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Category: Social Media

2024 Social Media Image Size Guide

Posted on by Josh Arter

Did you know social media is used by 92% of businesses for marketing purposes? This means you’re probably missing out if you’re not using social media to tell your brand’s story. Images, graphics and video are some of the most effective ways to engage target audiences on social media, and the quality of your content is crucial to building and maintaining your reputation.

Social media users today expect high-quality visuals tailored to each platform’s sizing dimensions and resolutions, so to make sure your content looks the best it can, we’ve created a guide with the latest sizing standards for today’s top social media channels. Put your brand’s best foot forward and foster engagement with compelling visuals and videos across every channel.

Read on or download the full guide for the latest sizing standards for today’s top social media channels.

Happy New Year and happy designing!

Social Media Image Sizes by Network

X, formerly known as Twitter 

Profile Photo

  • Recommended image size: 400 by 400 pixels
    • Minimum image size: 200 by 200 pixels
    • The aspect ratio is 1:1

Cover Photo

  • 1500 x 500 pixels
    • Note: When designing a header photo, be sure to account for the profile photo and the invisible area that is cropped out of uploaded images. 

Timeline/Feed Photo

  • 1600 x 900 pixels (16:9 ratio) 
    • Minimum size: 600 by 335 pixels
    • Supported formats: GIF, JPG, and PNG
    • The maximum file size is 5 MB for images and GIFs on mobile and 15 MB on the web

Timeline Video

  • 720 x 720 pixels (square), 1280 x 720 pixels (landscape), 720 x 1280 pixels (portrait) 
  • Maximum video length: 140 seconds (Premium subscribers can post videos up to three hours long) 

Facebook

New Background

Profile Picture

  • 600 x 600 pixels 

Cover Photo

  • 851 x 315 pixels 
    • For best results, the picture must be at least 400 pixels wide and 150 pixels tall 
  • Group cover image size: 1640 x 856 pixels 

Shared Image

  • Square photo: 1200 x 1200 pixels 
  • Rectangular photo: 1200 x 628 pixels 

Shared Link Preview

  • 1200 x 630 pixels 

Facebook Story

  • 1080 x 1920 pixels

Video

  • Ratio: 16:9 to 9:16
  • Maximum video length on Feed: 240 minutes 
  • Facebook Reels recommended ratio: 9:16 and recommended resolution of 1080 pixels

Instagram

Profile Photo

  • Minimum 320 x 320 pixels 
    • Note: We recommend at least 600 x 600 pixels to ensure quality. 

Photos

  • Instagram photo sizes: 
    • 1080 x 1080 pixels (square) 
    • 1080 x 566 pixels (landscape) 
    • 1080 x 1350 pixels (portrait) 

Stories & Reels 

  • Stories and Reels size: 1080 x 1920 pixels 
    • The aspect ratio is 9:16  
    • The video might get cropped to fit the ratio if you don’t stick to the ratio 

Video Uploads 

  • 1080 x 864 pixels 

Pinterest

Profile Picture

  • Minimum 600 x 600 pixels 

Profile Cover Photo

  • Minimum 800 x 450 pixels

Pin Image Size

  • Optimal pin: 1000 x 1500 pixels 
  • Expanded pin: 600 x any heigh pixels 

Board Thumbnail 

  • 600 x 600 pixels 

LinkedIn

New Background

Profile Picture

  • Personal page: 800 x 800 pixels 
  • Company page: 400 x 400 pixels 

Cover Photo

  • Personal page: 1584 x 396 pixels 
  • Company page: 1128 x 191 pixels 

Shared Image or Link

  • 1200 x 627 pixels 

YouTube

Profile Picture 

  • 800 x 800 pixels

Channel Cover Photo

  • 2560 x 1440 pixels 
    • Aspect ratio is 16:9 
    • Remember that your cover image will be displayed differently on devices and may be cropped, so make sure to have the most important information in the middle of the image 

Video Uploads

  • Minimum HD: 1280 x 720 pixels
  • Aspect ratio of 16:9

Video Title and Descriptions

  • Video title is 100 characters.
  • Video description is 5,000 characters.

TikTok

New Background

Profile Image

  • 200 x 200 pixels 

Video Uploads

  • 1080 x 1920 pixels
  • Aspect ratio of 9:16

Snapchat

Profile Image 

  • 375 x 569 pixels 

Images/videos 

  • 1080 x 1920 pixels 
  • Stories max file size is 34MB and 10 seconds or less 
  • Custom Geofilter image: 1080 x 1920 pxiels 

DOWNLOAD THE FULL PDF

Influencer Marketing: Why Authenticity Matters

Posted on by administir
a couple women filming themselves

Research shows that influencer marketing was a $16.4 billion industry in 2022. What brand wouldn’t want a piece of that success? Perhaps contrary to popular belief, this endeavor is not as easy as finding an influencer with a large following and sending them a script and a contract—at least, not if you want the message to land with your target consumer.

While influencer marketing has become a powerful tool for brands that desire to drive sales and increase awareness, achieving true success requires a dedicated strategy with influencers who have a natural connection to your brand.

Effective influencer marketing starts and ends with one word: authenticity. But how do you make that perfect match?

It all starts with a first date

Maybe you have an influencer in mind you want to work with, or perhaps you’re starting your search from scratch. Your first interactions will be like a first date. If things click from the very beginning, your partnership could lead to a long-term commitment.

Chances are, you wouldn’t schedule a first date without an initial spark. You need to have something in common to create that lasting partnership. When searching for that perfect match, you should look at who your brand appeals to—and who your influencer appeals to—to ensure your messaging and creative strategies align.

Consumers generally respond better to influencers who act and look like them. That’s why accurately identifying your target consumer, along with the influencer’s main audience, is so important. In the end, it makes it easier for consumers to see how they would use your product or service.

Gen Zers and Millennials are the ones most likely to purchase items based on influencers’ recommendations. Gen Z alone has more than $360 billion in disposable income. That’s a lot of success potential if you appoint influencers who effectively engage their followers with your brand.

This has a lot to do with an influencer’s voice and reach, but don’t be fooled by the notion that more means better. Research has proven that nano- and micro-influencers—those with 1,000 to 10,000 followers and 10,000 to 100,000 followers, respectively—often work better for campaigns. In fact, micro-influencers drive 60% higher engagement rates than their macro-influencer (more than 100,000 followers) counterparts.

Second date: Look deeper to vet your match

You made it past the first date, but how do you know your relationship will last?

Finding the perfect influencer partnership can seem daunting, but luckily, there are partners who can help simplify the process. Think of them as the friend who sets you up on your first date and advises you through the process.

Instead of working with an influencer partner who contracts out the work to a third party, look for an agency that can manage your influencer partnership all the way from contract to completion. They should understand how to find the right fit based on your brand’s voice and tone, all while creating a strong relationship with the influencers themselves.

