults really like these quick ads. They remember them better than old-style long ads.

Want to know the best length for your ad? Make it 15 seconds. This length helps people like your brand and want to buy from you. Longer ads don’t work much better.

Social Media Attention Spans

Social media moves fast. People look at posts for just a few seconds. On computers, they spend about 2.5 seconds on a post. On phones, it’s even less – only 1.7 seconds.

Many of us love our phones and spend lots of time on them. Most people scroll through social media for about 100 minutes each day. That’s longer than a movie!

Attention Span Battle

focus vs distraction challenge

People today have lots of choices about what to watch and read online. They don’t have short attention spans like some people think. Instead, they pick what matters most to them.

If you want people to pay attention to your message, make it mean something to them. Good stories and useful info will keep people watching, no matter how long they are.

Think of it like picking a good book – people will stick with it if they like what they’re reading.

Fight for Focus Fast

Your audience wants to see things they care about. Let’s forget the myth about people having short attention spans like goldfish. This isn’t true at all. People will watch or read anything they find interesting.

What works best:

  • Put your ads where they make sense
  • Don’t bug people with pop-ups
  • Make short videos for young folks

Length doesn’t matter as much as you think. Long videos and articles can do great if they tell a good story. The key is to share things people want to see, right where they spend their time online.

Remember: You’re not fighting short attention spans. You’re trying to stand out in a busy online world. Tell good stories. Put them in the right places. That’s how you win.

What to Do Results
Smart Ad Placement People watch 25% more
Friendly Ads More people stay
Quick Videos Young people like these

Mind Vs Media Matters

Your brain is smarter than you think! Let’s bust some silly stories people tell about focus.

Did you know people say goldfish can only remember for 3 seconds? That’s wrong! Goldfish can actually remember things as long as you and me – for many months!

People also say we can’t focus anymore. That’s not true either. You just know what you like, and you spend time on those things.

Some folks think short stuff is always better. Nope! When something is fun and interesting, you’ll want to spend more time with it.

You’re good at picking what matters to you. While grown-ups might only focus for 8 seconds on boring stuff, you can watch your favorite show or play your favorite game for a long time.

Your brain isn’t getting worse at focusing. You’re just getting better at choosing what’s worth your time. That’s pretty cool!

Winning Digital Mind Share

Getting people to notice you online is like winning a race. Back in 2000, people would look at things for 12 seconds. Now they only look for 8 seconds. Most people stop watching videos in less than 30 seconds.

But there’s good news! If you can keep someone watching for just 2.5 seconds, you can sell more things. People will know about you more. They’ll also remember you better. You don’t need to make shorter videos. You need to make better ones.

To win this race, you can use smart tools to find the right people. Look at what they like. Give them good stuff to watch and read. Treat them like they’re smart.

What matters most is how long they stay, not how many times they see you.

Making Messages Stick

Messages stick better when we speak like real people. Think of it as having a chat with a friend.

We don’t need fancy words to change minds. We need words that stay in people’s heads. The best way? Keep it simple and add some surprises to make folks pay attention.

When we tell stories that make people feel something, they listen more. Pictures help too – they make people remember things better.

And guess what? People will pay attention if you give them something good to focus on.

Want people to remember what you say? Tell real stories they can see in their minds. Make it clear. Keep it simple.

When you do this right, people won’t just hear you – they’ll want to do something about it.

Less Words, More Impact

concise communication matters most

Text only permits a small percentage of words to create bigger impact.

Clear Communication Wins

Talking clearly helps people understand you better. When you make your message simple, more people will listen and remember what you say. People like it when things are easy to follow.

Clear talking works because:

  • People trust you when you show you get their problems
  • People buy more when they feel connected to you
  • You beat others when you show why you’re special
  • People stay interested when you keep things simple

When you talk clearly in your ads, people feel closer to you. They remember you better. They see what makes you different.

In a busy world, being clear makes you stand out.

Smart Marketing Lessons

effective strategies for promotion

We talk to our customers like friends. We tell them stories about how we can help make their lives better. Our stories show them ways to feel happy, stay healthy, or make more money.

Some ads are short, like a quick hello. Others are long, like a chat with a friend. Both work well! Short ads pack a big punch in just six seconds. Long ads help people feel closer to us.

The first few seconds matter most. Make them count! Don’t just list what your stuff does. Tell people how it fits in their life.

Look at what works and what doesn’t. Fix things that need help. Keep your eye on what you want your business to do in the long run.

Conclusion

People scroll fast these days. You need to grab their eyes right away. Think of how quick a goldfish moves – that’s how fast you need to be! Your ads should be short and sweet, like a quick hello. The world is full of stuff to read and watch. Make your message simple and clear. Short ads work better than long ones. That’s what the numbers tell us.

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