GIFs. You love ’em or you love ’em. I’ve never come across a person who doesn’t like GIFs. Sure, there are certain moments when GIFs just don’t fit, but in many cases, GIFs are an excellent mood and engagement booster. Of course, such an interesting feature shouldn’t be left unexplored. So we invited social media trainer, #TwitterSmarter regular, co-host of our after chat, and GIF-ficianado Christine Gritmon, to talk about custom GIFs and how you can get the most out of them. Here’s a summary of our chat.
Guest: Christine Gritmon
Topic: Making the most of custom GIFs
Format: Eight questions directed at the guest. Everyone’s welcome to chat.
Christine decided to make custom GIFs because she wanted to use her own personality to promote her brand. It made sense, too, because a GIF is a great way to connect with an audience and encourage them to engage with you. When that GIF really is you, then you take that connection to a whole new level. It’s like giving your audience a preview of who you are as a person.
A1a.
I created mine because I wanted to use my OWN personality, not somebody else’s, to emphasize my communications.
If your GIFs are public, that means other people can use YOUR BRANDING to express themselves, too!#TwitterSmarter ❤️ https://t.co/yqwIlzXCot pic.twitter.com/VAOnCnYnr0— Christine Gritmon ❤️ #ChatAboutBrand (@cgritmon) August 19, 2021
Dustin pointed out another great reason to use custom GIFs. When you go the extra mile to film a video and convert that into a custom GIF, you’re signaling to your audience that you care about them so much that you’re willing to do extra to give them great content.
A1: Because it elevates your content to a new level. It’s fine to use GIFs that are made by others, or reference pop culture. But a custom GIF says “we really care about creating high quality content for you.” #TwitterSmarter https://t.co/PDe8zHi6Oi
— Dustin W. Stout (@DustinWStout) August 19, 2021
Most people use custom GIFs in replies to conversations, which is great because it makes the person you’re replying to feel like you personally addressed them. It’s akin to saying, “Hey Greg!” in an email instead of a generic “Hi there!” Christine also told us about how using custom GIFs in her chat, #ChatAboutBrand, makes them pop in a noisy feed and helps people easily recognize her tweets.
A2.
Mainly as replies in conversations, but I have also built my Tuesday #ChatAboutBrand questions around GIFs so they’re easy to spot in the feed!⁰#TwitterSmarter ❤️ https://t.co/YkS3hZ9S05 pic.twitter.com/7pxRAN945v— Christine Gritmon ❤️ #ChatAboutBrand (@cgritmon) August 19, 2021
Julia from NOW Marketing Group also pointed out that custom GIFs are ideal for adding some extra context to our tweet. It helps emphasize your message or just add a dash of color to a monotonous text-based post.
A2: you use them as an addition to a tweet to help to emphasize your point even further or add some personality into the content! Sorta like this one of me! (@jbethjs) Kudos to @_storycatcher ☺️? #TwitterSmarter – JJS https://t.co/Hg8pK1MdrS pic.twitter.com/wUBCxXYjPG
— NOW Marketing Group #SMWL21 (@NOWMG) August 19, 2021
The most important tip for marketing your custom GIFs is to use them regularly. That’s the only way to get them out there on people’s feeds.
It’s also important to make your GIFs look and feel like yours. That’s the essence of good branding. Add elements that help people recognize your brand. In Christine’s case, she uses a specific shade of red that’s consistent with her messaging across all of her content.
A3b.
In my next batch, I also plan to add a watermark of my Twitter handle and logo, as well as using my own branded fonts.#TwitterSmarter ❤️— Christine Gritmon ❤️ #ChatAboutBrand (@cgritmon) August 19, 2021
To take your custom GIFs branding act further, consider adding elements like your Twitter handle, your logo, and your own favorite font to your GIFs. This ensures you have consistency in your messaging.
As Lance suggested, another way to brand your GIFs is to simply wear specific shades or styles of clothing that represent your brand. For instance, wearing a t-shirt with your logo on it or standing in front of a panel that has your brand colors. These are easy and inexpensive ways to establish your brand.
