By using stock content, you can super charge for social media feeds. I have 10 great tips of WHY you should use stock video, photos and more to enhance your storytelling.
What is Stock Footage?
Stock footage is better known as video or images that someone else has taken. Then the video footage or photographs are sold on internet sites for a price.
Are you in need of help?
Believe me, it can be overwhelming to put projects together. Many people think if they produce videos, that they must do all the work. Just like cooking, not all the ingredients have to be your own. Using the stock footage of videos and photo images, just makes your project easier to manage.
Let’s face it, not everyone is a great photographer/videographer, or even near a film professional. But these days using your smartphone and webcam can be powerful tools for the do it your selfer.
In this article I want to share 10 tips on how using stock video and image photography can supercharge your social media content.
You can easily find some video and photos for free, but I really don’t like boring images. Shutterstock and Adobe Stock are great sites but can be expensive. I use Envato for most of my extras. I’ll share more information on sites at the end of this article.
10 Super Tips
1. Versatility and Convenience:
Stock videos and images provide a wide range of content options suitable for various themes and industries. They are readily available, making it easy to find the perfect visuals to complement your video content. This versatility and convenience save you time and effort in producing engaging social media content.
2. Cost-Effective:
Producing custom videos and images can be expensive and time-consuming. Stock media offers a cost-effective alternative, especially for small businesses and content creators working with limited budgets. You can access high-quality visuals without the need for expensive equipment or a dedicated production team.
3. Professional Quality:
Stock media platforms offer a vast selection of professionally shot and edited videos and images. This ensures that your content maintains a high standard, even if you lack professional videography or photography skills. High-quality visuals are crucial for attracting and retaining the attention of your social media audience.
4. Consistency in Branding:
Maintaining a consistent visual style is essential for building a strong brand identity. Stock media allows you to select visuals that align with your brand’s color scheme, tone, and style, ensuring that your social media content looks cohesive and instantly recognizable to your audience.
5. Filling Content Gaps:
Stock media helps bridge content gaps by providing visuals for topics or scenarios that may be challenging to capture on your own. For example, if you’re discussing a rare event, exotic locations, or historical moments, stock media can provide the necessary footage or images to enhance your storytelling.
6. Saving Time and Effort:
Creating compelling videos and images from scratch can be time-consuming. Stock media allows you to quickly find visuals that match your content, reducing the need for extensive editing or reshooting. This time savings can help you maintain a consistent posting schedule on social media.
7. Legal Compliance:
Using stock media ensures that you have the necessary rights and licenses to use the visuals in your content. This helps you avoid legal issues related to copyright infringement, which can be costly and damaging to your reputation.
8. Diverse Content Selection:
Stock media libraries include a vast array of content types, from time-lapse videos to aerial footage, and from product images to lifestyle photos. This diversity allows you to experiment with different content styles to keep your social media profiles fresh and engaging.
9. Adaptable for Various Platforms:
Stock media is compatible with various social media platforms and their specific requirements. Whether you’re creating content for Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or YouTube, you can find stock visuals that fit the platform’s format and resolution.
10. Enhancing Storytelling:
Stock media can be a valuable tool for enhancing your storytelling capabilities. It allows you to add context, mood, and atmosphere to your videos or images, making your social media content more compelling and memorable.
Incorporating stock videos and images into your social media content strategy is an effective way to save time, maintain quality, and create engaging visuals that resonate with your audience. By addressing these points in your blog, you can educate your readers about the benefits of using stock media to elevate their social media content.
Where to look for good sources
As I said, I use Envato for many of my stock needs. It is a low monthly cost for unlimited sources I use every month.
Most services give you a limited selection of photos or videos each month at a higher cost.
I hope you find this helpful.
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