This article delves into the world of digital assets, highlighting their significance and the pivotal role they play in business growth. We'll explore various types of assets, from images and videos to documents and blog posts, and discuss the key steps for creating digital files.
But creating assets is just one piece of the puzzle. Effective management, especially through digital asset management systems, is crucial for maximizing their potential. With insights on AI features, user-generated content, and the importance of quality and organization, this guide offers a comprehensive overview for businesses looking to optimize their digital assets use. Read on to discover more.
What are Digital Assets and Why Do They Matter
Digital assets are pretty much anything you see or hear online. Think of your favorite meme, that catchy song you've been listening to for the past week, or even this article you're reading right now! Yep, they're all digital assets. In simple words, it's content in a digital format, be it images, videos, tunes, or docs.
So, why are these assets a big deal for businesses? Digital assets are akin to a brand's signature style. They define its identity and convey its value to the world. In today's digital age, they play a pivotal role in enhancing a brand's visibility and reach. Imagine navigating the vast online landscape; it's these assets that make a brand stand out from the crowd and guide customers to the brand's products.
With the advancements in technology (especially AI), creating and managing these assets has become more streamlined than ever. For business owners, this means more opportunities and less hassle.
Most Common Types of Digital Assets to Create
Images:
Images are the visual representations that breathe life into web pages, social media posts, marketing campaigns, and even emails. From vibrant photos capturing real-life moments to meticulously crafted graphics, illustrations, and logos, images have the innate ability to grab our attention and stir our emotions. Images are especially efficient as user-generated content or product reviews, as they help brands to establish trust and credibility.
The quality of images matters immensely. High-resolution pics look professional and convey a brand's commitment to excellence. However, lots of people and businesses are snapping awesome shots just with their phones. Adobe Photoshop, Canva, and similar tools work like magic for tweaking pics. There are also helpful mobile apps, like Snapseed, VSCO, and Lightroom for editing photos right on your phone, too.
Videos:
Videos, especially short ones, are the most popular and effective type of content on all social media nowadays. It’s all about engagement - videos can hold a viewer's attention, making complex ideas easier to digest and resonate with. This leads to increased retention and conversion rates.
However, creating a video isn't just about hitting the record button. Quality is paramount. One can also use software like Adobe Premiere, for example, to add music, transitions, and other effects to make videos even more engaging.
Moreover, in an age where patience is limited, optimizing videos for web performance is crucial. For instance, different social media platforms have their requirements regarding video format (MP4 or WMV), duration, etc. Even such a small detail as using a wrong song that's not trendy can cut down the engagement.
Audio Files:
Audio files have carved a unique niche. They're not just sounds; they're experiences. But what's truly remarkable about audio, especially podcasts, is their versatility. They can be tailored to suit various purposes. Imagine tuning into a podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts where a brand interviews its clients, sharing success stories, challenges overcome, and the journey they've embarked on together. Such firsthand accounts not only humanize a brand but also build trust and credibility among listeners.
Podcasts engage the audience, making them feel connected and informed. Unlike videos, audio files offer the convenience of consumption anytime, anywhere – be it during a commute, a workout, or even as a bedtime story.
Documents:
White papers, eBooks, and research reports are all digital assets that prove a brand's authority. Consider a tech startup introducing an innovative product. A well-structured white paper can delve deep into the product's mechanics, its market relevance, and its potential impact. Such documents not only showcase the startup's expertise but also serve as reference materials for potential customers, investors, and partners. Similarly, eBooks can offer comprehensive guides on industry best practices, while research reports can shed light on market trends.
These digital assets can be created with such simple tools we all know as Google Docs or Microsoft Word, and even with the help of AI. However, to make them more appealing, they are usually converted into PDFs and published on the company's website.
Web Pages:
Web pages, whether they're sleek landing pages, compelling website copy, or insightful blog posts, play a pivotal role. We all check the company's website before we purchase their product. A well-designed landing page can showcase the brand's competitive advantage. Engaging website copy might detail the unique offer. Blog posts could share stories of existing customers. All these digital assets are the first, and often lasting, impression for potential customers. And, vice versa, outdated info on blog or poor design can turn away customers from choosing the company's services.
Infographics:
Infographics are the bridge between intricate data and clear understanding. They transform complex information into digestible, visual stories. Think of a company wanting to showcase its annual growth. Instead of lengthy reports, an infographic can highlight key metrics with vibrant visuals. Using design software like Canva or Figma, these graphical narratives come to life, making data not just accessible, but also engaging for the audience.
