Posting Photos for Success on Social Media

Posting a photo with your social post will nearly always create more user engagement. Your chances of getting liked, shared, or retweeted increases dramatically.

Do I Need a Professional Photographer?

Using a professional photographer for your website is always recommended. When posting on social it is not always cost effective, timely, or as important. Of course, there are exceptions but for the most part your smart phone will perform well.

All photographs should be well lit and composed properly. Your brand should be shown in a beneficial manner. When not using a professional or stock images you must always be aware of what is in your background. Your photos are representing your business and not your lifestyle.

 

Is my Smartphone OK to Post With on Social Media?

Yes, any newer iPhone or Android style phone is more than adequate to post random or casual shots with. The quality of cameras on these phones is greater than what most mid-range point and shoots were a year ago. Smart phones also give you extreme flexibility for posting on the go or editing in a coffee shop, etc.

There are many software applications to adjust, crop, and stylize your photos with before posting to a social network. The rule should be — just to find one you're comfortable with and learn to use it proficiently. Make your photos look real and relevant. Funky angles, over-saturation, dimly lit, blurred or shaky images represent a degree of amateurism and will not represent your brand well.

Tagging

In almost all cases it is beneficial to tag people and companies in your posts. Tagging people or companies relevant to the post you are creating will notify their followers about the recent activity. This will create a higher reach for you and for them. This is a win-win for all and what the essence of social networking is all about.

If for some reason, someone declines to be photographed or tagged you should oblige by their wish. In some instances that person may be asked if they could be the photographer and let you be included in a post that you would otherwise not be included in.

Adding Text to Your Images

Unless you are creating a meme, you should keep any text overlays to a minimum. Let the image speak for itself. Utilizing 20% or less text over the image is a standard amount.

If your company uses text overlays on an image you may encounter issues getting your post approved on Facebook advertising campaigns. Facebook allows minimal texts on images but there is some speculation that those images are penalized during the bidding process.

Posting Photos Using Social Media Etiquette

Here are a few quick etiquette tips when posting to social, especially on a company account.

• Don't post an image if the subjects on that image don't want to be included in the post.
• Don't post images containing people who are eating or drinking.
• If you're at an outdoor event be aware of the background scenes.
  • Beware of outdoor toilets
  • People consuming adult beverages
  • Bright backgrounds that will silhouette your subject


• Don't post content with trade secrets or documents exposed
• Don't post photos with your smart phone turned on. Doing so can reveal your most used and trusted apps, giving a competitor an insight into your business.