Everyone has a message they want heard when they hit the submit button on any of the social media platforms, but how is it that some people get far more exposure than others? The answer is in the image. Vero Resources said campaigns with images had a 42% higher click-through rate than campaigns without images.

It’s important to know that pictures found online are not readily available for everyone to use. It’s imperative to find graphics using a company that offers royalty free images such as Pixabay or Unsplash. Both offer easy to use search features and a wealth of images that can be used without having to pay for the individual image.

All contents are released under the Pixabay License, which makes them safe to use without asking for permission or giving credit to the artist - even for commercial purposes. Unsplash, like Pixabay does not require permission or credit going to the artist.

An image alone is not enough to make a social media post stand out in a meaningful way. Graphic design website and applications (apps) have become a game changing option for people wishing to make outstanding social media graphics such as Adobe Spark and Canva. Both applications offer a limited free version and a paid option with enhanced benefits. Each program is user friendly with drag and drop features that allow users to combine text and graphics for an eye-popping outcome.

Another important feature in achieving visibility in the digital age is knowing the correct size depending on which social media platform being used. Whether the post is made on Facebook with an average size of 1200 x 900 pixels, or Instagram with an average size of 1080 x 1080, it’s vital to utilize the right size for maximum potential.

A call to action feature enhances the engagement process across all platforms. Adding specific actionable items provides the potential to encourage a reader to perform the call to action visible on the post’s image.  At every stage of social media marketing strategy, conversion to engagement should be the ideal outcome. Creating an effective call to action items on social media means understanding the platform being used and working within the specific platform’s boundaries. Think about the language used, and the goals of the posts and overall, for the campaigns. Who will benefit from the product, and what would help them make the right choice?

While many programs exist to help with social media visibility, cost can be reduced by using free programs to enhance a post through graphics with a visual message that encourages engagement.