A picture is worth a thousand words but expecting that from all your social media creative would be unfair. Sometimes a smart caption is just what’s needed to amplify the creative or showcase useful links, insights, or additional information. Here are some tips for writing standout captions.

• Concise: Keep them short and powerful. Don’t try to deliver too much information in every caption.

• Humour: Clever wordplay and humorous captions can add a lot of value to your message and build engagement. Try to capitalize on growing trends, news, or something brand worthy to create such captions.

• Hashtags: We have always stressed the importance of using the appropriate hashtags for your content. There’s no right or wrong approach, but three hashtags usually does the job.

• CTA: A caption without a clear CTA or Call to Action is a lost opportunity. Always try to incorporate your CTA tastefully. A CTA doesn’t necessarily need to convey “Buy Now”. Understand and use CTAs well to create engagement with your audience.

• Conversation: Ask your audience a question, spark a dialogue, engage with responses, take polls, etc. Every caption is an opportunity to connect with your audience. Don’t let them go to waste.

Finally, don’t be afraid to experiment with some fun, relevant emojis ☕️ 🌞 💆‍♀️ 😄🌿🌸 to add character and colour to your social media. Happy writing!

(Digital Digest is a continuing series provided courtesy of the MPE Caribbean Report, which offers travel and tourism news weekly. It is published by US-based integrated marketing agency Marketplace Excellence, which has an office in Richmond Hill, Ont. www.marketplaceexcellence.com)