Skip to Main Content

Creating Quality Content Without SNARF: A Better Approach for Knoxville Brands

by

A young man sits on the floor in front of a couch, looking stressed as he stares at his phone. He has one hand on his head and a furrowed brow. A comic-style speech bubble reads, "Oh look, another sign of the apocalypse."

One of the first lessons taught in journalism courses is that fear sells. That truth has only intensified in the social media age. Today, many algorithms are designed to reward fear-based content, pushing posts that spark outrage or anxiety to the top of our feeds. The result? A digital environment that often leaves users feeling dissatisfied, anxious, and addicted.

At Big Slate Media, we think there’s a better way. Quality content should inspire, inform, and connect. Not manipulate. That’s why we’ve chosen to reject a framework that’s all too common in today’s digital space: SNARF.

An angry man in a blue button-up shirt raises a large binder over his head in frustration while yelling at a computer screen. A comic-style speech bubble reads, "What a terrible day to have eyes!" The image humorously captures extreme digital fatigue or a reaction to something shocking or unpleasant seen online.What is SNARF and Why We Avoid It

SNARF stands for Stakes, Novelty, Anger, Retention, and Fear. It’s a content strategy designed to game attention spans and boost engagement through emotional intensity and sensationalism. In its lighter form, SNARF might look like Meredith Duxbury convincing the young women of TikTok that you need 10 pumps of foundation to be beautiful. In its darker form, it might look like divisive political content meant to stoke fear and distrust.

The problem? SNARF works. AI-powered algorithms don’t care if content is healthy, helpful, or true. They just care whether you’ll keep scrolling. And fear, outrage, and sensationalism are reliably addictive. That’s why this kind of content tends to dominate your feed, even if it leaves you feeling worse afterward.

While this approach may produce clicks and comments, it rarely builds a lasting connection. At Big Slate Media, we’re not interested in shortcuts or shock value. We’re here to make content that matters.

How We Create Meaningful Content 

At Big Slate Media, we craft content that uplifts and informs. Our approach prioritizes connection over clickbait:

  • Authentic Storytelling: Whether it’s a local business, nonprofit, or organization, we highlight real people doing meaningful work. These stories resonate because they’re grounded in truth, and audiences can tell the difference.
  • Inspiring and Educating: Our videos and campaigns are designed to uplift, not pressure. We strive to create content that leaves viewers feeling more informed, empowered, and inspired than when they started.
  • Purpose-Driven Short-Form Videos: Our Reels and TikToks focus on clarity, creativity, and connection. Rather than chasing trends for the sake of virality, we prioritize storytelling that builds community.

We’re not anti-attention. We’re just intentional about how we earn it.

Two women sit at a round table with Apple laptops, smiling and looking at one of the screens. A thought bubble above the woman on the left reads, "Wow, this content doesn’t make me feel existential." The image humorously implies that they’re enjoying uplifting or refreshing content online. The background features an exposed brick wall, giving the setting a modern and creative feel.The Ripple Effect of Positive Content

Content doesn’t have to go viral to make an impact. When done right, positive content can:

  • Foster genuine engagement: Stories that connect emotionally are shared organically and remembered longer.
  • Build lasting loyalty: When your brand feels real and relatable, your audience sticks around.
  • Drive meaningful conversions: People are more likely to support brands that educate, inform, and reflect their values.

We’ve seen firsthand how Knoxville brands grow when they lead with authenticity. Whether we’re helping a medical practice showcase their patient-first values or a nonprofit tell a powerful impact story, our focus is always on building connection.

A Better Future for Content Marketing

The truth is, fear-based content may win the moment, but trust wins in the long run. Knoxville businesses deserve better than SNARF. They deserve content that reflects the care, quality, and community they bring to their work every day.

Let’s create content that makes people feel seen, not sold. Let’s choose authenticity over fear. And let’s build something meaningful, together.