Like any good wingman, agencies should vet influencer partners by getting to know them and their follower’s motivations and behaviors and how they match with your brand. For instance, how does the content that the influencer is posting align with your values? Are they promoting other like-minded products or services, or does it feel off? This vetting process will lead to a more profitable and genuine partnership.

This work is exclusive to partnering with an agency that truly understands the ins and outs of influencer marketing. Rather than simply submitting an order to a third-party platform for what you think you need and who you think you want to work with, we take the time to do things right from step 1, ensuring a successful partnership with guaranteed results.

An ROI worth the relationship

Influencers you engage with should ultimately become brand ambassadors. Successful collaborations can only happen when the company and the influencer are honest and genuine about their relationship. People can sense an inauthentic endorsement from a mile away, and at the end of the day, they most strongly trust those they feel they know.

According to Influencer Marketing Hub, 21% of consumers have reported unfollowing influencers who are not transparent about product reviews, partnerships, and ads. Both on and offline, people crave honesty, and more importantly, authenticity. A review that is clearly scripted or allows for no creative freedom will not end well.

Trust and credibility are dealmakers when it comes to purchasing decisions. In fact, 61% of consumers trust influencers, compared to the 38% who trust the actual brands. This explains why most people are more likely to purchase a product based on a friend, family member, or influencer’s recommendation rather than traditional advertising.

Trust can translate into significant returns on investment, which not only benefits the consumers, but also the brand’s visibility and revenue. Research highlights that the ROI for influencer marketing is nearly 11 times that of traditional marketing, with $285 in sales per 1,000 views. Talk about a relationship that works.

Authenticity matters, but how do you get there?

When partnering with an agency like STIR, you can feel confident in the influencer relationships we discover. We work hard to develop meaningful insights that will ensure an influencer is a great fit for your brand, and vice versa. We train them on a one-to-one basis and ensure your brand voice shines through their content.

We conduct thorough research to make sure your brand aligns seamlessly with the influencer you choose. Not only do we get to know them, but:

  • We get to know their motivations.
  • We analyze their audience and what they respond to.
  • We interview them and gauge their excitement around your product.
  • We use them to their strengths and encourage them to exercise their individuality and creativity.

Influencers list creativity as a top priority when working with brands, and we never lose sight of that. We know exactly how to strike the balance between 100% on-message and spontaneity while serving as valuable thought partners. Authenticity means granting influencers the freedom to talk about your product the way they want to while still abiding by your brand’s guidelines.

Influencer marketing is not one-size-fits-all. To make your campaign resonate with your audience, it is important to work with different influencers for each initiative—that is, if they fit your brand’s voice and goals. We can help you achieve brand-influencer harmony. Contact us to get started.

2023 Social Media Image Size Guide

Posted on by Josh Arter

Social media platforms are constantly evolving, with new players entering the arena at a faster pace than ever and current networks revamping their interfaces. With videos, graphics, Reels, and everything in-between, brands essentially have unlimited possibilities when it comes to telling their unique stories.

Now, more than ever, consumers expect polished content from brands on social media. This is why it’s crucial for every visual element to look high-quality and to be correctly sized to each social network’s requirements. As people scroll through their feeds, high-resolution, consistent visuals help build trust and boost brand affinity.

Read on or download the full guide for the latest sizing standards for today’s top social media channels.

Happy designing!

What’s the difference between image and display sizes?

  • Image sizes as they are listed below are optimal for each network and should be followed whenever possible. Uploaded images will be reduced and optimized for each network while retaining their original quality on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices.
  • Display sizes are the sizes at which images are displayed on an individual network and will vary across devices. Display sizes are listed as a reference only. Always follow the recommended Image size dimensions to ensure best results.

Below are the most up-to-date dimensions for the major social networks. Please note that all sizes are provided in pixels.

Social Media Image Sizes by Network

Facebook

facebook - 2023 social media image size guide

Profile Picture – Image Size

  • Must be at least 180 x 180 pixels – Larger images will be automatically scaled down. 
  • Note: We recommend at least 600 x 600 pixels to ensure image quality.

Profile Picture – Display Size

  • 170 x 170 pixels on page; 32 x 32 pixels throughout Facebook feed
  • Note: Business Page images will be cropped to fit a square.

Cover Photo – Image Size

  • 1200 x 628 pixels

Cover Photo – Display Size

  • 820 x 312 pixels on desktop; 640 x 360 pixels on smartphones
  • Note: Because cover photo images are resized differently for desktop and smartphones, it is important to test images on both devices to ensure image integrity.

Shared Image – Image Size

  • Square photo: 1200 x 1200 pixels
  • Rectangular photo: 1200 x 628 pixels

Shared Image – Display Size

  • Square photo: will scale to a max width of 470 pixels (in feed)
  • Square photo: will scale to a max width of 500 pixels (on page)
  • Rectangular photo: will scale to a max size of 470 x 246 pixels (in feed)
  • Rectangular photo: will scale to a max size of 504 x 265 pixels (on page)

Facebook Story – Image Size

  • 1080 x 1920 pixels

Shared Link – Image Size

  • Square photo: 1200 x 1200 pixels
  • Rectangular photo: 1200 x 628 pixels

Shared Link – Display Size

  • Square photo: minimum 154 x 154 pixels (in feed)
  • Square photo: minimum 116 x 116 pixels (on page)
  • Rectangular photo: minimum 470 x 246 pixels (in feed)
  • Rectangular photo: minimum 484 x 252 pixels (on page)

Event Cover Photo – Image Size

  • 1920 x 1080 pixels

Event Cover Photo – Display Size

  • 470 x 174 pixels

Twitter

twitter - 2023 social media image size guide

Profile Photo – Image Size

  • 400 x 400 pixels 
  • Maximum file size: 2 MB

Profile Photo – Display Size

  • 200 x 200 pixels 

Cover Photo – Image Size

  • 1500 x 500 pixels
  • Maximum file size: 5 MB
  • Note: When designing a header photo, be sure to account for the Twitter profile photo and the invisible area that is cropped out of uploaded images. 

Timeline/Feed Photo – Image Size

  • 1600 x 900 pixels (16:9 ratio) 
  • Maximum file size: 5 MB for photos
  • Maximum file size: 5 MB for GIFs on mobile
  • Maximum file size: 15 MB for GIFs on desktop

Timeline/Feed Photo – Display Size

  • 440 x 220 pixels (2:1 ratio)

Instagram

instagram - 2023 social media image size guide

Profile Photo – Image Size

  • Minimum 320 x 320 pixels
  • Note: We recommend at least 600 x 600 pixels to ensure quality.

