How to improve your online influence with visual content
2018-05-26
It’s no secret that content with visual images gets more hits than that without. Images are easier to share and more fun to look at than plain old text! Visual images also tempt visitors to stay on websites longer.
If you are considering a visual campaign to attract more social media followers and website hits, the following hints and tips will help:
Always use images in your blogs and share, share, share
Bog posts remain an extremely valuable tool for engaging through social media. However, in order for them to be shareable they need strong and (when necessary) emotive images. Posts that include images are 650 percent more likely to have some kind of engagement. People tend to remember information better if they can relate it to an image and reading a blog is a great way for people to interact and retain information.
Convey your message through an image
Images far better represent brands than text does. Using the appropriate images, you will be able to boost your post on every social media platform regardless of its content. Let your visual content speak for itself. Add in the text, but at the same time, image/video say what it needs to.
Emotionally connect with your visitors
Leave a lasting impression with all visitors to your website by connecting with them on an emotional level. They will be far more likely to interact if they feel an emotional connection. Visual essentials that are emotive include color, texture, and photos: warm colors are thought of as positive while yellows are bright and positive. Symmetrical images create a sense of order while close ups can generate personal feelings. Asymmetrical images can create feelings of unease and chaos while images taken from a distance create just that – distance.
Always optimize your images for SEO
It is so easy to optimize your photos – and so very necessary! All you need to do is include your target keywords in the image’s title, file name, description and alt text. The image dimension needs to match the displayed image size and files should be small to ensure they load quickly.
Use relevant, original images
It may be tempting to use stock photos for a quick and easy alternative to having your own photos taken, however try to avoid falling into this trap as you’ll actually have no rights over the stock photo or anything that the stock photo is used in. Your image will also be completely generic. If you take and use your own photos, make sure they’re clear and small enough to load quickly and try not to use anything that could in any way be misleading! Only use photos that suit your brand. If you do use stock photos, make sure you have permission and go through the terms and conditions of that photo so you know exactly what you are and aren’t allowed to do with it.
Diversify your visual content
You will find that every single person reacts differently to your visual content and there will be no way pf pleasing everyone all of the time. That is why it’s wise to diversify your content so that you use a range of available channels. You will be able to tell which is like the best by the total engagements on social media. Choose from a wide range such as GIFs, Infographics, data graphs, slide shows, photos, memes, video etc. and try to work out what your audience responds to the best.