Images are hot right now. Visual Social Media is hot right now. Everyone is talking about the importance of having an image strategy.
But where should you get these images from? What should you be posting? What works?
In this post, I share 3 reasons why you should consider creating your own content in the form of images, to use across social media platforms (it’s not just about Pinterest!).
Original images get shared. Creating them is easier than you think. So, let’s take a look at why you should consider creating your own content in the form of images:
3 Reasons to Create Your Own Image-Based Content on Social Media
#1 Original Images Get Shared
80% of content is shared content. This stat is thrown around a lot with regards to Pinterest. I am fascinated by how so many people are yet to consider it in their marketing. It is my belief that the stat would not be so different on Facebook – or any platform that showcases images for that matter.
I have posted previously about the results you can get from sharing original content, and the fact that “we love new content”. You can read about it here. We love to share anything new or different. Be in the 20% that Creates Content for 80% of us to share. Create original images.
#2 Images Evoke Emotion
It’s true. An image can get a visceral, emotional response faster than any other medium. Faster than video. Faster than audio. We connect with an image instantly, and add meaning to it in a split second – based on our experiences, our beliefs and the context in which the image is presented. Yes, we can add words for context. Yes video and podcast connect with us too, but the instanteneous nature of images is what makes them work so well.
We want our community, fans, followers to take action in some way – to click through and read our blog, to comment, to like, to share, to purchase something. An image can get that response faster than any other medium, and a fast, emotional, from-the-gut response can help someone to make a snap decision and take action. We feel compelled to engage with images.
Use Imagery in your social media. Think in terms of Visual Social Media and not just Social Media. Because Social Media is….well…”meh” without images. Visual Social Media? Boom!
#3 You Own the Copyright on Your Own Images
I get asked this question every week (every day it would seem, some weeks) – How to avoid copyright infringement when using or sharing images. There are many answers to this, and for the most part, yes, it is a great option to use stock photos (if they are royalty free and you follow the user guidelines), you can share content of others on Pinterest or Facebook (as long as you use the correct sharing functionality and don’t upload someone else’s image as your own), and you can benefit from user generated content from your community. It’s mostly common sense, but all the fine print can be easily misinterpreted.
Here’s the thing. Nothing can provide the security of knowing that you have the copyright on your own images. If you take, create, edit your own images, they are yours. You can use them in any way you want and you never have to think “I wonder if it was ok to use that photo on my page”.
Consider creating your own images.
Where to from here?
You know that you should be creating your own images, but you are hesitant. I hear you. The idea can be overwhelming…you are not creative…you have to be a designer…….the list goes on.
You don’t.
Images do not need to be fancy and they do not need to be designed by a designer to be successful. Sure, if you have a graphic designer in house, then you are set! If not, then I have a solution for you.
I have been able to get massive reach, referrals and results from images that have been created using a few simple tools. Tools that I now can’t live without. If you want to get the skinny on the tools that I use (that my clients use too) then click on the image below to check out some simple strategies and tools for getting started when creating your own traffic-driving images.
Over to you. Do you have any success stories with images on any social media platform? I would LOVE to hear about them. Let me know about it in the comments below!
Donna Moritz
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