A picture is worth a thousand words - sure, BUT...
A picture is worth a thousand words - sure, BUT…
…don’t assume your audience knows which words you want it to mean.
I hear that phrase ALL THE TIME the moment I get into a conversation about being a photographer.
And yes, they’re right - a stunning and compelling visual does create a story unto itself.
That’s awesome…
But, here’s the thing:
When you’re communicating your value proposition and creating distinction from other experts in your space through your intentionally curated, online content, it needs to hit the mark.
Every single time.
You have to hold your audience's hand the moment they come across your piece of content until they follow through on the CTA.
As a result, eliminate potential confusion by including context alongside your visuals.
If you don’t, that leaves your audience with no choice but to form their own conclusions, which is a dicey dicey proposition.
Sure, they may get your reasoning behind why you shared that photo with them in the first place, and that draws them deeper into learning more about you.
That would be magical…
Or, they take it to a completely different place - a place that has no bearing on how you can solve their problems and improve their lives.
No bueno, folks.
When it comes to the visual assets you share to promote your business, brand and services, think of them as complimentary pieces to the stories you share with those you serve, and not as a standalone asset.
Their job is to punctuate the sentiment of those stories through the emotion these images convey specifically through your facial expression, body language and body posture.
By leveraging the power of complimenting your stories with visuals, you’re creating more impactful content that opens up the possibility to draw more eyeballs on your various products and services.
And that results in maximizing the value of your investment in the photos.
Besides, who posts photos without any stories connected to them? Experts that don’t know any better.
Well, now you know, so you no longer have any excuses :)
For more information on visual storytelling strategies for experts who speak, write books, facilitate, run workshops and consult, I invite you to sign up for my blog. That’s where I share the goodies - check it out for yourself :)