Everyone loves a good GIF to make you laugh in the middle of a chaotic day. GIFS are not only fun and creative, but they are also a great addition to your social media marketing strategy.
Making a GIF is easy as 1, 2, 3.
Think of a topic that resonates with your target audience, and tell a story through a short video clip, added text, etc. When you are creating a GIF for marketing purposes, you will not want your GIF to be longer than 2-6 seconds. They are intended to be short, fun and easy to digest. There are many apps that you can use to help you make GIFS such as GIPHY and GifBoom.
Before deciding on what you would like your GIF to be, you will want to decide on one of the many ways you can show your target audience what you have to offer. The secret is to create a GIF that will provoke emotions such as happiness, nostalgia, love, etc. The goal is to build a connection with your audience, and to get your viewers to click through to your profile and website. Ultimately, you want your viewers to convert into customers.
For example, if you are a brand that is selling a product, you will want to use a GIF that will show viewers the satisfaction a customer receives from using your product. If, however, you are selling an experience or a service, you might use a GIF that shows the excitement of a person using that service and having that experience for the first time. The sky is the limit when it comes to using GIFs in your social media marketing strategy!
Caution: BE AWARE OF COPYRIGHT LAWS
If you decide to us someone else's videos to create your GIF, you should make sure your gift is not only easily understood and relatable, but also follows copyright laws. We suggest using your own video clips and photos to create GIFs that highlight your brand and business.
Now that you know the importance of implementing GIFs into your social media marketing strategy, here are five specific reasons why you should be using them starting in 2021.
Promote a Product, Service or Event
Using GIFs to market your product, service or event will allow you to show off the kind of details that will entice your target audience to shop and buy. It also gives your audience a chance to learn more about your product, service or event without breaking the bank. People are becoming less trusting of traditional advertising, forcing brands to turn to GIFs to promote their items, events, etc.
Increase Audience Retention
Nowadays, consumers have so much information to process. Brands are constantly promoting a product or service, which makes it extremely overwhelming for the consumer. It is easier for people to consume information in a visual form. In fact, consumers are more likely to skim through the text to prevent information overload. This is why social media marketers have turned to visual content such as GIFs to convey a brand's message.
Showcase the Brand Personality
Your brand personality should be present in all of your social media campaigns because it shows consumers that you are a business that is focused on providing a positive experience. It also adds a human touch, which makes it easy for consumers to relate to you. When you add animated images to your social media marketing strategy, you are creating a charismatic communication strategy, and engaging your audience. To ensure that you are getting the most out of your campaign, ensure that you are using a GIF that will enhance the right visual stimulation. Consider the fonts, color palettes, and images before publishing a GIF to your intended audience.
Tell a Story or Explain a Process/Product
GIFs are easy to digest compared to other social media marketing materials. This makes it easy for brands to tell a story more effectively. In less than a minute, you are able to provoke an emotion through the correct messaging. For example, you can teach your audience how to use your product by using a GIF and saving time on having to respond to every customer inquiry. Sometimes, it is easier to explain instructions through visual representation.
Involve your Audience
User Generated Content is becoming increasingly popular and influential. UGC is defined as any type of content that is provided by a brand's users and consumers. It is an excellent way to promote your brand and it only requires minimal effort. It takes less time and resources, while also encouraging your consumers to trust you. Similar to a customer review, UGC adds an element of trust between the brand the target audience.
