Social media graphics are a vital element in any social media marketing plan. Selecting and strategically scheduling the images can be a real headache for business owners, social media managers, and marketers. What should be a relatively quick and easy task can often evolve into hours spent browsing through hundreds of photo libraries and dissecting every facet of every detail to find that one “perfect” image. Meanwhile, those in a competitive niche are busy posting away.
Here’s what you need to know to simplify the process of selecting graphics for your social media, but still end up with quality images that fit your needs.
Stop trying to find the “perfect” image that fits in with one of the DIY social media guides to imagery on the market. A perfect image doesn’t exist. There will always be some disagreeable minute detail in every image. What does exist are images that work perfectly with your content plans and brand image? Focus on the big picture, which is ensuring that an image checks all the right boxes for your business, brand, clientele, and content. Here are the criteria your image selections should check off:
Yes! Whether the image is for a Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Instagram post, dimensions are everything when it comes to posting. Here’s a handy sizing chart for various types of images across social media:
Facebook Image sizes:
LinkedIn Image sizes:
Twitter Image sizes:
Instagram Image sizes:
Logos do help establish branding, and many social media guides will encourage you to slap your logo on the images you post. However, while that may be in the best interest of the social media page, it’s not always in your best marketing interests. Not every logo opportunity should be taken. It’s okay to add your logo to an image, but very sparingly and only when it’s done so in a meaningful way.
The image is already being used on your specific, or branded social media page. In other words, onlookers know who’s providing the image. In most cases, using a logo on the image is not only redundant, but it can also make the image feel crowded and superficial.
Space is paramount. Avoid any actions that make the copy and photo feel crowded and competitive for the onlooker’s attention. Otherwise, images containing copy can be made even greater and more alluring with an empowering, complementary image in the background.
Most people appreciate inspirational and colorful imagery. It’s also eye-catching for random scrollers. But do keep your unique brand in mind as you select bold imagery for your social media page. You have to be consistent to be easily recognized by followers. Don’t use anything that conflicts with the brand your followers have come to know and love.
No, not if you take your social media page seriously. The standardized stock pics and that word choice is quite intentional, of that awkward looking person in some clearly staged setting, unnaturally holding some bright piece of plastic prop, and giving a big cheesy eyebrow lift and smile to the phone camera is exactly the type of imagery that your brand image needs to avoid in order to be taken seriously. Pexels, Unsplash, and Deposit Photos are just a few of the fantastic stock image websites that can offer you relevant, cost-friendly, and natural looking social media images.
Know what type of customers you’re targeting and already have following your social media pages. Know their behaviors and preferences. It’s a highly competitive place to be seen because, like you, your competitors are taking advantage of the free marketing of social media pages too. This makes it essential to know what your target customer likes versus what they hate and find offensive.
Use these seven tips for selecting your next social media page graphic. You’re likely to find the process much more efficient and expedient. Need more help? Contact a marketing strategy provider like Bright Vessel.
At Bright Vessel, we understand businesses must have an active content plan to ensure success. Contact us today to learn just how beneficial having a content marketing strategy can be good for your business’s bottom line.
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