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14 Creative Ways to Use Images on Facebook in 2014

Images were a huge part of Facebook and other social networks in 2013,  but you can expect these sites to get even more visual in the New Yea. And with good reason– pictures can drive big engagement on Facebook, as much as 120 percent more engagement than text-only posts.

Luckily, with the popularity of smartphones, it’s never been easier to snap a photo, add a comment or a question, and upload it to social media. Following are 14 creative ideas to help you get started with using images on Facebook :

1. Spark a conversation: Look for ways to engage your fans in a conversation. You can use an image to catch their attention and text to encourage a response.

2. Go behind the scenes: Give fans a peek behind the curtains with images that show all of the work that goes into the products you sell and the services you provide.

3. Celebrate a milestone: When you achieve a milestone for your business or organization, you know that your customers played an important role in helping you get there. Let them join in on the celebration by sharing an image that celebrates your success.

4. Celebrate your customers: Celebrating your customers builds strong relationships and markets your products and services in a whole new way. You can also tag your customers in your photos and thank them for stopping by.

5. Show yourself doing what you love: One of the things that makes small businesses, small businesses is the passion you have for the work that you do. Use photos to show your passion whenever you can.

6. Show fans what they missed: Next time you have an event, make sure to take plenty of photos. You can then share those photos on Facebook and give attendees the opportunity to tag themselves. For people who missed the event, photos offer a big incentive to put future events on their calendar.

7. Share your favorite quotes: People love quotes that inspire them. Consider using a tool like Aviary to add text to images and share them with your fans.

8. Support local businesses: If you run a small business, you know how important local support can be. Look for opportunities to build relationships with other local vendors by showing them off to your own network of fans

9. Give a glimpse of the past: Whether you’ve been open for 10 months or 10 years, every business has a unique history fans will appreciate. Sharing old photos tells your business’s story and gives people a glimpse into just how far you’ve come.

10. Promote your newsletter: Sharing your email newsletters and announcements on Facebook attracts more readers and hopefully gets more Facebook fans to join your email list. Use an image that to get people’s attention, and give some indication of what they’ll find when they click to read.

11. Motivate your fans: Everyone can use a little motivation, especially on Monday mornings. Look to create images that inspire your audience and encourage them to get the most from their day.

12. Tap into current events: While there are certainly hot topics and current events you’ll want to avoid, events like Shark Week are a great chance to use photos to boost engagement on your Facebook Page. Just make sure you’re staying true to your brand and keeping the interest of your fans in mind!

13. Support a good cause: People like to spend money with businesses that share the same values and support the same causes. They also like to share information regarding those values and causes. Images will be sure to inspire your fans to get involved.

14. Say thanks: Don’t underestimate the power of a simple “thank you.” Add a photo of your staff to provide a more personal touch.

Use the examples above as inspiration, and you’ll be well on your way to boosting your engagement and growing your Facebook presence in 2014.

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Gina Watkins is a leading expert on e-marketing for small business – and has a real passion for helping businesses to succeed. Her ongoing series of dynamic lectures are filled with real-world examples, humor and results-driven wisdom garnered from more than two decades of sales, business development and marketing experience. In addition to owning her own business, she is an award-winning direct marketer, has been featured on WUSA Channel 9’s Mind Over Money show, Dr. Gayle Carson’s Women In Business radio show, Morgan State’s Briefcase Radio program, and in numerous other media. In her role as Constant Contact Regional Development Director, she’s presented to more than ten thousand seminar attendees about the keys to success with easy, affordable, highly effective technology tools that grow trusted business relationships.

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