Profile Photo – Display Size

  • 161 x 161 pixels 

Photos – Image Size

  • Square photos
    • 1080 x 1080 pixels (standard)
    • 1200 x 1200 pixels (recommended)
    • Note: Always maintain an aspect ratio of 1:1.
  • Landscape photos
    • 1080 x 566 pixels
  • Portrait photos
    • 1080 x 1350 pixels

Photos – Display Size

  • 510 x 510 pixels (square photos in feed)
  • 161 x 161 pixels (photo thumbnails in individual user’s grid)

Instagram Stories – Image/Video Size

  • 1080 x 1920 pixels
  • Aspect ratio of 9:16
  • Maximum file size: 4 GB
  • File type: MP4
  • Note: These dimensions also apply to Instagram Story ads and Reels.

Shared Videos – Video Size

  • 864 x 1080 pixels
  • Aspect ratio of 4:5

Pinterest

pinterest - 2023 social media image size guide

Profile Picture – Image Size

  • Minimum 600 x 600 pixels 

Profile Picture – Display Size

  • 165 x 165 pixels (homepage)
  • 32 x 32 pixels (throughout feed/search results pages)

Profile Cover Photo – Image Size

  • Minimum 800 x 450 pixels

Board Cover Photo – Image Size

  • 222 x 150 pixels (large thumbnail)
  • 55 x 55 pixels (small thumbnail)

Pins – Image Size

  • Regular pin: 1000 x 1000 pixels
  • Optimal pin: 1000 x 1500 pixels
  • Minimum pin: 600 x 900 pixels
  • Expanded pin: 600 pixels x any height 

Pins – Display Size

  • 236 pixels x any height

Board Thumbnail – Display Size

  • 222 x 150 pixels (large thumbnail)
  • 55 x 55 pixels (small thumbnail)

LinkedIn

linkedin - 2023 social media image size guide

Cover Image (User) – Image Size

  • 1584 x 396 pixels
  • Maximum file size: 4 MB

Profile Picture (User) – Image Size

  • Minimum 400 x 400 pixels
  • Maximum file size: 10 MB

Cover Image (Company) – Image Size

  • 1128 x 191 pixels
  • Maximum file size: 4 MB

Profile Picture/Company Logo (Company) – Image Size

  • Minimum 800 x 800 pixels
  • Maximum file size: 4 MB
  • Note: This is the brand logo that appears on a company’s LinkedIn page.

Square Logo (Company) – Image Size

  • 300 x 300 pixels
  • Maximum file size: 2 MB
  • Note: This is the brand logo that appears in LinkedIn search results.

Banner Image (Company) – Image Size

  • 646 x 200 pixels
  • Maximum file size: 2 MB

Hero Image (Company) – Image Size

  • 1128 x 376 pixels
  • Maximum file size: 2 MB

Shared Image or Link – Image Size

  • 1200 x 627 pixels 

YouTube

youtube - 2023 social media image size guide

Channel Profile Image – Image Size

  • 800 x 800 pixels

Channel Profile Image – Display Size

  • 98 x 98 pixels

Channel Cover Photo – Image Size

  • 2560 x 1152 pixels
  • Note: When designing a channel cover photo, be sure to account for four different display configurations – TV, desktop, tablet and mobile. Click here for a helpful template for designing YouTube header images. 

Channel Cover Photo – Display Size

  • 2560 x 1440 pixels (TV)
  • 2560 x 423 pixels (desktop)
  • 1855 x 423 pixels (tablet)
  • 1546 x 423 pixels (mobile)

Video Uploads – Video Size

  • Minimum HD: 1280 x 720 pixels
  • Aspect ratio of 16:9

Video – Title and Descriptions

  • Video title is 100 characters.
  • Video description is 5,000 characters.

TikTok

tiktok - 2023 social media image size guide

Profile Image – Image Size

  • Minimum 20 x 20 pixels

Video Uploads – Video Size

  • 1080 x 1920 pixels
  • Aspect ratio of 9:16

Snapchat

snapchat - 2023 social media image size guide

Ad – Image/Video Size

  • 1080 x 1920 pixels
  • Aspect ratio of 9:16
  • Maximum file size: 5 MB
  • File type: JPEG or PNG

Custom Geofilter – Image Size

  • Minimum 120 x 120 pixels
  • Aspect ratio: 9:16
  • Maximum file size: 5 MB
  • File type: JPEG or PNG

DOWNLOAD THE FULL PDF

Marketing Trends to Watch for in 2023

Posted on by administir
two people working on a table with various items

The pace of change in marketing seemingly accelerates each year. What was once considered avant-garde can become rote in a matter of months. Looking back, we see that the pandemic expedited the adoption of digital marketing by consumers and therefore, by brands. This led to rapid innovations and the revamping of best practices across disciplines.

Learning new skills and optimizing techniques is now a constant task in the professional lives of marketers. At STIR, we try to stay on top of all of this for our clientele, collecting knowledge and sharing insights in real time. But as we turn the corner to 2023, we’d like to draw your attention to just a few marketing trends we’re paying extra close attention to.

Consumers will seek values-based branding

In 2023 and beyond, consumers will continue to seek strong connections to their favored brands. These preferences will closely align with their interests and values. The digital marketplace readily sources products based on their basic attributes, so smarter brands have a need to create differentiation on a more meaningful level with this type of higher-order positioning. They often do this by using authentic human stories to connect to audiences.

To achieve this, brands — particularly emerging brands that are actively crafting their voice and image in the marketplace — must develop specific sets of values and establish the causes with which they can share an affinity with important target audiences. While some of these stances can potentially be polarizing, they are also critical to attract customers that will loyally advocate for them.

Therefore, brands using creativity and messaging through integrated campaigns can successfully separate themselves from the sea of sameness.

Web design is going retro

Today’s web users expect simplicity and ease while browsing for information, shopping, conducting business, and communicating with brands and people online. Exceptionally simple, straightforward, mega-intuitive websites are making a comeback — a far leap from sites that feature elaborate plugins and other bells and whistles that may interrupt the user experience and increase page load times.

From a UX and web design perspective, there will be a steep rise in nostalgic Brutalist styles. Think less muted and monochromatic color palettes, more old-school system fonts, bold images, underlined hyperlinks, and other mid-‘90s-esque design qualities. While such designs may seem difficult to process at first glance, they have high readability thanks to more conservative typography. Some good examples of Brutalist style websites include Radical Everything, Whitney Museum, and Typical Organization.

The bar will be raised in data collection and utilization

Universal Analytics, or GA3, is projected to stop collecting data on June 30, 2023. To prepare, companies will need to switch to Google Analytics 4 or find another tool to measure their website’s performance and ensure proper collection of historical data. And while brands are upgrading their data collection tools, we expect they will also redouble their efforts to use available data in more productive ways. So, heads up, competition for clicks and conversions is only going to get tougher!

