It’s easy to think that you don’t really need images in your business. A logo, maybe some headshots or product photos and that’s about it, right? The truth is, images can be a powerful force in your marketing, bringing you more engagement, shares and website visits, making you more memorable and ultimately getting you more sales.
No matter how well your text is written it takes time to read it and we need to accept that most people may not take that time. They will see your images, though and the human brain is designed to process images very quickly. In milliseconds your image can spark an emotion in the viewer, conveying your message without you saying a word. A series of images can build a narrative, giving a glimpse into another world and starting to form a connection with your audience. Customers see themselves reflected in your images, or wish they did, and those images resonate on a deeper level. All of this draws them in, enticing them to read your text and click that buy now button.
You do need the right images though. We can all recognise stock photographs, the business woman with the fake smile or the standard prop with a plain background. The images you use need to be high resolution, in focus, well lit, unique to you and (most importantly) packed full of personality. The right images are a direct route for your audience to form a personal connection with you and your brand, they are instantly recognisable and will represent you on all social media platforms, on your website and every time someone shares a link. Stock images can’t do that.
Have a look at this stock image. It’s inoffensive and breaks up the page but it doesn’t really tell us anything about the business. It can’t, it’s been designed to appeal to as many people as possible.
Now look at this picture, it immediately makes you warm to the subject. You feel like you’re getting to know her, certainly you’d feel a bit more comfortable arranging a meeting now that you could picture the person you’d be seeing. An image like this makes you real to your readers and gives you credibility. If you need a few more personal images for your social media and website I would love to hear from you, just contact me and we can chat about the options.
