Social media and blogs are a force to be reckoned with in the world of online advertising and marketing. With platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube leading the ranks, and bloggers being a vital content source, there seems to be no end in sight. New information is added daily at an impressive rate. There are 3.196 billion global social media users as of summer 2018 (We Are Social), and visual content is 40 times more likely to get shared on social media than any other type of content (HubSpot). It’s a statistic many advertisers are taking advantage of. So how can you stand out in a sea of posts and advertisements that have now saturated a user’s personal feed? Well, there are a lot of methods out there, but creating engaging visual content that makes an impact is a step in the right direction. Here are a few tips on how to make your graphics POP!

1.) Never forget that Strategy, Planning & Consistency are key components!
Three words that are HUGE when it comes to choosing the most engaging online content: Strategy, Planning and Consistency. When creating a successful social media and online presence, always look at the bigger picture. That bigger picture represents your company/brand, your message and your image. These three words are just as meaningful for visual content as well as written content. So don’t slack when it comes to selecting your graphics and images to coincide with your written message. A clear and consistent visual message is vital!

2.) Be colorful and branded.
Color can speak volumes by establishing a mood, catching your eye in a sea of black and white copy and building brand awareness. Selecting images with your company’s brand colors or building text graphics using these colors will set you apart and build your image!

3.) Less is more! Keep graphics simple, clean and consistent.
More visual content does not mean more interest or more eye-catching. In fact, MORE, in a visual sense, creates chaos and confusion. Be sure to keep your key message in mind when designing or selecting graphics. Use subtle design techniques and negative space to draw your user’s attention to key points of the graphic or image. There is a greater chance people will respond to a post or blog if your imagery is powerful and relevant to the post, as well as eye-catching and visually pleasing. Quality over quantity!

4.) Be selective with your typography.
Typography is the technical term for typeface or font styles used in graphic or content layouts. The rule of thumb for designing with type is to select no more than three typefaces to use at a time. Anymore and you risk the chance of creating havoc and making your graphic difficult for users to read or understand. Choose complimentary fonts that read well, as well as fonts that are consistent with your branding and message.

5.) Set boundaries & create guidelines.
Social media is full of guidelines and so should your visual marketing strategy. Be mindful of the guidelines put in place by the social media platforms you are using to give your graphics a fighting chance. Create your own guidelines to help maintain your brand identity and aid in creating a clear and consistent message. Developing guidelines should not limit your creative thinking, but rather refine your message and concept to make them more successful and impactful.

6.) Different strokes for different folks.
An image may have great engagement on Facebook, but that doesn’t mean it will be as successful on Instagram or Twitter. In fact the demographics can be completely different on each platform. For example, 90% of Instagram users are under 35 years of age (ScienceDaily), but Facebook has a much broader age demographic. The audience is different, so your image and graphic choices should reflect that. Knowing your audience will yield far better results — so do your research!

The sky is the limit when it comes to visual marketing. Keep the bigger picture in mind and then let your creativity flow (or go wild!). Happy posting!

Sources:

Science Daily: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/06/150616155028.htm

We Are Social: https://wearesocial.com/blog/2018/01/global-digital-report-2018

HubSpot: https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/visual-content-marketing-strategy