There is a historical data limit of 14 months in GA4, while GA3 could be set to never expire. This may have significant ramifications for reporting. However, this also presents an opportunity to review and revise existing events and conversions set up in GA3, especially regarding naming conventions. GA4 is still being developed, so we don’t yet know the full picture, but it will certainly take time for agencies and clients to adjust to the transition.

Social commerce will prevail

Social media has evolved into much more than a series of websites we use to communicate with friends. Brands of all shapes and sizes are turning to social as a primary means to ecommerce, giving their customers a direct avenue to make purchases — without navigating away from the app. In other words, the platforms themselves include built-in browsers that act as virtual storefronts.

With the recent surge of in-app shopping, social commerce is expected to be another vital sales driver in 2023. When coupled with hyper-targeted ads, this creates a conversion-centric ecosystem right within people’s favorite social networks. Social commerce retail earnings are predicted to reach $80 billion in the U.S. alone by 2025, according to Shopify. Global sales were estimated at $992 billion in 2022, and forecasts suggest that social commerce sales will amount to $2.9 trillion by 2026.

TikTok is providing more than entertainment

No, it’s not going anywhere. In fact, TikTok, the global video-based app that has skyrocketed in popularity among people and brands alike, is also becoming a major player in the world of social commerce. According to Insider Intelligence, Facebook and Instagram are leading social commerce ($63.5 million and $41 million, respectively), with TikTok as the current runner-up ($23.7 million), surpassing Pinterest ($15.9 million) in in-app sales. TikTok Live Shopping is a new feature that allows influencers, large retailers, and small businesses to share products they love with their audiences in captivating ways. Rather than running away from TikTok, we anticipate brands and consumers will run faster towards it.

Media outlets are welcoming more contributed content

Newsroom employment has steadily fallen 26% since 2008, according to Pew Research Center. Considering these staff shortages, which are expected to continue in 2023, newspapers and magazines across the country have fewer full-time staff members to write content. This provides an open door for PR professionals to offer up contributed content from subject matter experts.

2023 will be the year to drive home the importance of thought leadership to clients who may not have wanted to invest in it previously. We recommend starting with smaller, local outlets, then casting an even wider net by reaching out to larger, more renowned publications.

Podcasting is climbing the ranks

Even though they launched in 2004, podcasts are becoming an even more powerful marketing tool. In fact, 26% (roughly 80 million) of Americans tune into podcasts on a weekly basis, according to Edison Research. Podcasts allow audiences to feel empowered when it comes to how, when, and where they consume audio content. They are also able to drive strong connections between the listeners and the hosts and guests, many of whom are brand representatives sharing the latest news and insights. Podcasts provide a constructive avenue to discuss topics that align with companies’ and listeners’ values.

If you would like to chat further about any of the above marketing trends or want to revitalize your advertising and messaging strategy in 2023, feel free to reach out.

2022 Social Media Image Size Guide

Posted on by Josh Arter

Imagery – whether in the form of photos, graphics, or videos – is often the main way to grab an audience’s attention across social channels. In recent years, social media has become one of the major touchpoints through which consumers can learn more about and interact with businesses.

Today’s consumers are exposed to more content than ever. As users scroll through their feeds, brands’ marketing efforts typically rely on a transient glance. To maintain aesthetic integrity, brands cannot afford to have their images cropped or scaled – which is why these visual elements must be correctly sized to each social network’s standards. Clear, high-resolution, fully visible images provide a more polished look, which in turn builds consumer trust.

It’s important to keep up with each network’s sizing standards, as they change frequently in response to new interface designs and features. To that end, we’ve updated our annual social media image size guide for content creators everywhere. Happy designing!

Read on or scroll to the bottom of this page to download the full PDF guide.

What’s the difference between image and display sizes?

  • Image sizes as they are listed below are optimal for each network and should be followed whenever possible. Uploaded images will be reduced and optimized for each network while retaining their original quality on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices.
  • Display sizes are the sizes at which images are displayed on an individual network and will vary across devices. Display sizes are listed as a reference only. Always follow the recommended Image size dimensions to ensure best results.

Below are the most up-to-date dimensions for the major social networks. Please note that all sizes are provided in pixels.

Social Media Image Sizes by Network

Facebook

2022 social media image size guide facebook

Profile Picture – Image Size

  • Must be at least 180 x 180 pixels – Larger images will be automatically scaled down. 
  • Note: We recommend at least 600 x 600 pixels to ensure image quality.

Profile Picture – Display Size

  • 170 x 170 pixels on page; 32 x 32 pixels throughout Facebook feed
  • Note: Business Page images will be cropped to fit a square.

Cover Photo – Image Size

  • 1200 x 628 pixels

Cover Photo – Display Size

  • 820 x 312 pixels on desktop; 640 x 360 pixels on smartphones
  • Note: Because cover photo images are resized differently for desktop and smartphones, it is important to test images on both to ensure image integrity. For best practices on Facebook cover photo practices, click here.

Shared Image – Image Size

  • Square photo: 1200 x 1200 pixels
  • Rectangular photo: 1200 x 628 pixels

Shared Image – Display Size

  • Square photo: will scale to a max width of 470 pixels (in feed)
  • Square photo: will scale to a max width of 500 pixels (on page)
  • Rectangular photo: will scale to a max size of 470 x 246 pixels (in feed)
  • Rectangular photo: will scale to a max size of 504 x 265 pixels (on page)

Facebook Story – Image Size

  • 1080 x 1920 pixels

Shared Link – Image Size

  • Square photo: 1200 x 1200 pixels
  • Rectangular photo: 1200 x 628 pixels

Shared Link – Display Size

  • Square photo: minimum 154 x 154 pixels (in feed)
  • Square photo: minimum 116 x 116 pixels (on page)
  • Rectangular photo: minimum 470 x 246 pixels (in feed)
  • Rectangular photo: minimum 484 x 252 pixels (on page)

Event Cover Photo – Image Size

  • 1920 x 1080 pixels

Event Cover Photo – Display Size

  • 470 x 174 pixels

Twitter

2022 social media image size guide twitter

Profile Photo – Image Size

  • 400 x 400 pixels 
  • Maximum file size 2 MB

Profile Photo – Display Size

  • 200 x 200 pixels 

Cover Photo – Image Size

  • 1500 x 500 pixels
  • Maximum file size 5 MB
  • Note: When designing a header photo, be sure to account for the Twitter profile photo and the invisible area that is cropped out of uploaded images. Click here for a template to help design Twitter header images. 

