When I’m out and about, my smartphone is always in my hand to capture images of everything. Whether it’s snapping a shot of an inspiring view or documenting a behind-the-scenes moment at work, I love how visual storytelling lets me share my voice without needing a single word.
I don’t just limit my photo taking to special occasions. I capture everything from attending networking events to meals and stunning sunsets, all with the thought that I can post them on LinkedIn or Instagram! Just ask my family and friends how many times they’ve had to wait for me while I’m lining up the perfect shot!
What I’m most proud of is that I’ve turned this love for visuals into a career, helping clients discover how to tell their own stories through creative content. Visuals make a significant difference in employee advocacy. On platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram, they bring your personality to life, capturing attention and helping people feel a connection with you.
I read on HubSpot that 50% of marketers are already leveraging video in their marketing strategy, followed closely by images at 47%, so in my opinion, if you’re not supporting your employee-generated content (EGC) with visuals - you’re missing a trick!
I’ve put this blog together to share some of my favourite tips to help your employees create engaging, authentic visuals, and I’m confident it’s going to work wonders for your employee advocacy program. (Spoiler alert: It’s easier than you think!)
Favour authenticity over perfection
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that authentic content always wins. People connect with genuine moments, not polished perfection. Think about it, when you scroll through social media, what catches your eye? A glossy stock image (don’t even get me started on AI images!) or a heartfelt photo of someone sharing their real experiences?
I’ve worked with clients to move them away from product-heavy posts to storytelling through employee moments. The difference is incredible. Not only do these posts feel more relatable, but they also see a big boost in engagement.
This stat in particular caught my attention: user-generated content drives 50% more engagement than traditional branded content (LinkedIn). Wow! Can you imagine the impact if every employee shared one authentic story a month? It could completely transform how people see your brand.
Don’t be shy, embrace the power of short-form video
Short-form video is everywhere right now. Instagram Reels, TikTok, LinkedIn videos. And for good reason! People love quick, snappy content that gets straight to the point.
Don’t just take my word for it. According to Wyzowl’s 2025 video marketing report, 89% of businesses use video as a marketing tool and 95% of marketers agree that video is critical to their strategy.
The best part is that a smartphone can do the job; you don’t need fancy and expensive equipment. My smartphone is never far from reach, ready to grab a quick photo or create a short video.
Don’t overthink it! If you do want to jazz your content up, here’s a couple of tools I recommend:
- InShot: Ideal for quick edits, adding captions, and resizing for different platforms.
- VN: The free version is watermark-free and easy to use.
- Canva: Perfect for creating visually appealing templates and videos.
And if you’re still not convinced, let’s geek out on some numbers for a minute.
Did you know that 83% of consumers want to see more videos from brands this year? (Wyzowl) Or that 72% of people feel more connected to a brand when employees share information about it online? (Sprout Social)
Stats like these show just how powerful visual content can be. They’re also a great way to get buy-in from your team, because who doesn’t love a good stat to back up their efforts?
Consistency is key (but it’s not as daunting as you think!)
One of the biggest challenges I see when working with clients is people being nervous about posting things, which can be a big barrier when it comes to consistency.
I get it, I really do, it does take time to become confident on social media. Even now, I still wonder if anyone is interested in my posts! The thing is, you don’t have to post daily. It’s about showing up regularly enough that people start to recognise you and look forward to your posts. This has a massive impact on building trust.
When I work with clients, I encourage their teams to share snippets of their day-to-day experiences or thoughts on industry trends. Sharing relatable stories or behind-the-scenes glimpses can really resonate with your followers.
Consistency also applies to your branding. Using consistent fonts, colours, and tones in visuals will help your content become recognisable across platforms. I often share small tips on how to adjust your phone camera to get the best lighting, these little tricks can make a big difference.
Employee-generated content done well (examples)
I could happily keep talking about what you can do to improve your employee-generated content, but sometimes it’s better to see it in action! Here are some of my favourite LinkedIn connections who do a great job advocating for their companies through their own channels.
Laura Lamard from Henkel: Laura posts a mix of marketing and industry-specific content that is both personable and professional.
Sunny Bal from Arup: Sunny's Digital Marketing expertise shines through with a mix of posts highlighting events, awards and the brilliant work that Arup does.
Adam Lloyd from Ericsson: Adam is leading by example showcasing not just their campaign work, but mentoring schemes and other behind-the-scenes content giving future candidates a glimpse into their culture.
Take a look and see how they balance sharing their company’s message while being relatable and above all human!
Let’s create content that connects
It’s been great sharing some of my experiences and insights in this blog. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that visual content doesn’t have to be complicated or perfect, it just needs to feel real and relatable.
I’m so lucky that my role at Tribal Impact is to help employees shine through their content. When they succeed, the brand succeeds, and I love knowing I’ve helped them achieve this.
If you’d like to explore ways to support your team and create more impactful content, let’s have a chat!
