There is a reason this old adage stood the test of time; people would rather “see it” than hear you “say it.” You can blame it on laziness, but we choose to think that this is driven by the fact that the very nature of a picture sparks a visceral reaction amongst us all. It can make us feel. Joy. Empathy. Desire. Compassion. Need. You name the emotion; an image has the power to draw that out of each and everyone one of us. That alone may be the reason we continue to see brands distributing image focused content.
This week’s Weekly Reads looks at brands that are successfully navigating the shutter-stop-focused social word and tweaks Twitter is testing to take advantage of this content, as well as the top five tips for businesses on Instagram.
And since we are in the Valentine’s day mood, there’s a fun read about Facebook’s ability to predict break-ups, hook-ups and the best U.S. city in which to find love: Spoiler alert… it’s here in Colorado!
Instagram Blog: Tools and Tips to Help Marketers Inspire and Engage on Instagram
Instagram recently released a book profiling 11 brands that post some of the most engaging image content on their platform. While the book can be hard to find, they are going to post featured matter on their blog over the next few weeks, starting with five tips for brands to create better visual content. If you’re looking for a quick read on how to up your Instagram and image game, this is a great start.
Entrepreneur: Target to Collaborate With Top Pinterest Users on Party Collections
Hiring a celebrity to endorse your product is nothing new. But Target and a few select brands are helping to not only redefine this paradigm but also what defines a “celebrity” This quick case study is an excellent reminder about the power of images and influencers.
Mashable: Twitter Testing Major Profile Redesign That Looks a Lot Like Facebook
In case you thought the popularity of the social picture was just a fad, Twitter is quietly testing an entirely new profile and platform layout that places a much larger emphasis on photos and content cards. Start planning now, fellow marketers.
Econsultancy: How Nordstrom uses Facebook, Twitter and Google+
If content is king, focused content is the ruling emperor. Powerful, effective, purposeful and results driven, Nordstrom’s focused image- and ecommerce-driven content has them reaping the rewards of owning their message and knowing their customers.
The Verge: Facebook Knows When You’ll Fall in Love… and When You’ll Break Up
In the spirit of this time focused on Cupid and cupcakes, we thought this latest Facebook data study on relationships was particularly interesting considering its Colorado-relevant results. While this makes for a light read, it’s a great example of the vast amount of data that exists and should have you considering just how you are using it in your marketing.
What GFM Blogged About This Week…
Blurred Lines: The Branded Content Debate
The Death of A+B=C Marketing
People Matter; So Does Social Media
Downton Abbey Edwardian Inspiration for Communicators
