EP12

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how engagement actually works on social media. It’s not really about having the best camera or even the flashiest edit...Though that stuff helps. It’s about connection. You have to build an audience around something real. Something you actually care about, and something you know. For me, that’s Peoria and drone video.

I’ve been posting videos of my city multiple times a week for the past year(ish), and I do it because I genuinely love it. But once you have that core, that truth people can feel...The next part is figuring out how to get people to actually interact. That’s where it gets fun. The trick is knowing how to stir the pot just enough. I’m not talking about fake drama or making people mad for no reason. I’m talking about using a little sarcasm, a little humor, and a bold caption to catch attention. My go-to move? Say something outrageous in the hook "The most hated city in the country,” “A place with nothing to see,” or even “The most beautiful city in the country.” It doesn’t matter which direction you take it, as long as it sparks a reaction. And people do react. 

I just posted the “most hated city” video on Instagram and Facebook and it’s already at over 150,000 views and still climbing. Why? Because people can’t help but jump in. Some agree, some argue, some defend the city, others trash it... But they’re all engaging. And they keep watching because they know I actually love Peoria. It’s obvious in the video. I’m just giving them a reason to talk about it. 

At the end of the day, if you want to grow on social, you’ve got to be willing to lean into what people feel. Give them something to love, or something to push back on. Ideally both at the same time. Controversy, when done right, isn’t about being negative. It’s about being real, and making people care enough to comment, share, or even just think for a second. That’s the stuff that gets attention — and keeps it. 

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