Photos are the most engaging type of content on Facebook, with a whopping 87% interaction rate from fans. And tweets with images get 18% more clicks, 89% more favorites, and 150% more retweets. There is no denying that images are a powerful tool for businesses of all types.
Not sure where to begin using images? These six ideas will get you started.
1. Use photos to show products
If you sell physical products, using photos of your products on your website and blog, or on sites like Easy and eBay, is a no-brainer. You don't have to be a professional photographer to take great product photos. Try using a white background, taking photos from several angles, keeping the lighting even, and using a tripod to avoid shaky hands.
2. Create social media tiles for sharing
Graphics aren't only useful on image-based social platforms like Pinterest and Instagram. As we addressed above, visuals escalate the opportunity for interaction and engagement on Facebook and Twitter as well. Use photos and other images to create social tiles that you can share across every platform. If you're not handy with Photoshop and don't have a graphic designer on staff, you can painlessly create tiles with services like Canva.
3. Add visual interest to blog posts
Featured and embedded images make your blog posts more attractive to readers. You can use a photo that is directly related to the content, or a stock photo that shows the concept of the article. Make sure you optimize any images you use so they load quickly and can be viewed on mobile devices.
4. Improve clickability in your email marketing
Like most of the examples in this post, images in your email marketing messages translate into more views, more clicks, and more engagement. Once the reader has opened your message, they are more likely to click through to your website if you include an image. Plus, consider those who have their email set to preview messages. Seeing an eye-catching image in preview mode can make the reader more likely to engage before the message is even opened.
5. Improve your press releases
Search-optimized images in press releases make 80% of journalists and bloggers more likely to cover your news. Ideally, if your press release is about a specific product, include a picture of that product. Or try a photo of your customers, a behind-the-scenes look into your business, an infographic, or a graph or chart that supports the content of your press release.
6. Boost conversion rates on your website
Consider including high-quality photos in strategic locations on your website. According to Kissmetrics, this not only makes your website more interesting, but it also increases conversions. Many types of images can work here. You can include photos of your business location and staff, product photos, or high-quality and meaningful stock photos. You can also use charts, graphs, and visually pleasing pull quotes to break up content on your site.
Remember that images can be photos, graphics or a combination of both. Try playing around with several different formats to see what works best for your audience.
Want to learn more? Read Alyssa Gregory's last article: How to make your smartphone function as a mobile office
