Now's the time we document our favorite memories from shoots and other experiences throughout the past year. This countdown shares Curtis’ and Renee’s top 5 favorite Food Photo Studio moments from 2021.
Where Recipes Come From — And How They Can Help Food Companies Stand Out in the Marketplace
Photographs featuring three recipes developed by Beth Somers for Pillsbury Baking
Recipes are invaluable to food-related businesses and organizations. Discover how they come to fruition — and everything you need to know about commissioning one — in this Q&A with food stylist Beth Somers.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Food Photography for Social Media
It’s tough to consistently create your own food photos for social media. Hiring a professional isn’t always possible, but you can use professional-grade techniques to polish up your DIY photos. Here are 10 do’s and don’ts the pros follow.
What’s Your Brand’s Photography Style? 5 Popular Looks to Choose From (with Examples)
A photo can be completely transformed with a few edits to the lighting, shooting angle, background, plating, and props. These elements combine to convey a feeling through each image that tells a brand’s story. This post will help you determine your photography style.
5 Tips for Finding a Great Food Photographer
On the hunt for a food photographer for your business? An industry pro shares tips for finding and contacting a professional food photographer for the first time — including how projects are typically priced.
What Does 'Lifestyle Food Photography' Actually Mean?
Learn what “lifestyle imagery” means in the context of food photography. We’ll share the difference between lifestyle food photography and other types, complete with examples from our own shoots, and address a common misconception about what makes an image “lifestyle.”
4 Things We Consider When Choosing Props for Your Food Photography Shoot
Props are useful for constructing an appealing scene around a food subject. Here’s a behind-the-scenes glimpse at our process for narrowing down which props will work best in a food photography shoot.
The Fun World of Food Photography Terminology
From “go-bys” to “hero food” to “crown and heel,” this handy guide is filled with our favorite industry lingo. When you’re on set with us, you'll hear all kinds of food photography terms — and we love teaching you what they mean!
Are You Ready to Start Working with a Food Photographer?
Hiring a photographer is exciting, and it’s tempting to dive right in. But you’ll get the best results if you iron out a few details first. Ask yourself these 8 questions to determine if you’re ready to start planning your food product photoshoot.
Exciting News!
Things Change.
To our valued clients and partners, we would like to announce that we have purchased a new
building to house our studio! Effective today June 1, Obscura, Inc. + Food Photo Studio is
now located in Elk Grove Village at 1001 Oakton Street.
The decision to move did not come easy. During the last 2 months of the lockdown, in addition
to some changes to our current building that did not fit our needs, we were in a position
to make the move we have dreamed of for a long time.
The timing worked out perfectly! Sometimes the universe sends you a huge nudge : )
WHEW.
We’ve been working hard to pack and move all of our stuff (ohhhhh soooooo much stuff) to the
new location and the build-out has been in progress. As always, we are committed to
providing the best experience to our customers.
We love what we do and we love who we do it with.
We cannot wait to show you our new digs and get back to business. We miss you!
CHANGE IS GOOD.
I found this painting during the move and felt it resonated with what we have all gone through the
last couple of months. Life brings us changes and how you adjust to them is sometimes the
most important part. For that reason we will be offering virtual shooting options to help out clients
that are not able to attend a shoot for whatever reason. We are also equipped with PPE,
sanitation supplies and following social distance guidelines.
Look out Elk Grove Village…we’re baaaaaack!!
We will reach out with updates and photos! Contact us anytime 630.283.0038.
We’re here for our customers.
On behalf of all of us at FoodPhotoStudio, our hearts go out to everyone impacted by Covid-19. Our main focus is the health and safety of our employees, contractors and customers. With the situation rapidly changing, we are doing our best to serve our customers remotely. We are following the guidelines set by the state of Illinois and temporarily pausing our in-person services. Please reach out if we can assist you in any way.
Food Photography... There's More To It Than Clicking The Shutter!
In a world of Instagram food images and the daily “Here’s What’s Happening In Food” imagery on Facebook, everyone is a food photographer—or so they think.
