Tag: brand

Taking your visual marketing back to basics

In today’s visually-driven world, it can be easy to get caught up in the latest trends and cutting-edge techniques when it comes to marketing your brand visually. However, sometimes it’s important to take a step back and focus on the basics to get a fresh view of your brand. Here are some ways you can do that.

On a budget? Rethink your image sources

There are several ways to create visually appealing content without spending a lot of money or hiring a professional photographer. One option is to use stock images. Additionally, you can find free vector graphics and images online that can be used for website design or social media posts.

Another low-cost approach to obtaining high-quality images is to create them yourself. Online tutorials can teach you the basics of photography and design, enabling you to develop on-brand pictures that help you stand out.

Make the most of your images

Using high-resolution photos is one area where you should not take shortcuts. High-quality images can give your visuals a professional look, setting you apart from competitors. Being original with your visuals is also essential; feel free to think outside the box and experiment with new ideas. Finally, always conduct visual tests before launching a campaign, testing how your visuals appear on different devices and browsers and ensuring they load quickly and appear sharp in all sizes.

When it doubt, keep things simple

Less is more in visual marketing because a cluttered design can detract from the intended message. When too many elements compete for attention, it can be difficult for the viewer to focus on the most important information. A minimalistic approach draws the viewer’s attention to the critical message or image, which can be more impactful and memorable. A simple design can also convey a sense of professionalism and attention to detail. Ultimately, visual marketing aims to communicate a message or idea effectively, and a less-is-more approach can be a powerful tool in achieving that goal.

Be consistent

Consistency is a crucial aspect of visual marketing that involves using the same colours, fonts, and design components across all your marketing materials. This creates a professional look for your brand and helps customers easily recognise your products. It’s also important to be consistent in the message you want to convey. If your graphics are disorganised, it can be difficult for customers to understand your message. So, keep your message simple and clear and make sure it matches the graphics you’re using. Maintaining consistency in these two areas can create a strong visual identity that will appeal to your target audience.

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4 Things You Should Consider Giving Up In 2023

If you’re like most people, the first quarter of the year is a time when you resolve to make changes in your life. You may have decided to lose weight, quit smoking, or save money. But what if you took a different approach and decided to give up something that was holding you back?

Here are some things you should consider giving up in the first quarter of 2023:

1. Giving up negative thinking: One of the biggest obstacles to success is negative thinking. If you want to achieve your goals, you need to start by changing your mindset. Resolve to give up negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones.

2. Giving up comparisons: Comparing yourself to others is a surefire way to sabotage your happiness. Instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on your journey and celebrate your accomplishments.

3. Giving up self-doubt: self-doubt is another major obstacle to success. If you want to achieve your goals, you need to believe in yourself. resolve to give up self-doubt and replace it with confidence.

4. Giving up procrastination: procrastination is a habit that can prevent you from achieving your goals. If you want to be successful, you need to learn to take action and not put things off until later. Resolve to give up procrastination and start taking action today.

To make the first quarter of 2023 your best yet, it is important, to be honest with yourself and identify whether you should give up. Whether it’s procrastination, bad habits, unhealthy relationships, or a lack of self-care – start the year off right by taking steps toward growth and development.

Take stock of what areas in your life need improvement and strive towards making incremental changes that will lead to big impacts over time. With dedication and drive, you can turn New Year’s resolutions into long-lasting habit changes that will create positive ripple effects for years to come!

Babajide Olowookere is a senior graphic designer with Big Ambitions, a leading content marketing company in South Africa.

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Get Creative With Social Media In 2023

Social media has become integrated into people’s everyday lives, and as a result, increasingly more companies are turning to it as a marketing channel to reach more target audiences, expand their customer base and connect with various generations.

According to research by Global WebIndex, highlighted by digital marketing platform SmartInsights, “59% of the world’s population uses social media. The average daily usage is 2 hours and 29 minutes (July 2022)”. A wealth of new opportunities exist for employing social media in a variety of contexts, such as in the production of films, customer support, and social listening, followed by analysis to obtain insights and act on them.

In today’s world of digital overstimulation, it is essential for businesses to differentiate themselves from the competition by staying on top of the latest trends in social media and marketing. 

These are the trends to keep an eye on in 2023:

1. TikTok will become even more popular

UK consumer insights company GWI’s latest social media report reveals that the impressive growth of TikTok is continuing. Since 2020, the number of monthly users has increased by 32%. Despite it seemingly aimed at the younger generation, baby boomers and Generation X are the user segments growing the most. Older users in general are playing a role in the continued growth of TikTok, and the appeal of this social media platform shows no sign of waning.

TikTok is useful for businesses that want to sell their products or services via short films, which are popular among the younger generation. The social media platform is currently expanding by offering tools for company profiles and advertisements.

2. The use of short-form videos will increase

GWI notes that short-form content is more popular than long-form across all age groups. While “bite-sized” films may have begun with TikTok, several social media platforms now provide this option. Reels have been around for a while, and their popularity is also growing. Since 2020, there has been a 20% rise among Instagram users. Short videos can be made quickly and have that less polished, more natural content that users like to see.

gwi.com

3. Focus on marketing in the metaverse

According to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg: “It is really the creators and developers who are going to build the metaverse and make this real”.

70% of internet users have heard the word, but 53% don’t know what it implies. Brands seeking a first-mover advantage can benefit from GWI’s metaverse insights. The impact of the metaverse on content development and marketing also shouldn’t be overlooked. Marketers however may need to come up with new ways to measure engagement that take into account the different behavioural economics at play.

4. The improved use of social media platforms

Some people want to reduce the amount of time they spend on social media, like Generation Z for instance, which is also using Instagram and Facebook less but is still on TikTok. The 16- to 24-year-olds are on social media platforms for around three hours each day. Businesses need to reach customers where they are to ensure the greatest impact of their sales and marketing efforts and increasing their investment in this space is worthwhile.

Connecting remains at the heart of social media and businesses adapting their social media strategies to harness the latest trends, like social listening and short videos, will be able to stand out from the competition. They will also encourage users to stay online for longer durations and boost engagement with their brands.  

Babajide Olowookere is the Design Lead with Big Ambitions, a leading content marketing company in South Africa.

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