They say that ” A Picture Tells a Thousand Words” but have you thought about other ways to use Images to create great Visual Content, in addition to an eye-catching photo? Let’s talk about how you can use a “text-based” image to capture the attention of your followers and encourage sharing of your content.
They say a picture tells a thousand words - but text-based images can be engaging too!
We have talked on this blog before about how powerful images are, and the impact of clever, savvy visual marketing to encourage engagement and sharing of your content. There is no doubting that images work well, and great pictures tell a story and evoke emotion. But don’t underestimate the power of a simple, eye-catching font, or a mix of images and words.
If you are going to use text only images, then I have three pieces of advice:
- Rock your font – an awesome font makes for a very shareable image. By “awesome” font, I do not mean that it has to be fancy and exclusive…just really powerful, clear and easy to read. A font that packs a punch and has some simplicity about it is best.
- Rock your colour - use colour to attract the attention of your readers. It might be the colour of the whole message or the background colour or just one word that has a pop of colour – either way you will create a shareable image.
- Rock your brand – Use quotes or information about your brand – what information can you provide in short, sharp messages that will create “shareable” original content for your brand? Images based around quotes share really well – you probably know this already right? I have no doubt that you have shared them from time to time – quotes are some of the most shared content on Facebook and Pinterest.
#1 Use Powerful Text to Create Original Shareable Quotes
Lorna Jane is rocking the use of quotes by using simple, powerful fonts (check), a pop of colour (check) and by staying true to their brand (check)! This image was posted to Pinterest from Lorna Jane's sister site www.movenourishbelieve.com.
You in Six Words - 6-word quotes on Oprah's Pinterest Board make for VERY shareable visual content....as seen in the following examples:
Simple, interesting fonts provides images that are immediately appealing to Oprah's audience. Her team have tailored their content very well to suit the needs of their ideal "viewer".
The emotion and the meaning in this quote from my client Carren Smith is conveyed with only words. Note how much impact a pop of colour can have (and the "meaning" it can bring to a quote).
This Quote Pinned to Pinterest by Olympian and Athlete Lisa Curry is an example of a great image being paired with a powerful font. An eye-catching and "shareable" combination. For more information visit www.lisacurry.com or http://pinterest.com/elsycurry/
2. Use Text to give your fans a Clear Call to Action
Believe it or not, people respond well to some sort of instruction or call to action. This example from Amy Porterfield‘s Facebook Page shows clearly how a simple call to action can get results – with just a simple, powerful “text only” image:
Amy Porterfield used this simple "Call to Action" on her facebook page and it worked....over 600 likes and shares!
#3 Turn your “Headline” into an image to grab attention
This is a great one to use from time to time in order to make your post stand out and get more engagement. Think about it – if pictures get more clicks and engagement, then it stands to reason that people look to the picture first when they are checking out your post. In fact there is a general hierarchy re how we decipher a post. Merry Morud (@merrymorud) from @aimClear recently presented at the Facebook Ads Conference held by Social Fresh. Merry suggested (as expected) that the image is the most important part of an ad, stating that:
- we get drawn in by the image
- then we read the headlines…and if we are hooked in;
- then we read the body copy.
We can look at Facebook Posts, G+ posts, Pinterest Pins in the same way. So….what if you merged the headline with the image and made your headline into a catchy text-based image? Would you kill two birds with one stone and grab more engagement? Check out these examples:
OK, so admittedly, on this Pinterest Feed, I am drawn to the watermelon cocktail, but look to the right! Where does your eye go? To the heading below the image or to the image? Where do you read the title of my blog post? This does two jobs in one - you go to the image first, but while you are there you find out what the pin is all about by reading the title!
In this example, the title is the graphic - this time it not the entire heading, but enough to make you wonder - what is the "One Social Question" that I need to know?
Again in this Facebook Post example, where is your eye drawn to? To the title of the post or to the image? (which also contains a version of the title of the post). Text based images work!
Admittedly, some of these examples may work for you and some may not – I am just putting it out there that you can consider these strategies as part of an overall visual marketing approach. Try some of the ideas and see how they go for you!
What do you find works for you as a consumer? As a follower? As a liker? Are you drawn to images? Any particular type? What makes you want to click and find out more? Will you try any of these examples in your own social media marketing?
Donna Moritz is a Social Media Strategist and Visual Marketing Specialist – and founder of Socially Sorted, in Queensland, Australia. Donna loves to help small businesses and companies use visual social media strategies to get more reach, referrals and results for their business. She has been a contributing author for Entrepreneur.com, Social Fresh and Amy Porterfield and has been featured on Forbes and Yahoo Small Business. Connect with Donna on Google+ and other social media networks below.
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