THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CREATING CONTENT
Content creation for social media can be difficult, especially as a small business owner who is shuffling all the different roles. As a social media agency, we have learned a few (hundred) things. Looking at a photo on Pinterest may make it seem easy and simple, but it definitely requires more work than just "point and shoot".
In today's blog we scratch the surface of creating content and the overall things to consider when curating a moldboard and creating content.
1. PHOTOGRAPHY SKILLS
When it comes down to it, taking quality content isn't as easy as snapping a quick pic of your dinner. If you have a specific vision, sometimes you need to consider your overall photography skills. Photography skills basically include everything below. You need to have the skills, knowledge and the eye for aesthetics.
The only way to improve your skills is PRACTICE! Finding inspo and trying to recreate it. Spending the day photographing things that make you feel inspired.
2. COMPOSITION
Composition is the arrangement and placement of elements in a way that serves your creative vision.
You want to make sure when you take a photo, the elements in that photo complement one another. Complement in terms of actual substance of the photo as well as the visual appearance of the photo.
Example of complementary substance: A photo with sunscreen at the beach and a beach towel.
Example of complementary appearance: A perfect balance of dead(empty or blank) space and objects in the photo.
3. LIGHTING
Lighting is an obvious thing to consider. This can depend on whether you're using natural lighting or studio/ artificial lighting. The type of lights you use can alter the quality of the photo.
Other than the quality of the content, lighting changes the entire feeling of a photo or video. Dim lighting gives a very moody, night time feeling. While, a golden hour photo gives warm and glowing feelings.
4. CAMERA SETTINGS
So camera settings can get tricky. Depending on the device you're using to photograph there are so many different tips, tricks and hacks. So just be sure to do some research and be patient. Once you get a handle for the different settings you need to know, it becomes easier to change them in different settings.
5. SOFTWARE SKILLS
So the skills don't stop at shooting the content. You might also need to go in and edit the photos. Whether this be on software like Photoshop, Lightroom or anything else. You are going to want to know what you can achieve on different softwares.
6. COLORS
Colors can play a role in your overall feed visuals. Consider what colors your brand sticks to normally and what they may lean towards for special occasions.
Example: Neon purple when your colors are normally neutral.
Example 2: Taking a photo in a bright green grassy hill when all your content is shot by the beach.
7. MODELS
Who is the face(s) representing your brand? Be realistic to what your brand stands for and what it offers. Who are the consumers? Can they see themselves in these models?
8. EQUIPMENT
So at the end of the day you can make content on a budget or with all the high end devices and software. When it comes down to it, content is a lot of work. All these things to consider are simply before and during shooting content. This doesn't include the copy or other strategical aspects of content. Don't even get us started on Reels/ Tik Tok. That is a whole other topic.
Hopefully these points give you some guidance on where to go from here. If you're still feeling lost as ever or just don't have the time to invest in all these things, set up a call with us.