Your Guide to Using GIFs and Custom GIFs on Twitter

GIFs on Twitter

One of my favorite things right now is using GIFs on Twitter! Not only that, but I’m really enjoying creating and sharing my own GIFs to add a little flair to my tweets.

But why am I loving GIFs so much? Well, I like that they’re an easy way to add some personality to my Twitter presence. And they’ve actually helped me see quite a boost in my engagement, which is definitely a plus! Custom GIFs in particular really stand out and they get people talking!

So, the question is… Are you using GIFs on Twitter? Maybe you never think about adding them to your tweets or you only share them here and there. Well, today that changes! I’m going to share a few reasons why you should use GIFs more often and why custom GIFs are a great element to add to your social media strategy.

Why It’s Great to Use GIFs on Twitter

There are a number of reasons why you should be using GIFs on Twitter. First, they’re eye-catching! A great visual is going to help you stand out in a busy feed. It’ll grab attention and get people to stop their mindless scrolling. That’s why it’s helpful to always have some sort of visual to attach to your tweet, so why not a GIF?

GIFs are also fantastic for conveying emotions. You can find one to express your happiness, sadness, your boredom, or your undying love of pizza. Seriously, there’s a GIF for everything! While words can be powerful, sometimes it’s nice to really show off how you feel by using GIFs on Twitter as part of your storytelling.

You can even use GIFs to incorporate a humorous element to your tweets, which is a good way to showcase your personality. It’s sure to put a smile on the face of your followers and even get them to laugh!

And if you’re a brand, you can create custom GIFs (more on that in a moment). They can be very helpful for sharing your products, creating a quick DIY, and more. The ideas are endless, so feel free to get creative with your GIF-making!

How to Find GIFs for Your Next Tweet

Once you’ve written some great copy for your tweet, you need to find the perfect GIF to go along with it. One way you can do this is by searching Giphy. Their site is packed with GIFs of all your favorite shows, celebrities, and more. Just search for what you’re looking for and you’re sure to find something great for your tweet.

GIFs on Twitter

You can also share GIFs on Twitter without ever leaving their platform, making it so much quicker and easier. When you go to compose a tweet, you’ll notice a GIF button in the bottom row. Click on that and you’ll see a pop-up like the one below.

GIFs on Twitter

As you can see, Twitter will present you with different categories of GIFs you may want to use. Or you have the ability to enter your own search terms to find something more specific. Once you find that perfect GIF, just click on it and it’ll upload to your tweet. Simple as that!

Creating Custom GIFs for Your Brand

If you really want to take things to the next level, why not create your own GIFs? It’s actually not as hard as you might think. And you can really have fun in the process! Trust me, I know! I’ve created a selection of my own GIFs, which really come in handy.

GIFs on Twitter

As you can see, I have all kinds of custom GIF options on my Giphy page!

You’ll spot me using them during Twitter chats and when engaging with other Twitter users. The reason I love using custom GIFs is because it’s great for generating brand awareness. Plus, you’re able to show off your personality and that’s something people really resonate with.

GIFs on Twitter

I’ve made sure to cover all sorts of expressions with my GIFs, so there’s pretty much one for every occasion! There are GIFs for saying hello and goodbye, giving hugs and thumbs up, and so much more. Think about what reactions you might want to have in GIF format and get creating!

My friend, Justin Brown, has a simple YouTube tutorial on how to make a GIF. This will break it down for you so you can get started right away. I highly recommend following his steps! And when you do, tweet me to show off your custom GIFs!