Using Graphics for Social Media Marketing
Design is an important element in any marketing strategy, and not just for the obvious reasons like web design.
Design can play a key role in your social media marketing efforts in the form of creating graphics.
As a company with a solid grasp of the value-added concepts involved in inbound marketing, we know precisely how to use graphics for social media programs in an effective way and why it is important to know how to create and use them properly.
If you are interested in getting your social media marketing program on the right design track by using graphics but aren’t sure where to begin (or even why you should!), we’ve compiled all of the answers here for you. By the end of this post, you will be able to understand the significance of utilizing graphics in your marketing plans and how to do so properly.
Why You Should Use Graphics For Social Media Marketing
After years of managing and implementing countless social media marketing program strategies, we have concluded through deep analytics dives and research insight that visual posts (posts that include some sort of photo or design element) garner the highest engagement on social platforms.
This point may seem obvious for platforms like Instagram, which is almost entirely focused on visual elements, but it is also true for LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Google Business as well.
Humans recall information 55% more efficiently when it is paired with a relevant graphic, which is the key to why your social media marketing strategy should include graphics.
Using noticeable images that get your point across quickly, that stand out, and that inform your audience will increase the likelihood that your post will be remembered and recalled by your audience later on.
Aside from standing out and providing important information to your audience, graphics can change up your typical feed by adding in a new element that your audience doesn’t see all the time. Graphics can keep your feed looking fresh and keep your posts from getting stale.
Running out of ideas for your Instagram posts? Here are 3 ideas to help you change up your feed.
How To Use Graphics For Social Media Marketing
- One of the most important tips to keep in mind when adding graphics into your social media calendar is to use them sparingly. While visual elements do improve audience recall, posting too many graphics can become redundant. After a while, they may cease to stand out, which defeats their original purpose. Use graphics as an infrequent addition to posting photos, not as an everyday plan. Mix them into your posts every once in awhile—primarily when you have something to announce such as a sale, event, or promotion.
- Keep your graphics simple. It sounds easy enough, but oftentimes it can be tempting to add all of the information into your graphic. Keep the basics on your graphics, and explain in greater detail in the post text.
- If your post has a goal, such as to drive people to your website or to RSVP for an event, make it clear. Include the appropriate language in the graphic, and add more detail in the post text relating to what actions (if any) you would like your audience to perform.
- Use the right sizes for each social media platform. Each platform has a different ideal size for posting images. For Instagram, posting a square photo that measures 1080×1080 pixels works well. Facebook can also post square images, but images sized at 1200×628 pixels look natural in the Facebook news feed. LinkedIn also accepts images that measure 1200×628 pixels.
- Stay on brand. Be sure to stick to the same colors, fonts, and overall theme that your company uses regularly. This creates an overall consistent feel to your posts and can increase brand awareness and improve your audience’s recall of your company’s name and purpose.
If in doubt, stick to these best practices when designing for marketing purposes.
How To Create Social Media Graphics
One of our favorite tools to use when creating social media graphics is Canva.com. Coined as a “simplified graphic-design tool website,” Canva allows you to create graphics for a multitude of print and web purposes using a drag-and-drop interface that is extremely user-friendly.
Canva can be used by professionals and non-designers alike and makes it easy to create eye-catching graphics to display.
Of course, if you are familiar with the Adobe Suite programs like Illustrator and Photoshop, you can certainly utilize their powerful applications to create extremely customized graphics for social media use.
Check out these 4 perfectly curated Instagram accounts for some design inspiration.
What To Include In Your Social Media Graphic Designs
- Add the most important information in text to your design: sale dates or percentages, announcements like “We’re moving,” event titles, and dates.
- Use appropriate colors (making sure to stick to your brand) to make the post stand out.
- You can include a background photo, as long as it’s related to the subject of your post and doesn’t distract from the information.
- Bonus: Experiment with movement by using videos, gifs, or Boomerang videos— just be sure to keep the movement minimal and include just enough to make the post stand out so as not to overwhelm your audience or take focus away from the point of your post.
Where To Post Social Media Graphics
Social media graphics perform well on Facebook & Facebook Stories, LinkedIn, Instagram & Instagram Stories, Google Business, and Twitter.
As is mentioned above, be sure to use them sparingly—primarily when you have something to announce or to need to bring attention to—and make sure you are using the correct sizes for each placement.
—
Utilizing graphics in your social media planning can help particular points stand out to your audience and increases the chances that they will remember your post later on. As long as you remember to use them as one aspect of your social media program, they will serve as a surefire way to get your audience’s attention, and get your information out in front of the right customers.
Until next time,
Audrey