Timeline/Feed Photo – Image Size

  • 1600 x 900 pixels (a 16:9 ratio) 
  • Maximum file size 5 MB for photos
  • Maximum file size 5 MB for GIFs on mobile
  • Maximum file size 15 MB for GIFs on desktop

Timeline/Feed Photo – Display Size

  • 440 x 220 pixels (2:1 ratio)

Instagram

2022 social media image size guide instagram

Profile Photo – Image Size

  • Minimum 320 x 320 pixels
  • Note: We recommend at least 600 x 600 pixels to ensure quality.

Profile Photo – Display Size

  • 161 x 161 pixels 

Photos – Image Size

  • Square photos
    • 1200 x 1200 pixels
    • Note: Always maintain an aspect ratio of 1:1.
  • Landscape photos
    • 1080 x 1350 pixels
  • Portrait photos
    • 1080 x 1350 pixels

Photos – Display Size

  • 510 x 510 pixels (square photos in feed)
  • 161 x 161 pixels (photo thumbnails in individual user’s grid)

Instagram Stories – Image/Video Size

  • 1080 x 1920 pixels
  • Aspect ratio of 9:16
  • Maximum file size 4 GB
  • File type: MP4
  • Note: These dimensions also apply to Instagram Story ads and Reels.

Shared Videos – Video Size

  • 864 x 1080 pixels
  • Aspect ratio of 4:5

Pinterest

2022 social media image size guide pinterest

Profile Picture – Image Size

  • Minimum 600 x 600 pixels 

Profile Picture – Display Size

  • 165 x 165 pixels (homepage)
  • 32 x 32 pixels (throughout feed/search results pages)

Profile Cover Photo – Image Size

  • Minimum 800 x 450 pixels

Board Cover Photo – Image Size

  • 222 x 150 pixels (large thumbnail)
  • 55 x 55 pixels (small thumbnail)

Pins – Image Size

  • Regular pin: 1000 x 1000 pixels
  • Optimal pin: 1000 x 1500 pixels
  • Expanded pin: 600 pixels x any height 

Pins – Display Size

  • 236 pixels x any height

Board Thumbnail – Display Size

  • 222 x 150 pixels (large thumbnail)
  • 55 x 55 pixels (small thumbnail)

LinkedIn

2022 social media image size guide linkedin

Cover Image (User) – Image Size

  • 1584 x 396 pixels
  • Maximum file size 4 MB

Profile Picture (User) – Image Size

  • Minimum 400 x 400 pixels
  • Maximum file size 10 MB

Cover Image (Company) – Image Size

  • 1128 x 191 pixels
  • Maximum file size 4 MB

Profile Picture/Company Logo (Company) – Image Size

  • Minimum 800 x 800 pixels
  • Maximum file size 4 MB
  • Note: This is the brand logo that appears on a company’s LinkedIn homepage.

Square Logo (Company) – Image Size

  • 300 x 300 pixels
  • Maximum file size 2 MB
  • Note: This is the brand logo that appears in LinkedIn search results.

Banner Image (Company) – Image Size

  • 646 x 200 pixels
  • Maximum file size 2 MB

Hero Image (Company) – Image Size

  • 1128 x 376 pixels
  • Maximum file size 2 MB

Shared Image or Link – Image Size

  • 1200 x 627 pixels 

YouTube

2022 social media image size guide youtube

Channel Profile Image – Image Size

  • 800 x 800 pixels

Channel Profile Image – Display Size

  • 98 x 98 pixels

Channel Cover Photo – Image Size

  • 2560 x 1152 pixels
  • Note: When designing a channel cover photo, be sure to account for four different display configurations – TV, desktop, tablet and mobile. Click here for a helpful template for designing YouTube header images. 

Channel Cover Photo – Display Size

  • 2560 x 1440 pixels (TV)
  • 2560 x 423 pixels (desktop)
  • 1855 x 423 pixels (tablet)
  • 1546 x 423 pixels (mobile)

Video Uploads – Video Size

  • Minimum HD 1280 x 720 pixels
  • Aspect ratio of 16:9

TikTok

2022 social media image size guide tiktok

Profile Image – Image Size

  • Minimum 20 x 20 pixels

Video Uploads – Video Size

  • 1080 x 1920 pixels
  • Aspect ratio of 9:16

Snapchat

2022 social media image size guide snapchat

Ad – Image/Video Size

  • 1080 x 1920 pixels
  • Aspect ratio 9:16
  • Maximum file size 5 MB
  • File type: JPEG or PNG

Custom Geofilter – Image Size

  • Minimum 120 x 120 pixels
  • Aspect ratio: 9:16
  • Maximum file size 5 MB
  • File type: JPEG or PNG

DOWNLOAD THE FULL PDF

How to Win Customers on Social Media

Posted on by Ceara Milligan

This year, shoppers are expected to spend between 8.5% to 10.5% more – both online and offline – than they did in 2020, according to Forbes. To rake in profits and provide the best customer experience, brands need to implement solid social media strategies to drive traffic and transactions. In addition to the traditional flashy in-store promotions, direct mail catalogs, and catchy television commercials, social media is undeniably one of the biggest drivers of shopping. 

Social media offers a personal way to connect with consumers that drives engagement and sales. Not only is social media affordable and approachable, but as the past several years have shown, it also has a more widespread audience than any other major marketing channel. 

43% of shoppers research products via social networks.

BigCommerce

Here are some simple ways to better leverage your company’s social media channels year-round. 

Implement shoppable posts 

If you’re promoting products on social media, it’s important to make sure your posts are shoppable. This makes it a cinch to complete purchases in just a few clicks. There are plenty of affordable and intuitive e-commerce solutions to implement for Facebook, including Shopify and BigCommerce. From browsing to checkout, Instagram and Facebook allow you to tag products directly in your posts and Stories so users don’t even have to leave the app to complete the process. When a user taps a product-tagged photo, a bubble appears with the product’s name and price. From there, they are led to the real product page within Instagram’s exclusive in-app browser. 

Every month, more than 130 million Instagram users tap on shoppable posts to learn more about products they see.

Newsfeed.org

Take advantage of retargeting

Retargeting is a method by which customers who bounce from your website or social media page are reintroduced to your brand via digital advertising. These ads increase brand awareness and, ideally, total conversions. 

Retargeting is a cookie-based technology that uses short lines of JavaScript code to “follow” customers around the web. For example, if someone visits a retailer’s website and lands on a particular product page but does not convert during that session (i.e., does not make a purchase), they will likely see an ad for that same product in their social feeds or on a banner ad soon after. This happens because the cookie is fired – or activated – on that page, gets stored in the web browser, tracks their online activity, and collects key behavioral data. Brands can set up timely and relevant retargeting ads to be displayed across websites and on all major social networks, including Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 

Another type of retargeting ad is one you’ve probably seen while browsing your own social media feeds. Dynamic ads are personalized retargeting placements that feature the exact product someone was browsing. This allows the customer to pick up right where they left off and regenerate their initial intent to purchase. With dynamic ads, brands can guide users further down the sales funnel and reduce the number of abandoned carts. 

