Sometimes it feels like we are truly living in the future, and Facebook’s 3D photo feature is an excellent example of that. There is something so….well, cool…about scrolling through the newsfeed and coming across a photo that’s practically popping off the page with depth and clarity. Facebook has made its mark giving brands innovative new ways to create powerful storytelling, and this new tool is no exception! The platform describes its latest creative concept as “a new way to share your memories and moments in time with a fun, life-like dimension.” but if you’re unsure about how this exciting feature can help your brand stand out and your business thrive, we’ve got some suggestions on how you can use it to your advantage.
What exactly are 3D Photos on Facebook?
Technically speaking, 3D Photos are digital renderings of portraits that have been taken on dual-camera smartphones. More specifically, the feature is currently exclusive to photos taken in portrait mode on an iPhone 7+, 8+, X, or XS. This is great news if you’ve already embraced the newer-generation iPhones for creating exciting visual content on your social media!
By allowing followers to scroll, pan, and tilt an image, 3D Photos gives your followers a life-like view into your world without having to use 3D glasses. That said, this feature can be taken to the next level of interactivity by using virtual reality apparatus like the Oculus Browser on Oculus Go or Firefox on Oculus Rift. Creating this kind of window into your brand has the power to make your target audience truly see you, in a way they haven’t really been able to before. What we’ve our own observations on 3D Photos has shown us is that it really encourages viewers to stop scrolling for a few seconds to take a deeper look. While that may seem like small potatoes, in the world of digital marketing, it’s actually a big win!
Maximizing 3D Photos for your brand
To boost the value of this feature for your business, we suggest experimenting, but choosing your shots thoughtfully. Some photos work better than others for 3D, and scenes with multiple layers of depth tend to work best, like people or animals in the foreground, with something visually arresting in the background. Close-ups can work, too, for a more surreal result, but in general, you’ll want to stick with the standard “portrait” setup to increase your engagement.
3D can make anything more immersive! Show off your office, staff, or any products you want to highlight using this feature, giving followers a fresh look at something familiar. It’s also perfect for promoting seasonal events, or special contests and giveaways. You can make prizes or announcements pop off the page, increasing engagement on multiple levels as followers will be more likely to view, share, and participate. Don’t get too carried away, though! A little goes a long way when it comes to this feature, and you don’t want to come off as gimmicky.
Making your brand stand out
Like all social platform, the Facebook newsfeed is saturated with content from friends, family, the brands we follow, sponsored posts, and targeted ads. Scrolling through, followers are inundated with political opinions, memes, recipe videos, recent news items, polls, photos, and more. There’s a lot going on at any given time! Anything that can cut through the chaos and give followers a reason to stop and really see something is valuable. 3D Photos offer brands the chance to put content out there that does exactly that.
As individual users, Facebook gives us a way to connect with family, friends, and our community, as well as a chance to discover new information. As brands, we use Facebook to connect with our past, present, and potential clients using a combination of relatable posts and sponsored or targeted ads. The new 3D photo feature is, at heart, the latest Facebook format for connection. By thinking about how to use it outside the box, you’ll be able to engage your audience, get them to stop scrolling, and connect with your content!
That kind of engagement is really the ultimate goal of brand marketing on Facebook. 3D Photos may seem like just another way to post, but they have the potential to make your brand stand out and encourage users to engage. And the longer or more often a user engages with your content, the more likely it is that your message will land, building brand recognition and loyalty. Essentially, 3D Photos allow us to up our storytelling game and connect more consistently with our online community by offering something exciting and original that still has a bit of a novelty factor attached, too.
If you’re looking for more ideas on how to incorporate this tool into your brand’s marketing, get in touch with our Neon Canvas team! We’d love to help make this feature work for you. We’re always here to help you grow your brand – and increase your success! – in whatever way we can.
Kyle Fagala, DDS, MDS
Co-Founder, Neon Canvas