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3) Social Media Graphics: Promoting Site Content

SoulfullyAButterfly January 24th, 2021

Graphics can be created to support as well as summarize site content on social media platforms that link back to the original content through shares links alongside them. For example, we can create graphics to present our optimized Question and Answer Page or a summary of an expert article.

Through this discussion, we will discuss the process of designing graphics, using image captions and hashtags, as well as posting best practices

(i) Designing Graphics:

To aid the graphic designing process, you can consider using sites that allow you to not only create your own graphics but provide a wide range of templates that you can edit.

Some tips to consider include:

  • Know which design size you require beforehand - this may vary based on the social media platform. For example, Instagram offers a maximum resolution of 1080 x 1080 px.

  • Use only 2 font designs to avoid going overboard.

  • Use contrasting fonts or different text sizes to grab attention and to ensure the main message is conveyed.

  • Less is sometimes more: if your design does not require extra backgrounds, images, or design layers, consider going with white space as that helps avoid your content being avoided due to noise.

  • Use icons to help graphically summarize your content.

  • Consider combining consistency with creativity: ask yourself what your major content can creatively look like as consistency is a core principle of content creation. Consistency also applies to your design (font, colors, etc). For example, an analysis of 7 Cups Instagram can help identify that most of the posts are quotes, affirmations, etc. Note that more foundational blocks can always be introduced into the flow with time.

  • Consider adding your logo or site information on your graphic to help strengthen your brand.

  • Think of ways to stand out: Research and observe current trends, international events, and other possible content inspirations, but don’t be afraid to think outside the box to trial new creative ideas. For example, 7 Cups hosted a very successful and engaging Mental Health Trick or Treat

Sites that have free editable templates include:

(ii) Image Captions and Hashtags

  • Remember that your image caption not only represents the content you are posting about but the brand you represent.

  • Consider the length of your caption based on your social media platform. For instance, Twitter limits characters, Instagram can be used for a medium length caption, while Facebook could host longer article-style captions too!

  • Some ideas of captions include: summarizing the content, mentioning the main motto of the post, etc.

  • Add emojis to connect with your audience.

  • Don’t forget to ensure readability by breaking up your longer captions with headings or spaces.

  • Questions help engage the audience: never forget to look for opportunities for reflection such as one-word answers to yes/no questions, or other quick icebreakers such as what everyone plans to do at the weekend.

  • A call to action is important to ensure further practical engagement. You can remind users about more details about supporting content present in the link in your bio or directly share your relevant link (depending on the social media platform)

  • Structure your caption with important information at the beginning, followed by any additional information of interest (such as goals, facts), questions for engagement, call to action, etc - you can style your structure based on your content type.

  • Include relevant hashtags and consider using mentions and tagging other users. Researching relevant hashtags involves keeping an eye on the hashtags used by influencers and leading figures and profiles within the industry, looking for trends and patterns, finding related hashtags just like related keywords, as well as trialing different groups of hashtags for certain content types. Last but not least, your brand can aim to start a new hashtag of its own as well! Some websites have tools that can help you target and research hashtags - some examples are included in this external link.

(iii) Posting Time

Many people often wonder when to post their content, and this curiosity is definitely important because posting time does influence engagement and value of the content posted - however, there are no correct rules of guidance.

Rather, posting times should be based on insights on when your audience is most likely to be active - most social media platforms offer these insights for business or creator accounts, alongside insights in regards to other engagement factors.

One excellent feature to utilize to ensure posting time, as well as a smooth flow of content, is to plan content in advance and schedule posts - scheduling is possible through the Twitter platform as well as the Facebook Business Suite for both Instagram and Facebook

Activity

Using your answer to the question in Discussion 2’s activity, create a social media graphic presenting the content and share your graphic as a reply to this post. Creativity is welcome for this task, and you can create any form of content. Feel welcome to use the 7 Cups social media content for inspiration if needed. Reply to at least one student’s graphic as well.

