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Tag: diagonals in photos

Home / diagonals in photos
neuromarketing styling diagonals

Diagonals in photos: styling for neuromarketing

Diagonals make our brains think of change, or moving from one state to another. We’re used to seeing diagonals in graphs, so the direction’s meaning sticks with us. ⁠⠀

  • Guess how accurate we are at reading other people's thoughts?⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Around 35%*⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ 35% - that's not even a pass at GCSE.⁠ It's certainly a lot of misunderstanding.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ If you need to boost your brand by understanding your followers' decision-making and thought patterns better, feel free to chat. ⁠⠀ See you in the comments/DMs. There's a backstage pass to the brain with your name on it 🎟⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ I've had lots of new followers since I last said hello.⁠ If your business is you, it's hard to get away without showing your face every now and then. Trust me, I've tried.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ I'm Sue, the pen & highlighter behind Virtual Gold Dust. I've worked as a marketing writer for years. Client work - meetings, briefs, edits, proofreading, final pdfs ...⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ And in 2020 (after much learning & experimenting) I've got super specific, creating content about marketing psychology for brands & solopreneurs. Because we're all fascinated by how other people's brains work, aren't we? ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ (* From The Science of Storytelling by Will Storr)⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ .⁠⠀ .⁠⠀ .⁠⠀ .⁠⠀ . ⁠⠀ #marketingtips #thecreatorclass #createandinspirehub #intentionalbusiness #marketingcontent #createlounge #creativebusinessowners #womentalkingbusiness #creativeentrepreneur #mycreativecommunity #inspire_and_create #neuromarketing #creativityfound⁠⠀ #brandingforcreatives #thecreativegrid #createcultivate #creativewisdom #herestothecreatives⁠ #createandconnect #workfromwherever #creativebusinessowner #sheconquers #creativesofinstagram #solopreneurlife #contentcreators #thisgirlmeansbusiness ⁠#contentstrategy #thoughtfulbranding ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀
  • Did you remember? ⏰⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Shared this flower clock back at the beginning of lockdown, when the clocks changed in March.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Couldn't have guessed then where we'd be by this morning, when the clocks changed back again. Kind of reflecting the seasonal cycle, as here we are back in another version of lockdown in NI.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Back in March, I gave myself a 10 minute creative challenge, using only the stuff I had to hand. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ The months between then and now have taught me a lesson in patience (still very much learning 😉) so I might allow myself longer now.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ What's been your strongest lesson from this year's events? Or non-events?⁠⠀ ⠀ ⁠⠀ ⁠#floweringontogether ⁠⠀ .⁠⠀ .⁠⠀ .⁠⠀ .⁠⠀ .⁠⠀ ⠀⁠⠀ #excessivelydivertedbyflowers ⠀⁠⠀⁠⠀⁠⠀ #petalsandprops #moodcollectors⁠ #prettyperfectpetals #playingwithpetals #slowfloralstyle ⁠#makeyourownlight #gatheredstyle #IGflorals #instabloom #jj_floral #floralguff #mybloominglens #petalpower #flowerseveryday #stilllifeisreallife #gloomandglow #floralstories #slowdownwithstills #wildforflowers #alltheprettyflorals #byarrangement #moodforfloral #underthefloralspell #flowermagic #inspiredbypetals⁠ #myfloraldays #flowerschool⁠⠀⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀
  • How can you tell stories in pictures?⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ It's easier than you think.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ We all love good before and after pictures, don't we? That's a really simple way of giving stories a beginning and end.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Did you see the tweet that went viral this week of the dad who posted 3 photos with his daughter? Swipe to see them all. (He gave me permission to share them here - you can find him on Twitter at CiaranNB).⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Simple, relatable and emotional. ⁠That's the story in 3 pictures. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Thinking about storytelling in pictures also recently solved a storage problem for me. I'd kept my children's christening coat tucked away in a box. I've just framed it and put it on display at home.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ I know, it's a bit Prince George, pre-Prince George 👑 All the velvet collar vibes.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Even though the wearers tower over me now, I see this every day⁠ and smile that it used to fit 💖⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ #holdyourmoments⁠⠀ .⁠⠀ .⁠⠀ .⁠⠀ .⁠⠀ .⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ #slowdownwithstills #interiorstylist #atmine #petalsandprops #moodcollectors #mybloominglens #stilllifeisreallife #floralstories #byarrangement #mycreativecommunity #photographystyling #artofvisuals⁠ #visualcreative #makemoremagic #inspire_and_create #slowdowncollective #daysofsimpleandslow #myslowandsimple #visualstorytelling ⁠#visualcrush #aquietstyle #noticewonderconnect #simplethingsmadebeautiful #poetryofsimplethings #seekinspirecreate #smallmomentsofcalm #cabinetofcuriosities⠀⁠⠀
