In business, when we want to convey a message to someone else or we want to try to entice someone into making a purchase, we tend to think in terms of words. We just need to say more—write a great marketing description, send an inspiring e-mail, or be as specific as possible in the information we share. What may be needed, however, is not more words, but less words and more visual images.
A picture is worth a thousand words—at least. When it comes to trying to bring people into our businesses, we can talk and talk and write and write but the photo or a visual image can be more powerful and take less effort and space. Consider how you shop, don’t you have to actually *see* the product before you purchase it? If the photo image is poor or you cannot get a good look at what is in the box, are you more likely to pass on it and buy something you CAN see?
Recently, I returned from a trip and was trying to catch up on all of my e-mails. Now, I am a *word person* and I love letters and narratives from friends and acquaintances, but as I tried to plod through all those e-mails, I confess that the ones with photos and simple images got my attention first. The longer, wordier ones got shoved aside until I had more time. I respond to photos, cartoons, colors and images and I know that I am not particularly unique.
Get a photo or image in front of your clients or customers. Instead of adding more words to that proposal or report, consider more visual graphics, photos or pictures. Of course, they should still be informative and important—not superfluous filler, but the images are one of the best ways to get someone’s attention and keep it.