“A picture is worth a thousand words.” It’s a saying that we’ve heard several times before. The notion that a single image can accurately capture or complement the meaning of a much larger mass of words is not only true, but also a key principle in successful modern advertising.
And aside from being an impactful mode of communication, visuals can also be outfitted to a variety of forms and media, making them a versatile tool in marketing.
For businesses seeking to increase viewership of their brand and products, here are 5 ways to incorporate visuals into your marketing campaigns.
1. Videos
Think of a standard advertisement. Odds are that most people would imagine some sort of commercial popping up on TV or YouTube. Commercials are a long-standing form of advertising that uses visuals to showcase a product or service.
The popularity of commercials stem from their use of video as a medium; as opposed to writing, where audiences have to engage with the text to understand an advertisement, videos and commercials present visuals and text to audiences in a much more relaxed manner.
As a result, video has become a default form of advertising for many businesses that seek to incorporate visuals into their marketing.
2. Photos
Concerning visuals, simple photos and images are by far the most basic, but still incredibly versatile. The problem with purely text-based advertising is that consumers are not as easily interested by a wall of words.
The power of pictures comes in handy in situations like this. Popping a few relevant images into otherwise word-filled spaces can give audiences a sense of what is being advertised while also more effectively gaining their attention.
On the other hand, pictures can also be a centerpiece instead of a supporting detail. A well-taken picture of a product with a snappy description can generate intrigue about a brand or business.
3. Infographics
Aside from capturing ideas or descriptions, visuals can also be helpful in expressing more technical information, like statistics. Infographics and data table represent a specific sect of visuals dedicated to presenting information in an eye-catching manner.
When reporting data to consumers, infographics can handily showcase the merits of a product (and the downfalls of rivals) with accessible and attention-holding visuals.
4. Interviews
An extension of commercials and videos, interviews of other consumers can be a smart tactic in visual marketing. Showing a picture or video of someone testifying for a certain product can be powerful strategy for businesses looking to spread brand awareness.
Including another consumer’s face and testimonial communicates to potential consumers a certain level of ethos on the part of the producer and encourages consumers to buy. In addition, the use of a visual medium like a video or image helps keep the attention of possible customers.
5. Shareability
The final virtue of visual marketing resounds now more than ever in our age of increasing technology and connectedness: social media presence.
With so many social platforms at our fingertips and brand visibility around every corner, businesses would be wise to migrate their advertising to these spaces. But how can companies capitalize on these ultra-visible marketing spaces?
Visuals are key. As opposed to writing, visual advertising is attention-catching, brief, informative, and easily shareable, making them perfectly versatile in a social media space.
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