Employ the power of video 

Time and time again, video has proven to be one of the most compelling visual media. Video allows brands to tell stories in a creative, concise fashion and capture viewers’ interest within mere seconds. Video content typically performs better than static images or plain text with most social networks’ algorithms. This is simply because videos naturally seize people’s attention for longer periods of time. 

Videos on Instagram and Facebook generate more engagement than any other content type, and tweets that include video see 10 times more engagement.

Later

To learn a few tips on how to constructively use video on your social channels, read STIR’s featured article in PR Daily. 

social post usage copy break image

Enforce a community management game plan 

One way to humanize your brand on social media is to be consistent with community management – the way in which a brand interacts with its followers and prospects. Respond or react to comments as quickly as possible (typically within 24 hours) to engage in authentic conversation with your customers. You can even set up automatic responses in Facebook Messenger and your preferred email platform so when customers reach out with questions, they see an immediate message letting them know someone will respond as soon as possible. Of course, make sure to follow up with your promise by getting back to them in a timely manner and pointing them in the right direction. This avoids leaving someone hanging, which can be frustrating and stressful. 

Optimize your search efforts 

Search engine optimization (SEO) has no time to rest. For the most effective SEO, take time to regularly update your keyword strategy, which not only takes into account your brand’s main website but also your social media channels. The higher your brand appears on a search engine results page, the more likely a user is to navigate to your site or social network before your competitors’ pages. 

Cross- and up-sell your offerings 

Personalization matters more than ever, and knowing what your customers are buying and offering ways to fulfill their shopping experience is key. This is where cross-selling and up-selling often come into play. Cross-selling – a practice in which customers are encouraged to buy complimentary or supplementary products – and up-selling – a sales strategy in which customers are influenced to buy something that would make their purchase even better – are tried-and-true marketing approaches that have been leveraged since far before the advent of social media. For example, if you purchase a yoga mat online, the same brand may serve you ads for a matching travel bag (cross-selling) or an aromatherapeutic mat spray (up-selling). 

To implement these methods effectively via social media, email, and other digital channels, it’s important to get to know your customers on a level that’s deeper than merely transactional. Keep track of their online behaviors, past purchases, engagements, and other key factors. From there, you can cater to them by serving personalized recommendations.

71% of consumers expect companies to deliver personalized interactions. 75% of consumers become frustrated when this doesn’t happen.

McKinsey

So, how exactly are users served these types of ads that entice them to check out additional relevant products? To put it simply, it all boils down to using the right data on the right channel at the right time. To accomplish this, it’s important to keep a well-maintained inventory system and customer relationship management (CRM) platform. This will allow you to manage and monitor your customers’ purchase history and other engagement points, which in turn allows you to engineer your retargeting, cross-selling, and up-selling efforts more effectively.

Openly express how your brand gives back 

Now, more than ever, today’s consumers care about companies’ values and how they contribute to their communities and the world at large. Make it a priority to showcase how your brand is benefiting humanity. Some ways to use social media for good – other than purely promoting and selling products – are to pledge a dollar amount of every sale to a charitable organization or to share how your company’s staff is helping community members in need. 

An example of a brand doing this well (and without being pretentious) is ThredUP, an online consignment shop that buys and sells customers’ secondhand clothes and accessories. In addition to showing off an incredible array of inventory on its social channels, ThredUP consistently promotes its core values, which include cutting waste, saving energy, spending less, and creating a better future for the fashion industry. 

customers social media post IG example 1
customers social media post IG example 2
customers social media post IG example 3

If you’re looking for more ways to enhance your social media presence, drop us a line. We’re happy to help! Reach out to STIR’s Social Media Director Josh Arter (josha@stirstuff.com) to get started. 

3 Ways Brands Can Drive Growth via Pinterest

Posted on by Ceara Milligan

Pinterest has come quite a long way since its launch in 2010. From its initial user base of just 10,000, the search-oriented social network has steadily grown to its current audience of 478 million over the past decade. With more than 5 billion monthly searches, the platform has evolved into a mainstream hub for ecommerce.

By regularly altering its algorithm, Pinterest incentivizes brands to differentiate themselves as unique and inspiring purveyors of content. At STIR, we are constantly monitoring such changes across all social platforms. The social media landscape continues to challenge us as marketers to find new ways that resonate on a deeper, more emotional level with our audiences.

Here are three ways your brand can foster a strong relationship with the Pinterest community and use the network to your advantage.

Leverage what makes you unique

Pinterest users typically come to the website for either visual inspiration or to curate specific content via search, which has been the predominant use case for the platform recently. This provides an opportunity for brands to capitalize on various ways to differentiate themselves. For example, a brand may have a unique story to share about the assembly of a flagship product. Or perhaps your brand is widely considered a subject matter expert on DIY bathroom projects. That’s a perfect opportunity to share educational content for the at-home handyman.

As you plan out your content strategy, ask yourself:

  1. Who are we as a brand?
  2. What do we stand for?
  3. What market need(s) can we fulfill?

This is where a bit of self-reflection is in order. Before you begin, determine what makes your company interesting, and then develop content that tells your brand’s story in an effective way.

Curate your content to reflect today’s trends

Understanding how your brand fits into current industry trends is another way to closely elevate and optimize your Pinterest content strategy. For example, hard seltzer brand BON V!V wanted to introduce its zero-sugar canned beverages to the marketplace by leveraging social media marketing. To penetrate an already crowded marketplace, BON V!V aligned with the “cozy brunch experience at home” trend, capturing vibrant photos of appetizing, aesthetically pleasing brunch meals. They featured their boozy sipper as the “it” brunch drink in each of the images and saw amazing results. The brand witnessed 100% full-funnel statistically significant lifts across five major metrics:

  1. Brand awareness
  2. Pin awareness
  3. Message association
  4. Brand favorability
  5. Purchase intent

Being bold and trying multiple ways to fit your brand into current consumer trends will not only separate you from the competition, but also drive interest and sales.

One great research tool that can help is Pinterest Predicts. While staying on top of ever-changing trends can be time-consuming, the platform has approached this common problem head on. Through the innovative prediction tool, Pinterest gathers and evaluates platform data to make informed estimations on what will be trending in the near future. Using predictive tools like this provides brands with an advantage when crafting their social content strategies.

Recycle “old” content

Reposting content that performed well in the past is a simple yet effective strategy. In fact, the evergreen approach often extends the longevity of content. Evergreen content can be reused annually, as the nature of the platform allows for a more permanent shelf life. Given the search engine functionality of Pinterest, specific terms can curate content on any given topic. For example, you may own an online personalized gift store and want to promote your Father’s Day products. Creating and sharing a blog focused on the “Perfect Holiday Gifts for Dad” has the potential to appear in search results continuously when people are searching for unique presents for their fathers. Pinterest allows this type of content to stay visible longer, which ultimately increases its overall lifetime value.

