Use these tips to select authentic stock photos that will enhance your business.
Top tips for choosing authentic and high quality stock images for your business
Businesses need quality visuals for their website, social media page, and digital marketing campaign in today's age of the internet. Stock photos add visual appeal to digital marketing initiatives without the expense of expensive photoshoots.
Not all royalty free stock photos is created equally. For your business to be unique in the sea of generic cheap stock pictures that is overused, choose images with high-quality and authenticity. The following are our tips for picking the best stock photography images for your business.
1. Be aware of your Branding and Message
You should have an idea about your brand, its personality, the voice it uses, what message you want to send, and who is going to be reading this. It will allow you to choose photos which are in line with the values of your brand and its message. They should also resonate well with your audience.
If your brand is about exploration and adventure, for example, you might want to include photos of people camping or hiking in nature. For example, if you want your brand to be about wellness and self care, use pictures of people doing yoga or eating healthy.
2. Use authentic and diverse photos
Stock images can be a turn-off to potential clients because they can seem unrealistic and staged. Select photos that show people in real-life situations and not overly staged or cliched images. This will make your primary feel more authentic.
As well, aim for inclusivity. Select images that show a range of age, ethnicity, gender, body shape, and ability. Not only is this the right thing to do, but it also helps your brand connect with a wider audience.
3. The Context and the Content
Consider where they'll be used when choosing your. Will they be used for social media, web banners or emails newsletters? Different content requires different images.
As an example, when creating a content-rich blog post, it's advisable to add photos to the article that show a well-organized workspace, such as calendars or clocks. If you're promoting a sale on your website, you may want to use photos of people shopping or holding shopping bags.
4. You should look for images that are high quality and have a higher resolution.
How professional and polished you want your marketing materials to look can be greatly affected by the resolution and quality of your good stock photography . The standard print resolution is 300 dpi, which means dots per inch. In digital materials like banners for websites and posts on social media, a lower resolution is acceptable. But you still want high-quality, clear images.
5. You can only use photos that are legally compliant
To avoid copyright violations and possible legal consequences, it's best to only use images that comply with the law. Some sites have free stock images but these often have restrictions or limitations.
If you want to avoid legal problems, use paid stock photo websites that provide a wide variety of photos and have clear rights and terms of usage. Shutterstock is a popular option, as are iStock and Getty Images. Alternately, you could hire a professional or commission exclusive photos of your brand.
6. Take a Measurement of Your Photographs
Lastly, don't be afraid to experiment and test different types of to see what resonates best with your audience. You can experiment with different subject matters and colors. Also, track the styles that generate most conversions and engagement.
You can also conduct A/B tests by using different photos in the same marketing materials and comparing their performance. You can use analytics to monitor metrics like bounce rates, click through rates and conversion rates.
You may find it difficult to select the perfect high resolution stock photography . However, by following our tips you can make sure that all of your marketing materials are visually appealing, authentic and legal. Stay true to your company's message and brand values, while testing and measuring what works well for your audience.
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