In an era dominated by scrolling and swiping, captivating your audience’s attention requires more than just creating compelling social media content— you need to create a visually immersive experience.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the significance of visuals in social media engagement cannot be overstated. From eye-catching graphics to attention-grabbing videos, the power of compelling visuals is undeniable.
In this article, let’s delve into the art and science of how to not only stop the scroll but also leave a lasting impression on your audience, elevating your social media presence to new heights.
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Click to jump ahead:
- What is visual content on social media?
- 15 tips for creating better visuals for social media
- Why you should create better visuals for your social audience
- 7 types of visual content options to consider
- 8 online tools you can use to create engaging social media content
- Key takeaway
What is visual content on social media?
Visual content on social media refers to any form of media that uses photos, videos, infographics and graphics to deliver information, tell a story or engage the audience. It’s an important part of social media marketing and communication strategies.
Visual material is far more successful than text alone in attracting consumers’ attention and conveying messages more swiftly and vividly. The types of visual content are as follows:
- Images
- Infographics
- Memes and GIFs
- Video
- Animation
- Illustration
- Charts
- Slide decks
15 tips for creating better visuals for social media
Creating better visuals for social media is critical for attracting your audience’s attention and effectively communicating your message. With a staggering 4.8 billion people around the globe actively using social media, the significance of compelling visuals becomes even more apparent. Here are some tips to help you craft better visuals for your social media audience.
Show them creative ways to use your products
Consumers frequently do not know what they want and are looking for inspiration and suggestions. Smart marketers provide them with lots of creative content while positioning themselves as a brand that says, “We’re here to help!”
Create a color palette for your brand
Choosing (and keeping to) a color palette or mood for your business not only makes your feed appear gorgeous, but it also ensures that your posts are easily recognizable to your followers. Incorporate visual material into your social media style guide from the outset and create recognized, eye-catching visual content.
Use infographics
Source: Pexels
Infographics mix visual elements with brief information to make complex material easy to understand for the audience. Their visually appealing format draws attention and encourages participation.
Businesses can efficiently express critical concepts, statistics or procedures using infographics in a way that is both instructive and visually appealing.
Venngage provides user-friendly tools to design visually stunning and informative infographics. With Venngage’s intuitive interface, you can customize templates, incorporate vibrant visuals and create compelling narratives.
Pick the right image dimensions
One great mistake you can commit when publishing visuals on social media is not sharing the correct size. Images with the incorrect aspect ratio or low resolution can be stretched, cropped and crunched out of proportion, reflecting negatively on your business.
Each platform has its unique set of requirements and you should customize your material accordingly. Always strive for the best possible image quality — pixels and resolution included.
Also, don’t overlook the aspect ratio. Why? Some systems crop image previews automatically based on aspect ratio. If yours differs, you may wind up with an unfavorable crop or have vital information omitted.
Select eye-catching thumbnails for your videos
Source: Unsplash
Thumbnails serve as your video’s first impression, determining whether users choose to click and watch. Choose thumbnails that are visually appealing and accurately depict the content.
To attract attention, provide clarity, rich colors and appealing imagery. When you share a video on social media, the thumbnail (or “cover image”) is frequently the first frame of that video. However, your video’s opening frame may not be the most exciting—or representative—image.
When posting videos (on IG Reels, TikTok, Youtube, etc.), manually select a thumbnail or upload a picture that you believe is visually appealing or delivers the most information.
Show, don’t tell
Tell incredible stories with stunning photography and graphics. The key to making successful social media content is to show the product’s features and advantages in a memorable way.
Whether you’re exhibiting things in motion, providing behind-the-scenes peeks or presenting facts through compelling images, the “show, don’t tell” method improves the effectiveness of your social media content, making it more engaging and shareable.
Make your brand human
People are more likely to interact with a company that has compelling, authentic and relatable components in their visuals.
Show the people behind your products or services, offer real customer tales and provide insight into your corporate culture.
By incorporating a human element, you not only connect with your audience on a more personal level, but you also develop trust and authenticity. This technique builds a feeling of community and helps consumers connect with your company in new ways.
Include alternative text descriptions
Not everybody sees visuals in the same way. When creating social media content, make it as accessible to as many people and circumstances as feasible.
Accessible social media content allows you to reach a large audience while perhaps edging out non-inclusive competition. More importantly, it assists you in gaining the respect and allegiance of your followers (and future followers).
