00:28
Faizan
I wanted to explore the impact of the images we use in our businesses and the effect of the images circulating on social media.
"A picture paints a thousand words" Frederick R. Barnard in 1921
I am bombarded these days by all sorts of images. Whether they are cute or horrific, they each make an emotional impact in their own way. For instance, I often feel manipulated when I discover that the 'today's earthquake disaster' photo going viral on social media, was actually taken 5 years earlier and sometimes even in another country. Archive photos of all sorts get re-used to demonstrate many different situations, and public emotions get swayed to and fro by the use of these images. If we aren't diligent we can become emotional puppets, being triggered by whatever someone else wants to show us and wants us to think. In the extreme this can lead to fear, lack of self-esteem, bullying and even to war.
This started me thinking about the images people use within their businesses and how people react to them. Would using images that give a definite, but inaccurate, impression draw customers or lose them in the long run? I am not talking here about the many images that can be found online which can enhance and show your business off to its best advantage - I am purely discussing the ones that give an inaccurate impression.
I also considered how the images that we, and our friends, put on social media might have an adverse effect, or otherwise, on our businesses.
These are the conclusions that came from these particular trains of thought.
1. Our Logos
Once people find a logo for their business they often stick with it. However, businesses change and sometimes go down paths that were unexpected, but the logo stays the same, and it can get to the point of not truly representing the current day business.
It's a good idea to have a look at our logo after a period of time and see if it still resonates with our business, especially if the business has changed significantly. If we come to the conclusion that it feels out of date then we shouldn't be afraid to update it. The change of logo can be utilised as a marketing event to bring fresh attention to our business. It can be a way of creating new interest from previous customers, and it is also a way of showing our current and potential customers that we are a forward thinking and evolving business.
2. How we present our products and services
It's important that we choose the images we use with careful thought. Just because we love a particular image, it isn't necessarily true that it accurately reflects our business, and that another one wouldn't be more appropriate. We need to remember that it is our potential customer that needs to be reached through the image, and so we would be advised to put ourselves in their shoes.
If the images don't accurately reflect our business we might lose the trust of our customers, and also create confusion about what it is we actually do. For example, if you are a stationer, it's better not to use images of trees or nature specifically designed to give the impression that your paper is eco-friendly and recyclable if it isn't. Be honest with your customers - there are many that don't care about whether paper is 'green' or not, but don't alienate the ones that do. If you want to go organic, then do so, but don't pretend.
If our businesses sell products online then it is important that people get really accurate photos. If products arrive that are a different size to how they appeared in the photo, or are flimsy whereas the photo made them look sturdy, then it is doubtful that we will have won a repeat customer, or any recommendations.
"A picture paints a thousand words" Frederick R. Barnard in 1921
I am bombarded these days by all sorts of images. Whether they are cute or horrific, they each make an emotional impact in their own way. For instance, I often feel manipulated when I discover that the 'today's earthquake disaster' photo going viral on social media, was actually taken 5 years earlier and sometimes even in another country. Archive photos of all sorts get re-used to demonstrate many different situations, and public emotions get swayed to and fro by the use of these images. If we aren't diligent we can become emotional puppets, being triggered by whatever someone else wants to show us and wants us to think. In the extreme this can lead to fear, lack of self-esteem, bullying and even to war.
This started me thinking about the images people use within their businesses and how people react to them. Would using images that give a definite, but inaccurate, impression draw customers or lose them in the long run? I am not talking here about the many images that can be found online which can enhance and show your business off to its best advantage - I am purely discussing the ones that give an inaccurate impression.
I also considered how the images that we, and our friends, put on social media might have an adverse effect, or otherwise, on our businesses.
These are the conclusions that came from these particular trains of thought.
1. Our Logos
Once people find a logo for their business they often stick with it. However, businesses change and sometimes go down paths that were unexpected, but the logo stays the same, and it can get to the point of not truly representing the current day business.
It's a good idea to have a look at our logo after a period of time and see if it still resonates with our business, especially if the business has changed significantly. If we come to the conclusion that it feels out of date then we shouldn't be afraid to update it. The change of logo can be utilised as a marketing event to bring fresh attention to our business. It can be a way of creating new interest from previous customers, and it is also a way of showing our current and potential customers that we are a forward thinking and evolving business.
2. How we present our products and services
It's important that we choose the images we use with careful thought. Just because we love a particular image, it isn't necessarily true that it accurately reflects our business, and that another one wouldn't be more appropriate. We need to remember that it is our potential customer that needs to be reached through the image, and so we would be advised to put ourselves in their shoes.
If the images don't accurately reflect our business we might lose the trust of our customers, and also create confusion about what it is we actually do. For example, if you are a stationer, it's better not to use images of trees or nature specifically designed to give the impression that your paper is eco-friendly and recyclable if it isn't. Be honest with your customers - there are many that don't care about whether paper is 'green' or not, but don't alienate the ones that do. If you want to go organic, then do so, but don't pretend.
If our businesses sell products online then it is important that people get really accurate photos. If products arrive that are a different size to how they appeared in the photo, or are flimsy whereas the photo made them look sturdy, then it is doubtful that we will have won a repeat customer, or any recommendations.
Posted in: Photography
