Humans are visual beings. The brain has millions of neurons that respond to visual cues and carry signals to the brain. This provides marketers a phenomenal opportunity to tap into the power of visual marketing and design to boost engagement and sales.
Let’s dive in and look at the most effective techniques and tools for social media.
Which design apps are best?
With the right apps, you can still create professional-looking images and visual content – even without formal training or qualifications. Here are some of our favorites.
1. Graphic design
There are numerous graphic design tools out there, and many of them are free. When choosing one, it’s important to consider how easy they are to use and the features they offer.
Tools like SNAPPA and PicMonkey are becoming increasingly popular because of their easy-to-use interface.
These apps offer a selection of templates that can be used on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and other major platforms. They can also help you make images for ads, cover photos, posts, and more.
2. Logo builders
If you don’t have a logo on your social media accounts yet, you could be missing out on a chance to build better brand recognition and boost customer loyalty.
Using a consistent and recognizable logo on all social media accounts helps build your brand’s identity. For a logo you can use on all your platforms, you can use a free online tool like LogoCreator.
3. Picture editing
If you want to make your images more unique, image editing and graphic design apps are a great tool to use. Tools like BeFunky can be edit photos using filters, templates, and collage builders.
In addition, if you need to resize your images, there are a number of free tools available to do this. Some popular desktop version options include Imageresize or PicResize.
4. Post Scheduling
With Sked Social, “auto-posting” actually means auto-posting — no more notifications to post at 6:42 PM on a Saturday. It streamlines your entire Instagram social media process.
The Planner is a perfect feature to help create consistency in how you want your IG feed to look, along with the simplicity to edit and move images, instantly providing the exact overall look!
Design tips for social media marketing
When you’re creating images for social media, it’s important to understand some key design principles. By applying these to your design work, you can create professional images that will drive results.
1. Using color
Many consumer decisions are based on snap judgements. Color makes a huge impact, as it can evoke different emotions in the viewer and change the way they view your brand.
For example, red and orange portray energy and urgency, while yellow is optimistic and youthful. Blue is viewed as calming and trustworthy, and black can show sleekness and professionalism.
2. Balance and symmetry
Balance is a key factor in the effectiveness of design work. This can be achieved in an image in four ways: symmetrical, asymmetrical, radial (spiral,) or crystallographic.
For illustrations, photos, graphics, and logos, balance can evoke a feeling of harmony and demonstrate higher levels of trustworthiness in a brand – so it needs to be used wisely!
3. Types of fonts
Selecting the right fonts for infographics, quotes, and other text can tie your images and words together seamlessly and bring your social media content to life.
This element has a big impact on how your design is viewed by the audience and can send different messages. Pick a font that compliments your other design work, while limiting it to a maximum of 3 different fonts. Be sure to pick a size that fits well on the platform.
Final thoughts
If you’ve dabbled in design work, you already know it can be time-consuming and tough to get right.
But with powerful tools, the best design apps, and the right knowledge, you can create awesome visual content that will raise your social media game to the next level.
This guest post was written for Pixaura by Eileen Marks, a passionate freelance writer who loves covering topics such as entrepreneurship, brand design and digital marketing. She has worked for boutique agencies as well as startups wearing many different hats. In her free time you can find her either beaching it or working on new guitar riffs.