Dos and Do Nots For Stock Photos in Marketing

Stock photographs are an essential part of digital marketing. Yes, they do have a bad rep for being cliché or unoriginal. Still, these photos are a saviour for small businesses and bloggers who don't have sufficient resources to hire a professional photographer.

Stock images are available in every niche imaginable and offer an instant solution to your visual requirements. The key is to choose tastefully and avoid the monotony that is a standard part of stock photographs.

Here is how!

Don't: Pick random images

It might be time-saving to pick the first picture that comes in the search results on the stock photo website. But, does the image resonate with your brand and product? Will it complement the tone of your content? Would it help illustrate the message you are trying to convey?

Probably not!

Merely going with any picture that fails to match your context will likely confuse the readers – and ruin your chances of interacting with the audience. Instead, dig a little longer.

Make use of the search filters available on the stock photo sites to narrow down the selection. It may take a little effort – but worthwhile when it comes to the results!

Do: Match the overall aesthetic

Marketers often make the mistake of using images that don't match their website's overall branding. But did you know that using the same colours, fonts, tone of voice, and ''feel'' in your marketing material can even help increase your business revenue?

For example, are you an event management company that specialises in birthday parties? Then look for photos that are lively and colourful to match the nature of business.

On the other hand, go for pictures with deep, dark colourings for blogs that touch on serious matters.

Don't: Forget to read licensing details

Whether you choose images from free photo sites or go for premium versions: make sure to check the licenses and copyright details to ensure you are using the photos legally.

Generally, stock photos come with a Public Domain or a Creative Commons Zero license. This allows marketers to freely use the pictures in both – commercial and non-commercial activities.

Most of the websites also give the freedom to modify the images in any way they want. But specific clauses depend on each unique resource, and failure to comply with them can lead to hefty fines, lawsuits, and even penalisation of websites.

Do: Edit the pictures

As mentioned above, most stock photos websites give you the liberty to edit images as per your requirements. So be creative with the photos. Make edits, add filters, and experiment with the effects to make your pictures different from the generic variety available on the internet.

But again, make sure that the stock photo agency you are using allows modification of all sorts.

Don't: Be reliant on stock photography alone.

Stock photos are great and widely used by businesses. But TOO much of anything can appear repetitious and do more harm, then well for your online reputation.

Try mixing up stock photos with some original images. Add other forms of visuals like video, Infographic, and memes to break up the stock photos you are using. Experiment with the camera in your smartphone and take some shots of the ''crew'' at work to show your side.

Do: Optimise images for search

Like content, the images you use in your marketing need to be optimised for better ranking in search engines. Add an ALT Text or a small caption describing the image you add. If the picture fails to load for any reason – the ALT Text will appear in its place to explain the content.

Moreover, the primary purpose of ALT Text is to describe the image (via screen reader) to internet users who are unable to see. This practice makes your web page more accessible to the visually challenged and makes the online experience equal.

Do: Endorse if not yours

You are likely to find many images on stock photo sites that seem like a precise ''fit'' for your business or brand.

For example, a picture of a watch similar to the ones you are selling on your eCommerce store. Or a group of friends enjoying coffee at a café that looks somewhat like the premises you are advertising.

However, forging a stock photo as your own will build distrust with the consumer when they ultimately decide to convert. To increase loyalty, it's better to remain true about your offerings and avoid representing your products/services with images that don't belong to you.

Do: Check the quality

Stock photo sites get a lot of submissions from photographers around the world. Most of them, especially those offering photos for free, lack the resources required to check each image thoroughly. In this case, you may find some images that are over-pixelated or blurry.

Avoid using photos with poor quality as they provide no value to the audience and create a poor reputation for your brand.

Don't: Go for generic photographs

When it comes to stock photographs, some photos are more cliché than others. They are so common that we see them EVERYWHERE! A picture of a faceless man pointing at floating objects, unenthusiastic models cheering with a glass of drink, two businessmen shaking hands, and 3D figures working on a laptop are just some examples of overused pictures on the internet.

Don't settle for such photos. Instead, spend some more time searching for images that are realistic and unique enough to use.

Do: Remember these tips

Stock photos may have a bad rep in the world of marketing. But truthfully, free and cheap stock media sites can save the day – especially if you are looking to develop an online store or a blog on a tight budget. And they are as effective as customised images if you know how to source them correctly.

With these helpful tips, we are sure you will find a way to make stock photographs work for you!

Good luck!

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Recommended reading

If you enjoyed this post and have time to spare why not check out these related posts and dive deeper down the rabbit hole that is the images and photography.

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Tags: Stock Photos, Marketing, Guest Post