But even the best software filtering and processing can’t measure up to the excellence you receive from a true professional food photo studio. In the past, we’ve written about why you should hire a professional food photographer, but that’s really only half of the story… as in, there’s more than just pressing the shutter.
Enter the food photo stylist. A food photo stylist brings to the table the experience of an art director and may have even gone to culinary school. It’s truly the visual intersection of two passions: food and photography.
For budget-conscious brands and single-unit restaurants, it’s vital to get the most bang for your photography buck. Photo shoots can be expensive endeavors when set up with the appropriate professionals, studio, propping, lighting and more, but there’s no better way to make people crave your food than with expert food styling and photography. It’s money well spent… and deep down, you know that’s true.
So to summarize the ways that you can expect a food stylist to contribute to your next food photo shoot, below are the key points to keep in mind:
Elevates the look of your product
Assures a successful shoot
Brings ton of experience to handle issues that come up
Can help with recipe ideas
Works on set with the photographer to ensure the product looks the best it can
Two amazing examples of food stylists that we use on a regular basis in our studio are Kathryn Conrad and Kelly McKaig.
Background on Kathryn: Beautiful food photography comes from using top quality ingredients–that includes the Food Stylist, Set Stylist and Photographer. You can see more of her work here:
www.kathrynconradfoodstyling.com/
Background on Kelly: As a prop stylist and artist who lives and works in Chicago, Kelly lovers shopping, collaborating and kittens as three of her favorite things. You can see more of her work here:
www.kellymckaigstylist.com
Food styling is all in the details!
WAKE UP ALL THE SENSES WHEN SHOOTING YOUR FOOD
When is comes to creating jaw-dropping, gorgeous images , FOOD STYLING is CRUCIAL! It’s an art to make food look attractive in front of the camera. It’s what makes people drool when they look at your food images.
But it’s not only about making food look pretty. It’s also about visualizing the taste, waking up the senses, your taste buds including! Your task is to ignite your viewers imagination and create an impulse to act upon what they are viewing.
When you walk into a bakery, all of your senses are bombarded at once, right? Your eyes can see all the colors, textures and shapes of baked goods, you can smell freshly baked bread, hear the crust crunch and feel the texture of it while you hold a sandwich in your hand.
Food photography should create the same experience – the hard part is, you have to do it all through your viewer’s eyes. So, let’s talk about the food styling details that create the sense of vitality, energy and visual excitement.
The truth is, food styling takes a lot of thought, time and EFFORT! When I say effort I mean – taking the time to plan how you are going to approach the dish preparation and putting it all together. It also means, going the extra mile to source the best ‘photo-worthy’ ingredients. And taking all of the time needed to properly prepare the dish.
Getting the freshest ingredients possible is of course non-negotiable – but I am sure you already know that. It happened on several occasions that together with a client we swapped the ingredients in the dish for something else (also delicious) rather than use a not-so-good-looking produce item that was available. We just knew it wouldn’t look attractive in the image and it that case the photograph wouldn’t encourage anyone to cook the dish.
When I say fresh I also mean, your job is to keep food ‘alive’ when photographing it. There is always a lot happening on set, so make sure that you always look back at the food to check if it still looks tiptoe, before capturing your final shot.
Always style the subject dish for the angle you are shooting to show off different components. Some dishes might work great from several angles but you need to trust your visual instincts here. Some dishes, sadly, won’t. When styling a dish when a client asks me to do two different angles of the same dish, I style the dish twice – one for overhead and a different one for 3/4 angle.
And just last little thought, my friends! Try to keep your photo styling as natural as possible otherwise your dish will look forced. Imperfections are perfect. Embrace them!
A Guide to Healthy Road Trip Eating
Whether weʼre searching for natural starlight or big city lights, bouncing around bayous or buttes, or headed home for a family reunion, a packed car and a full tank of gas can be the start of a great adventure.
