Your Brain on Images…Part 1

Studies abound on how we as humans experience images. We are used to processing images – we’ve been doing it since the day we were born. Reading, on the other hand, we have to learn how to do that, and it takes years!

We’ll talk a lot more about images and their use on this blog, but for now, let’s explore why that old adage of “a picture is worth a thousand words” has never been more true that it is today.

I’m not saying our brain is lazy, per se, but well, our brains are lazy! It’s just easier for us to process images. In fact, 90% of information transmitted to the brain is visual, and visuals are processed in the brain at 60,000 times the speed of text.

Plus – we are busier than ever! Smart phones, DVRs, OnDemand, our life is chock full of…STUFF. We don’t have nearly enough time to read everything we want, so we need visual shortcuts to get the job done. Now I’m not saying to put down that copy of Anna Karenina, reading words has real value in our lives, but understanding why images can communicate things words cannot is at the heart of apps like Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter. Yes, you can post videos and text on these apps, but it’s the images that do the best when we look at what resonates with consumers.

Although Facebook and Twitter are considered to be the top most effective social media marketing platforms, but with nearly 10,000 images “pinned” by users per minute, Pinterest has carved out an attractive niche that maximizes and encourages the use of images for promotion.

Indeed, its burgeoning user-ship and engaging features make it ideal for a visually-entertaining promotion or ad campaign.

Any business can utilize Pinterest to engage its targeted consumers. From fashion, beauty, health, fitness and lifestyle businesses to large retailers, travel agencies, restaurants, etc., Pinterest has become a favorite social platform for many. As long as your images are fun, engaging and entertaining, you can launch an effective marketing campaign on Pinterest. More on that later this week.

Part One of Two

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