A strong visual can stop the scroll in seconds. Visual content, whether a bold graphic, an eye-catching video, or a relatable meme, makes people pause, react, and share.
But there is a thing: It’s not about posting anymore. It’s about creating an experience that pulls people in, tells a story and makes an impact.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about visual content creation for social media, including which tools to use and how to create it.
Why Visual Content Matters?
Let’s be honest—people scroll fast. If your post doesn’t look interesting, it’s gone in a second. That’s why visuals matter so much. They don’t just make content pretty; they make it work.
- More engagement: Posts with images and videos get more likes, shares, and comments. People stop for what catches their eye.
- Easier to remember: We forget the text, but a striking image or a creative graphic? That sticks.
- Better reach: Social media platforms push visual content higher. The more eye-catching your post is, the more people see it.
Visuals aren’t an extra touch if you want your content to stand out. They’re everything.
Types of Visual Content for Social Media
1. Images
So, the first type of visual content is images. We all know them and use them. Every social platform lets you share images, but not all images perform well.
You must decide what images make sense for your audience—product shots, behind-the-scenes, text-based graphics, or something else. But no matter what, your photos should do their job right. It is only possible when they have the following features:
- High quality: No blurry, pixelated mess. Clear, sharp images grab attention.
- Tension-grabbing: Bold colors, interesting angles, or something unexpected. Make people stop scrolling.
- Brand consistency: Use the same colors, fonts, and style so your content is instantly recognizable.
- Clear message: Don’t just post a pretty picture—make sure it says something
Check out Mailchimp’s Instagram. It’s a perfect example of how to do images right. Their feed is instantly recognizable with that signature yellow, clean design, and bold typography. Every post feels like Mailchimp, whether it’s a marketing tip or a product update. That’s the power of brand consistency. People see it, and they know who it’s from.
2. Videos
Now, let’s talk videos. Video is everywhere. Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube—every platform pushes video content. If you’re not using it, you’re missing out. But not just any video works. You need:
- A strong hook: In the first few seconds, decide if people will watch or scroll away.
- Short, engaging edits: Keep it fast-paced and interesting. Nobody likes boring videos.
- Good lighting and audio: People won’t stick around if they can’t see or hear you clearly.
- A clear takeaway: What’s the one thing you want people to remember or do after watching? If they’re confused, they’ll scroll past. Please keep it simple and straightforward.
Check out Duolingo on TikTok. Their videos are fast, fun, and full of personality. They hop on trends, add humor, and that little green owl steals the show every time. You see it, and you know it’s Duolingo. People don’t just watch—they laugh, comment, and share like crazy. That’s how you make videos people remember.
3. Infographics
Then, we have infographics. Not everyone wants to read long captions. Infographics make complicated stuff easy to understand. If you have stats, a step-by-step guide, or a comparison, turn it into a visual. It’s more engaging and easier to grasp. To make them effective:
- Keep it simple: Don’t overload with text. Less is more.
- Use visuals smartly: Icons, charts, and illustrations help break things down.
- Make it shareable: The best infographics get reposted, which boosts your reach.
Below is the infographic from the Brand ClickX LinkedIn page. Isn’t the concept shared in a very easy-to-read yet engaging manner?
4. GIFs and Memes
Next up: GIFs and memes. These add personality to your content and make it feel more human. They’re fun, relatable, and super shareable. But just throwing them in randomly? Not a good idea.
- Stay relevant: Jump on trending memes, but only if they actually make sense for your brand. A forced meme is worse than no meme at all.
- Keep it light: GIFs and memes work best for humor, reactions, and casual engagement. They should feel natural, not like you’re trying too hard.
- Don’t overdo it: Too many memes can make your brand seem unprofessional. Find the right balance between fun and credibility.
A great example? Wendy’s Twitter. They absolutely nail it with witty memes and GIFs that fit their brand’s playful, bold voice. Their content gets people talking, laughing, and, most importantly, engaging.
