8 Effective Ways to Choose Images for Your Press Release
The format of press releases has changed immensely over the years, especially after worldwide digitization. Now, most press releases are published online and experts have come up with new formats of strategies to make them more effective and efficient. Images are used frequently to add some attractive elements to your story. Content with relevant images attracts more audiences and gets shared more compared to the ones that do not contain any visual element. There are various visual formats like infographics, photos, and videos that you can embed in your press releases. You need to understand which one is the best choice for your content and go for that one.
Here are some useful tips on how you can select the perfect visual for your press release:
1. Add only relevant photos
Press releases with just texts can get boring. Images in between paragraphs can add interest to the story. You may be tempted to use beautiful pictures on the press release but you need to add photos that are relevant to the press release. You should only choose Images for your press release that support the information you provide in the PR. Otherwise, your brand will lose credibility in the market.
2. Use high-resolution photos
Always use high-quality pictures with good resolution in your press release. A good quality photo makes your PR look more polished and attractive. Use images that download quickly so that the journalists do not have to wait for the images to load.
3. Do not use stock photos in the PR
Stock photos are easier to get but the same pictures are used by so many others. They will not improve the quality of your content. It is better to use an original photo that goes perfectly with your press release. You can either hire a photographer or take the photos yourself and edit them using free image editing software. The ideal size of the image should be more than 200 x 200 pixels and in jpg format.
4. Save images with a name
You must save the image that you use in the press release with a name that tells what the photo is about. You just need to use four to five words including keywords as the name of the image.
5. Add a caption
Add a caption to the photo that gives credit to the person who took it. You should also explain what the picture is about in the caption. When you provide these details in the caption it becomes easier for journalists to use the photo as a resource.
6. Using videos is more effective
Videos are the most powerful type of content in attracting the attention of the audience. Videos can also be embedded in a press release. You don’t have to use an expensive tool or software to record the videos. You can just use your smartphones to film short Instagram videos and use them in press releases.
7. Host the video on YouTube or Vimeo
Hosting your videos online on YouTube and Vimeo makes it easier to load them faster. That way, when you post press releases in social media, a preview is automatically generated. Also, these platforms work well on all sorts of devices and help your content get better SEO.
8. Infographics
Infographics are perfect when you want to explain the most important details of your PR. Just make sure it is simple enough to make your audience understand the primary message of the press release.
Benefits of using visual elements in your press release
The most successful PR agencies in the world prefer to add multimedia in their press releases. Here are some of the best benefits of using multimedia in your content:
1. Acquire better audience engagement
Acquiring the attention of the journalists and target audience is one of the primary objectives of a press release. A well-crafted press release can easily make people pay attention to your story. A picture is worth a thousand words. Press releases that include appropriate images or any other type of multimedia are more effective at attracting both the media and niche audience. The readers are more drawn to them and the images keep them hooked throughout the entire content.
2. Boost your online visibility and trust
Images help press releases gain more online visibility and exposure. Infographics can easily make your readers understand what the press release is about. Videos help you generate the highest amount of online engagement compared to other types of multimedia. These elements make your readers believe more in your data and message, increasing your credibility in the market.
3. Makes the content more interactive
In the 21st century, you want to engage the audience on a higher level with your press release in order to stay ahead in the competition. Relevant visual elements make your press release more interactive so the target audience can get more involved with the story. Share the PR on various social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and more to let the readers express their opinions about the story.
4. Helps your audience get the full essence of the PR
If you have a data-driven press release, infographics are the best to bring out the true essence of the story. They not only make the PR visually appealing but help the readers understand the vital information faster and more easily. The best way to make the best infographics is to keep them simple, clarifying, and full of factual data. Make sure the data is right and presented in the simplest way possible.
5. Creates brand awareness
You can use your logo as the multimedia in a press release. It can help you establish your brand image in the eyes of the media, customers, and investors. But, do not crowd the PR by placing the logo multiple times. Use it with other photos in your press release.
Using multimedia can help you achieve more success with your press release in the market. You should hire professionals to do so as they have years of experience in the field.
Brian Johnson – Market Movers
Brian Johnson works as an editor and emphasizes around breaking news stories. He has a Master’s Degree of BBA in Accounting and Finance. He is a dynamic worker spending most of his time analyzing earnings reports and observing commodities and results. He loves to play music and go out shopping in his spare time. He prepares staff on the better purposes of writing, editing and getting the news out on time correctly. Also, Brian Johnson focuses mainly on the effects of activity on the marketplace. He is an editor and reporter of “Market Movers” category.