Developing a 'visual voice' is more important than ever when it comes to social media marketing. It is definitely a medium where an image is worth a thousand words. In the fast-paced world we live in, you only have a moment to catch a viewer's eye, and images can make a better fast impression than words can. An image can make a reader stop on your post and actually read the words that you've written. It can make your posts stand out. According to information provided by HubSpot, 49% of marketers rate visual marketing as 'very important' to their marketing strategy. So what can you do to incorporate more imagery into your social media plans? Here are five tips on how to make images part of your content marketing strategy.
- Use variety. Images don't just mean 'photographs.' It can include infographics, charts, illustrations, and even text when it's designed as an image. In order to maximize your visual impact on social media, plan out a wide variety of imagery that correctly emphasizes your written content.
- Observe what is being shared. Do your research and look to see what is being shared on your social media feeds. This is a great way to see what types of images are catching the attention of your target audience. I would, however, suggest that if your personal followers are not your target audience, look at groups or hashtag trends that are a better representation of the followers you want to share your content.
- Use a series of images to tell a story. This technique can be useful when it comes to keeping your audience engaged. If you start with a single frame that starts a compelling story, your viewers will want to see what happens next. So, they will remain on your post longer and will be more likely to interact with it.
- Use videos. Yes - video is a form of visual communication and should be included under imagery use in social media. HubSpot states that video will be the primary form of media used with content strategies in 2021. So, why not include some in your social media? These can take simple forms like short interviews or snippets of employees answering frequently asked questions about your company. Make it fun in order for it to be engaging. And remember, video doesn't just mean motion picture movies. It can be animations, GIFs, photos set to music - anything that creates a 'moving picture' is considered video.
- Grab at the heartstrings. How many times have you stopped to watch a video on Facebook that showed a dog being rescued from an icy pond or taken a moment to read an article because the image showed a mom holding her child? Making sure your images convey an emotion to your audience - one that hopefully makes them interact with your post - is essential to social media success. An emotional image does two things - first, it grabs attention, and second, it makes you want to know more. These are two important factors when it comes to social media marketing. So, find those images that make you think and feel.
The bottom line? Social media posts that have images are more engaging than ones without. According to BuzzSumo, Facebook posts with images saw 2.3 times more engagement than ones without. And with social media being the #1 channel used in marketing in 2021, including compelling images into your social media strategy is essential for success.
If you haven't developed a visual voice that matches your brand, reach out to us today. We have design specialists that would love to develop a plan with your team.