5. Carousels & Slideshows
Sometimes, one picture just isn’t enough. Carousels let you share more without overloading a single post. You can tell a story, walk people through a step-by-step guide, or show before-and-after transformations. And the best part? People have to swipe, which boosts engagement.
Look at Canva’s Instagram. They use carousels to share quick design tips, branding ideas, and marketing hacks. Each slide is useful, making you want to swipe until the end.
Essential Tools for Visual Content
You don’t need to be a design expert to make good content. With the right tools, it’s pretty simple. Here are some of our preferred tools that really help us create amazing content for our clients. Have a look:
- Graphic Design: Canva, Photoshop, Figma. Canva is easy and suitable for quick designs, Photoshop gives you all the creative control (if you’re up for the learning curve), and Figma is good when working with a team. Just pick what suits you.
- Video Editing: CapCut, Premiere Pro, InShot. CapCut is suitable for short edits, Premiere Pro is more advanced (think YouTube-level editing), and InShot is easy to use if you’re editing on your phone.
- Infographics: Piktochart, Visme. Do you want to share stats or step-by-step guides to share? These make it visually interesting without overwhelming people with too much text.
- AI-Powered Tools: DALL·E, Midjourney. Want to create images but don’t have the skills? Just type what you need; these tools will create it for you.
Best Practices for Visual Content Creation
If you want your visuals actually to grab attention, here’s what you need to focus on:
Keep It On-Brand
Ever seen a post and instantly knew which brand it was from? That’s the power of consistency.
Look at Subway. Whether it’s an ad, a billboard, or a social post, its green and orange colors and classic font make it stand out. Stick to a consistent color palette, fonts, and style so people can recognize your content instantly.
Stick to a signature color palette, fonts, and overall style so your audience recognizes your content at a glance.
Use High-Quality Graphics
No one likes pixelated or blurry images. If your visuals look low-quality, people assume your brand is, too. Always use clear, sharp graphics that look good on any screen.
Optimize for Each Platform
What looks great on Instagram might be cut off on Twitter. Each platform has its own size requirements. Adjust your visuals so they fit perfectly wherever you post.
Make Use of Trends
Social media moves fast. If a meme, filter, or visual style is trending and fits your brand’s personality, use it while it’s hot. Just don’t force it. If it feels off-brand, let it go.
Add Text Wisely
Too much text will cause people to scroll past your post. Too little text, and you’ll get lost. It’s all about balance. Keep it short, simple and scannable.
Take Slack’s Instagram post, for example. The image says, “Get the scoop on Slack themes this summer.” That’s it. No clutter, no overwhelm! Just a quick, attention-grabbing line that makes you want to read more.
The caption then fills in the details without making it feel like a chore. It’s fast, clear, and gets the job done without trying too hard.
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FAQs
1. What is visual content on social media?
It’s anything people can see, like images, videos, GIFs, infographics and carousels. It grabs attention and makes posts more engaging.
2. What is visual content creation?
It’s the process of designing and sharing:
- Images
- Videos
- Other visuals that match your brand and message.
3. How to create visual content for Instagram?
Use high-quality images, videos, and graphics. Stick to your brand’s style. Keep text minimal and easy to read. Optimize sizes for Instagram posts, stories, and reels.
4. What is the 50 30 20 rule for social media?
- 50% engaging content that entertains, educates or inspires.
- 30% promotional content that showcases your products or services.
- 20% shared content like industry news or user-generated posts.
Final Words
We hope you have a good understanding of visual content creation for social media. But remember, strong visuals aren’t just nice to have— they stop the scroll, grab attention and make an impact. A big image, a fun GIF, or an engaging video makes people stop, react, and share.
Start making use of visual content to stand out in a crowded market. But you don’t have to do it alone.
At Brand ClickX, we create scroll-stopping visuals that get results. Let’s bring your brand to life—Get in touch today!