Accessible social media content can include:
Alt-text descriptions: Alt-text helps visually impaired individuals understand visuals. Alt-text and picture descriptions are now available on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.
Subtitles: Subtitles & captions should be included in all social videos. They are not only important for hearing-impaired viewers, but they also help in sound-off surroundings and for language learners as well.
Descriptive transcripts: Unlike captions, these transcripts describe the important sights and sounds that aren’t spoken or obvious. Other alternatives include descriptive audio and live explained video.
Convert written materials into visuals
Source: Pexels
Add a dynamic touch to your posts by transforming text-based content into visually appealing graphics, infographics or images, as the human brain processes visual content faster and captures more attention than text alone.
Whether it’s summarizing key ideas, showing facts or transforming quotes into eye-catching images, visual elements not only diversify your content but also make it more accessible and shareable across other social media platforms.
Educate and inform your audience
Use visuals to educate and inform your audience, not just about your products and services but also important information that could help them.
Provide rapid solutions, step-by-step directions or instructive tutorials that are tailored to the needs of your audience. That way, you can display your brand as a useful resource, whether it’s addressing common difficulties or offering practical recommendations. Visual aids not only highlight your skills but also contribute to audience engagement and satisfaction.
Use storytelling
Share success stories, highlight consumer experiences or take your audience on a journey through your brand’s history. Not only can storytelling give dimension to your graphics, but it also creates a relationship with your audience, making your material more memorable and relatable.
Verify copyright for the image you want to use
It’s not always easy to find suitable images, especially when it comes to copyright.But it’s super important, especially considering the consequences of misuse.
When using stock images, templates and graphics, make sure to read the fine print. If something is unclear, contact the image owner or the site for clarification. The same goes to contracting and licensing. When drafting contracts with artists, make it clear where you want to utilize the creative, who owns the rights to it and so on.
Or better, you can create your own visuals
Create unique images that illustrate and bring your brand’s narrative to life. Use Venngage to create unique infographics that complement your brand’s identity.
While stock photos can save you time, they cannot tell the same engaging tale about your company — and your customers — that unique images can. This hands-on approach provides not just a distinct and recognizable visual style, but also allows you to tailor material to your precise messaging and target preferences.
Venngage’s easy-to-use tools allow you to create visually appealing content, increasing the authenticity of your brand and developing a more personal connection with your audience.
Keep representation in mind
Are the people in your images representative of your target audience? Are your images reinforcing gender or racial stereotypes? Do you advocate for body positivity? These are some of the questions to consider while creating visual content for social media.
This is not just socially responsible, but also prudent. When someone sees someone who looks like them utilizing a product or service, it makes it much easier for them to imagine themselves using it. Women, queer individuals and people of color will help bring as many perspectives as possible to the table.
Listen to your audience
Source: Pexels
Pay attention to your audience’s suggestions, comments and preferences. Understanding what they are interested in allows you to adjust your images to fit their expectations and interests.
Active listening ensures that your visual material remains relevant and interesting, whether it’s altering your design style, including popular topics or responding to particular requests. This two-way communication strengthens your relationship with your audience, making them feel heard and valued.
Related:
- 15 Effective Visual Presentation Tips To Wow Your Audience
- How To Increase Sales with Infographics and Visuals
Why you should create better visuals for your social audience
From building your brand vibe to getting those likes and shares, good visuals are the secret sauce.
As the digital realm becomes increasingly saturated, the power of compelling imagery emerges as a pivotal tool for cutting through the noise and forging a genuine connection with your audience.
In this section, let’s delve into why enhancing your visual content is not merely a choice but a strategic imperative in today’s digital age.
Visuals are attention-grabbing
Visuals that are compelling show rather than inform. You can tell your audience a lot about your brand with just a few words and amazing pictures. They will reveal your personality, which will pique your audience’s interest and keep them hooked on your brand.
Content is easily understood
Engaging social media pictures aren’t boring, overbearing or cluttered, allowing your audience to consume your content more easily. Instead of a jumbled image, your viewers will see well-organized images with proper alignment and balance, which will entice them to view your visuals.
Visuals are easy to remember
The more captivating your graphics are, the longer they will linger in the minds of your audience. This is because visually appealing and relatable content is more likely to be remembered. As a result, by focusing on producing compelling graphics with which your audience can engage, you can ensure that your brand remains recognizable.
