How can you sum up your business in seconds to make an impact? Everybody knows how important first impressions are and on average it takes just seven seconds to make that strong first impression. However, in the noisy and information-driven world that we live it, key messages can be difficult to convey. Here’s why visual content marketing is so important.

THE FACTS

What visual content should I use?

There are several options to choose from… and it doesn’t have to be a photo!

1) Images

• Use photos from events or of people at the office.
• Share pictures on social media that others have shared with you.
• Use stock images to spruce up a blog/article.

Top Tip: Take pictures (not time sensitive) in advance and use them over a number of weeks so you aren’t always searching for content!

2) Infographics

• Images like the above are a great way to quantify information in a shareable, easy-to-follow format.
• Infographics are shared three times more than other content.
• Presentations with visual aids are 43% more persuasive; so consider using an infographic in a slide.

Top Tip: We created ours using Canva at www.canva.com – it’s online, free and no need to sign up!

 3) Video

• Leading digital performance marketing company Syndacast predicts 74% of all internet traffic in 2017 will be video.
• Instagram’s video option increased in popularity by 40% in six months. They have now added a longer video feature.
• According to Hubspot, using video in an email subject line increased open rates by 19% and click through rates by 65%.

Top Tip: Use video to your advantage. Create how-tos, mini-explainer videos and demonstrations. Try to keep them at a maximum of two minutes.

Don’t forget that visual content is 40x more likely to be shared. You may want to increase your visibility by including the company logo on any visual content you create. If you choose to edit your images, make sure they are the correct format for the medium you choose. Otherwise, you risk not being able to view the full image on social media feeds, which can be annoying for viewers, especially if there is text in the image.

Find your cheat sheet, including size guides for all major social media pages, HERE.

Now go ahead and make an impact!

Post by Susie Horgan

Susie founded Springboard in 2011, and has developed the business into a leading, director-led communications agency. She has worked for over 20 years in senior marketing and public relations roles.