Social Media Spotlight: The Way To Your Fans' Hearts? Photos

The latest studies and statistics report that images grab more attention than text or links alone. Twitter and Facebook even recently redesigned their platforms to favor images; and HootSuite, the leading social media managing dashboard, updated to allow TwitPic for image hosting which enabled images to display on Twitter feeds rather than through clicking the links. Long story short, social media platforms are making it easier than ever for brands to optimize their social media presence with visuals.

So now that we have that covered, what images drive the most likes, comments, shares, retweets, and clicks? Mashable, the leading source for news, information and resources for digital innovation, provided the top 10 images to help boost your social media engagement.

1. The Product Shot. Every business and brand has a product to display. Whether you're selling ice cream or insurance, software or footwear, you have something tangible to exhibit in your social media stream. Don't just talk about what it is you have to offer your audience. Show it off in pictures. The more, the better.
2. The Team Picture. Did you play organized sports growing up? How many team pictures do you have from back in the day? That's the idea here. Only, don't feel you have to wait for a special occasion. Take pictures of your colleagues on a regular basis and share them with your audience. People do business with people, so do everything you can to humanize your brand.
3. The Spotlight on Your Fans. Everybody likes attention, especially from someone they look up to and admire. Shine the spotlight on your followers and fans. Give their photos a much bigger stage by repurposing them on your own social channels. Retweet them. Tag them. Make it all about them, not you. Give them their 15 minutes of fame and they'll give you more loyalty in return.
4. The Peek Behind the Scenes. Provide your constituents with something they can't get anywhere else, whether it's exclusive photos, a big reveal, or something they wouldn't see otherwise. Take them backstage. Invite them into your inner sanctum. Show them how your products are built. Give them a look at what goes on behind closed doors. You get the picture.
5. The Action Shot. While a team picture may be posed, your action shots are of you and your fellow team members actually doing what you do best. It's doesn't matter whether you're speaking at a podium, swinging a baseball bat, or sitting in front of a computer writing the great American novel, it's still a performance. Capture your people in the act of doing their jobs and share it with your audience.
6. The Graphic. Creating your own visuals from scratch is a great way to add variety to your stream and call more attention to your posts. Use PowerPoint, Photoshop, PicMonkey, and other such tools to add special effects and text to the images you share. You could even go so far as to create your own infographics. A combination of data, words, and pictures is one of the best ways to increase your engagement and reach on social media.
7. The Spontaneous Shot. One of the best benefits of using social media for marketing is the power it gives you to connect with your constituents in real time. In fact, it's expected of you. Capitalize on the extemporaneous nature of these channels by sharing impromptu, candid shots of you and your team in the moment. What's happening now is far more credible and commanding on social media than old news or posed pictures.
8. The Moving Picture. No, I didn't forget about video. In fact, most businesses and brands consider it a must-have ingredient in their content marketing mix. YouTube, Vine, Instagram — each of these channels presents an abundance of opportunities for creating original footage which can eventually be cross-promoted across the social landscape. Don't worry about going viral. Worry about one watch at a time. If people like it, they will share it. And you'll have a hit on your hands.
9. The Collage. If a picture is worth a thousand words, a small handful of them is, well, perhaps priceless. Take advantage of Twitter's new mobile feature and upload up to four photos in a single tweet. Or you can use one of many good photo-editing tools available — such as the aforementioned PicMonkey — to cobble together the quintessential collage.
10. The Selfie. Last, but certainly not least, there's the type of visual made famous by Ellen DeGeneres at this year's Oscars ceremony and most recently Boston Red Sox superstar David Ortiz at the White House. There's the selfie. Thanks to these two celebrities, the ubiquity of the front-facing camera on smartphones, and people's seemingly insatiable desire for attention, the selfie is an incredibly hot trend you don't want to ignore.

- Sophia Bly, Senior Publicist