If you try to live consciously and you care about a healthy gut and a healthy wallet, dining on the road can be a challenge. But eating healthy, affordable, plant-based foods on the road is possible! Today we're going to share some tips and tricks that experts have to enhance their road tripping. Hopefully, these ideas help you as you plan your trip or think about hitting the road.
Pack Your Mobile Pantry — A Checklist for Healthy Eating on the Road
Healthy travel starts at home. Before you set out, gathering supplies can help get you on the path to success. Depending on where you're going, take some or all the following items to reduce your road trip footprint and maintain a healthy eating lifestyle. Take a look at this list and see if you get any ideas for creating your own checklist.
Health Conscious and Trash-Reduced Travel Checklist:
Reusable water bottle (preferably glass or aluminum)
Travel mug
Sporks
Storage containers with snap-on lids (Trust me, these can make a huge difference.)
Reusable food and sandwich wraps
Portable water filter
On-the-go blender
Can opener (I recommend “smooth edge” models that unseal rather than cut your cans.)
Small cutting board and folding knife
A small cooler and ice packs (not necessary but can be super useful)
Also, eating on the go often produces a lot of waste. So pack an extra bag or two to store your trash or recycling.
On the Road with a Healthy Gut and Active Brain
Traveling can be rough on the gut! When we disrupt our meal patterns and normal activity level, we need to pay more attention than usual to maintaining a healthy gut. Road tripping demands planning. So itʼs best not to rely entirely on what you can find on along the way. Your gut is happiest when you give it at least some familiar foods. Consider bringing the following from home, and think about what must-have items would be on your list:
Probiotics, the patron saint of travelers. Probiotics keep you and your car both moving in the right direction. Non-refrigerated versions are a travelerʼs trick.
Leftovers. Start your stomach out with what it already knows. Healthy leftovers keep well at room (or car) temperature for at least a meal or two. And they can make your first day of travel feel familiar. You can even use those glass jars to pack complete meals, like salads.
Flax seeds and/or chia seeds. Put the smooth in your smoothies (and put that blender to work). Flax and chia seeds are best and most nutritious when stored in airtight containers and refrigerated (or put in a cooler) after opened. (These organic flax packs are convenient and donʼt require refrigeration. And they have packs of chia seeds, too.)
Fruit and Vegetables. Oranges and apples travel well, as do snap peas and pre-cut carrots and celery sticks. Each of these snackables gives you gut-healthy fiber.
Ginger. Whether you prefer making ginger tea or adding it to meals, fresh ginger root is great for the travelerʼs tummy. (Tip: Peel and cut up some very thin ginger slices before you leave, but give them some air to breathe, possibly in paper bags, because if theyʼre in plastic, theyʼll get moldy unless refrigerated.)
Spices. Bring your favorites for both flavor and health-boosting properties.
Instant Mojo. Organic instant coffee, matcha powder, tea (herbal or high octane), cocoa powder, and mushroom powders in combination or alone are great for keeping you focused and limiting the trash you create. (Note: Coffee shops, convenience stores, and grocery stores often give away hot water for free or cheap if you bring your own cup. Donʼt forget to tip!)
Nuts and seeds. Packed with minerals, protein, and healthy fats to keep you full and feeling great, nuts and seeds are perfect snacks. Or you can use them to create meals on the go. You can also soak your nuts in water overnight in glass jars and then blend them with your blender as a healthy alternative to processed dairy and non-dairy milks that need refrigeration.
Create Your Road Map through Food Desert, USA
If youʼre traveling in the U.S., a desert is just a short drive away in just about any direction, from just about anywhere. A food desert, that is.
According to a report in US News and World Report, “food deserts are prevalent in the Mid-Atlantic and the South,” but “the USDA projects that large swathes of the Midwest and West Coast also struggle to meet Americansʼ food accessibility needs.”
Expect to traverse a food desert. And prepare. Do your homework. Strategize your route and find out where the oases are — and where they arenʼt. One thing you can do is research farmers markets in towns and cities. (Hereʼs a link to help you find options in the U.S.) If possible, aim to travel through those places during hours when the markets are open. (Be sure to look at seasonal hours and markets, so you donʼt find yourself out of luck).
