The GIF of Business – Line2 – Multiple Lines, One Phone

Graphics interchange format files (GIFs) recently hit a surge of popularity. What started in 1987 as compression technology, quickly spread to early adopters of the Internet. Today, GIFs are popular forms of messaging communication when words or emojis can’t express thoughts.

Today’s texting could be psychologically ruining you due to the lack of nonverbal communication like facial expressions and body language. If what you’re trying to communicate doesn’t require words, but could be better conveyed with non-verbal communication, would you use it? Enter the GIF.

Newcomer in the market

Online searches for gifs have risen extensively since 2012. They’ve proven to be useful in breaking news stories and photojournalism. GIFs were, in part, responsible for making Tumblr one of the biggest microblogging sites on the Internet. The market for GIFs became so hot that developers started designing apps for making your own GIFs. In 2014, Twitter announced that you could share GIFs on its platform, encouraging dozens of companies to design and compete for the best GIF apps.

GIFs can help your business

While a picture might say a 1,000 words, the GIF is not always the best form of communication. In fact, GIFs are probably a poor choice for business messaging. If the use of acronyms is to be used sparingly, and emojis are almost never appropriate, then the GIF certainly doesn’t have a place in business. Or does it? GIFs can use incredibly useful in your business’ social media strategy. Combine the “Reaction” GIF with news that’s trending or a new business announcement and you could be setting your business up for successful social marketing.

Many social networking sites have welcomed the GIF. However, Facebook still lags behind. The social media ringleader does accept GIFs to be posted on walls, but it does not support animated GIFs like counterparts Twitter, Google+ and Tumblr.

Add flare to your brand

Using GIFs in your social media strategy doesn’t just attract attention, it helps customers see your business in a new light. It can be difficult personalizing your brand, so using GIFs can help add more personality. GIFs can also help you target different demographics by offering infinite options of animations from TV, film and public figures. Before doing so, be sure you have done your research on copyrighted material if using images that your business doesn’t own.

You can also use GIFs to highlight your company culture. Don’t just use them to react, use them to educate. Feature new products or use GIFs to capture corporate events. Of course, you could also use GIFs to make something go viral. Fun animations make your content more share-worthy and that’s never a bad thing.