GIFs: Don't Overlook These Engaging Marketing Tools

Spin Creative • May 12, 2021

When most people think of GIFs, they think of looped, animated images they message to their friends to make them smile or laugh. But GIFs aren’t merely useful in social interactions. Brands can—and should—add them to their suite of marketing tools to educate and inspire customers.
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The power of animated imagery
One of a GIF’s biggest draws is that it is animated, not static. Visual imagery by itself is proven to be more effective and engaging than text. However, animated imagery is in its own league when it comes to engagement.

Animated imagery catches and holds the eye more than static imagery does because it’s constantly in motion. Why is this important? Because, in a sea of content from competing brands, you want your messages to stand out. If you can hold the attention of your customer for just a few seconds longer, you’ll leave more of an impression and maybe even gain a new follower or conversion. 

GIFs, in particular, loop their messages, but they’re bite-sized compared to longer mediums like video. This means customers are more inclined to stop and watch the GIF’s full message through before moving on.

5 ways brands can use GIFs

GIFs are also great for marketing because they are extremely versatile and easy to make. You can quickly share them on social media, on your website or in emails to convey information in just a few frames.


Check out a few of the many uses your brand might find for GIFs:

• Showcase products: Product photos are standard, but product GIFs stand out. Highlight a specific feature or benefit of your product or introduce a new line in a unique way by creating GIFs that grab the viewer’s attention.


• Demonstrate a how-to: Some things need explanation, but they’re not worthy of a video. GIFs are the perfect middle ground! The looping mechanism is perfect for instruction, while the short format appeals to those with short attention spans. With GIFs, you can teach viewers something or demonstrate the way your product works in 10 frames or less.


• Animate data: If you have data to share, spruce up a static graphic by animating it into a loop. GIFs are great for distilling and conveying bite-sized bits of information that stick in your customers’ brains.

• Tell stories: GIFs may be short, but they can still tell a story! Use multiple images to showcase change over time and convey emotion to the viewer. This method is simple, yet highly effective.


• Show your personality: Of course, GIFs don’t always have to instruct, inform or inspire. They can be used simply to convey emotion and add some charisma to your brand. Plus, if you create your own funny or entertaining GIFs, others might share them, too! Just make sure the GIFs you create or share align with your brand’s voice.


Brands shouldn’t overlook the power GIFs hold online. They align with the internet’s interests while conveying information and emotion effectively. Don’t miss out on the potential results from this engaging communication tool!


At Spin Creative, we help put brands in motion through a variety of mediums, from video advertisements to GIFs. Say hello to learn more.



About Us

Spin Creative is a video production company and creative agency helping marketers create winning video and creative strategies that engage, inspire and activate targeted audiences. Spin is headquartered in Seattle with offices in San Francisco and London, serving brands around the globe.

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