Social Media Profiles:
Social media profiles function as online identities where brands and businesses come alive. Imagine a local bookstore trying to expand its reach. By creating a captivating Instagram profile, it can share snippets of new arrivals, author interviews, or reading events. On Twitter, it can engage in real-time conversations with book enthusiasts. Over time, these interactions don't just boost sales; they foster a community. Loyal followers become brand ambassadors, sharing content and drawing in more like-minded individuals. What's more, social media channels work perfectly well for sharing all the high-quality digital assets we've mentioned above, like images, videos, podcasts, etc.
Blog Posts:
Blog posts serve as a brand's digital voice, echoing its expertise and insights. For example, consider a nutritionist aiming to expand her reach. By crafting informative blog posts, they can delve into topics like balanced diets, the science of metabolism, or the benefits of superfoods. Each post not only showcases her depth of knowledge but also offers valuable information to readers. As these posts circulate online, they draw curious visitors to her website, turning casual readers into potential clients. Moreover, engaging content encourages readers to comment, share, and discuss, fostering a community around the brand and increasing the website's traffic.
With the rise of AI tools for writing during the past year, one can benefit from such software as ChatGPT to perfect their texts and even write whole articles from scratch.
How to Create Digital Assets: Tips and Best Practices
Creating digital assets involves several key steps to ensure their effectiveness and compatibility. Here's a detailed breakdown of the process:
Understand the Requirements:
If possible, gather a detailed brief outlining the specifics of the digital asset needed. Whether it's a logo, social media post, blog post, video, or any other asset, understand where and how the asset will be used, the target audience, and specific expectations.
Research and Conceptualization:
Before starting the process, research the target audience, market trends, and the brand's positioning. With the information received, brainstorm and create concepts or designs that align with the brief and the brand's identity.
Creation:
Use tools appropriate for the specific asset (e.g., Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Canva for designs and images, Google Docs, ChatGPT for writing texts, etc.).
Maintain Brand Consistency:
Ensure that the digital asset aligns with the brand's guidelines. Use the specified color palettes, fonts, logos, tone of voice, and overall brand image throughout the creation process.
Testing Across Platforms:
One of the best things about digital assets is that they can be re-used across multiple platforms. That's why during the creation process you need to test the digital asset's functionality across various platforms and devices. Check its compatibility and appearance on websites, social media, and other digital spaces to ensure a consistent and optimal user experience. Look for any errors, pixelation, or issues that might arise.
Client/Team Feedback and Revisions:
Once you're done with the initial version, share it with the client or relevant team members for feedback. Then, revise and make necessary adjustments.
Documentation and Archiving:
Finally, when a digital asset is ready and approved, document the processes, revisions, and final version. Keep these records for future reference or for similar projects.
How to Manage Digital Assets
Taking into account all the benefits of digital assets we've explained above, no wonder that businesses in any industry will try to use as many assets as possible to maximize profits. This is where the issue of managing digital assets arises. Fortunately, one can use a digital asset management system for this - a fortified cloud vault, meticulously designed to store, organize, and retrieve your precious digital treasures.
First of all, DAMs support multiple file formats - whether it's a captivating image for marketing, a sales presentation, or a design prototype, DAM ensures it's right at your fingertips when you need it.
What’s more, you can save any content, like a video from YouTube or some social media profile, as a link, and treat it just like any other asset in a DAM - tag, comment, add keywords, etc.
Secondly, with advanced search capabilities and metadata, finding that one specific file amidst thousands literally takes seconds in a DAM. Tagging assets is not just convenient but also intuitive, ensuring that categorization is always on point.
Thirdly, the real magic lies in DAM AI features. Imagine uploading a photo and the system automatically recognizing faces, tagging individuals, and categorizing the image appropriately. This isn't science fiction; it's the power of modern DAM systems.
Some other benefits of a DAM solution are:
- version control feature
- commenting and tagging teammates
- watermarking
- AI transcription feature for videos
- reporting and analytics feature showing what digital assets were downloaded most often
- websites for secure and quick sharing of digital assets both internally and externally
Using DAM software saves one user up to 10 hours/month on asset search, according to DAM Benefits Report 2022.
Last but not least, let's talk about digital asset management integrations. Due to integrations, all the digital assets in your library integrate with other systems.
Need to upload images for blog posts from DAM to your CMS? - Use WordPress integration.
Need to edit photos - use design integrations like Adobe, Figma, or Canva.
Need marketing integrations - easy!
You can check the full list of Pics.io DAM integrations here.
Final thoughts
From the vibrant visuals of images to the compelling narratives of blog posts, digital assets are integral parts of a brand's online identity. Their flexibility allows brands to craft diverse, tailored content that resonates with audiences, ensuring meaningful engagement and lasting impressions. Moreover, with tools like Digital Asset Management systems, harnessing this potential becomes seamless, ensuring assets are not just created but effectively utilized.
Did you enjoy this article? Give Pics.io a try — or book a demo with us, and we'll be happy to answer any of your questions.
