12 Advance Tips for Creating Visual Content on Social Media

There can be no doubt about the value of producing visual content for social media.

If you want to see a proof?

Take a look at the Google Doodle. Google gives people a cause to visit its landing page and choose to use its search engine over others by regularly updating the way it looks.

On social media, powerful visual content has the same impact. People will have a reason to like, follow, comment, and eventually buy from you if they do this.

Now, If you want to see more proof? Then one time think about these updated data

• The average comment rate for LinkedIn postings with photographs is 98% higher.
• Engagement rates for tweets with visual content are three times higher.
• Photos on Facebook generate more likes and comments

Visuals also tend to make a bigger impression. When information is linked by a visual, we all realize it 60% better.

Are you prepared to increase your creativity now? Let’s visualize:

12 Advance Tips for Creating Visual Content on Social Media

1. Include images in your social media strategy:

• Aiming to produce outstanding graphic content on social media? begin here.
• Outstanding graphics can only be as effective as the social strategy behind them. Even if your creative adheres to best practices, your art department will suffer if it lacks purpose, narrative, timing, and other marketing strategic components.
• Whether you realize it or not, every company on social media has a unique corporate identity and visual language; some are just more adept at it than others. This is where a social media style guide might be useful.

Here are some visual strategies:

• Audience research:
  • Research the interests of your audience and consider the kinds of graphic content they would find appealing.
• Make a vision board:
  • Include information, color schemes, and other images that can help you define your direction.
• Themes:
  • Add some variety by using repeating themes or pillars. For instance, the Instagram feed of Air France combines photographs of the landscape and aircraft.
• Platform:
  • Think about how your visual strategy should change depending on the social media platform.
• Timing:
  • Make sure to upload images to social media during busy times. However, keep the big picture in mind as well. Will there be a demand for more visual content during particular holidays? You’ll be able to better manage your budget and production schedule if you plan.

2. Learn the fundamentals of creativity:

• Yes, there isn’t just one effective approach to making a graphic. But there are certain fundamental recommended practices to keep in mind. And before breaking the rules, you must be aware of them.

Here are some fundamental guidelines for producing social media images:

• Have a unique subject:
  • Generally speaking, it’s ideal to keep your image’s focus point to one.
• Use natural light:
  • It’s more difficult to detect if your image is excessively dark. However, avoid overexposing your photos as well.
• Make sure the contrast is sufficient:
  • Contrast is more approachable, simpler to read, and works better in circumstances when there is no color. It also gives balance.
• Keep it simple:
  • Ensure that your image is simple to comprehend.
• Don’t over-edit:
  • Don’t give in to the need to push every button. When it comes to filters and features, subtlety is key. With caution, increase saturation.

3. Utilize cost-free tools and resources:

• Hiring a photographer or graphic designer to provide unique material for your brand is nearly always the best option.
• But there are a tonne of resources accessible if money is limited or you need a few extra tools. So you can utilize some photo-editing applications.

4. Be aware of image copyright:

• Finding photographs to use isn’t always simple, especially when copyright is involved. However, it’s crucial, particularly in light of the grave repercussions of overuse.
  • When using stock images, templates, and illustrations, read the entire fine print. Ask the site or the owner of the photograph for more information if anything seems unclear.
  • The same is true for contracting and licensing. It should be made clear in contracts with artists where you intend to utilize their work, who owns the rights to it, and other details.
  • Give credit where credit is due when necessary (which is usually). That applies equally if you intend to republish or distribute user-generated content. Even some businesses employ contract agreements in these circumstances, So you can also contact them.

5. Specify the image size:

• Using the incorrect size while posting visuals in social media content is one of the worst crimes you can do.
• Stretched, cropped, and out-of-proportion images might reflect poorly on your company if they have an inappropriate aspect ratio or inadequate resolution.
• Every platform has unique requirements, thus you should adjust your material as necessary.
• Always try to provide the best possible images. That includes the resolution and pixels.
• Do not disregard the aspect ratio either. Why? Aspect ratio-based automatic image cropping is used by some platforms. Therefore, if yours is different, you risk having an unfavorable crop or leaving out crucial information.

6. Use text tastefully:

Less is always more when it comes to word count, regardless of whether you want to employ text overlays, stylistic font, or quotation graphics.

