The Power of Pictures

Do you like the photo above? Did it catch your attention? It would catch mine, and that's what I'd like to discuss now: The Power of Pictures in marketing.

Yes, yes, I know: boil it all down, I'm a word guy. I'm a firm believer that the words you use in marketing and business communications (called messaging and positioning) are critical components in moving your business from surviving to thriving. That being said, I'm also a very strong believer in the "power of pictures", and thus always advise my clients that, when creating marketing tools, to spend as much money as their budget allows on hiring and using a professional photographer.

Why? Words are great, but they also only go so far. A photograph, on the other hand, can create an instant visual appeal and positive emotion. The following are a few pics from friends at Studio on Main as examples.

Pretend that you're a bride-to-be (!), excited about your coming once-in-a-lifetime event. Would this photo generate positive emotions in you?

What about if you love vintage jewelry? Would this photo entice you?

I personally would answer "yes" to those questions. Again, I know that hiring a professional photographer requires an investment. But I firmly believe that your marketing tools (brochures, web sites, blogs, etc.) are only as good as the pieces (your content, photos, graphics, etc.) you create. So here's a Savvy Marketer insider's tip: Want better marketing tools? Create better marketing pieces. Yes, you need a word guy like me. But you also need high-quality photography. It will pay for itself many times over in terms of more and better customers.