Top Tips for Live-Tweeting Photographs
Live-Tweeting photos from company events can help increase follower engagement and build buzz around your activities. Furthermore, research and analytics show that adding images to your tweets can increase your click-through rate anywhere from 18% to 27%.
The team at Momenta has created the following list of top tips and suggestions to capitalize on this communications opportunity, avoid common pitfalls, and improve the positive effects you are trying to achieve.
Create live-Tweeting goals for the day // Think about what you would like to say throughout the stream. Are you giving a play-by-play? Are you providing a behind-the-scenes look? As the day progresses, try to stick to that planned narrative. Cohesive narratives will keep followers engaged and help avoid over-saturation or boredom.
Additionally, if you have a communications team in place with different roles for the event, be sure to agree on goals and hashtags ahead of time. This will help you maximize coverage for the event, prevent repetition across more than one Twitter feed and increase the success of your agreed-upon hashtags.
Add to the story // Taking the above suggestion into consideration, with every image ask yourself: What is this photograph saying? Did I just post a similar one? Live-Tweeting images can help you round our the social media experience if you are adding to the conversation. On the other hand, if you are bombarding your audience with the same perspective multiple times, reconsider your selection.
Photograph in the best light available // If you are in a room with windows, find action near the window light, and photograph with your back to the window. If you are in a room without windows, scope out the best-lit places and find photographs there. In general, unless you are photographing a silhouette, try to avoid photographing into the light with your mobile device. This reduces the quality of the file, especially if you allow your phone to determine the exposure.
Keep your horizons straight // Tilted horizons are a visual device and can sometimes be useful if you are going for a more conceptual/artistic look. If you choose to tilt your horizons, be aware of this, and do not overdo it or let it become a crutch. A series of tilted photos can both confuse viewers and distract from what you are trying to convey. Keeping straight horizons also keeps your feed looking consistent from top to bottom.
Consider using an app to tone your images // Sometimes images can pop more if you play around with filters or with exposure/shadows/highlights/contrast settings in post-production. Though, if you decide to use a filter, try not to overdo it. Also, it is better to stick with one “look” or filter for the duration of the event.
Post flattering photographs of your attendees // Have you ever been tagged in a photo on social media and cringed when you saw it? While we can all be our worst critics, try to keep this idea in the back of your mind throughout the event. Remember your attendees may see these photographs of themselves.
Avoid posting photographs of people eating // This goes back to the above tip. Few people photograph well when they are eating. Chewing, whether with your mouth open or closed, is not attractive or flattering to photograph. If you would like to include the food portion of the event, try to photograph the buffet while attendees are serving themselves. If you do not have a buffet, try to photograph a beautiful platter of ors d’oeuvres instead.
Remember visual variety // Visual variety, in the most basic sense, means you have varied your distance from the subject. See how far away you can get from the scene, and photograph it. See how close you can get to the scene, and photograph it. Move around the scene, and see what it looks like from one corner versus the other. See what it looks like from above. Mixing up your perspective and remembering visual variety will help give your audience a more rounded out idea of what is happening.
Check the corners and background of your frame // Always remember to check the corners and background of your frame before posting. Did you accidentally stick your pinky into the bottom left corner? Is your boss scratching their nose in the back right corner?
Moments, moments, moments! // You will hear this from the best of the best: Good moments usually make a photograph.
Consider having a photographer do your live-Tweeting for you // Just because everyone in the corporate world does not participate in social media does not mean it is not one of the most important marketing tools available to you. Your sponsors, donors, and advertisers can tell if someone from your office is using their iPhone or if you have put in the effort and funds to hire a polished professional. Because of their training and experience, photographers are equipped with the visual communication skills to take your event and turn it into a story, one live-Tweeted image at a time. In turn, your photographs will truly shine, and your event will be more memorable with your viewers online.
Log out of the company account when you are done // This suggestion, though basic, stems from many a cautionary tale. Be sure to log out of the company account before you accidentally live-Tweet from your night out with friends…or worse.
Would you like help creating a social media strategy, setting live-Tweeting goals or hiring a photographer for your event? Reach out to the team at Momenta Creative to see how we can help!