How to Use Visual Storytelling to Support your Nonprofit Campaign

Visual storytelling is pretty ubiquitous in this era of print and social media. If you’ve seen an infographic in the newspaper, scrolled through a carousel of pictures on Instagram that chronicles a friend’s recent ski trip, watched a video review of your favorite product, or connected with a brand based on their logo design or latest ad, you’ve experienced visual storytelling. 

So what is visual storytelling? Exactly what it sounds like! Visual storytelling uses photos, captions, video, and graphics to create deeper connections with your audience by giving them different ways to experience content and engage with your brand or organization. 

Here are some examples of mediums you can use to enhance your digital marketing and printed materials through visual storytelling:

Photographer @isaacmphoto uses visual storytelling to engage Instagram followers on industrial and agriculture themed topics

Photos

Photos are one of the original mediums for modern visual storytelling.

Photos tell a detailed story about your values and can be used in many different ways to engage and educate viewers. 

One of my favorite ways to use photos is the photo carousel, which features a series of photos ordered chronologically or in a specific sequence to tell a story. Don’t forget to add captions for context!

Video

Video is another visual storytelling standard and as technology progresses, video continues to be one of the best ways to engage viewers.

Popular social media platforms like Youtube, Tiktok, and Instagram give brands and organizations an easy and accessible way to reach viewers digitally. 

Little Farms, Big Movement, from the NatGeo YouTube channel

Illustration

Illustration is a creative way to use visual storytelling in printed materials to make a connection with your audience.

Usually featured with accompanying text in print media and blogs, illustration supports storytelling and engages the audience by visually representing concepts and illuminating your story. 

Audubon magazine uses illustration to share information with members

Graphics

Graphics are a great way to inspire your audience and encourage them to take action.

A key element of modern marketing and branding, graphics like logos and advertisements allow your audience to interpret your organization’s values and are essential to representing your organization. 

The official @highmountaincreative Instagram featured a carousel telling a story about easy ways to celebrate Earth Week. The visuals make the message fun and engaging compared to plain text on a solid background.

Visual storytelling is a great way to engage followers while showing off your creativity and advertising for your business. It’s also a useful tool for engaging audiences with different learning styles and attention spans, for example, "visual learners" may learn better by glancing at an infographic or watching a video rather than reading a story. 

How can your organization integrate visual storytelling to make a bigger impact with future print materials and digital marketing campaigns?

If your ideas include infographics, illustrations, maps or graphics, let's chat!