Plus, visiting local vendors can be a great way to get to know towns and connect with the community, even if you are just passing through.
And talking to locals can help you find other options, like farm-to-table restaurants or places you wouldnʼt find online. And then, when in doubt, head for the nearest urban center. Youʼll be likely to encounter recognizable grocery chains, including specialty chains with familiar choices. Shopping for your own groceries and creating your own meals is typically better than stopping an easily available spot along the way.
Expect Surprises and Embrace Flexibility
The road sometimes demands compromise. The more prepared you are and the more you know about what resources you have, the better you can feel about the choices you make.
While these retailers may or may not be your cup of tea, they are an option and one to keep in mind on the road. Most big grocery chains now have their own organic labels and you can rely on finding these products at affiliate grocers nationwide. If you want to stop at restaurants along the way, the Happy Cow app (and website) can also be a useful resource on the road. Use this tool to find nearby vegan and vegetarian restaurants. Youʼll also see reviews, cost, and often a link to each menu and website all in one place.
When you plan ahead and map your gut-healthy, culinary, cross-country course, youʼll save time on the road. And youʼll have more chances to take that next exit off of the highway and find a scenic spot to picnic and refresh… See you on the road!
Vegetables make a move to the center of the plate
The “greening” of the American menu is the major trend of the moment, as chefs direct their creative energies toward produce. Innovation around vegetables has moved from the soup, salad and side dish categories directly to the center of the plate. No longer a consolation prize for meat-deprived diners, the vegetable entrée is now fully realized, providing taste, texture and satisfaction.. Using the same culinary techniques and touches previously lavished on meats and seafood has enhanced the appeal and raised the coolness factor of vegetables of all kinds.
Veg Focused
Vegan and vegetarian restaurants have moved from the fringes to the mainstream, and some have won serious plaudits along the way. Many forward-thinking restaurants are now dedicated to disproving the notion that vegan food is expensive and bland, introducing items such as sandwich-based fare like the PLT, grilled plantain tossed in jerk sauce, lettuce and tomato, drizzled in sauce and served on a Hawaiian roll.
Chains are getting in on the action, too. Veggie Grill is headquartered in Santa Monica, Calif., operates 37 locations around the country and calls itself a “plant-based zone” free of any animal products.
Veg Forward Thinking
Mass-market acceptance of vegetables as options to crave is being influenced by an emerging class of fast-casual operations, some of whom declare their greenness right in their names in order to cast a halo of health over their menu offerings.
Arguably the most imaginative use of vegetables as main dishes is found at broad-menu operations that cater to omnivores. They’ve moved way beyond the conventional vegetable plate, a culinarily lazy entrée assortment of the day’s side dishes.
If you have a vegetable product line that you market, or run a restaurant with many veg dishes on the menu, we should chat… contact us for your free evaluation and a discussion of how we can help elevate your brand and your products.
The biggest benefits of using social media for your small business
A recent report from social media management platform Hootsuite found that there are now more than 3 billion people using social networks across the internet. And according to Hootsuite, more people follow brands on social media than follow celebrities. On Instagram alone 80 percent of people follow at least one business.
But for some reason, when small business owners think about managing social media accounts for their business, they cringe, they make excuses for why they can’t and sometimes they just don’t do it at all. Social media marketing for your business isn’t scary at all. And, it’s really important for your business.
Here are some of the biggest benefits of using social media for your small business:
It’s an easy way to put your brand in front of the world
We live in a world where people want to know what they’re getting into before they ever step foot in a business. By having updated social media accounts, these people will understand your business and this aids their ability to determine if it’s a place they want to work with.
It’s inexpensive
Marketing costs money in almost all forms. But, social media marketing can cost little to nothing, and still make a huge impact for your business. By having a plan, using relevant hashtags and more — you can use social media to reach new potential customers every single day.
It keeps your business top-of-mind
How many times have you seen a social media post and then later purchased a product or visited a store as a result of it? Probably more times than you realize.
