It crushes me.

Each time I see an image on social media that does NOTHING — zip, zilch, nada — for a brand’s image, sales, or traffic, the conversion-loving copywriter in me is crushed.

If you’re an online business owner who uses images in any shape or form, recognize that those images have a “job” to do — a purpose to fulfill.

That job is to establish your presence, increase brand recognition and yes, propel your audience to take action.

If your images aren’t doing all of these jobs, chances are your marketing wouldn’t have the impact it should have and you’ll be shedding some very expensive tears at the end of the year, too.

If your social media images haven’t been delivering and aren’t giving you the return that they totally can, do not despair.

Help’s at hand in the form of this post, peppered with real-world examples of social media images that are crushing it with their calls-to-action and on-point branding.

4 jobs your social media images MUST do to turbocharge your traffic and sales

Ready?

Roll up those tear-stained sleeves and let’s get going.

Job #1: Reinforce brand recognition

Each time you share a social media image anywhere online; you’re creating a brand association.

Now imagine the strength of that association if every image that you share differs in fonts, colors and even, the presence of your logo.

Yeah, very weak, indeed.

Instead, if every image that you shared was aligned with not only your brand’s values but also reflected consistency in terms of the fonts, layout and logo presence, you can be 100% sure that whenever your fans would see your image, they would know that it’s you.

I love how Kimra Luna’s photos are ALL on brand, whether she’s sharing a tip or asking a question.

Another great example of bang-on branding is Abby Lawson of Just a Girl and Her Blog. Just a glance at her Pinterest board for her blog tells you exactly what her site’s all about and establishes a consistent brand look and feel for her blog as well.

Job #2: Create authority and expertise

Your social media images build your authority and you can make them do that by leveraging an image to share an expertise-boosting tip, quote or even a testimonial.

Do your images share what others say about you?

Do they highlight your disruptive views about trends in your niche?

Do they establish you as the go-to girl or guy for whatever is your subject matter?

If not, you need to rethink your calls-to-action right now.

Bushra Azhar of The Persuasion Revolution has a fantastic brand presence and establishes her expertise as the no B.S. persuasion strategist with her quirky sense of humor and her industry-challenging views highlighted on her social media images.

Job #3: Convert fans and followers into buyers

Social media is for connecting with your community but you most definitely can convert that community into an army of buyers.

How?

That’s right — with social media images.

Share product snippets, testimonials or even key takeaways, and you have a “salesperson” that works wonderfully.

Michael Hyatt does this with elegant effortlessness when he shares images on Facebook with his signature Best Year Ever program branding.

Not only that, he leverages the power of cover images by sharing his free opt-in so that the cover image focuses on converting fans into subscribers.

Job #4: Convert buyers into brand ambassadors

Let’s say you’ve been doing all of this and that your community is packed to the rafters with buyers.

Well then, it’s time to start turning those buyers into raving fans and brand ambassadors and again, your social media images can come to the rescue.

Here’s what Kelly Lester of Easy Lunchboxes does. She shares lovely images of customers putting her Easy Lunchboxes to use and keeps her community abuzz by acknowledging those who support her business and by inspiring those who may be considering her product.

People love being noticed, appreciated and acknowledged by brands and if you can do that with your images, why not?!

3 easy-as-ABC ways to ensure your images are pulling their weight

Ready to turbocharge your social media images so they can start doing the job they’re meant to do?

Here are three startlingly simple ways to do just that.

1. Stick to a brand color palette and font family. Start by ensuring that your images have a consistent color palette and font selection. This will ensure easy recognition and recall.
2. Include your logo. Include your logo or website URL on as many images as you can.
3. Share content that your community needs and loves. Finally, and most importantly, use your images to share content that your audience will resonate with and relate to. Whether it’s a tip, a quote, an invitation for a freebie, your images must strengthen your brand’s relationship with your online community.

There you go!

Want me to review if your social media images are doing their job? Pop your Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest link in the comments and I’ll be happy to oblige!