Always make sure that the text in your images is bold, readable, clear, and succinct. To make the text readable, make sure the background and text have a sufficient amount of contrast. According to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCGA), a contrast ratio of 4.5 to 1 is advised. If you’re unsure of how to do this, there are several free contrast checkers accessible.

What is the ideal ratio of images to text? There are exceptions and it depends. Facebook has discovered that photos with less than 20% text typically perform better. For those who are interested, Facebook provides a text-to-image ratio tester.

Ensure that there is space for the text in the visual if you intend to utilize it as an overlay. Use a solid background instead.

Following are some pointers for including text in images:

• Triple-check your grammar and spelling.
• Pick your type carefully. Tone and legibility can both be impacted by the font.
• Choose a serif and a sans serif to blend if you must.
• Avoid combining the colors green and red or blue and yellow. Because these are harder colors, according to WCAG.
• Line length should be brief.
• Orphan words should be avoided. It may appear strange to leave out the final word.
• Text can be animated to stand out.

7. Insert your logo as necessary:

It could be a good idea to incorporate a logo if you intend for your pictures to be shared.

• Pinterest is the ideal illustration. Without a brand, it might be simple to forget where something originated, and anything pinned on Pinterest has the potential to be repined. Additionally, Pinterest claims that pins containing subtly branded content typically perform better than those without.
• An effective brand is perceptible but not intrusive. Typically, this entails placing a little logo in a frame or corner of the image. Choose a greyscale or neutral version if the color of your logo clashes with the background or makes the image too busy.

8. Consider representation:

• When creating visual material for social media, you should be asking yourself some of the following questions.
• Not only is it sensible to do so, but it’s also socially responsible. If consumers see someone who looks like them utilizing a product or service, it makes it much easier for them to picture themselves using it. Consider your audience analytics and the characteristics of your target audience as you develop your creative strategy.
• There should be more to representation than just appearance. Do it if you have the resources to diversify your team. Hire female artists and people of color. As many viewpoints as you can bring to the table.

9. Add some animation:

• A little animation can go a long way toward making your content stand out in the more than 95 million posts that are published on Instagram every day.
• You can give your graphics motion and a story by using GIFs and movies. They can be subtle picture animations known as filmography or high-quality IGTV videos.
• For instance, Reformation does an excellent job of using video to add moves to typical picture shoots. I mean, dance moves.

10. Add alternative text descriptions:

• Make your social media creative as accessible to as many individuals and situations as you can. You can reach a large audience with accessible content, maybe beating out less inclusive rivals in the process.
• More importantly, it aids in gaining the trust and loyalty of clients.

Social media sites may offer the following accessible visual content:

• Alternate-text headings:
  • The visually challenged can appreciate photos because of alt-text. Alternate-text image descriptions are now available on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Here are some pointers on how to write evocative alt-text.
• Subtitles:
  • There should be captions on all social media videos. They are helpful not only for viewers who have hearing impairments but also in silent surroundings. Subtitles are also helpful for language learners. Additionally, more individuals view videos with captions
• Detailed transcripts:
  • These transcripts, as opposed to captions, highlight the significant images and noises that aren’t spoken or immediately apparent. Other possibilities include live explained video and descriptive audio.

11. Optimize for SEO:

• Yes, you should improve your visuals for search engine optimization (SEO). Especially with us at iMETADEX SEO’s tools, you can increase your visual search results for your online company. However, since Googlebot cannot “read” images, you must use alt tags to explain what the image contains.
• When it comes to SEO optimization, Pinterest might be the most significant platform. It’s crucial to use the appropriate keywords in your visual descriptions and alt tags, just as with other search engines.

12. Be creative:

• Oh, it’s simple, right?
• But seriously,  Forget the rewards because clients will always appreciate your innovative work with likes, comments, shares, and purchases. Additionally, it can attract new followers.

Conclusion

When you have visual content available that is relevant to your audience and fits in with the style of your brand, it’s a no-brainer. Include visual content in your Facebook posts, Twitter updates, and content marketing efforts by linking back to related graphics or photos uploaded onto platforms like Flickr, Tumblr, and Instagram.

You will have learned about the many different kinds of visual content that you can use to enhance your social media marketing. Keep in mind, however, that no single tactic or type can guarantee success—it’s necessary to use all types at once to maximize your reach.

Utilizing iMETADEX, schedule and distribute your stunning visual content across all social media platforms. You can produce and share content, engage the audience, track pertinent conversations and rivals, measure results, and more from a single dashboard.