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The foundation of a successful inbound marketing strategy today is undoubtedly content. From blogging, to video creation, to podcasting, and the list goes on.

In order to maximize the results of that content, it’s vital that it can be easily found and shared. The most efficient way to do this is by creating a strong visual brand on your blog and social media profiles.

To gain some insight into how to create a visually engaging brand online, we spoke to Peg Fitzpatrick, author of The Art of Social Media: Power Tips for Power Users, and got her take on the best ways to share images and graphics to maximize the impact of your content.

1. Use a visual content calendar.

It’s hard to stay organized when you’re creating so much content for social media. That’s why it’s important to have a content calendar.

A well-structured content calendar is a crucial component of eCommerce growth strategies. By planning your visual content in advance, you can ensure a steady stream of engaging posts that align with your business goals, seasonal trends, and marketing campaigns. This strategic approach not only keeps your brand active on social media but also helps drive consistent traffic and customer engagement.

A content calendar is a schedule of the content you plan to post on your social media channels. It helps you keep track of what you’re posting and when, and it can also help you plan your visual content strategy.

With a visual content calendar, you can plan out your visual content for the month and make sure you’re using a good mix of photos, videos, and other visual content. This can help you keep your social media channels looking fresh and engaging.

2. Create a visual voice.

Your visual content should look and feel like it’s coming from a single source. This doesn’t mean you can’t have variety, but it should look like it comes from the same family.

When you’re creating a visual strategy, you’ll want to define your brand’s visual voice. This is the set of attributes that will help guide your content creation. It’s similar to a traditional brand voice, but it’s specifically about the visuals you create.

Your visual voice might include things like color palettes, photography styles, and even the types of fonts you use in your graphics. You can see how Slack’s visual voice comes through in their Instagram posts.

Pro tip: Don’t be afraid to get creative with your visual voice. The more you can stand out, the better.

3. Use more visual content.

We can’t stress enough the importance of using visual content to increase vital social media metrics  

Whether you’re sharing a new product, a customer testimonial, or a blog post, always include some kind of visual element. One emerging trend that can significantly enhance engagement is eCommerce visual search. This technology allows users to find products simply by uploading an image, making it easier for them to discover similar items without typing a single word. Incorporating ecommerce visual search into your content strategy can improve user experience and increase the chances of social media users interacting with your posts, especially when showcasing products that rely on aesthetics.

This will help your content stand out in crowded newsfeeds and increase the likelihood of users stopping to engage with your post.

For brands offering customizable products, a product configurator can be a powerful visual tool. Showing interactive 3D models or customization options directly in social media posts can drive engagement and encourage users to explore personalized options.

There are so many ways you can use visual content to increase engagement on social, so let’s dive into some of our favorite strategies.

4. Share visual stories.

Stories are a popular feature on Instagram and Facebook. They are a series of photos and videos that are only available for 24 hours. They are a great way to share a visual narrative about your brand, a product launch, or an event.

Use the “Stories” feature on your social media platforms to share a visual narrative about your brand. You can use a series of photos and videos to tell a story about your brand, a product launch, or an event.

For example, you could create a story about the team behind your brand and share photos and videos of them working and having fun. This is a great way to humanize your brand and show your audience the people behind the products.

5. Turn a blog into an infographic.

Blog posts are great, but not everyone has time to read them. So, why not  repurpose content into an infographic?

Infographics are a great way to summarize the main points of a blog post and present the information in a visually appealing way. Plus, they’re highly shareable and can help you reach a whole new audience.

For example, if you have a blog post about the top social media trends for the year, you could turn that into an infographic with a few key stats and visuals. Then, you could share the infographic on your social media channels and encourage your followers to share it with their networks.

6. Share user-generated content.

Sharing user-generated content (UGC) is a great way to show your audience that you appreciate them. It also gives you the opportunity to showcase your products or services in a real-world context, which can be very effective in terms of social proof.

