How to Optimize Your Images to Work Across Social Networks

#1: Start With Open Graph Dimensions

The best way to start with is the Facebook open graph image dimensions.

An open graph image is 560 x 292 and can be created using many tools including Adobe products, Canva, PicMonkey and others. There are simple techniques to make your images look great.

Many tools are available for making images online, including Canva.

Tip: When creating an image, consider adding background layers and text. You can also upload icons and select a color palette. There are many great articles on creating shareable images.

#2: Make Your Text Fit

Here’s the magic trick to make your image look its best across all three platforms.

Make sure you place all of your text within the area shown across all three channels. This provides the best visibility for your image.

With a bit of math, you can figure out the overlapping areas. Here are the measurements you need to note.

Adjust your image to fit best across all three social channels.

When you’re in the image creation software, make sure that all of your text has a 40-pixel buffer on either side and a 10-pixel buffer on the bottom. I cushion mine an extra 2-5 pixels on the bottom and 5-10 pixels on the sides, just for a bit of breathing room. Otherwise, your image touches the edges when it’s published on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Working in image software, make sure your text is within the area seen across all three channels.

If you’re used to making optimized images for all channels, this may feel restrictive at first. But after you’ve done it a few times, you’ll feel comfortable using the new boundaries.

Image that stays within the parameters.

By creating an image with a cushion on three sides, you’ll go from having an image that works on only one channel to an image that appears specifically optimized for each channel it’s shared on.

#3: See How Your Image Renders

Once you have your image, share it on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn and see the results.

Here’s an image created with the overlapping parameters:

Original image as shown on the Social Media Examiner website.

Here’s how this image shows up across platforms.

This single image was optimized to appear like this across LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

No company names were cut off the bottom in Twitter and no text was lost on the sides of the image in LinkedIn. All three channels now render the text in full and the image looks beautiful on all three channels.

How do your images look when shared?

Conclusion

With this simple technique, you can stop creating different images for LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. Instead, create one eye-catching image and it will look like it was made specifically for each channel when shared.

Improve your visual marketing across these main social channels so you can stand out.

Source: http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/optimize-images-across-social-networks/