Engaging Your Audience with the Right Image: A Guide for Creators (1)

Real-World Examples for Deciding on an image.

In this article, we will delve deeper into images that creators should present when engaging audiences on social media platforms.

When comparing two creators who are explaining the same financial concepts in their videos, one being dressed in an expensive suit and sitting in a Wall Street office and the other cooking at home while holding a baby, which one do you think would have higher expectations for their knowledge and expertise in these concepts?

The answer is obviously the creator who is wearing an expensive suit and sitting in a Wall Street office, as it suggests that they have more experience and knowledge of financial concepts and are more likely to be experts in the field.

When creators present themselves as experts while teaching knowledge in a video, audiences tend to have higher expectations, making it more challenging to impress them.

Setting a low expectation can be a good strategy for creators teaching knowledge in a video. By appearing in normal clothes, doing everyday tasks, or even acting in a non-expert role, creators can create a sense of relatability and approachability.

This can help to make their audience feel more comfortable and more likely to engage with the information being presented.

Presenting oneself as down-to-earth and relatable can be beneficial for experts who want to gain more followers on social media. By showing that they are approachable and understand the struggles of everyday life, experts can create a sense of trust and connection with their audience.

This can help to increase engagement and make the audience more likely to follow and continue to consume their content.

Additionally, by showing that they are not above everyday tasks and struggles, experts can also challenge the stereotype of the “untouchable” expert and make themselves more relatable and accessible to a wider audience.

Let us look at some real-world examples below:

Here are three popular accounts on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok

The first account is that of an English teacher who portrays himself as a stay-at-home dad.

He can be seen wearing kitchen attire and interacting with his wife in a playful butler-like manner with his child in every video. He speaks in English with a strong British accent and incorporates Downton Abbey-style music as background music.

The example showcases a strategy of setting a low expectation in terms of the creator’s image and background.

By portraying himself as a stay-at-home dad, wearing kitchen attire and interacting with his wife and child in a playful manner, the creator presents himself as relatable and down-to-earth. This may make the audience more likely to trust and engage with him, as they may not have high expectations for him as an expert.

Additionally, his use of a strong British accent and Downton Abbey-style music adds a touch of humor and personality to the videos. By using this approach, the creator is able to connect with his audience and potentially make the learning experience more enjoyable and engaging.

The second account is that of a financial educator who presents herself as a housewife.

In each video, her husband poses a financial-related question such as, “What’s the difference between PE and PS?” and she proceeds to answer the question while completing household chores.

This example aligns with the idea that setting a low expectation can be a good strategy for creators teaching knowledge in a video.

By portraying herself as a regular person who is completing everyday tasks, the audience is not expecting a polished or professional presentation. This approach allows the audience to see that anyone can understand and apply financial concepts, regardless of their background or profession.

It also allows the audience to easily relate to the creator and the information being presented, which can make the learning experience more engaging and effective.

Additionally, the use of the husband asking questions and the creator answering while doing house chore also brings a casual and relatable atmosphere to the video which can make audience more likely to pay attention and retain the information being taught.

The third account is that of two singers who present themselves as country boys.

In each video, they are dressed in rural attire and perform in very rural environments. Neighbors from these rural areas are seen in the video surprised by the quality of their singing as it goes against the stereotype of what one would expect from people living in the countryside.

This example reflects the idea that setting a low expectation can be a good strategy for creators in a video. The creators in this example are not presenting themselves as professional singers with a polished image, but rather as down-to-earth country boys.

This likely sets a lower expectation for their singing abilities among their audience, but when they actually perform and show their singing talent, it surprises and impresses their viewers.

This can create a more positive reaction from the audience, as they are pleasantly surprised by the creators’ abilities. Additionally, by setting a lower expectation, the creators may be able to connect with a wider audience, as they are relatable and not intimidating in their image.

In conclusion, setting a low expectation can be a good strategy to gain more followers. Remember that being relatable should not compromise the quality of the information provided.

It’s a balance between being relatable and being an expert. When deciding on an image to present as a creator, it’s important to consider your target audience and what will resonate with them.