Most Campaigners Make These 6 Social Media Photo Mistakes

Unfortunately, political campaigns don’t always make for the most dynamic photos for social media, but sharing images of your candidate’s activity on the trail is a crucial part of any campaign content calendar. It demonstrates that your campaign is real, hard-working, and active.

When snapping and posting photos for social, there are some common mistakes you’ll see in most campaign feeds. In this article, you’ll learn what they are and how to avoid them.

Equipment Obsession

While there's a time and place for professional photography, don't get caught up in using fancy equipment for every post. Authenticity is king in social media, and most voters are used to smartphone-quality photos. Save the high-end gear for special events and stick to your phone for day-to-day content.

Where’s Waldo?

As a campaign staffer, you might be accustomed to staying in the background. But when it comes to photos, especially with smartphones, proximity is crucial. Move closer to the action to ensure your candidate is clearly visible and identifiable in the frame.

The Black Hole

Even if attendance at an event is impressive, a photo showing empty chairs can send the wrong message. Frame your shots carefully to showcase the engaged audience and create a sense of excitement and momentum.

The Lecturer

While it's tempting to snap photos of your candidate speaking and call it a day, these shots can become repetitive and fail to capture their personality. Mix it up with candid interactions and group photos. As a bonus, these shots are more likely to be shared by attendees, expanding your reach.

The Bigfoot Sighting

It's better to post a well-written update without an image than to share a blurry, poorly lit, or badly framed photo. Remember, each post reflects on your campaign's professionalism.

The Narcissist

Your candidate doesn’t have to be in every photo you post on social media. Photos of everyday moments or scenes from life on the trail can help voters relate to them as a person, not just a politician.

Conclusion

Using social media effectively for campaigning requires posting consistently, so don’t ever let perfect be the enemy of good. We’ve all been guilty of making these photo mistakes, but being aware of them is the first step to improving.