The biggest tweet to hit social media recently involved something that Twitter users have not yet seen on their newsfeed. It was a simple GIF file announcing that the social media platform now supports GIFs. 

You may get fed up scrolling through flashing, animated clips on your personal Twitter, but this will mean a lot as far as your business is concerned. Marketing with GIFs? Yeah, it has been done and big companies have already jumped on the bandwagon. 

What is a GIF

The recent popularity of the GIF allowed Twitter to send one tweet to announce it and nothing more. Everyone immediately understood.

If you feel left in the dust, a GIF is a small video clip. It can be posted like a picture but it is animated. You may reference the popular social media service Vine to get a better idea. In short, it is a video that loops.

Creating Your Own

First we need to decide on what the GIF will be before we get excited and post it to Twitter. You will need to put together a few still images or a clip from a video that you would like to loop.

• You can use Photoshop if you have some design skills and do this the technical way. This will produce a high quality product that with whatever customization you would like. 

• You could use one of many free tools to create a quick and witty .GIF such as MakeaGIF or GIFmaker

Now that we have the basics down, we can go over integrating them into a campaign. Read more about the basics of .GIFs and how to create them  herehttp://www.brit.co/gif-how-to/.

Marketing with GIFs

Animated GIFs are lovable and easy to swallow, which is why they go over so well with so many audiences.

Here are a few ways to use GIFs in your campaign:

• Email Marketing: GIFs will display in email, and a recent study showed that they bring in 12% more revenue.

• Social Media: Twitter supports GIFs, but so do most platforms. Give your followers something they will actually like. 

• Call-to-Action: This goes without saying that a small, eye catching clip may drive more hits than a regular button waiting to be clicked. Using a GIF as a call-to-action can quickly get your point across to those skimming your pages. 

• Showcase your products or announce new ones using GIFs

Rocking the GIF

Since Twitter's announcement, many decuded to show off their animation skills.

Examples: 

We're getting tanked...well, we're testing new cryogenic rocket fuel tanks. Watch: https://t.co/NIVuemKzHg #321TechOff http://t.co/C36HL9wLY5

- NASA (@NASA) June 24, 2014

You can be witty and to the point, like NASA, while showcasing your products or services.

Friends And Family is here! Save 20% off regular priced merchandise. See here for more info: http://t.co/3FEUPlO7Dz http://t.co/7VjtyaH1wd

- Forever 21 (@Forever21) June 20, 2014

Use a silly GIF in a promotion, like Forever21, to celebrate the new feature.

This new #GIF phase of Twitter is really putting a new perspective on things. http://t.co/4DlFG6J6CR

- Oreo Cookie (@Oreo) June 19, 2014

Oreo is trying to change your perspective with this trippy cookie GIF.  

FTW! GIFs are now on Twitter! Tweet us the greatest GIF of ALL TIME to help us crown the #KingOfGIFs! http://t.co/5J7x21JVwg

- Mountain Dew?R (@mtn_dew) June 18, 2014

Host a contest featuring the newest addition to Twitter, like Mt. Dew can be seen doing here.

See more examples here.

Whether you are being to-the-point, silly, or ceasing the moment with your newest animation,  you cannot deny that people love their GIFs.

Make your call-to-action, showcase your next product, or just say hello with a branded GIF to engage your audience.

For more information on brand development or social media, please contact a Blue Archer professional.