In this post, I will share tips on how to use visual storytelling to market your content and also create an identity for your brand.
I am a curator of words and visuals. My previous blogs showcases that quality and it was what attracted readers to my blog. Even though it was a mere hobby that I did not monetize, I still enjoyed it. It was my passion project and each content I created came from a place of pure bliss and sheer ignorance. Let me explain what I mean by sheer ignorance, I did not bother to research how I could turn it into a long term business, I did not monetize it and I certainly did not know how I could grow it into something bigger.
Now, I know better. I know why it is important for every content writer to learn digital marketing and regard their content as an avenue to shine. This decision birthed this website and made me organize all my creative ideas into a service. And I will be teaching you how you can transform your passion project of being a content writer into a brand.
I believe in visual storytelling and how it can help build a tone for your brand.
Like I said in this Instagram post, photographs are not the only visual tool you can use. I will get to this in a minute. Let me explain why visual storytelling is important in branding.
I never want to strip away my core element and you should not too. Your brand is your identity. I know I have been putting out educational blog content because I want to teach you how you can monetize your writing skills. However, I want to show you all the sides of me.
I am simply a girl who loves visual storytelling and I love coming up with photography content. Right from time, I love a good story (fun fact; I started as a fiction writer back in 2015). In fact, I have an archive of stock photos I shot and directed while in school; shots of people I modeled and styled. Most are on my Instagram Feed.
So how do I combine all my personalities into a single brand identity? I found a way to do this and here it is –
Do not overthink it, only keep it organized and minimal. Make sure your separate skills all align and provide a single purpose to your audience. All my various talents and skills still fall under content creation. My purpose is to help readers like you learn how to use each medium to create relevant content.
So how can you use visual storytelling to create your brand identity?
CREATE VISUAL CONTENT RELEVANT TO YOUR BRAND PERSONA
See your brand as your baby, style your baby in clothes you like her to wear. Every writing niche has a particular visual content relevant to it. Your visuals will give your readers a feeling that they are learning from a real person. It will grab their attention and make them understand what your brand is all about.
Learn how to use Pinterest SEO to increase your organic traffic.
TELL A STORY
Storytelling is basically telling a story. Using a personal story gives your content a fresh perspective. Facts tell, but a story sells. Stories are visual because they open your reader’s mind to the world you are painting.
People connect with content writers who share personal stories. It makes them relatable. I always share my experiences as a writer in any post I write here because I am targeting newbie writers who feel as though they are alone and do not know where to start from.
By sharing my struggles with finding a place to land my feet in this industry, with growing my audience from the ground up, it will motivate you to begin.
Always tell a story, reduce the technicality, look at what Nike is doing with their recent campaigns with Colin Kaepernick and the Williams sisters. A human perspective is always the right path to choose.
Make your story relevant to the topic in context and please be honest. Do not lie to get sympathy point, it will not sustain you for a long time.
USE ALL THE MEDIUM OF VISUAL STORYTELLING
IMAGES, TEXT AND MOTION.
Images: e.g. photographs. I strongly suggest you take your time to create photographs for your brand. Use photography to tell your story. You can hire a photographer and shoot in advance or you can use my approach – DIY.
If you can shoot your pictures by yourself, do it. Be creative. Quarantine 2020 forced content creators to create within the walls of their homes, more often without help. Even if you do not have a camera, your phone’s self-timer will do. Use Pinterest to find inspiration.
Text: e.g. Infographics. Something as simple as a font can set aside your brand from everyone else. Sticking to a particular design and font can make you stand out and make your brand stick on people’s mind. Use Canva to create your first infographics.
Motion: e.g. Videos: a 60-second video can say a lot about your brand than a written content can. Videos are easy to make these days. I use my phone to create my video content. You can check this one minute video I made when in my parent’s backyard that got reposted by another brand on Instagram. Click here!
I hope these tips help your visual storytelling journey.