  • Hands up if you're a fan of quick and easy styling tricks 🙋🏼‍♀️ ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ How do our brains fire up when we see strong diagonals?⁠⠀⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Diagonals make our brains think of change and movement. Partly because we’re used to seeing them in graphs.⠀⁠⠀ ⁠⠀⁠⠀ ╱ Upwards diagonals suggest activity and increase. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀⁠⠀ ╲ Downward diagonals suggest decrease or relaxation. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ So photos with downward diagonals like this suggest ease over effort. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Top #neuromarketing takeaway - to make your viewer feel ...⁠⠀⁠⠀ ★ Energised - ↗️ diagonal up⁠ ⠀⁠⠀ ★ Relaxed - slope down⁠ ↘️⁠⠀ ⁠⠀⁠⠀ 🤔 If you want to know more of these photo styling techniques, DM me. I can share some useful free resources with you.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ #slowdownwithstills #underthefloralspell⁠⠀ .⁠⠀ .⁠⠀ .⁠⠀ .⁠⠀ .⁠⠀ #interiorphotography #interiorstylist #atmine #interiorstyled #mycreative interior #botanicalpickmeup #mycolourfulhome #rockininteriors #petalsandprops #excessivelydivertedbyflowers #moodcollectors #mybloominglens #stilllifeisreallife #floralstories #byarrangement ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀
  • Are you willing to experiment on Instagram? ★ I've definitely found it’s the perfect place to experiment with different #neuromarketing techniques.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Here's why -⁠⠀ ★ (Almost) instant insights⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Ask your followers a question on a Story Poll & you have an answer in 24 hours.⁠ Simple Yes/No questions seem to get the most response.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Case in point - thought I'd disrupt my email marketing by sending a handwritten message to my list. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Why?⁠⠀ Purple cows. Not surprisingly, curveballs grab our attention. Seth Godin's book Purple Cow shows how our brains are wired to notice to something unusual and eye-catching.⁠ ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ So I posted the idea as a Story Poll, asking my followers if a handwritten email would attract their attention. Result - more than 75% said yes (swipe to see).⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ So I did it. And did the Poll results hold up?⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Here's the data on the handwritten email so far -⁠⠀ Open rate went up to 65% - my average open rate is 51%.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ (Shameless plug - the average open rate in my industry is 15%. If you're not on my email list, would you like to join? Just DM me.)⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ This is much more than an incremental gain. My list is small, but to push the open rate up 14% is BIG.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Wheels are turning in my brain now about how you can use handwritten content to boost your brand in the virtual age. I'll let you know what I come up with.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ 💭 Question - do you ever use Instagram to experiment with your content?⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ #neuromarketingforbusiness #emailmarketingtips #mycreativecommunity #brandstorytelling #inspire_and_create #slowdowncollective #daysofsimpleandslow #myslowandsimple #gowildlyandslow #creativityfound #socialmediamarketing #brandingforcreatives #thecreativegrid #createcultivate #creativewisdom #herestothecreatives⁠ #createandconnect #workfromwherever #creativebusinessowner #sheconquers #purplecow⠀⁠⠀
  • Are you the kind of person who rehearses what you're going to say in an important conversation? ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Then you're also the kind of person who can edit a caption to make it work better. The skills are the same.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ In my last post we talked about triggering curiosity with your opening line.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ You've also probably heard endlessly about how brand storytelling. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Why?⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Stories let our brains make connections. When we hear engaging stories, our brains release oxytocin. This neurochemical helps us build connection and trust with the story (and the storyteller).⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ When you write anything, the beginning and ending is crucial. ⁠ ⁠⠀ ➡ But how do you do create vivid first lines if you're not convinced you’ve strong storytelling skills?⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ I believe ANYONE who can write a caption can edit and improve it. It just takes practice. As the saying goes