#TwitterSmarter A3: Not everyone has a marketing budget. But you can brand your GIFs with your company logo, either by wearing a shirt or standing in front of a sign (background). The more you do this, more customers will associate YOU with the brand/company/service, etc. pic.twitter.com/buLtrp7ci6
— Lance A Schart (@LanceASchart) August 19, 2021
Making a GIF is as easy as recording a video and putting it through Giphy. It’s the most straightforward and standard tool to create custom GIFs. However, as Christine said, you can also edit your videos before you put them through Giphy. Christine uses WaveVideo to do this—she adds text using her own font, and adds effects that resonate with her brand.
A4.
I used to just go straight from my video editor (Final Cut Pro) to @giphy—but now I’m taking the extra step of personalizing my GIFs with @wave_video so I can use my own fonts, effects, and other branding.#TwitterSmarter ❤️ https://t.co/bZgTGaEumu pic.twitter.com/KGd8a69jmK— Christine Gritmon ❤️ #ChatAboutBrand (@cgritmon) August 19, 2021
Jim shared a couple more tools as well, such as Canva and Easil.
A4. I know there are new ones coming out all the time, but I know you can use@GIPHY @canva @teameasil #TwitterSmarter https://t.co/HOUTlSvBcb
— ? Jim Fuhs #SMWL21 #DigitalMarketing (@FuhsionMktg) August 19, 2021
Of course, we can’t not mention our chat regular: Biteable!
A4. Not to self-promote but…Biteable ? #TwitterSmarter pic.twitter.com/nmuJ1q1DLS
— Biteable (@biteable) August 19, 2021
PicCollage, Momento GIFs, and imgflip all got a shot-out from our community. What’s more, Rachel added that you can loop Live Photos on your iPhone or use Instagram’s Boomerang feature to the same effect.
A4: Quick tip ➡️ If using additional apps makes you nervous, the boomerang feature on Instagram or live photo on iPhone can work in a pinch ?. But it’s not hard to learn these apps, promise! #TwitterSmarter
— Rachel Wendte (@rkwendte) August 19, 2021
Madalyn shared YouTuber Justin Brown’s video on how to make custom GIFs using your phone and the Giphy app. Have a look!
A4b: This is a must watch video. Bookmark it now. #TwitterSmarter https://t.co/C33DY4UUVC
— Madalyn Sklar Digital Marketing Since 1996 (@MadalynSklar) August 19, 2021
Christine’s favorite way is to keep a running list. She notices her most common emotions, reactions, and phrases and writes them down so she can look them up later. More frequent reactions get a GIF.
A5.
I notice what GIFs I use and/or what sentiments I express a lot and keep a running list on my phone. It’s constantly being added to.#TwitterSmarter ❤️ https://t.co/Tam6ci6RTw pic.twitter.com/gdHaZhRMwt— Christine Gritmon ❤️ #ChatAboutBrand (@cgritmon) August 19, 2021
Our friends from VirtuDesk told us they like to use templates to create their GIFs. Instead if making one from scratch, they look for existing ideas and models that they can then customize to suit their brand.
A5: Creating a new animated GIF is cool but time-consuming. So, we tend to use templates and customized them instead to save more time. #TwitterSmarter
— VirtuDesk (@virtudeskcom) August 19, 2021
Don’t take them too personally. As our guest said, if your GIFs are public, chances are people all across the world are going to use them. Don’t hang on to them too closely or you’ll upset yourself every time someone uses your GIF in a context you don’t agree with. Even though it’s your GIF, when someone else uses it, no one’s going to think that that’s your opinion, so don’t worry too much.
A6.
Don’t get too precious about them being yours if they’re public. People will use them however they want to. I’ve had one of mine go super viral in a context I didn’t agree with, and I let it slide, because nobody thought it was my own opinion so it was fine.#TwitterSmarter❤️ https://t.co/cQSCwxyewW pic.twitter.com/884D6MFa9O— Christine Gritmon ❤️ #ChatAboutBrand (@cgritmon) August 19, 2021
What you should do, though, is have fun. As Madalyn pointed out, the purpose of a custom GIF is to showcase your personality. So don’t be afraid to show it and enjoy the process.
