Using Visual Social Media toIgnite Imagination and

Build CommunityMeredith Gould

@meredithgould

We’re focusing on…

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Engaging online audiences with images using:

With a nod toward: Visual story telling!20112010

20132011as Picaboo 2015

Also focusing on…

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Easy-to-use design platforms:

With a nod toward:

Visual Social Media

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Visual: Users post images – art, photography, GIFs, videos.

Social: Viewers may post and respond to comments.

And work because they: Remove language barriers Boost engagement Fast impressions and visceral connection Start conversations

Success depends on… Thinking visually about goal(s) and message(s) Consistent branding across all profiles Engaging a few key participants Generating audience Tagging with keywords/hashtags Pacing posts

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Start with strategy!

Types of images include:

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Photo (static image) Quotes GIFs (animated looped image)* Meme (humorous image w/text that’s copied

and spreads swiftly)* Infographic (chart/diagram to show info)*

*Advanced applications!

About Pinterest

For collecting and organizing images For projects, event planning, inspiration, wish

lists – for visions More transactional than relational Primarily used by women “Pins” more durable than tweets or posts Personal Profile and Business Page options

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Do not obsess about…

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Getting lots of comments Racking up repins and s

Do focus on… Adding “Pin It” buttons to your

website Tactical cross-posting Tags Inviting people to “pin” to boards

Tips for winning Pinterest…

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Create a strong profile Use keywords to enhance searchability Add “pin it” buttons to your website Set up a variety of boards Create group boards Create images with text overlay

http://pinstamatic.com/ http://pinwords.com

More tips for winning Pinterest…

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Use search to review how similar organizations use Pinterest (“pinners,” “boards”) Create board descriptions with keywords Craft great captions for pins, include links Publicize via other platforms Pins shared on FB personal profiles only

(Maybe) pin videos and/or GIFs Use “rich pins” [business accounts, metatags] Build community by sharing and “re-pinning”

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About Instagram

“Like having a darkroom in your phone!” Still and video options Instagram Direct allows text/video;

individual/group messages Easily integrates with other social media Now allows easy toggling between accounts

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Tips for winning Instagram…

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Create a clear profile w/URL Use lots of hashtags (#) Craft great captions (Maybe)Add geo-location Use filters that work well visually Cross-post to strategically Pin images to Pinterest Follow who you want to reach Make it fun as well as illuminating

Instagram Apps/Tools…

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IconoSQUARE: get to Instagram via computer; analytics

Layout: collage

Instatag: tag with popular hashtags

InstaQuote: add text

Use what works, ditch what doesn’t

About video…

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Challenges:Quality Length Interest Strategy!

6.5 seconds 15 seconds

1 to 10 secondsthen gone!

Note: IG, Vine, Snapchat are also messaging platforms.

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Where is your audience? Are you comfy with the platform?

And…

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Image editing...

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www.canva.com www.ribbet.com

www.picmarkr.com

https://snappa.io/app

Crop and fix; add filters and text to images

Add a watermark

Free stock photos . . .

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Picjumbo: http://picjumbo.comPixabay: http://pixabay.comFlickr Creative Commons:

https://www.flickr.com/creativecommonsSnappa: https://snappa.io/

Google it! “Free stock photos”

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Questions?

You’re invited to contact me… Website: www.meredithgould.com Twitter: @meredithgould LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/meredithgould