Pinning user-generated content (UGC) from current customers is another powerful way to elevate brand awareness. UGC positions your brand to be actively involved in the conversation. Additionally, joining Pinterest groups that are relevant to the products and services you offer allows your brand to be a proactive member of these online communities.

Evaluate goals for your Pinterest strategy

Now is the time to ask yourself: Are you doing everything you can to make sure Pinterest is working for your brand? Are you reaching the audiences who truly want to hear what you have to say? If you’re interested in learning more about how Pinterest can help amplify your brand’s voice, give us a shout. We’d love to help get you started.

Managing Your Brand’s Online Reputation

Posted on by administir

What are people saying (and reading) about your brand online? Where do you rank among the competition when people search for the products or services you offer? Managing your brand’s reputation is a crucial requirement when it comes to acquiring and retaining customers.

STIR’s Social Media Director Josh Arter and Digital Director Neil Fraser reveal key techniques to ensure that brands are accurately represented and positively perceived in the digital space. Watch this instructional video to learn how to confidently manage your brand online.

2021 Social Media Image Size Guide

Posted on by Josh Arter

Imagery – whether it be illustrations, graphics, photos, or videos – is the main visual element that draws people into stories. Aside from text, images are often the main way to capture the audience’s attention in marketing messages. In fact, the use of visual information on the web has increased by a whopping 9,900% since 2007. Over the years, social media has become one of the major touchpoints for consumers to learn more about and interact with brands, and the right social media image is key to this. 

Today’s consumers are flooded with more content than ever. As people rapidly scroll through their feeds, social media marketing efforts typically rely on a quick glance. To maintain aesthetic integrity, brands cannot have their images inadvertently cropped, resized, or scaled – which is why these visual elements must be correctly sized to each social network’s standards. Clear, fully visible images create a more polished look for brands, which builds consumer trust and appreciation. However, it’s important to stay up to date with each network’s sizing standards, as they change often as a result of new layouts and features. 

Below are the social media image dimensions recommended for the key social networks for 2021. All sizes are provided in pixels, and we’ve even provided some notes to help you navigate. Our ultimate goal is to save time by providing an all-in-one social media image size reference. 

Happy designing!

Scroll to the bottom to download the full PDF guidelines.

What’s the difference between ‘Image’ and ‘Display’ sizes?

  • Image sizes as they are listed in the visuals below are optimal for each network and should be followed whenever possible. These uploaded images will then be reduced and optimized for each network, retaining their original quality on desktops, tablets and mobile devices.
  • Display sizes are the sizes at which images are displayed on an individual network and will vary across devices. Display sizes are listed as a reference only—brands should follow the Image sizes when placing pictures to ensure the best face forward.

Social Media Image Sizes by Network

Facebook

Profile Picture – Image size

  • Must be at least 180 x 180 pixels – larger images will be automatically scaled down. 
  • We recommend at least 600 x 600 pixels to ensure image quality.

Profile Picture – Display size

  • 170 x 170 pixels on page; 32 x 32 pixels throughout Facebook
  • Business Page images will be cropped to fit a square.

Cover Photo – Image size

  • 820 x 312 pixels

Cover Photo – Display size

  • 820 x 312 pixels on desktop; 640 x 360 pixels on smartphones
  • Because cover photo images are resized differently for desktop and smartphones, it is important to test images on both to ensure image integrity. For best practices on Facebook cover photo practices, click here.

Shared Image – Image Size

  • Square photo: 1200 x 1200 pixels
  • Rectangular photo: 1200 x 630 pixels

Shared Image – Display Size

  • Square photo: will scale to a max width of 470 pixels (in feed)
  • Square photo: will scale to a max width of 504 pixels (on page)
  • Rectangular photo: will scale to a max size of 470 x 246 pixels (in feed)
  • Rectangular Photo: will scale to a max size of 504 x 265 pixels (on page)

Shared Link – Image Size

  • Square photo: 1200 x 1200 pixels
  • Rectangular photo: 1200 x 628 pixels

Shared Link – Display Size

  • Square photo: minimum 154 x 154 pixels (in feed)
  • Square photo: minimum 116 x 116 pixels (on page)
  • Rectangular photo: minimum 470 x 246 pixels (in feed)
  • Rectangular photo: minimum 484 x 252 pixels (on page)

Event Cover Photo – Image Size

  • 1920 x 1080 pixels

Event Cover Photo – Display Size

  • 470 x 174 pixels

Twitter

Profile Photo – Image Size

  • 400 x 400 pixels 
  • Maximum file size of 2 MB

Profile Photo – Display Size

  • 200 x 200 pixels 

Header Image – Image Size

  • 1500 x 500 pixels
  • Maximum file size of 5 MB
  • When designing a header photo, be sure to account for the Twitter profile photo and the invisible area that is cropped out of uploaded images. Click here for a template to help design Twitter header images. 

Timeline/In-Stream Photo – Image Size

  • 1024 x 512 pixels (a 16:9 ratio) 
  • Maximum file size of 5 MB for photos
  • Maximum file size of 5 MB for animated GIFs on mobile and 15 MB on web

Timeline/In-Stream Photo – Display Size

  • 440 x 220 pixels (a 2:1 ratio) 

Twitter Cards

  • When sharing a link with a featured image, Twitter offers the option to display the image as part of a Twitter Card. This feature helps brands gain greater exposure and increases the chances for post engagement. In addition to giving you more space to engage your followers, Twitter cards add a visual component to your news stream that helps you to stand out among other brand’s updates. For more on how to set up Twitter cards, click here.

Instagram

Profile Photo – Image Size

  • 600 x 600 pixels 

Profile Photo – Display Size

  • 110 x 110 pixels 

Photos – Image Size

  • Square photos
    • 1080 x 1080 pixels; minimum 600 x 600 pixels
    • Always maintain an aspect ratio of 1:1 if uploading a larger image.
  • Rectangle/landscape photos (not recommended for marketers)
    • 1080 x 1350 pixels
    • Maintain an aspect ratio between 1.91:1 and 4:5 ratio

Photos – Display Size

  • 510 x 510 pixels (square photos in feed)
  • 510 x 267 pixels (square photos in feed)
  • 161 x 161 pixels (photo thumbnails)
  • Smaller featured header images appear as 204 x 204 pixels
  • Larger featured header images appear as 409 x 409 pixels

Instagram Stories – Image/Video Size

  • 1080 x 1920 pixels
  • Aspect ratio of 9:16
  • Max file size is 4 GB
  • File types: MP4 (preferred), MOV

