Social Media Posts: Photos Vs. Graphics
When planning posts for your social media, you may be unsure whether you should use photos, graphics, or perhaps photos with graphic elements included. The answer is simple - use all three! Let's visit each of these post elements and discuss the pros of each:
Photos
Photos are pretty self-explanatory. They are a visual representation of a person, place, or item. The question is, when should they be used on your posts for the best impact? For example, a photo is a great way to capture your audience's attention and draw them in if you are posting about a place you have visited or a particular food. This may help you to attract viewers that normally may not read the post because they are more visual. A photo could also be beneficial in the opposite scenario; your post is describing something abstract or perhaps an interaction you had. There may not be a need for a graphic or photo, but you could find a photo that relates to it and adds depth to your post.
Graphics
Graphics are very helpful for many types of posts. They are beneficial for showing statistics, information, or lists when you are describing more technical aspects of your business. They are also great for times when you just want to add a little fun to your page by making an announcement pop. Graphics, like photos, can also be used as an example of something you describe, such as a prototype or design of an upcoming item or idea.
Photos and Graphics Combined
Some posts for your business may require a combination of photos and graphics. This may mean adding both items to a single post, such as a statistic graphic as well as a photo representation of the item in question. Additionally, you may want to include a photo of a specific item you are launching as well as a graphic of the launch date and time or the price of the item. Other posts may require editing a photo to include graphics or type. This may be a photo of an item with the name of that item included directly on the photo, a photo of your business that includes hours or a telephone number, or perhaps services listed on a photo of something you have cleaned, created or repaired. When you are unsure of what to post for your business on a particular day, you may choose a very popular version of a photo/graphic combination: a meme!
Keeping your content consistent is important, but ensuring that your posts have some variety will create interest for potential followers. Also, your current followers are all different and may enjoy different types of content. Try switching up your posts with several of these ideas and see how they are reflected in your analytics. You may find that your audience prefers photos rather than graphics or vice versa.
