Visual communication is a fundamental aspect of human nature. Because of this, imagery is the most powerful method to capture the attention of an audience and get your message across. In social media, using visuals is the best way to tap into the collective pulse of your customers so that your content (and ultimately, your brand) reaches more people organically.
Nowadays, there are a variety of online tools that small businesses can use to create high quality, attractive images at little to no cost—and no graphic design experience is necessary. Canva and PicMonkey are our two top choices when it comes to preset template and design options, and overall ease of use. Once you choose an online tool, here are our top three tips for creating successful images for your social media platforms:
1. Know what you’re looking for
When creating an image for your social media accounts, it is important to know exactly what your goals are. If you want increased traffic to your blog, then entice customers with a striking graphic along with a great headline, or post an intriguing fact or statistic that visitors can find out more about by clicking through to your page. If you are looking for more engagement on your company’s Facebook page, show your sense of humor by juxtaposing a beautiful image with an unexpected text overlay. Not only will it make people stop and take a second look, but it will also encourage visitors to respond – and share your post with others. Remember, the more others share your posts, the more organic (unpaid) reach your business receives. It’s also effective to post a breathtaking photo that will grab the attention of your fans as they scroll through their News Feed. For a caption, ask them a fun, general question to get them involved. If you know what your goal for each post is before you create your social media image, your chances of it being a success are greatly enhanced.
2. Create an emotional connection
People naturally connect more with images than they do with text, and that’s why posts with pictures get much better reception than those with just words. Post a picture on your Facebook or Twitter account that will elicit a positive emotional response from your audience, and in doing so boost your company’s image. It is important, however, that these posts show something about you as a person, and should have no other motive than to just connect with your customers on a human level. Be creative in showing your personality. For example, if you’re baking buttermilk biscuits during the holidays, grab your digital camera or your phone, and take an artsy picture of the biscuit cutter, resting on the flour-dusted countertop. Make it black and white to enhance the contrast and add intrigue, and you’ve got a simple photo that will resonate with others emotionally.
3. Simplify, simplify, simplify!
One of the easiest ways to turn people off an image is to overload it with too many details and text. Simplicity is key to capturing attention and maintaining a professional appearance. The best photos are those that speak for themselves— minimizing text should always be a priority. Keep your message succinct and to the point and you’ll be much more likely to get a better response from your followers. In addition to keeping your posts short and sweet, make sure that if you’re overlaying text onto a photo, you always use fonts that align with your message. Generic fonts are just that—generic, so taking the time to find a style that matches your brand’s bottom line can make all the difference when it comes to how your post is perceived by others.
As with all other aspects of owning a company, knowing your brand is key to your success. This is particularly important when it comes to creating effective social media images. You don’t need to be a graphic designer to create images that will impress. All it takes is dedication and a few simple tools to make your brand more visible on a broader scale.
This article is made possible by Checksforless.com. For more than 35 years, Checksforless.com has provided over 500,000 businesses with high quality business checks, deposit slips, and other banking supplies with easy ordering and fast production times; all at the guaranteed lowest price in the nation. Our discount business checks are easily customizable and compatible with over 4,500 software programs including QuickBooks® and Peachtree/Sage®. Email or call us toll-free at 800-245-5775.