"Intentional" isn’t a buzzword. It’s a GPS coordinate for your content.

Gagandeep Singh
Jul 31
3 min read

How I Learned to Stop Posting and Start Pinpointing

Six years ago, I’d film a gorgeous 4K b-roll sequence, toss it on Instagram at 11 p.m., and wonder why it tanked. Turns out I was playing content roulette while bigger brands played laser-guided darts.

Key truth: Your video can be visually perfect and still flop if it isn’t aimed with intention.

The Thumb-Stopper Formula (3 Seconds or Bust)

If your phone-scrolling audience in Port Arthur doesn’t get a dopamine hit by the second three, they’re gone.

Intentional Hook	Why It Works	Thunder Bay Example
Bold text + motion logo	Instant brand stamp	“Half-Price Lattes TODAY ☕ Court St N”
Unusual camera angle	Interrupts autopilot	Overhead drone shot of a tee-off at Strathcona
Geo-tagged caption	Local relevance	“Shot right here on Red River Road”

Action Step: Before you shoot, ask, “What will freeze their thumb in the first three seconds?” If you can’t answer, rethink.

AI Won’t Save You, Your Intention Will.

ChatGPT can crank out lemonade-stand copy all day, but without clear intent, it spits vanilla fluff.

Weak prompt: “Write a poster for my lemonade stand.”
Intentional prompt: “Write a witty lunch-hour poster for Bay St. office workers tone: cheeky finance pun, CTA: ‘Recharge for $1.50 before the bell rings.’”

Same tool, two completely different outcomes. Power = context (whispers Intention...)

Why “Just Repost the TV Ad” Is Killing Engagement

Aspect ratio mismatch – Horizontal 16:9 footage looks like a postage stamp in vertical Reels.
Audio mix – TV assumes living-room speakers; phones need punchy mids and upfront VO.
Story pacing – TV builds over 30 seconds; Instagram needs payoff by second five.

Quick Fix Workflow

Vertical crop → focus on product details.
Bold caption → “New drop. Tap sizes.”
Geo-tag → Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Post on insight spike → usually 11:30 a.m. or 7 p.m. for local audiences.

Your Five-Point Intention Checklist

Audience GPS – Who is scrolling? Age, job, street, habit.
Single Goal – Awareness, clicks, foot traffic—pick one.
Platform DNA – TikTok ≠ Facebook ≠ LinkedIn.
Hook Strategy – Text, motion, angle, or sound to stop the thumb.
Timed Launch – Post when they’re online, not when you hit “export.”

Tape this above your editing monitor, watch random become revenue.

Call-to-Action Intent: Know Exactly What You Want Them to Do

Your content’s compass needs one more needle: the specific action you want from your viewer. Is this clip designed to pull a quick LIKE, trigger a SHARE, spark a COMMENT, or push traffic to a LINK? That choice should shape every word of your caption/reel script, every on-screen graphic, and even the frame you use for your thumbnail. A Reel aimed at “Save this for later” reads differently from one aimed at “Tap the link to book.” As I said, "a GPS coordinate for your content."

*BONUS

And remember, intention also means cultural awareness. Before you drop that trending song, emoji, or visual gag, ask: “Will this resonate or alienate?” Respect local history, symbols, and communities. Nothing kills momentum faster than a tone-deaf reference that forces you to backpedal. Now, are you Ready to Shoot With Purpose?

I’m Gagan, I produce with intentions that align with your business goals and your audience's needs.