Your Emoji Strategy Needs a Glow-Up
By Allie Meeker
Emojis. We all use them, but are we really using them to their full potential? Sure, they help show emotions in text messages, but some have been labeled as cringy or "boomer-coded” 😆😂😱 The thing is, emojis are more relevant than ever right now, especially when you use them strategically. Not randomly. Not chaotically.
Emojis Aren’t Just Feelings Anymore
When you think about emojis, you probably think about using them to reply to a text message or as a Social Media Manager, using their go-to emojis on social. Most of us stick to the classics: the smile, the heart, the laughing face and even the overused sparkle emoji. And while that is what they were made for, scroll through your feed for two seconds. Brands are using emojis in a totally different way. They're being used to build an aesthetic, reinforce brand voice and stop the scroll. We are seeing emojis that were never in your recents. Ones you didn’t even know existed. Ones that instantly change the vibe of your caption.
For brands, emojis aren’t about emotions. They’re about vibes.
The Vibes? Immaculate.
There has been a big shift in how emojis show up on social. Emotions still belong in texting, but vibes are running the show in captions. When used thoughtfully, emojis can significantly boost a post’s performance. Posts using emojis increase the average number of likes by 72% and the average number of comments by 70% in comparison to posts without any emojis. (ScienceDirect).
Emojis also help break up long copy and make your message visually appealing. They help ‘stop the scroll’, the first step to engaging with your audience.
Finding Your Emoji Palette.
How would you describe your brand identity? Emojis, when used intentionally, have a powerful effect on your social media marketing and the way your brand shows up online. Follow the steps below to use emojis to elevate your socials, making them more visually engaging and breaking up copy.
Step one: pick a word that describes the aesthetic of your post.
Step two: search Pinterest for emoji combinations that match that mood.
Some examples to type in for _____ Emoji Combination:
Season (Winter, Summer, Fall)
Color (Red, Blue, Green)
Aesthetic (Cool Girl, Airport, Fairy, Self-Care)
Examples of these combinations:
Summer: ☀️🌴🧴
Green: 🧚🏻🪴🪐
Cool Girl Aesthetic: 🎱🐆💋
Self-Care: 🧖🏼♀️☁️🎧
Why You Shouldn’t Go Emoji Crazy
Emojis should boost your social copy, not clutter it. While they are visually engaging, too many can distract from your message and even make your brand feel less authentic. Use emojis with intention; not every caption needs them. They should always make sense for your tone, your voice, and your content, so don’t try to force them when they don’t fit.
Let Emojis Speak for You
Are you using emojis to their full potential? You should be. They humanize your brand voice, making your content feel more relatable, expressive, and, more importantly, scroll-stopping. Stop using emojis just to express emotion. Start using them to express your brand.
