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Reading is not for everyone.
There is so much content pumped out on every social media platform that it has gotten difficult to keep up with everything. I’m sure that when you yourself are scrolling through your feed on various platforms, you skip most things that require your attention for more than a few seconds.
The only way you would spend time on something is if the post is attention-grabbing.
In a world where attention spans are short and competition for engagement is fierce, the power of visual content on social media cannot be underestimated. It’s no secret that humans are naturally drawn to visuals, and social media platforms have become the perfect stage to showcase the impact of compelling images and videos.
Now I love reading and love a good text post. But if that post expands into a bigger one with only more text, I’m moving on. I need to have some visual references to keep me hooked.
This is why it is incredibly important to add as much visual content as you can.
If you’re able to get the majority of your audience to stay on your post long enough, you can totally rely on the fact that they’re going to engage with it. And isn’t that the goal?
Let’s now talk about how we can achieve maximum engagement on social media by using visual content.
To start with, we’re going to look at the different kinds of visual content.
1. Images are good to showcase products or act as an engaging and informational background for your text posts. In a way, images can zhuzh up text posts and help in holding the attention of your audience better than a plain background.
2. Videos in most ways are better than just plain images. It stimulates the mind more and can pack in much more information. They can be used for BTS content, how-to videos, demos on how to use a certain product, testimonials, etc.
3. GIFs are like mini videos meaning you can convey the same message and emotion but make it shorter and cuter and funnier. People have GIF wars all the time which means using GIFs might just be easier to convey certain emotions.
4. Memes can sometimes include GIFs too. Using memes just goes to show that you’re able to keep up with generations and trends. Nobody likes a stick in the mud. Even the most serious brands can easily connect with the audience by using memes. It doesn’t make them less serious. Take the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s Tweet thread for example –
YOU are cold. They have fur.
Do not let inside. pic.twitter.com/WrVIdF9mkh
— Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (@OKWildlifeDept) January 20, 2022
5. Infographics are important and helpful when you want to convey certain kinds of data to your audience. These can be in the form of pie charts, bar graphs, and other visual representations. This allows your audience to easier understand what you’re trying to say.
6. Illustrations cover a vast spectrum and can be used to convey serious messages as well as more informal messages. Most illustrations come in the form of comics but they can also be used to create capturing artwork. This is a very good way to showcase brand personality and attract more like-minded individuals.
7. UGCs sort of serve as testimonials from your customers. User Generated Content showcases the use of your products or services in real life and adds plus points to your authenticity. Reposting to your feed or story, and collaborating with more influential customers also helps in increasing your audience and thereby increasing your engagement.
Hot tips for creating and using effective visual content in your social media planning –
1. Defining your objective and audience
An important first step in most social media strategies is to understand the kind of audience you want to cater to and mold your content based on what they like. This will help you create an objective or goal that you can work toward. Defining your objective and audience will help you create visual content that resonates with your audience and also racks up a ton of engagement.
2. Personality
I’m going to go ahead and assume that your brand personality, logo, fonts, and color palettes are all decided. If not, get on that first.
Once these are decided, you’ll find that cohesiveness is neat and appreciated all over. Make sure the colors, fonts, and themes of all your content match or corresponds to that of your brand. This will also help big time with recognition.
3. Be consistent and have a structure
Consistency is key. In everything. You must make sure you consistently put out videos to keep people interested and wanting more.
Properly planning a strategy will aid you in keeping your feed and timeline looking good and appealing.
Another way to build recognition and engagement.
4. High quality
Using high-quality images, videos and other media is very important if that is what you are relying on to attract an audience and maximize engagement. Low-quality visuals lean more toward unprofessional vibes and will most definitely cause a decline in your reach and engagement numbers.
5. Types
From the list of different kinds of visual content I’ve talked about above, find a way to work with as many as possible. Analyse and understand which types get the most engagement and work on creating more of those. Switching it up every now and then keeps it fresh and your audience won’t be bored of your content.
6. Optimize for each platform
Since each social platform is different, you can count on them having different specifications for the media you want to publish. You cannot post a regular video to reels.
Find a way to create all your media sticking to the specs given by each platform. This shows effort on your end and will be more appreciated.
7. Tell stories to capture your audience
Dividing your content into parts makes it look like you’re telling a story and honestly, people who spend all their time scrolling online definitely prefer meaningful and fun stories. You can do various series and keep them hooked.
Just make sure you complete the story and don’t make it sound like clickbait. Telling stories about your brand using visual content will resonate more with your audience and increase engagement.
Here are some common tools you can use to create your visual content
Canva
Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop)
Procreate
Kapwing
Visual content has a unique ability to capture our imagination, evoke emotions, and convey messages in an instant. Whether it’s a stunning photograph, a captivating infographic, or an entertaining video, visuals have the power to stop us in our tracks and make us take notice. They have the ability to transcend language barriers and connect with people on a deeper level.
Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest have made visual content the centerpiece of their user experience, with millions of users scrolling through their feeds in search of eye-catching images. By harnessing the power of visuals, businesses, and content creators can break through the noise, stand out from the crowd, and build meaningful connections with their target audience.
From a marketing perspective, visual content is a game-changer. It has the potential to increase brand awareness, drive website traffic, and boost engagement rates. By incorporating visually appealing elements into their social media strategy, businesses can create a memorable and shareable experience for their audience, leading to increased reach, likes, comments, and shares.
In conclusion, if you want to make an impact on social media and maximize engagement, visual content is your secret weapon. It has the ability to captivate, inspire, and leave a lasting impression. So, embrace the power of visuals, get creative, and watch as your social media presence reaches new heights.
The post The power of visual content: Maximizing engagement on social media appeared first on The Crowdfire blog.
