Tell me, would you rather spend your time reading an essay on the beauty of Snowdonia National Park? Or would you like to experience a 30 second clip of rushing waterfalls, snow-capped mountains and people enjoying the trails? I know which would grab me. Research clearly demonstrates that when it comes to digital advertising, most of us preferring visual marketing – especially younger audiences.
When you look at the crowded landscape of digital advertising, it’s clear why. With around three million apps vying for our attention at once (give or take), advertising needs to capture limited attention and leave a lasting impression. This is as true for small, local businesses as it is for large multinational corporations.
What is Branding?
A branding agency may give you a set of killer logos and send you on your way. This is of course a good start (and we even offer this service), but a solid brand identity is so much more than a logo. If you’re asking yourself “what is branding?”, we have a good explainer here. But essentially, your brand is your story, and it’s your story that sells. The logo – whilst important – comes last.
Your Visual Brand
So how do you tell the story of your local business? I refer you to the start of this blog. To get ahead in advertising, you must use images and videos. Investing in high-quality visual content communicates in a faster, more engaging, and more authentic way. It adds depth to your brand’s narrative. Whether it’s showcasing behind-the-scenes glimpses of your team at work or highlighting the unique features of your products or services, images and videos allow you to paint a vivid picture that resonates with your community. Visual content allows for fluid branding that makes your local business stand out amongst the digital clutter.
Rural Visual Content
Businesses in small towns, villages and the countryside have two tremendous resources: their location and their community. Images of the Shropshire Hills, the Llangollen Canal or the sun setting over a lonely oak in a field in Hereford are captivating, as is the close-knit nature of rural communities. So why not integrate these into your branding and use them to sell your local business.
Who you gonna call?
Have you opened another tab to Google “professional photographer near me”? Hold fire. For high-quality photos and videos, you will need a professional photographer. But a professional photographer alone cannot offer you a complete marketing solution with a fluid branding strategy. The boys at Rural Clicks can tailor a marketing solution which communicates your brand across social media, search engines and your own bespoke website at competitive rates (check it out!).
Do I need blogs?
Some of you may be asking, “Why is he telling us this in a blog? Why not just record a quick lecture?” Well, I’m camera shy. And visual content isn’t everything. Blog content is what makes you accessible by Google, through a process called Search Engine Optimisation (SEO). Plus, you still read to the end.
