Think about all the social accounts you may have  - Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Snapchat - all these networks are focused on images. Facebook even recently changed their site design, essentially making images the focal point and most important part of a post, even more so than in the past. Micro-blogging site Tumblr also has a visual focus, with a dashboard feed displaying large images as the user scrolls.

Images are said to evoke positive emotions, allowing brands to connect with consumers on a more personal level. They not only enhance an otherwise bland text post, but they offer an additional way to show off your brand’s personality, potentially even giving customers a behind the scenes look at things they might otherwise not see - the office, a new product, or the day to day of the company to name a few examples. All these things humanize a brand and allow consumers to connect on a different level. People are more likely to share or talk about things they are connected with, and that is just how images can help brands - driving traffic and boosting engagement.

Joining the Ranks: There are a few more out there pushing images to the forefront of their services. Twitter now allows you to post up to 10 photos with your tweet, as well as tag people in the photos. Good news, or horrifying? Well, if you are already trying to avoid being tagged on Facebook, this could be your worst nightmare. For most brands, however, this feature could be incredibly beneficial. Photo sharing can help boost engagement, and by tagging in the image, it removes the necessity to include @ tags in your tweet, leaving more characters for your message.

Google is also part of the image bandwagon.  Google+ is already very image oriented and great for businesses, so why not make your email more visually appealing? The company recently announced it is testing a grid view layout in Gmail. The new toggle feature turns your Promotions tab into a Pinterest-like view with infinite scrolling capabilities. What does this mean for email marketers? More quality “cover photos” will be needed judging by the preview available. Sounds intimidating? Try signing up for their field trial and get ahead of the game by testing it out early!

So, moral of the story - images can not be ignored or forgotten! Familiarize yourself with best practices for each social media network to make sure you get the most out of your posts. If you need additional assistance, do not hesitate to contact FiG. Whether email marketing or social media planning, we are here to help!