Tips for Using Images Effectively in Social Media

Are you like many travel pros who have fam trip photos languishing on their hard drives or in their offices?  

Imagine making the most of these photos in your social posts, blog and e-blasts.  Here are a few ideas and tips.

Facebook photos and albums
Use your fam trip snapshots to create impressive photo albums on Facebook that showcase your niche market.

Catherine Heeg

To maximize the impact, add a catchy album title that’s no longer than 25 characters. Then, in the description of each photo album, include a link to a related page on your website.

The next tactic, one that many people skip, is to add a keyword-rich description to each and every photo in your Facebook albums.

Other image ideas for Facebook including creating a collage for your cover photo and posting an inspirational quote using one of your travel photos.

Blog photos
Hidden marketing opportunities lie in the image description box on your blog. Most importantly, ensure that the hidden URL directs readers back to your website.  

This image shows how to set that up in the back end of your blog. Tip: Be sure to complete the title box and URL. 

Use text to inspire
One way to seize and hold the attention of your readers is by adding text to your photos. Use the text to inspire, add humor, provide your contact information or promote a destination, tour or resort.

Adding text to photos also increases their virality in social media.

Here are some examples of images with text that I invite you to download and use for free.

Enhance your images
There are a number of free tools for creating graphics to give your photo posts a professional look, including Canva.com and PicMonkey.com. I find these tools have more flexibility than many other camera-based tools as you can change the font, color and boldness.

You can create photo pizzazz that captures attention by using effects like softening, edge effects, sepia, eye-catching borders, artsy camera looks and colors.

Overlays, texture and touch-ups are also available. You can use these photo-enhancing techniques to create stunning images that will be shared by your Pinterest and Facebook fans.

Use the resize tool to add visual appeal by lengthening photos to as wide as 4,500 pixels. Research has shown that on Pinterest long pins are shared more often.

You might also want to create uniquely shaped photos, such as circular and octagonal images.

Finally, make sure that all of your pins include a description as well as a link to your website or Facebook page for more information and booking opportunities.

As travel and tourism pros we constantly strive to engage, enlighten and entertain with compelling content. These tools create a tempest of virality. Leverage your assets and be remarkable in the eyes of clients and potential clients.

Catherine Heeg is president of Customized Management Solutions. An international speaker and trainer, she delivers interactive social media, marketing and communication workshops and webinars for clients in the travel industry. Connect with her at http://www.cmsspeaking.com/contact.php and socially: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn,  Google+ and Pinterest.