Have you ever found yourself in the headspace of just putting out content for the sake of it?

I know I definitely have.

Sometimes just continuing in the ongoing cycle of realising at 5pm that you have to post, whipping up a caption and slapping a pretty photo from your camera roll onto it and calling it a day can be DRAINING! It can even make you feel like you’re just doing the same as everyone else and have you questioning what sets your business apart.

Well, I can tell you right now the one thing that sets your business apart from everyone else’s is YOU!

As entrepreneurs, images are our best friend when it comes to content creation - they can help anyone who writes content to visualise your story and pass that authenticity on to your aligned audience. Because remember, no one can represent your business better than you!

That’s why this week on the podcast we have the beautiful Jade (aka Hipster Mum) who is an absolute genius with anything to do with visuals in social media marketing - we talked about why visuals are so important, their benefits for your content, types of visual content and so much more!

If you want to check out our episode, click the link here - I can guarantee you’ll be able to take and apply some of her amazing tips to your own content, it’s definitely worth a listen.

So, let’s dive into everything about visual content and why it’s so important for your business!

What type of visuals make up the content in your business?

When we think visuals for social media, we automatically think ‘attention grabbing’, and while this is true - visuals are so much more AND can do so much more than what we initially think.

Visuals in your content can be anything from personal photos of you and your team to candid images throughout your business life that are more focussed and ‘in the zone’, all the way to graphics or infographics that give a more logistical approach - yet are engaging.

All of these pictures and visual aids allow you to completely express not only yourself but your business story as well and while pretty pictures can be good attention grabbers, your images can be used for so much more than that!

A picture is worth a thousand words, so make sure your images are saying what you want them to say!

Why are visuals so important?

People don’t always buy products or services. They buy… you! You are your unique point of difference! You are infinitely intriguing. You are never replaceable or repeatable. I can never get enough of… YOU. If you want to sell your product or service, you need to be telling your story. How? You tell your story through pictures! Through photos! Through video. That is why social media is so popular and powerful!

So it’s time to show up!

Stock images or visuals with little to no substance will only get you so far. Remember when I discussed the problems with simply ticking the content boxes in your business? (if you don’t know what I’m talking about, you can read last week's blog or listen to last week's podcast here) Well, if you are solely using random ‘pretty’ photos this is exactly what you’re doing.

You need these images to sell for you, at the end of the day that’s what we market for! The avenues to get visual content out there are endless, so whether you are posting on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, or even LinkedIn - use the visuals to your advantage and draw that target audience in with substance!

What does a branding shoot look like?

So what is the best way to stock up on images for your brand to save time later down the track?

A branding shoot of course!

A branding shoot is a great way to bank images of yourself, your team, and what you get up to in your business that saves SO much time down the track. But what do you need to do in a branding shoot? Here are some key points to make note of before you jump into a shoot:

Take a friend along with you to help you get those perfect shots, they can give you some advice on the best angles and really help you tell your story

Make sure you envision what you want to capture and bring those to life, a plan of attack is the best way to make the most out of the time you have

Have your makeup and hair done (this is a professional shoot after all)

Save every image you take and take a lot! This way you won't have to retake any photos for at least 6 months (or more) and can keep repurposing!

What do you need to know about booking a photoshoot?

If you don’t want to conduct your own branding photoshoot, you can always book a professional one!

You won’t need to plan your location, however, there are other things you need to think about when going into the shoot. Having a clear plan before the day is super important to work quickly, efficiently and get the best version of yourself across, make the most of your time and get those candid pics!

Not only is it important to get the best version of yourself but it’s also super helpful to KNOW YOUR STORY and how best to communicate your touchpoints to your clients

What kind of image do you want?
How many variations do you want?
What backgrounds do you want to use?
How do you want your clients to view you?

Although you can do as many branded shoots as you like, they do take some effort so remember that photos happen quickly so plan, plan and plan some more to get the best shots possible and use your time wisely (don’t worry people like Jade are here to help you)!

What does the day of a photoshoot look like?

You’ve planned and visualised what you want, so have faith and invest in your plan! Take the time to find images you already like and pull inspiration from this, never be afraid to communicate what you like and dislike about the images, and really turn them around to make them solely yours. What is it about that photo that you love? What do you not love? Be a scrutinizer!

You dictate the shoot! You can get as many branding shoots in a year you want, but a photographer should give you as many images as you need to last you a long time. So take this information and run with it, showcase the best side of your business and have fun!

Can you do your own branding shoots? The tips!

BUT if you’re the type of person that is ready to tackle your own branding shoot - here are our top tips for getting the highest quality shots you can!

Natural light is actually good but you only have a small window
Be near the window (1.5m from the window for the best lighting)
Bright walls work well
This amazon stand work well (to hold the phone)

Of course, hiring someone will get you a way better return on investment

What tools can you use to make visuals for your content and social media?

Once you have your photos down pat, what are the other visuals you can focus on and how do you make them stand out?

Canva is my number 1 choice. It is really the only editing app you need as an entrepreneur creating your own content, they allow you to edit on the go and create amazing visual designs!
Buy graphic template kits (Etsy has great ones). Even Hipster Mum has some coming soon!
Photo editing apps will save your life, and most of them are super easy to use. We personally like Lightroom but you can use any!

You know how much we love repurposing, so once you have assets and images you can use Canva (background remover) and create a whole new photo! Making your images worth so much more!

Final thoughts

Visuals can really make your business unique and set you apart from everyone else, they give you a chance to put a face behind your brand and show up for your target audience.

When you're thinking of adding more personal images to your brand remember to start a Google Drive of images that you can access whenever you need to post, this way you can see what pictures you need, what ones are the best for each post, and what needs to be updated all in one place - then you can plan your social media content with these in mind!

Don’t be afraid to book a branding shoot and turn up with a bunch of ideas of what you want, at the end of the day this branding shoot is all about your business and how you want it to be perceived by your clients - so communicate and speak up!

Oh, and if you’re looking for an amazing photographer, Hipster Mum is the way to go! Jade has so much experience and her visions are beautiful, if you want to check her out for your next shoot find her on Instagram @hipstermumsocial, you won’t regret it!

Keep in mind that your visuals are there to push your brand story and allow your target audience to connect with you on a personal level, so make the most of this opportunity and show up! It’ll be the best move your business can make.

Happy snapping!