We walked through the basics of social media in “Welcome to Social Media 101” and hit on the importance of visual content to a successful, engaging plan. (You can read that #StrategySession here.)

We’re going to dive more into the importance of visuals, beginning with images. (Check back soon for separate discussions on infographics and videos.)

Why does visual content get better results on social media?

The answer is rooted both in science and common sense.

Think about your own social media habits. As you scroll through your feed, what stops you? We bet it’s typically an image.

Science has shown that 65% of us are visual learners.

Color images will hold a person’s attention for 2+ seconds, with black and white images holding attention for approximately 2/3rds of a second.

The power of images
Images increase engagement.

Using an image in a Facebook post can lead to 2.3 times more engagement. Articles that include images have been shown to get 94% more views. Those with images every 75-100 words receive double the shares.

Even more powerful? Using original images over stock photography.

Are you limited to “just” photos?
No.

Images can be photography, of course, but don’t forget about charts, infographics, and videos. All of these visual content ideas can catch peoples’ eyes and help deliver your message in a memorable way.

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