For example, we have certain local restaurants and bars that we like to frequent, and when they post a special or a limited-time offer, chances are that will trigger an outing of the studio crew to take advantage of the offer.
When you are posting regularly on social media, you’re creating this top-of-mind awareness for your brand.
It can help you generate leads
Service-based businesses: this one is for you. Right now, Instagram and Linkedin are the two networks that service-based businesses generate the most new leads on. If you’re sharing your brand and expertise in a way that makes people think “I could totally use this service,” then you’ll find that social media does half of the work for you.
It can help you generate more web traffic
In the case of many small businesses, traffic to your website is a necessity — especially if you’re selling your products or services from your website. If that’s the case for your business, make sure that your social media doesn’t replace your website, but supplements it. Create offers and other content that lives on your website, then use your social media networks to promote that content and drive interaction. Make sure your social media posts drive the users that read them back to your website so they have the opportunity to learn more about you and your business.
It’s a way to find new content
We hear it from our clients all the time: It’s hard to come up with enough content to post on social media every day. But the great thing about social media is that your customers can create content for you.
Put signs around your business letting people know that you want to see their photos that they take during their experience. Ask them to use a particular hashtag or tag your business in the photos. Then, you can reuse the content that you didn’t need to take the time to produce.
You can communicate quickly
Things come up… stuff happens. And in those instances, social media is an excellent way to quickly and efficiently communicate a message to your audience about what’s going on. Say a major storm came through and you lost power to your restaurant; social media gives you the instant forum to communicate that to your loyal customer base.
You can keep an eye on the competition
Knowing what your competitors are up to is just a part of running a business. Use social media to know what other businesses in your area or industry are up to so that if necessary, you can react and potentially combat the competition with an offer or special of your own.
In conclusion
Even though our team has spent decades in the photography business, we’ve also made a concerted effort in the last 5 years to build a social media presence for our studio and our creative consulting business, and it’s given us an entirely new channel from which to market our services and also to promote our clients. If you’re unsure how to get started, our strategic marketing team can help… contact us today for a free evaluation of your company’s current social media situation.
Why You Need to be Using Motion Graphics in Your Marketing Campaigns
Every year there’s a new trend that industry insiders declare as the future of marketing. Motion Graphics was championed in 2014, but unlike most fleeting trends, motion graphics are still very much in vogue.
Primarily because motion graphics are the video marketing era’s answer to the infographic. An accessible and entertaining way to disseminate complex information, infographics allowed you to capture consumer information in a way that a wall of text could not.
Now, in an era where Video has dethroned Content for the crown, motion graphics do the same.
So, what are motion graphics? Essentially, motion graphics are just graphic design in movement. The practice of taking a still, flat design and adding dimension to it using the laws of time and space.
But even if that description doesn’t ring any bells, you would have definitely seen them. Across TV, film, apps, advertising and virtually any medium that requires some sort of kinesis, motion graphics are ubiquitous.
The Rise of Video Marketing
By 2020, Cisco predicts that 80% of all internet traffic will be video – so the potential market for your video content is huge.
Especially when considering the influential reach the medium has. Web users spend an average of 19 hours a month watching videos, with 60% of shoppers watching product videos while making decisions to buy, with 74% of shoppers actually making a purchase after watching a video.
With video galvanizing the content marketing industry over the last three years, you would have thought that every business would be populating their websites and social media with “moving pictures”.
However, despite 72% of content marketers saying that creating video content is their number one priority – they are struggling to make content that is original, compelling and effective. That’s because creating solid video content is difficult. Unless you have the budget to invest in great equipment, or better yet, a team or outside partner specialized in scripting, designing, editing and creating video content, it’s going to come across more Blair Witch than Coca Cola.
Good video content should do 5 things
It should guide your leads all the way through the buyer journey.
It should understand what your audience wants, and it should give it to them in the most consumable way possible. Video is so shareable because it is inherently passive for the viewer, serve them what they want on a platter and cut it up into bite-size chunks.
