We now know that visuals go a long way in getting our posts noticed and shared. But how do you choose the right images? What if you use and image that's not a cute baby or kitten? If you use an image that's not so appealing to the masses, will your content still get shared?
Not as much. People "eat" with their eyes first and then go in to "taste" (or read the text content in this instance). So the $64,000 question is "How do you choose the right images that convey your message and brand"?
What images will entice people to share on Facebook, Google Plus and Instagram? Our friend, Donna Mortiz over at Socially Sorted shares some great insights in her article, "Stop posting like a marketer – give fans the visual content they crave!". She also has a free video series on "How to Create Original Images that Get Shared and Drive Traffic to Your Business". This free series has some very meaty content and great tips for using visuals on Facebook.
Here's what Donna says ...
Entertaining - People are looking for a few seconds of entertainment while they are cruising their social media.
Consistent with your brand - Make sure the look and feel of the images are consistent with the feel of your brand.
Snackable! - Small bites of visual yumminess ... Think Costco taste testing size bites of visual content.
Add value to or help your audience - Don't make your audience jump through hoops to read, understand or interpret your image. Give them a quick tip, uplifting quote or a fast answer to a question.
And all of this should seamlessly blend into the overall user experience.