Social media has become an integral part of almost everybody’s lives. Be it for work, for networking or purely for personal interest, the superbly interconnected web of social networks tends to hold a certain allure for most of us. With the advent of visual-storytelling, these networks now have even more to offer.
Visual storytelling is simply the means to use visual content to convey a story in an engaging and compelling way. For social media, it means using graphics, photography, video, animation and even infographics to share messages and stories in a visually appealing way. And the reason why it has become incredibly popular is rather simple: our brain comprehends visual information much more quickly and seamlessly than words or pieces of text.
If you have ideas, products, knowledge, missions and messages you want to get out there in the digital realm, embracing visual storytelling can indeed bring huge benefits to your brand or message. The use of visuals can help to humanize your messaging while making it more compelling and shareable.
In this article, we will discuss some of the best visual storytelling practices for social media and we will delve into some of the tools you can make use of to create visually compelling content.
Benefits of Visual Storytelling on Social Media
Everyone has been talking about the power of visual storytelling in comparison with traditional media approaches. The question is why? Why does visual storytelling work such wonders on social media?
Well, as we mentioned before, humans are wired to comprehend images faster than words and actions. With the explosion of mobile devices, where people tend to scroll and swipe rather than read, visuals now play an even more important role in grabbing and holding the viewer’s attention.
Visual storytelling also helps to create a deeper emotional connection between the viewer and the message being conveyed. This can lead to a bond that can turn a casual user into a loyal follower. Another positive side of visual storytelling is its great shareability: research has shown that visuals frequently receive more shares than text-based content.
Best Visual Storytelling Practices for Social Media
Now that we have established some of the great advantages of visual storytelling, let’s dive into some of the best practices for effectively implementing it on social media.
Say More with Less
The most important thing to remember with visual storytelling is to always aim for impact and clarity. Don’t let your visuals be overly crowded or messy. A simple image with a clear message is often much more effective than a complex graph trying to speak to too many things at once.
Use the Right Aspect Ratio
Perhaps now more than ever, it’s really important to make sure that you have the correct aspect ratio for your visuals, with the overwhelming majority of today’s streaming and photo sharing sites favoring 16:9. If your image or video doesn’t match this aspect ratio, it could end up looking awkward on followers’ feeds.
Choose the Right Color Palette
Colors can greatly affect the overall mood of the visual you are sharing. The most successful use of colors in visual storytelling is when they are strategically used to reinforce the message or brand. Remember to use colors which are reflective of your brand’s identity, and make sure to place bright colors to draw attention without overwhelming.
Engage Your Audience in Your Story
Visual storytelling is not just about images and videos. It can also be about getting people involved in your story. Simple polls and questionnaires can help to get your audience engaged and their input can be an important part of making your message heard.
Tools for Creating Visually Compelling Content
Luckily, there are dozens of tools available to help you create stellar visual content. Here are some of the most popular tools you can use to create images, animations, infographics, and more for your social media:
Canva: A powerful design platform that is easy to use and full of useful tools and templates for creating graphics.
Adobe Spark: A suite of apps for creating custom branded content. Spark even features a video app that makes it easy to create stunning videos in minutes.
Piktochart: An app for creating infographics. It features tons of templates and an easy-to-use drag and drop interface that makes it easy to customize your creation.
Boomerang: A fun little app that allows you to create fun, looping videos.
Virool: A video advertising platform that makes it easy to create and distribute branded content.
And remember, when creating visually compelling content it’s a good idea to always tailor your content to match the platforms it will be published on.
Conclusion
Visual storytelling has become a powerful tool for marketers and brand managers. It can make messaging more engaging and shareable, while creating a deeper emotional connection between brands and their viewers. Embrace this change in how we communicate and remember to always aim for impact, clarity, and engagement. And make use of the many tools available to create visually compelling content.