The audience is spurred to action
The greatest method to convince your audience to do what you want them to do is to inform them, especially on social media, in an entertaining way. Their attention span is short and with other postings competing for their attention, making your images appealing is the only way to persuade them to read your content and do the appropriate action.
7 types of visual content options to consider
Visual content is any sort of image-based web content. It’s content with a visual component – not just text, but also a visual treat. Here are 7 types of visual content options to consider.
Infographics
Infographics are an effective method for visualizing data and simplifying complex information. Infographics improve understanding and make data more memorable by mixing text and visuals. They are commonly shared because they can transmit a lot of information in a visually appealing way.
Images and photographs
Visual storytelling is effective. High-quality photographs and photography may elicit emotions, highlight products and help a business establish its personality. Instagram, for example, thrives on visually appealing material.
Videos
Video material has become a social media staple. Videos captivate attention and promote participation, whether they are short clips, lessons or longer-form content. Live videos, in particular, encourage real-time interaction.
Memes and GIFs
Adding a sense of humor or relatability to your material might increase its shareability. Memes and GIFs are short, visually appealing messages that often go viral due to their entertainment value.
Interactive content
Quizzes, polls and other interactive aspects turn passive viewers into active participants. This not only engages your audience but also provides useful information about their preferences.
Illustrations and graphics
Custom-designed visuals, like illustrations or one-of-a-kind graphics, help to establish brand identification. In a graphically rich internet environment, they enable creative expression and individuality.
Charts and graphs
When displaying data, charts and graphs make it easier to understand. Visualizing statistics or patterns enhances comprehension and can be critical in communicating vital points.
Read also:
8 online tools you can use to create engaging social media content
Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or just starting out on your digital journey, having the right tools at your disposal can make all the difference.
Keep reading as we navigate through this toolkit tailored to bring your content to life in the most captivating way possible:
Venngage
Purpose: graphic design
Venngage is a versatile graphic design tool primarily focused on creating infographics, presentations, posters, and more. It offers customizable templates and design elements, making it perfect for businesses aiming to convey complex information in a visually appealing way. Small businesses can use Venngage to craft informative and shareable visual content. Venngage is specifically designed for creating infographics. It provides customizable templates and an easy-to-use interface.
BeFunky
Purpose: Photo editing
BeFunky is an advanced online and mobile picture editor. Small businesses can leverage BeFunky to enhance their images, add creative elements, and design captivating visuals for social media posts, ensuring a polished and professional look.
Snappa:
Purpose: Graphic design
This is a cloud-based graphics editor designed for social media, personal use and marketing. With a library of templates and easy-to-use features, businesses can swiftly generate eye-catching visuals tailored for different social media platforms.
Skitch:
Purpose: Annotation
An Evernote software that aims to make this type of information as easy to share online as it is in person by making it simple to capture and annotate screenshots. Small businesses can use Skitch to highlight specific elements in visuals, create instructional content, or provide feedback on design drafts, fostering clearer communication.
Animoto:
Purpose: Video creation
This is a platform for effortlessly generating professional-looking videos. It’s especially handy for organizations who want to add video material.
Hootsuite:
Purpose: Social media management
Hootsuite is a social media management application that enables for the scheduling and publication of posts across numerous networks. It also offers analytics.
Snapseed:
Purpose: Photo editing
Google-owned Snapseed is a capable mobile photo editing app with a variety of image enhancement tools. It enables them to maintain a professional and polished visual aesthetic across their online presence.
MeetEdgar:
Purpose: Social media scheduling
MeetEdgar is a social media scheduling tool that automatically recycles your content, helping you maintain a consistent presence on platforms like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Key takeaway
Creating engaging social media content goes beyond just sharing information; it’s about crafting a visually immersive experience.
As you wrap up, I hope you’ve picked up practical tips on enhancing visuals, showcasing your products to choosing the correct image proportions and thumbnails and more.
We’ve stressed the significance of accessibility through language and humanizing brand imagery. Online tools like Venngage’s accessible design tool provide actionable solutions, offering customizable templates that helps you create accessible content for all.
So, whether you’re a business or an individual aiming for success in the social media space, integrating impactful visuals is an indispensable component of your strategy. Remember, it’s not just about being seen; it’s about leaving a lasting impression and prompting your audience to take action.