If you’re sharing this content on platforms like TikTok, it’s important to understand the best time to post on TikTok to maximize engagement. According to SocialBu, the best time to post on TikTok today can vary depending on your audience’s behavior, but knowing the right time can significantly improve how your content performs.

The Body Shop does a great job of sharing UGC on their Instagram account. They often feature photos of customers using their products, and they always make sure to give credit to the original poster.

This is a great way to show your audience that you value their contributions and to create a sense of community around your brand.

7. Use the right visuals for the right social platform.

Not all visual content is created equal, and not all content is right for every social media platform. If you want to maximize your social engagement, it’s important to understand the best types of content to post on each platform.

For example, Instagram is a highly visual platform, so you’ll want to focus on creating high-quality images and videos that really pop – this can be created easily with ChatGPT prompts for Instagram. Facebook, on the other hand, is a little more relaxed, so you can get away with posting a wider variety of content, like images, videos, GIFs, and more.

Pinterest is a great place to post infographics and other long-form visual content. And Twitter is a great place to share quick, eye-catching visuals that get your point across in just a few seconds.

Before you start creating content, take some time to research the best types of visual content for each platform. This will help you get the most out of your content and maximize your social engagement.

8. Use a strong call to action.

The most effective calls to action are clear, direct, and visually appealing. The visual aspect is particularly important on platforms like Instagram, where the primary focus is the image or video.

You can use tools like Crello to create graphics with text overlays that encourage your followers to engage with your brand. You can also use a simple graphic to highlight a contest, a sale, or a new product.

In the example below, @lulus includes a clear call to action in the caption and uses a graphic to promote a giveaway.

9. Use humor.

Humor is a great way to make your brand more relatable to your audience. It’s also a powerful way to build a strong emotional connection with your followers.

That doesn’t mean you have to be a comedian to use humor in your social media posts. Just be lighthearted and have fun with your content.

Look for opportunities to make jokes, use puns, or share funny memes and GIFs. You can also create your own funny graphics and videos to share with your audience.

Just be sure to keep things appropriate and considerate. Avoid any humor that could be offensive or controversial.

10. Use emojis.

Emojis are an excellent way to add personality to your visual content and social media posts. They can help you convey emotion, tell your audience how they should feel about your content, and even replace text.

We’ve seen trends over the years where emojis are used more or less frequently, but they’re always a great tool to have in your toolbox. Just be sure you’re using them correctly and in a way that’s relevant to your content and audience.

11. Use visual testimonials.

Testimonials are a great way to build trust and credibility with your audience. But when it comes to social media, you need to make sure your testimonials are visually appealing and easy to consume.

One way to do this is by turning your testimonials into visual content. You can create a simple graphic with a quote from the testimonial and an image of the person who gave it. This is a great way to add a personal touch to your testimonials and make them more visually engaging.

You can also create video testimonials to share on social media. This is a great way to add variety to your content and give your audience a more in-depth look at what your customers have to say.

12. Use contests and promotions.

Social media contests and promotions are a great way to boost engagement. Not only do they give your audience a reason to interact with your brand, they also help you reach new potential customers.

Using visuals in your contests and promotions can help you grab attention and increase your chances of going viral. You can use photos, videos, or even GIFs to show off your prizes and get people excited about entering.

Just be sure to follow the rules and guidelines for the platform you’re using, and make sure your visuals meet the size and length requirements.

13. Use a visual content management system.

If you’re a social media manager, you know how important it is to have a good content and social media management system.

A visual content management system (CMS) is like a regular CMS, but it’s specifically designed to help you organize and share your visual content.

With a visual CMS, you can easily upload, tag, and categorize your images and videos. This makes it easy to find the content you need, when you need it.

Conclusion

There are countless ways to use visuals to engage your audience on social media. The key is to start with a strong visual strategy and a plan for how you’ll roll out your content. Follow the tips above, and you’ll be well on your way to increasing your social engagement.