It should be worth the watch. Whether that’s because your video is funny, engaging, useful or inspirational, your video needs to provide value.
It needs to be able to be distributed easily and effectively. Your video should be able to reach your audience where they spend the majority of their time and engage them there.
It creates a consistent brand identity. Every bit of your marketing should make up a cohesive narrative that tells the audience exactly who you are and what you stand for.
One of the most important things your content has to offer is value. It needs to be both informative and entertaining. In the current media landscape, people want facts more than conjecture, data over opinion. If you can provide this effectively and consistently in your content, they will trust you more and want to build a relationship with you.
Motion graphics enable you to distill down complex data into bigger-picture stories and insights that people can understand and apply to their own lives. After all, you may be saying in the text that sales tripled, but actually seeing the chart grow makes a stronger and more memorable impact.
Best of all, viewers love motion graphics because watching video is an inherently passive experience that requires little investment on their part. Rather than actively sifting through a 1,500-word article, viewers can sit back, relax and enjoy the show.
Motion graphics content isn’t just a brand building exercise, because it has been proven time and time again to successfully drive conversions. Whether it’s in the form of an explainer video, a social video or even a presentation, embedding motion graphics content onto your website has been proven to increase the chance of a above the fold” Google search result by 53 times, and shown to double click-through rates when utilized in email campaigns.
But the number one reason for using video in your content marketing plan? Motion graphics and video convert more customers, with recent research showing that 71% of marketers say video conversion rates outperform other marketing content. That in and of itself should be reason enough fr you to invest the time and budget to developing a strong “motion content” plan. Not sure where to start? Contact us for a free consultation and evaluation of your company’s situation.
Yes... we shoot food & drink for restaurants & bars... Save 50% on your 1st shoot!
As a leading food photography studio in the Chicagoland area, the team at FoodPhotoStudio.com has years of experience helping both new & established restaurants capture the kind of captivating imagery they desire to promote their business.
Whether you’re a single-unit, independent bar or restaurant, or a multi-unit regional chain, we can provide the expertise and marketing know-how to elevate your brand and showcase your offerings.
And because we’d like to do more in the bar/restaurant space, we’re offering a special “50% OFF” promotion to first-time clients for their initial food or beverage shoot.
With decades in the advertising field and a natural epicurean flair, FoodPhotoStudio.com brings an experienced and talented eye to food photography. The staff at FoodPhotoStudio.com are well known and respected throughout the industry for their easygoing nature and honest practices. The studio is located minutes from Chicago's O'Hare airport in Schaumburg, Illinois. Our full kitchen and extensive prop room located on-site coupled with long-standing relationships with many talented stylists assure a great experience.
Tips For Eating Healthy While On Vacation
We all look forward to ur vacations, especially this time of year when so much of the country is in the throws of a bitter cold winter season. And even though vacations are all about fun, there’s no reason you have to sacrifice your healthy eating habits in order to “cut loose” while on holiday.
Vacation Begins at the Airport
Kick-start your trip by packing a healthy, filling meal or snack for the plane ride (airport and airline food tends to be neither good for you nor good). One favorite mix among health experts includes fresh produce, protein, and fiber, such as hummus and veggies, low-fat cheese, and a handful of almonds.
If, however, you’re the type who tends to end up rushing to the airport at the last minute, it’s also possible to find healthy options before boarding. Greek yogurt and piece of fruit, or a protein-packed open-faced sandwich made with turkey and whole wheat bread can be a good option if you have to make a last-minute meal choice prior to departure.
Avoid the Mini Bar Snacks
Skip the sugar- and salt-laden hotel room snacks, and instead wander over to a local farmers’ market to pick out your own healthier snacks. Plus, it’s a fun way to get to know your new surroundings. With your room mini fridge stocked with fresh, in-season fruit and flavorful treats, you'll feel satiated and also lighter between outings.
