(Newswire.net — April 17, 2020) —
“It is more important to click with people than to click the shutter.”
So said Alfred Eisenstaedt, the famous German-born American photographer who became known for his images in Life magazine, propelling him to become one of the most influential photojournalists of the twentieth century.
Now, while those words may seem a tad antiquated in the age of digital cameras and smartphone selfies, they remain relevant. Especially in the world of business.
Organizations of all shapes and sizes must maintain an online presence if they want to succeed. And one of the easiest ways to cultivate that presence is through Facebook. After all, 90 million small businesses currently use Facebook.
It’s likely that you already have a professional presence on Facebook. And that’s a great start. But are you focusing enough on your page’s photos? After all, the first thing that visitors see when they look at your profile is your cover image. That 820 x 312 image packs a punch, and helps to introduce you and your brand.
So what should you consider when deciding on your Facebook cover photo?
1. Select a Photo That Explains Who You Are
Just look at this example in Olympia De Castro’s Facebook cover photo. The photo shows her volunteering, directly tying into her social impact investing background.
It succinctly demonstrates who she is, what she is passionate about, and gives you a strong first impression.
Looking at her page, it becomes clear just how important a relevant cover photo is to building an effective Facebook presence. Displaying a photo that helps visitors understand exactly what you do will help solidify your personal brand in visitors’ minds.
2. Consider the “Feel” of Your Brand When Selecting Photos
Okay, so the picture is great at defining who you are. But does it work with the overall look and feel of your brand?
According to a recent analysis by Fast Company, even the color of your logo can have an impact on customer perceptions. The article states that nearly “85% of consumers cite color as the primary reason they buy a particular product, and 80% of people believe color increases brand recognition.”
If you think of Facebook in old school newspaper terms, the cover photo is “above the fold.” It’s what draws people in. But it also has to represent the entire picture. If it’s too distracting or confusing, people will be less likely to continue reading. Or you can think of the photo as a centerpiece to focus your visitors’ attention. Regardless, the image should stick to the same color scheme as the rest of your brand.
3. Review Facebook’s Cover Photo Guidelines
Perhaps this is obvious. Perhaps not. But Facebook does have some helpful guidelines to best capitalize on your cover photo.
Of course, it would be beneficial to read through all of Facebook’s Page Guidelines, but in case you don’t have the time here are a few items of note:
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Your cover must be set to public.
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You may not encourage others to upload your cover photo to their own personal timelines.
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Your cover photo cannot be deceptive, misleading, or infringe on anyone else’s intellectual property.
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If you violate any of these terms, Facebook may take action against your Page.
4. Decide Whether a Call-To-Action Can Be Incorporated
Calls-to-Action (CTAs) are considered an important part of commercial graphic design. Indeed, it’s generally the driving force behind creating designs like Facebook cover photos.
A call-to-action can be seen as part of an overall marketing strategy wherein you get a visitor to respond by taking an action. That action can include clicking a link, downloading a file, or signing up for an email list. They’re used to let potential clients or customers know what to do next in the event that they’re interested in your offerings.
Cover photos themselves can be used as CTAs. For example, if you add a small amount of text encouraging people to sign up for your email newsletter and provide a link, it can be a powerful way to generate new clients.
If you shorten links and add UTM codes, you’ll be able to track clicks and modify your marketing approach as you move forward.
5. Keep Mobile Users In Mind
Statista reports that, as of 2019, 96 percent of Facebook’s users access the network from some sort of mobile device. So it’s important to consider those users when designing Facebook cover photos.
For example, on mobile, a larger portion of your cover photo will be blocked out by the profile picture and page name that sit on top of the cover photo.
While the desktop version of a cover photo displays 820 pixels by 312 pixels, the mobile version only shows the center 640 pixels wide by 360 pixels. It’s generally considered good practice to right-align the visual elements of your Facebook cover photo. But be careful not to put any important information or content too far to the right of the image; otherwise, it will be cut off.