Social media is more about visual content than most people realize. Because even if you have a terrific written content, it won’t draw people in if the images used aren’t interesting enough. That’s why many businesses and individuals struggle to garner engagement on their social media platforms and lose out on potential reach.
However, when you use the right photos, your content will be more visible on your potential audience’s newsfeed. You’ll experience an influx of likes, follows, and comments solely based on the look and feel of your page and the content you’re sharing. Your audience will also love sharing your content on their profiles, which will ultimately help you gain more followers. And with more followers, your content will reach even more people.
So, one thing is clear: you need great visuals for a successful social media presence. But how can you get them? You cannot click your photos daily or have the budget to hire photographers for random posts. Besides, you cannot use low-quality images to get by, which will show your lack of professionalism and hurt your brand image.
The good news? You don’t need an expensive, professional photographer or a high-end camera to get great visuals. You can use stock photos to enhance your social media presence and ensure it’s always eye-catching. These are professionally shot and edited photographs available in high resolution and tailored to fit any purpose. Search using the right keyword on platforms offering stock photos, and you’ll get access to numerous photos accordingly.
Now that you’re familiar with stock photos, here are a few tips to help you make the most of this resource.
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Personalize the Photos
Although stock photos are professionally shot, high-res images, they can lack the emotion you need to connect with your audience. You can edit them as per your preference and transform them into unique, one-of-a-kind visuals.
You can adjust the colors, saturations, and contrast levels to make the image look better. Or, use graphical elements like borders, symbols, and illustrations to make the photo more interesting. Also, add filters and crop the picture in different ways to make it more suitable for your brand’s aesthetic.
When editing, add your logo or brand mark to the photo and avoid common editing mistakes to ensure quality and uniqueness.
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Stick to Your Brand’s Aesthetic
Consider what visuals fit best with your content and audience before selecting any stock image. After all, visual branding is one of the most critical aspects of an impactful social media presence.
So, determine the colors, shapes, and styles that mimic your brand’s aesthetic. Don’t select any image that would look odd when placed with other visuals on your social media page. The best way to avoid messing up is to keep a folder of all the images you have used in your previous postings. Review it every time you select a new photo, and make sure it blends well in your brand’s overall visual story.
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Choose High-Resolution Photos
Using low or average-quality images can give a pixelated look and appear amateurish, compromising your brand’s reputation. On the other hand, high-resolution stock photos often come at a premium price, but they are worth every penny spent. These images will look far more professional and high-end and can instantly make your post stand out in the users’ news feeds.
Alternatively, consider the size of your visuals before selecting an image. Each social media platform can accommodate particular size for visuals, so ensure your stock photo meets those standards. Avoid stretching or shrinking your visuals too much to fit the required size of the platform, else they will appear distorted and blurry.
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Avoid Overused Images
Since stock photos are widely used, there’s a high chance of finding the same image on multiple pages. Therefore, pay attention to the visuals you’re selecting.
So, go through the stock library multiple times and pick something unique. It could be a picture with an unusual angle or composition, out-of-the-box props, styling, or any other creative element that makes it stand out.
Finding fresh images that fit your brand’s message can make your social media posts look more remarkable and resonate better with your target audience.
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Use Stock Photos in Multiple Ways
Just because you buy a stock photo doesn’t mean you have to use it in the same format across all channels. You can get creative and use the same image to create multiple variations for different social platforms.
For example, you can use the same image as a header for your blog post, slice it to create multiple banners for social media posts or combine various photos to make an infographic.
If you’re building a new social media campaign, you can create animated GIFs, collages, or video backgrounds from stock photos.
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Know the Copyright and Licensing
Understanding the copyright and licensing policies that come with stock photos is crucial. It varies from library to library and is based on your chosen license type, so thoroughly check before you select and use any image.
Moreover, read through the terms carefully for not just buying the photo but also for using it in different formats. For instance:
- Some libraries might not allow you to use their images commercially or in any video project.
- On the other hand, some images may require attribution or credit for use, while others don’t.
Not abiding by the license can lead to legal issues and fines. So, ensure you stay within your rights when selecting visuals for social media and other marketing campaigns.
Conclusion:
Whether you’re looking to attract more followers or build better brand awareness, stock photos can be invaluable in helping you reach your goals. However, the type of photo you choose and how you use the image are all crucial components of a successful campaign.
So, choose stock photos that align with your brand’s values and aesthetics. You can further personalize them by playing with the size, filters, text, colors, and other elements. Additionally, always use high-resolution photos and be mindful of the license agreement when downloading images. The best part is that you can use stock photos in multiple ways to create engaging visuals for different social media platforms.