A6: When creating custom GIFs, DO have fun making them. They’re meant to infuse your content with extra personality and help you stand out. DON’T be shy about using them. Your audience will love them! #TwitterSmarter https://t.co/L3UdQjTecM
— Madalyn Sklar Digital Marketing Since 1996 (@MadalynSklar) August 19, 2021
Alyx shared a couple more great don’ts. Don’t force something into your GIF, such as a font style, an image, or a sticker, that you know doesn’t fit in. And of course, don’t use other people’s work and call them yours. Using other people’s public GIFs is ok, but promoting it as your own work is not.
A6 Do's:
Be consistent in the branding
Use personally curated footage to make them
Have fun!Don'ts:
Stealing!
Inconsistency!
Force something to work that doesn't fit with the brand values/personality
-Alyx #TwitterSmarter https://t.co/uA503hjteC— Charlie & Alyx – Charlie Appel Agency (@ColfaxInsurance) August 19, 2021
Always have alt. text for your GIFs. Alternative text is a descriptive piece of text that explains what your GIF is all about. People who use screen readers to engage on Twitter will read this alternative text to understand the context of your GIF and what’s in it. Make sure your alternative text accurately describes the actions in your GIF as clearly as possible.
A7.
I’m admittedly not great at this, but the first tip is to DO IT! Always!
More important than every single visual detail is whatever they’d need to know to understand what you’re trying to convey with it.
(@HashtagHeyAlexa can teach you more!)#TwitterSmarter ❤️ https://t.co/UN7I8Yg7Ji pic.twitter.com/OnvuXV53TB— Christine Gritmon ❤️ #ChatAboutBrand (@cgritmon) August 19, 2021
As our friend from GiveWP added, remember that your alt. text is the only way to convey your GIF to people who don’t see it. It’s more challenging to describe a GIF than it is to describe a static image, so use short sentences and clear transition words to get your meaning across.
A7: Make sure your alt text is descriptive but makes sense in a sentence. GIFs can be harder to describe in alt text, so be sure to use short sentences and transition words as you write your alt text. #TwitterSmarter
— GiveWP (@GiveWP) August 19, 2021
A few. One is when you can get your point across more easily with a popular culture reference, such as a scene from a movie or TV series. Since most people already associate that scene with a particular emotion or situation, you don’t have to give too much context in your tweet to convey your message effectively.
A8b.
It can also be nice sometimes to share the love & use someone else’s as a shoutout!#TwitterSmarter ❤️ pic.twitter.com/B1DNujSjOK— Christine Gritmon ❤️ #ChatAboutBrand (@cgritmon) August 19, 2021
Another instance is to promote your friends. Instead of using your own GIFs, consider using a friend’s GIF as a way to cheer them on and give their work a boost.
From a more serious perspective, always use your judgment before sharing that custom GIF. As Jim reminded us, read the room and understand the situation first. For example, if you’re replying to a friend who’s had deep personal problems, responding with a custom GIF probably isn’t a good idea—even if your GIF is somber in nature. GIFs are associated with happy and uplifting situations, so don’t place them where they may not be welcome or enjoyed.
A8 Know your audience and surroundings. GIFs don't go well with serious subjects. #TwitterSmarter
— Jim Katzaman – Get Debt-Free One Family at a Time (@JKatzaman) August 19, 2021
Well, folks, that’s all from me. Thanks a lot for reading and for more great insights from our chat with Christine, check out this Twitter thread. If you think this summary is handy, let us know! We love to hear what you think of it. And if you’ve got some time to spare on Thursday afternoons, grab a drink and join us for our next #TwitterSmarter chat. We’ll be chatting away from 1pm ET. See you then!
About me, Narmadhaa:
I write all the things—technical and marketing copy to fill the pocket; haiku and short stories to fill the soul. A social media enthusiast, I’m a member of the #TwitterSmarter chat crew, and always happy to take on writing gigs.
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