Developing an enticing social media profile can be difficult work, but there are sound ways to do it. One of the simplest measures is to make it visually appealing to consumers — give them something they want to regularly visit. Here are some simple ways to promote your social media presence and improve the look of your profiles, whether you’re sharing content through affiliate marketing or regularly posting social ads.
1. Develop a Personal Theme
If you want to get the most out of your profile, you need to create a profile that has an aesthetic: You need a personal brand image that stands out from the rest of the crowd while staying unique to your company. The most important characteristic here is to follow a visual strategy — one that is developed using your company’s brand guidelines.
This includes knowing the aesthetic of your audience, the color palette of your company, the types of visuals that fit your brand, the themes related to your mission statement, and the significance of what you do relative to your audience. This plan is imperative to having a succinct style that is present on your company’s social media profile. For instance, if you’re a men’s outerwear company that caters to veterans, you’re going to want an aesthetic that is masculine and woodsy and which has a gunmetal sheen to it, not one that appears lighthearted, carefree, and whimsical.
2. Make Content that Stands Out
What is it that makes content pop? There are basic tenets that should be followed when developing art for a campaign. If you’re unaware of them, you should consider consulting a graphic designer or artist. The few key basics you want present in your photos include:
- An easily identifiable subject
- A color palette that is clear and crisp — not washed out or muddy
- Natural lighting for an honest, lively look
- Simplicity to ensure a viewer sees all separate elements immediately
- Editing to make the photo professional but not too much to where it’s noticeable
- Focus on images over text
When it comes to posting visually appealing photos, what people want to see are subjects, not text — which is true except for memes. Use text sparingly; instead, rely on photography and digital art to convey emotion, allowing users to visually appreciate a piece of content as is. If you do use text on a photo, there are some key rules of thumb you need to follow:
- Triple-check your grammar and spelling
- Use contrast between the text and background of 4.5:1
- Pick your fonts wisely
- Consider word placement and line adjustment
Most of all, remember that text should never be used in place of an image. Say what you want to say with an image. Remember: Images speak louder than words.
3. Brand Where You Can — Make It Known Whose Content It Is
Context matters when it comes to social media. It’s easy to share posts from one user to the next until the original poster becomes unknown. Don’t let this happen. Consider throwing your brand logo onto whatever content you create, even if it’s a small logo placed in the corner. It allows your photo to be easily identifiable, which can potentially lead consumers back to your brand. This is especially important regarding affiliate marketing 101, where your content will be promoted by an affiliate brand or influencer. Rather than running the risk of losing your content in the fray, make sure your name remains where it should.
4. Be Creative, Get Unique
Don’t be afraid to try out something new. Better yet, don’t be afraid to do something different from your competitors and industry. If you think it would be a good idea to produce funky graphic design work for your company’s Instagram, in an industry driven by sterile, neutral companies, go for it!
The only thing holding you back from trying something new is a level of confidence. And if you’re not confident in the idea, don’t run with it. Trust your instincts and don’t be afraid to do something out of the ordinary to get the attention of the types of customers you want to attract.
5. Appeal to Your Audience
Your social media profile should be an extension of your business. If you want to get the attention of your intended audience, put in the work to make your profile appealing to them. If you’re not sure where to start, don’t hesitate to reach out to the staff at Refersion for guidance.
