It’s National Photo Month: Here are some tips for creating better visual content on social media

May is National Photo Month, and what better time to talk about creating a better visual content for your social media feed than now?

Social media has grown increasingly visually focused with the massive popularity of apps like Instagram and TikTok. Over a billion images and nearly 1 million hours of video are uploaded to the internet Every. Single. Day.

If you aren’t using videos – and high-quality images – on your social media, you are missing the party. However, the good news is you don’t have to be a professional photographer or videographer with thousands of dollars of equipment and decades of experience to make your feed look good!

We’ll give you a few tips on how to make your social networks look like you have a pro on staff–whether you’re a business owner or just looking to boost your photo game.

1. Follow the basic principles of photography and graphic design. Reading a quick blog or two about basic photography and graphic design rules can help you when you go behind the camera (or phone). Understanding the rule of thirds, the Golden Ratio, leading lines and more help create an aesthetically pleasing image. Understanding the foundations of photography and design will help you differentiate an ok shot from a great one.
2. Take advantage of free design and editing tools. Sometimes, you’ll have a photo or video that has great potential – but needs a little help. Don’t be afraid to tackle some cropping, editing or lightening to ensure your image or video is at its best. Remember, images should be clear and focused–these images will get you the most engagement. Fortunately, there are plenty of free and easy-to-use software programs. Start in your phone! These apps are easy to use and make it easy to post edited images to social media. Computers also have free and simple built-in programs for photo editing. And for online options, Adobe Online Express Photoshop and Pixlr are good choices. For creating social media graphics, Canva is an excellent tool for the hesitant graphic designer. For iPhone users, iMovie is easy and can make a big difference!
3. Be ready for anything. You never know when you’ll come across the perfect image or an opportunity for a quick, meaningful video. Social media managers are constantly at the ready with their phones. The wonderful and maddening thing about social media is you never know exactly what will go viral next–that tableau in front of you could be the next big thing! You’ll never know unless you try and the great thing about social media is…it’s social media. If it is a flop, you move on to the next idea because there is SO much content out there, a post is a drop in the proverbial bucket.
4. Video is king. You may have heard this phrase before, and with the popularity of TikTok and Reels, video is everywhere. Shooting video can be daunting but it doesn’t have to be every single social post. In fact, a few strategic videos on your feed can call attention to important ideas, products and – more importantly – you! Your fans and followers want to see real people in the videos. Studies have shown that videos are nearly three times more likely to receive engagement than regular photos. Take a look at your social calendar and determine which posts need the most attention–like a fundraising event or a milestone anniversary. Video could be incredibly beneficial to those posts. Video can also be short, sweet and fun. Play around with short bursts of videos (even 10-15 seconds) to highlight you, your staff, your products and services.

Are you looking to add more pizazz to your social media? We can help you determine a strategy and then put it into action – with posts, photos and video. Contact Walker Publicity to learn more.