13 Types of Visual Content to Share on Social Media

What does it mean to be visually loyal on social media? Every social media network has a visually loyal audience – basically, people who love consuming content in different visual formats. 

However, it’s important to note that a particular kind of visual content may not work well on all networks.

While you may want to use the same content across multiple networks to save time, this could result in a loss of engagement or even sales. It's important to create specific types of content for each social network.

We know that saving time is important, but we think reaching your target audience effectively is even more important (and we hope you’d agree!).

Creating Original Visuals for Social Media

Many marketers and small business owners use free stock photos to save time and money on their social media.

While many of you know that using imagery is important, you don’t feel you have the time and resources to take photos, create videos, or design imagery to match your content. 

According to a study by Social Media Today, stock photography posts only drove 12% of engagement, while content with original graphics drove 40% of content and videos drove 23% of engagement.

These stats show you that visual marketing works. 

If you’re intimidated by creating different content for each social media network, don't worry. There are just a few key points you need to know to be successful on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. 

We recommend keeping the following tips handy when you’re developing your content calendar. You’ll be glad you did.

Using Visual Content on Facebook

Change in the Facebook algorithm is inevitable.

It seems that changes happen more frequently, and usually just as you’ve gotten caught up with the latest standards, right? 

So, how can you know what is working right now? 

The great thing is that it’s easy to test content. If you create a post that doesn’t get any clicks or engagement, you’ll know right away that is isn’t effective and probably shouldn’t be replicated. 

Here are some examples of content that have been successful recently and can be adapted to any industry:

1. Infographics

Recommended size: 1200 x 628 pixels

Infographics are known to be valuable resources of information, but they’re typically quite large (and long) files.

This means that these files don’t always look great in the newsfeed, as they’re reduced to nothing more than a thumbnail.

Instead of posting the full infographic to your Facebook newsfeed, post a snippet, and direct your audience to your website to view the full infographic or download it for their use.

This is even better than sharing the content directly to your newsfeed, as you’ll get new users on your site, and give a useful tidbit of information for your audience to share on their own feeds.

2. Charts

Recommended size: 1200 x 628 pixels

Sharing data on Facebook helps your audience learn. But before you post any charts, be sure the information is valuable, shareable and digestible. 

A successful data visualization can be a great type of post to share on Facebook as it gives your audience some insight into why you do what you do, as well as how it affects them personally.

3. Memes

Recommended size: 1200 x 628 pixels

Memes. Everybody loves them.

But they have to be timely and relevant to your audience. 

You can always share relevant memes to your page that others have created, but we definitely recommend making your own memes to elevate your content strategy even further.

Don’t forget to add your logo in the corner to take full advantage of the shares you’ll surely be getting!

4. Blog headers

Recommended size: 1200 x 628 pixels

Posting a link to Facebook is unfortunately not the most engaging post type. Your audience craves something visually interesting to interact with. 

This is why many marketers post their blog headers as an image to accompany their copy and link to their website. 

The blog header needs to be visually appealing and unique enough to be noticed. Make sure it’s sized to 1200 x 628 pixels for optimal engagement.

Using Visual Content on Instagram

Instagram is all about the visual element of marketing. If your Instagram aesthetic isn’t on point, you’re not going to get noticed. 

This doesn’t mean you have to pay a photographer for a photoshoot, or spend loads of money designing assets. Well thought out imagery that will engage your audience can be shot on an iPhone or Android.

1. Product images

Recommended size: 1080 x 1080 pixels

Showcasing your product on Instagram requires you to be creative.

Product flat lays are very popular. This includes styling your product flat on an interesting color or white background with stylized elements like flowers, confetti, wires, etc. 

What will work and look more visually appealing really depends on your product, but don’t be afraid to get creative and try something new!

2. Photos with faces

Recommended size: 1080 x 1080 pixels

A smiling face makes users stop and look, but only if it looks authentic.

Put a face to the name and highlight some of your employees, customers, or community members on your Instagram feed and in your stories.

3. Quotes

Recommended size: 1080 x 1080 pixels

What quotes inspire you? They’re likely to inspire others too.

Get started with a social media graphic template to put some inspiration and engagement in your Instagram feed.

Using Visual Content on LinkedIn

LinkedIn is not just for B2B businesses. Your LinkedIn company page or personal profile can seriously help you to connect with your target audience, attract employees or make an impact in your community.

With the right images, you can really make an impact.

1. Banner images

Recommended size: 626 x 220 pixels

The banner image on your LinkedIn company page or personal profile is the perfect way to show your audience who you are.

Use this space to brand your profile to make a lasting impression on your audience. You can use your banner image to strengthen your brand by including your logo, tagline, or even a photo of your work.

2. Photos of influential figures

Recommended size: 1200 x 628 pixels

Many of the people on LinkedIn are looking for professional development tips, looking for new employment or trying to make connections.

By posting photos of influential figures, you can inspire your audience and get them to engage meaningfully and authentically with your content.

3. SlideShare

Do you have a presentation or helpful slide deck you’d like to share with your audience? SlideShare allows you to upload these documents directly to LinkedIn to seamlessly share to your feed.

Making a SlideShare part of your LinkedIn profile will show your audience your breadth of knowledge and make them more comfortable to move to the next step of the buying journey.

Using Visual Content on Twitter

Twitter is known for quick comments and in-the-moment updates.

The copy is obviously important on this platform, but the right image, GIF or video could elevate the engagement of your tweet even further.

1. Combine text with image

Recommended size: 440 x 220 pixels

We’re limited to only 280 characters on Twitter, so it can be hard to articulate a complex thought or long tweet. Combine your characters with an image to make an even bigger impact!

2. Short videos

Recommended length: less than 1 minute

Twitter videos can be up to 2 minutes and 20 seconds long, but we recommend keeping them under 1 minute.

Keep the content relevant and to the point.

3. GIFs

If you don’t have time to record a video, using a GIF is another way to create visually engaging content. Simply select a GIF from Twitter’s library that will connect with your target audience.

Over to You!

More than just sharing the right type of visual content, sharing at the right time is also more important than just sharing it at whatever time suits you.

Take advantage of content opportunities like trending conversations, events, holidays, celebrations, etc. and schedule your relevant visual content for those days. 

You can use a visual scheduling tool like SocialPilot to schedule images, videos, and GIFs for all your social accounts. Try out Visme to get started creating all of your visual content assets.

Visit the original version of this post. For more engaging and helpful content, visit Visme’s Visual Learning Center.