Tip: You can discuss ideas or ask for help in the student discussion and support thread!

Not sure how to add images directly into this forum discussion? Find instructions here

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This post is brought to you by the Content Development and Marketing Program, find out more information about the program here

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TrickyRicky October 22nd, 2021

@SoulfullyAButterfly


https://imgur.com/a/ce8J9dS

3 replies
TrickyRicky October 22nd, 2021

@TrickyRicky


https://imgur.com/Mi3lbIo

2 replies
TrickyRicky October 22nd, 2021

@TrickyRicky


Software I was using would not let me add 7cups to it but pretend I did please haha I tried

1 reply
ouiCherie October 22nd, 2021

@TrickyRicky

No worries 👍 thanks for informing us.

Btw, we are right now, can upload image directly here too 🙂

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iwishuwell November 3rd, 2021

@SoulfullyAButterfly

atiwishuwell-1_1635957101.png

atiwishuwell_1635957150.png

i did these two posts on canva.com

1 reply
SoulfullyAButterfly OP November 4th, 2021

@iwishuwell these are amazing. I really like the soothing aesthetic and presentation.

1 reply
iwishuwell November 5th, 2021

@SoulfullyAButterfly

thank you soo much that means a lot


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MarinaLecubet November 6th, 2021

@iwishuwell


Those are cute I like them! very colorful and feminine.

AriadneLove November 17th, 2021

@iwishuwell


I am in love with those graphics! The first one is creative and interactive. 'Why' is a great catcher, while to read all the information we need to turn our head or a screen. If a reader spends more time on a picture it is likely they will remember it or the logo on it longer. You have engaged the audience in a smooth and intuitive way. Amazing job! The Colour palette and placement on both are great. You might consider different font in the second graphic if it is planned to be used in social media which are usually accessed from phones. When targeting an audience on SM we need to make sure that the graphic is readable on the majority of screens.

_1637172498.AriadneLoveNight theme CDM signature.png


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GoldenNest2727 November 6th, 2021
3 replies
GoldenNest2727 November 6th, 2021

@GoldenNest2727

Darn, I've got too much white space. LOLOLOL. It didn't look like that on my tablet. It was huge and it filled the whole page.

2 replies
MarinaLecubet November 6th, 2021

@GoldenNest2727


Looks good, you probably didn't check the size of the image. I like it!

I couldn't get any of those options to create going so I used what I had, I had to do it from scratch.

1 reply
GoldenNest2727 November 6th, 2021

@MarinaLecubet

Wow, I could never create one of these things from scratch! I have no experience so take this with a grain of salt, but I found those meme template sites the easiest to use. I used Canva for the two I did, but the meme sites are easier. Lunapic is another easy-ish one. You can find templates on Pexel and Pixabay too. You might already know all of that, so sorry if it's a repeat. Just trying to help since I struggled to make mine.

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MarinaLecubet November 6th, 2021

@SoulfullyAButterfly

Here's my assignment, thank you.copy-of-untitled-8-1-1-1-1-1_1636166077.jpg

3 replies
GoldenNest2727 November 6th, 2021

@MarinaLecubet

I love your heartfelt message!

SoulfullyAButterfly OP November 6th, 2021

@MarinaLecubet great work! this is a very important message.

1 reply
MarinaLecubet November 6th, 2021

@SoulfullyAButterfly


Thank you, I appreciate that.

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GoldenNest2727 November 6th, 2021

i-m-not-afraid-to-sit-alone-because-i-know-what-i-bring-to-the-table_1636166274.png

3 replies
MarinaLecubet November 6th, 2021

@GoldenNest2727

That's clever, did you come up with that?

1 reply
GoldenNest2727 November 9th, 2021

@MarinaLecubet

No, the photo is from Pexel. I just cropped it and added the text. The quote is something that my grandmother has always said. I just changed it a little to modernize it. The infographic from my previous attempt is all mine (and Canva), but I still can't figure out how to get rid of the white space.

