Thirteen milliseconds. That’s the amount of time it takes our brains to process a visual according to a study by MIT. In essence, that’s the amount of time you have to capture your target audience’s attention when it comes to visual content. This is where a visual content strategy can come in handy. Visual content is any content that is based on imagery and graphics rather than simple, plain text.
What does this mean for your business? Simply put, it means that any information you want to convey to your target audience should be displayed in an eye-catching way, and to make it easy for the user to scan and digest the information quickly. What does this mean for you? It means that the more likely users are to read your content, the more likely they are to make a purchase from you.
Here are a few best practices for implementing a visual content strategy.
Tell a Story
Guide your users through a story using visuals. Whether you are telling a story about your business origins, sharing step-by-step instructions, or presenting an opinion, always keep your customer’s experience in mind and make sure your narrative is easy to follow. You want to be authentic and relevant, so you should have a valid reason to publish the topic you choose.
Visualize Data
People love data, but no one wants to sift through pages of published papers and data reports. They want that information to be presented to them in an attractive way that is easy to understand. Pie charts, progress circles, graphs, diagrams, and word clouds are just a few ways you can take boring data and exhibit it in an exciting way.
Consistency is Key
Consistent branding can go a long way. It helps create a strong, recognizable experience for the reader. Using similar colors, fonts, and patterns will allow users to take one look at a post and know it was created by your business, thus creating a sense of familiarity.
High-Quality Imagery and Graphics
No matter how interesting the content may be, consumers will not stop what they are doing to read something it if it is not visually appealing to them. Low-resolution photos, tacky graphics, unpleasing colors, inconsistent fonts, and a generally unprofessional look will all deter potential leads. You definitely don’t want this to happen to you, so it is a good idea to hire a professional in this area. Professional photography and graphic design go a long way in selling to consumers.
Always Include a Call to Action
It doesn’t matter if you have published the best infographic in the world. If you don’t create something with actionable content, you won’t see any returns or leads generated from that piece. What you will have are customers that are left thinking, “Okay, great… now what?” and then moving on without making a conversion. Ask your reader to do something, whether that be to visit your website, call your business, make a purchase, or leave a review.
Visual content isn’t the next big thing: it is the big thing now and it is changing the way marketers approach social media. Don’t miss out on taking advantage of a visual content marketing strategy. If you need help in this area, contact Southern View Media to find out how we can help with your business’s digital presence. For a free consultation to formulate a strategic and affordable plan, call us today at 251-583-2605 or visit www.SouthernViewMedia.com. We are a Google Trusted Agency and will be happy to answers your questions.
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