  • Pick-up lines ★ How long have you got to captivate your followers with your words?⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ On Instagram, about 125 characters. At the most. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Check your feed. Sometimes you see only a couple of words of another profile's post. Sometimes you get a few lines.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Either way, your first words are the most important. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Mostly we don't like to think we judge things or people on first impressions. But we all do it. ALL THE TIME. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ We might revisit our snap decision later and change our minds. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Or we might come to a more nuanced decision later, when we reconsider. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ But you can predict that we will make a quick decision at the outset, based on first impressions.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ How can you make this tendency work for you?⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Some ideas to tempt your audience to tap the MORE button -⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ ★ Ask a question⁠.⁠⠀ ★ Mention a transformation, eg before and after⁠.⁠⠀ ★ Talk about a common struggle or problem⁠.⁠⠀ ★ Create a sense of urgency, eg last few spaces, one more day⁠.⁠⠀ ★ Trigger curiosity with your words - put a twist on a familiar saying, or leave a blank space for a missing word.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ ⁠−--⁠⠀ Coming up ⁠⠀ Ideas to jump-start your caption creativity. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Save this post for when you're struggling with your opening lines. Just tap the bookmark up there ↗⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ ⁠.⁠⠀ .⁠⠀ .⁠⠀ .⁠⠀ .⁠⠀ #instagramforbusiness #contentcreator #instagrammarketing #creativebusiness #creativesofinstagram #smallbusinessmarketing #smallbusiness #creativebusinessowners #creativeentrepreneurs #growyourbiz #solopreneurlife #creativemarketing #instagramstrategy #contentcreators #smallbizsquad #smallbiztips #digitalmarketingtips #socialmediastrategy #socialmediamarketingtips #socialmediamarketer #socialmediaexperts #socialmedia101 #socialmediacoach #9tothrive⁠⠀ ⁠⠀
  • Want to know some power words for your Calls To Action? ★ 'Subscribe' and 'Sign Up' don't exactly signify creativity.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Use CTAs to encourage your audience to take a specific action. On a website, it might be a sign up button. In a social media post, you can include a CTA in your caption.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Your aim should be to make the action as appealing and easy as possible. Yes, we know where we are with 'Subscribe'. But you can use more powerful, persuasive short phrases.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ ★ One brainy option is to add some subtle social proof - variations using the word
  • New brand or business? ★ You might think your brand has no social proof to build trust. You do though. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Here are 5 easy ways that new businesses can harness social proof. You don't even need to have made your first sale.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ ❶ ⁠Create a group⁠⠀ Not for engagement, but for community support. Talk about the group, share members' work.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ ❷ Use your posts⁠⠀ Name & reshare your most popular posts. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ ❸ Your credentials⁠⠀ Unless you're a total novice, you will have some professional credentials. Memberships, awards, groups you belong to? Talk about them.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ ❹ Engage⁠⠀ Kind of a no-brainer. Put serving your existing followers above chasing more. Obviously, answer their questions. Share their comments, advice, opinions, recommendations.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ ❺ Talk about your heroes⁠⠀ Social proof in a roundabout way. Quote your role models whose values you share. Talk about what you've learned from them.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Click the bookmark to save this for later.⁠ Or share with a new business.⠀⁠⠀ ⁠⠀⁠⠀ ★ ★ ★⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ ⁠Coming soon - you can do better than
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