How inspirational images can improve sales for your brand

Inspirational imagery is more than just the beautiful photos that stand out on your Instagram feed. They are now part of the process of brand building and a method of discovery that can improve your brand’s sales. What was once looked at as an afterthought in communicating products and services is now one of the most powerful tools that brands have to sell themselves to the masses.

It is not enough to go viral

The most successful brands are the ones that tell their stories and build a relationship with their consumers. Research suggests that they activate our brains in ways simple pieces of information cannot, evoking sensory reactions and allowing us to better empathize with those around us. Today, the most popular method of communication is through imagery – not the written word. In fact, 44% of social media users are more likely to engage with visual brands. This study by MDG Advertising shows just how powerful images can be in boosting several aspects of your digital presence.

However, with so much content in the digital space, it can be difficult to hold consumers’ attention (or even just get noticed). With the multitude of social media platforms available, like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, most people can hardly keep up with their own feeds, let alone engage with your brand. Visual storytelling brands keep up by creating quality imagery that engages their users to build an audience. It is not enough to go viral – you must have an audience invested and interested in what your brand has to tell.

Authentic and on-brand content is key

We have begun to observe a large shift from traditional methods of digital advertising to more content advertising. Traditionally, digital ads have been placed along the margins of a website or have been otherwise intrusive to the user experience (e.g. mobile ad banners or video ads played before YouTube content). Now, however, brands are integrating their ads in our native feeds in the form of content.

Instagram is one of the largest platforms for this form of advertising, which is why there has become such a large focus on building a visual identity for brands. When 45.6% of Instagram users in the US are more likely to remember your brand on Instagram over your television commercial (source), you can see the influence that visual storytelling through imagery plays in how consumers engage your brand. This is why using authentic and on-brand content is key to improving your sales as a brand.

How brands can define their visual identity

Instagram has been one of the biggest catalysts of change in the brand photography industry. The flood of high quality photography and videography has changed the perception of consumers as to what is considered high-quality. Authentic and original content has become a necessity to maintaining a brand’s positive public perception. Due in part to this, we as consumers have also become exceptional at picking and screening out inauthentic and stock-style photography. This has spurred the photo tech market to find reliable and scalable alternatives to traditional stock or expensive photo shoots.

FlashStock is one of these alternatives to the established models, creating authentic and original imagery using a co-creation model. FlashStock creates imagery on-demand, according to the brands’ demands, leveraging a global network of photographers. This opens new possibilities for the kinds of imagery that brands can create and share – including localized and multi-market content, all created at scale.

FlashStock is also hosting a webinar! On April 23rd at noon EST, CEO Grant Munro is will be speaking about building a winning Instagram marketing strategy. He will highlight how brands define their visual identity (and how they create great imagery at scale) by engaging in case studies and outlining best practices. Click here to learn more and register.

Photo by bichxa