I have zero artistic ability! Even my stick people look like a mess.

1 reply
SoulfullyAButterfly OP November 9th, 2021

@GoldenNest2727 you can PM me a link to edit the Canva graphic and we can work on it together if you would like

5 replies
GoldenNest2727 November 13th, 2021

@SoulfullyAButterfly

7-cups-edit_1636818684.png

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GoldenNest2727 November 13th, 2021

@SoulfullyAButterfly

That is our updated collab. I couldn't figure out how to share it through PM/chat. What do you think?

2 replies
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MarinaLecubet November 14th, 2021

@GoldenNest2727

HI THANKS FOR EXPLAINING. :)

But I was referring to the text to the image, The graphic flowed nicely and it touches you.

1 reply
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MarinaLecubet November 15th, 2021

@GoldenNest2727


I have some experience and may be able t help you, however I'm on a Kindle right now and can't get on Canva unfortunately.


It looks fine how it is. If you're not completely happy with it you can change the original font around and add a logo and more text.

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SoulfullyAButterfly OP November 6th, 2021

@GoldenNest2727 Powerful message with a unique presentation! I really like it

AriadneLove November 17th, 2021

@GoldenNest2727


Nest, I am truly astonished. The very smart way to present Paths at 7 Cups to the audience. An inspirational quote works so well, that if there would be a CTA, I would click it myself 😋 If you are not already a professional, you definitely can consider the career as a digital marketer.

You have used colourful pictures, so it was smart more to keep a white frame adding black text. You are giving information space and highlights. Font, placement all good. I would love to add their CTA like 'sign up for free' etc Would be amazing for Cup's channels.
1 reply
AriadneLove November 17th, 2021

@AriadneLove @GoldenNest2727

(feedback to 'I am not afraid...' graphic)
_1637173116.AriadneLoveNight theme CDM signature.png
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WhiteRoses25 November 14th, 2021
1 reply
ouiCherie November 15th, 2021

Thank you Rose @WhiteRoses25 💜

Yes, I remember this pretty graphic you made. @AriadneLove has detailed eyes for graphics and she will help with input for your future graphic designing.


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MarinaLecubet November 14th, 2021

I finally got into one of the provided sites. Here's another one.

Still having fun with it.

pablo_1636933428.png

1 reply
GoldenNest2727 November 15th, 2021

@MarinaLecubet

Very nice! I still love that message because it's so true.

ouiCherie November 24th, 2021

@MarinaLecubet

Couldn't agree more with the message! I hope you enjoy creating graphics to communicate a message? 🙂

@AriadneLove will help with the input for graphic designing 💜

amazingNutella24 December 5th, 2021

@MarinaLecubet

Oh my, I love it! I absolutely adore the simplicity of the background and how powerful the message is 💜 Spot on, Marina! Well done!

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Vallabhibirdie November 18th, 2021

screenshot-2021-11-18-20-44-00-002-com-canva_1637248758.editor~2.jpg

Vallabhibirdie November 18th, 2021


screenshot-2021-11-18-20-51-42-150-com-canva_1637249122.editor~2.jpg

2 replies
MarinaLecubet November 18th, 2021

@Vallabhibirdie


That's nice valla, have you thought about making the text smaller and placing a box behind it. Signing your name or just writing "anonymous" would nice. I forgot to do that.

1 reply
Vallabhibirdie November 22nd, 2021

@MarinaLecubet

Thank you for enlightening me about my mistakes. I will be keep them in mind.

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Vallabhibirdie November 23rd, 2021

screenshot-2021-11-23-23-07-58-556-com-canva_1637691091.editor~2.jpg

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ouiCherie November 24th, 2021

@Vallabhibirdie

😍 cool design Valla!

1 reply
Vallabhibirdie November 24th, 2021

@ouiCherie

Thank you 🙏

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