Shared Videos – Video Size

  • 864 x 1080 pixels
  • Aspect ratio of 4:5

Pinterest

Profile Picture – Image Size

  • Minimum 600 x 600 pixels 

Profile Picture – Display Size

  • 165 x 165 pixels (home page)
  • 32 x 32 pixels (rest of Pinterest)

Board Cover Image – Image Size

  • 222 x 150 pixels (large thumbnail)
  • 55 x 55 pixels (small thumbnail)

Pins – Image Size

  • Regular pin: 600 x 600 pixels
  • Optimal pin: 1000 x 1500 pixels
  • Expanded pin: 600 pixels x any height 

Pins – Display Size

  • 236 pixels x any height

Board Thumbnail – Display Size

  • 222 x 150 pixels (large thumbnail)
  • 55 x 55 pixels (small thumbnail)

LinkedIn

Background Cover Image (Individual) – Image Size

  • 1584 x 396 pixels
  • Maximum file size 4 MB

Profile Picture (Individual) – Image Size

  • 800 x 800 pixels
  • Maximum file size 10 MB

Background Cover Image (Company) – Image Size

  • 1536 x 768 pixels
  • Maximum file size 4 MB

Profile Picture/Company Logo (Company) – Image Size

  • 800 x 800 pixels
  • Maximum file size 4 MB
  • This is the brand logo that appears on a company’s LinkedIn homepage.

Square Logo – Image Size

  • 200 x 200 pixels
  • Maximum file size 2 MB
  • This is the brand logo that appears when a company is searched.

Banner Image (Company) – Image Size

  • 646 x 200 pixels
  • Maximum file size 2 MB

Hero Image (Company) – Image Size

  • 1128 x 376 pixels
  • Maximum file size 2 MB

Shared Image or Link – Image Size

  • 1104 x 736 pixels 

YouTube

Channel Profile Image – Image Size

  • 800 x 800 pixels

Channel Profile Image – Display Size

  • 98 x 98 pixels

Channel Cover Photo – Image Size

  • 2560 x 1440 pixels
  • When designing a channel cover photo, be sure to account for four different display configurations—TV, desktop, tablet and mobile. Click here for a helpful template for designing YouTube header images. 

Channel Cover Photo – Display Size

  • 2560 x 1440 pixels (TV)
  • 2560 x 423 pixels (Desktop)
  • 1855 x 423 pixels (Tablet)
  • 1546 x 423 pixels (Desktop minimum and mobile)

Video Uploads – Video Size

  • Minimum HD 1280 x 720
  • Aspect ratio of 16:9

TikTok

Profile Image – Image Size

  • 20 x 20 pixels minimum (higher quality recommended)

Video Uploads – Video Size

  • 1080 x 1920
  • Aspect ratio of 9:16

Snapchat

Ad – Image/Video Size

  • 1080 x 1920 pixels
  • Maximum file size 5 MB

Custom Geo-filter – Image Size

  • 1080 x 1920 pixels
  • Maximum file size 300 KB

DOWNLOAD THE FULL PDF… print it out, hang it on your wall.

4 Ways to Shift Your Marketing Strategy During COVID-19

Posted on by Katie Koeppel

Let’s face it. Until a vaccine is approved, COVID-19 will continue to hover over all of us, impacting our lives and the global economy. For marketers, it may seem jarring to push forward with brand messaging, however putting a freeze on marketing now is akin to slamming your breaks on the freeway – it will lead to disastrous results. 

Instead, accelerate carefully but confidently to move your brand forward. Here are four strategic marketing shifts to watch for as you continue to navigate through this crisis.

DOUBLE DOWN ON TRUST AND TRANSPARENCY – Brian Bennett, STIR President

During times of crisis, you can increase brand equity by taking extra steps to identify with customers’ concerns and needs – assuaging their fears and going above and beyond their expectations. Now’s the time to emphasize product guarantees and offer refunds if products are delayed due to COVID-19 shipping issues. Businesses need to be transparent about how they are implementing new sanitization procedures to ensure customer safety, and respond within minutes not days to customer concerns. Be sure to avoid platitudes and only make promises that you intend to keep.

SERVE, DON’T SELL ON SOCIAL

With many continuing to work remotely, there’s a captive audience for brands to leverage on social channels. Instagram Live usage alone has doubled during the coronavirus. 

Social is a powerful and cost-efficient strategy for smaller brands looking to breakthrough. But more than ever, businesses should listen to social conversations and drive value-oriented vs sales-driven content. Build engagement through contests and quizzes. For example, we worked with a Wisconsin dairy client to implement a simple social media contest to win free cheese and in one month increased sales by 167%!

More online users are taking solace in planning for future activities, like trips to which restaurants they want to visit, so focus on positive, forward-looking messages. To help during this time, social platforms have designed COVID-19 specific resources to help business owners. 

ADAPT YOUR MEDIA OUTREACH STRATEGY – Christel Henke, V.P. Earned Media

There’s been a seismic shift in the media landscape since COVID-19 and it has significantly affected what stories reporters are interested in and how they are presented (hello Zoom and Skype interviews.) That means even more critical thinking before hitting send on pitches to producers and assignment editors, judging by some of the bad PR pitches out there.  Any pitches that smack of self-serving, will get tossed immediately but a story like how Wisconsin insurer Rural Mutual is helping dairy farmers make it through this crisis – that’s the kind of human interest that reporters are looking for.

For the most part, reporters are still inundated with COVID-19 news right now and they aren’t anxiously awaiting an email about your new widget – unless there’s some connection to the current crisis. If not, best advice is to wait it out a bit and monitor the news until the shift back to normal begins. 

THE DIGITAL FUTURE IS NOW

Work from home. Telemedicine. Zoom(bombing). Virtual conferences. Fashion sweatpants. Sourdough. Quarantine has thrust us into a future we will never fully return from. The Social security administrations is seeing productivity gain processing claims at home. Stock traders can now trade stocks from home. Is that right or wrong? Time will tell, but likely this is the new normal. And for many businesses, getting digital right will be a deciding factor on whether they come through this crisis stronger or have to close up shop.

For some, cancelled conferences and events, may result in extra budget and companies that haven’t prioritized social, SEO or influencer-led campaigns, are now finding it’s time to dip their toes in the digital waters. And those nice to have digital initiatives you had in the hopper for 2022? Do them right now. Digital couponing, advertising, ordering and delivery if you are B2C. Air dropped custom swag and spiffs for your employees, clients and prospects instead of in person meetings. StackAdapt, for example recently sent herb garden kits to its top clients – the perfect balance of thoughtful and relevant, and one that will remain top of mind for marketers who need programmatic ads.

As you rev up your marketing engine during this time, make sure all the gears of your digital marketing machine are ready to go.

We invite you to take our free assessment to gauge where your company stands on the digital marketing spectrum, or you can download our 10-step guide on how to Build a Marketing Machine.