Don’t Skip Breakfast
Begin every day with a good breakfast and don’t hold back on fruit. Most resorts offer great brunches, so why not take advantage of the spread? Skip the sweet pastries and bacon, however, and opt for a filling egg-white omelet, whole-wheat toast, and antioxidant-rich berries. Best of all, the most important meal of the day will fuel your body for a jam-packed day of seeing the sights and having a blast.
Tailor Your Meals to Your Locale
Before your trip, do a little research and find the best dishes in each country you plan to visit. Heading to Paris? Allow yourself the pleasure of a fresh-baked baguette. Skip the bread in Tokyo (but definitely enjoy the sushi), order pasta in Capri (Italian portions are smaller anyway), and get a beignet to share in New Orleans. Vacation travel is an experience and you don’t want to miss out. But health professionals suggest that it’s best to splurge at lunch, especially if you have an active afternoon ahead. At dinner, switch to a light meal of lean protein and veggies that won’t fill you up too much before bed (bonus: You’ll sleep better, too).
Indulge Strategically
You're on vacation—go ahead and eat dessert. Just remember to savor it slowly and that portion size counts. And don’t forget about the hidden calories in alcohol. Stay away from beverages that are made with juice and stick to simple cocktails like a simple spirit on the rocks or a glass of wine.
In Conclusion
In the end, just try to follow the age-old mantra, “eat to live, don’t live to eat” and enjoy all of the many other activities that your vacation spot has to offer. You’ll come home rejuvenated, refreshed, and not worried about having to go on a crash diet to remove the “holiday weight”!
Using Facebook to Market Your Business in 2019
Facebook marketing in 2019 isn’t dead. On the contrary, it’s far from it.
Now removed from the dim outlook that businesses faced at the beginning of 2018, Facebook has and will remain an essential tool for brands’ marketing strategies moving forward.
Our social media marketing partner, Buffer, recently released their State of Social Media 2019 Report and found that 93.7 percent of businesses use and are currently active on Facebook — the most among any other social media network.
And although they continue to see a dramatic rise in the usage and effectiveness of Stories content, traditional posts in the Facebook News Feed offer a powerful outlet for brands looking to generate engagement and traffic. In total, they dwindled down more than 777 million posts to 500 of the most popular, according to total engagements. The top 500 Facebook posts represent more than one billion engagements across Facebook.
Key takeaways from 777 million Facebook posts
BuzzSumo has access to some of the world’s most robust Facebook data, which powers lots of incredible research studies like this one where they analyzed content from 20,000 influential Facebook Business Pages.
They’re also the company behind one of my personal favorites, The 2019 Ultimate Guide to Facebook Engagement, an annual report that analyzes everything you need to know about the tactical side of Facebook marketing. Needless to say, their product offers some eye-opening insights into the world of Facebook marketing.
Key takeaway #1: Video performs better than all other types of Facebook posts
When it comes to taking your Facebook strategy to the next level, there is no better way to do so than through the use of video content. On average, video posts on Facebook get at least 59 percent more engagement than other post types. In fact, when looking at what types of content made up the top 500 Facebook posts of 2018, more than 81 percent were videos! Images only accounted for 18 percent of the top posts, while Links made up a mere 0.2 percent.
Key takeaway #2: Inspirational, funny, or practical content generates the most engagement
In order to hone in on the exact types of content brands and marketers should be creating more of in 2019, we attempted to categorize the types of content from the data set. In conjunction with the most common reactions on Facebook and a subjective analysis of the top 500 Facebook posts, three common themes started to emerge. The most successful content could be categorized as inspirational, funny, or practical.
Key takeaway #3: Create content for Facebook that is both human and story-forward
Did you know that 84 percent of marketers believe that building trust will be the primary focus for their marketing efforts in the future? That’s because consumers are looking for brands with a purpose – brands that are mission-driven and stand for something important.
Shallow marketing campaigns aren’t going to cut it in 2019. What will cut it are authentic, human-forward stories that allow your brand to connect with customers on a personal level. Smaller brands, in particular, have an opportunity to double or even triple engagement with this personal approach.