Everyone knows that social media content has become about visual marketing. People scroll, click and switch apps so fast, a brand often only has seconds to make an impact. The brain processes visuals 60,000 times faster than it does text, so it is only natural to use visuals to attract people to your content to increase sharing. Sharing drives engagement, clicks and conversions. In fact, content with images gets 94 percent more views than content without.  Before you get started, get to know your audience, always keep your strategy in mind, and develop relevant content that meets their needs.

Here are a few fun ways to use visual marketing to drive engagement.

1. Short-form Video

You may not get much engagement from a twenty-minute video, but try some short video clips on Instagram, Vine and Facebook. Show your audience how your product can change their lives in 15 seconds. Give them a peak at how your product is made, show off your company culture, or give them some tips and tricks. You already spent the money on a twenty-minute video? Don’t be afraid to cut it down into short clips to share on appropriate networks. Make the most of your assets.

2. Don’t underestimate the power of SlideShare

SlideShare is owned by LinkedIn, so you will find the same audience. The majority of the content on SlideShare is in presentation format, but you will also find video and infographics. Use SlideShare to repurpose blog content into a visual presentation and promote it (using the visuals) on your social networks. Confused about SlideShare? Try these best practices when publishing on SlideShare for the first time.

3. Create shareable blog Images for every post

Carbonite blog image for social networks (Client)

Be sure that all custom blog images include your blog title and logo, and use it to promote your blog on all of you your social networks. You can also get a little crazy by taking quotes from your blog post, creating visuals and using them as blog promotion. The important thing to remember when creating visuals to share on social platforms is that one size does not fit all. Use the Ultimate Guide to Social Media Image Sizes to ensure your visuals make the biggest impact possible

4. Animated GIFs aren’t just for cats

Animated GIFs are very short clips of looped images. They fit somewhere between images and videos, and are a great attention-getting way to show off your brand personality. GIFs are often used to convey humor, showcasing cats, babies and celebrities. Think outside the box a little, and use them for simple tutorials, to show how your product is made or to give your audience a glimpse of your service in action.  Keep it classy, and be sure to use your own images when creating an animated GIF.

5. Infographics still generate engagement

PAN Communications –  Blog post containing infographic, posted on social networks

Infographics still capture attention and encourage action. Blog posts with infographics will generate more traffic than a text post, and since they are typically branded, will drive traffic back to your website. Infographics can increase website traffic by 12 percent. Remember that a great infographic tells a story your audience cares about, and only as good as the content.

Visuals come in many packages, but they only help with engagement when used properly.

Before diving in, ask a few simple questions. Who is your target audience? What kind of content will appeal to them? Is the content appropriate for your social channels? Do you have an integrated strategy mapped out? Going through a quick checklist will prevent content that falls flat with your audience, but be flexible, have fun and never hesitate to try something new.