Attention is far more valuable than money these days. That’s why a start-up with 400 million users and no revenue can get acquired for billions of dollars. If you have someone’s attention, you have power. The sooner you realize you are in the game of competing for attention, the better.

However, not all attention should be valued the same way. Here is a list of the types of attention, from the least valuable to the most:

 

I will look at it for 5 seconds.

I will click on it.

I will not immediately regret it and click away.

I will save it to read later.

I will smile/laugh/cry/say “Wow”.

I will like it, retweet it, or share it.

I will send it as a customized email to a friend.

I will comment.

I will click if I see your name again.

I will say “What else do you have?”

I will give you my email address.

I will read/consume/click on anything you send me.

I will share my financial details with you.

I will check to make sure nothing is wrong if you don’t regularly give me something new.

I will beg you to pay attention to me.

 

When you are thinking about attracting attention, always aim for the most valuable kind you can get – don’t settle for the cheap stuff.