Grow your small/medium business with my field tested tactics, relatable SMB stories and experience laden notes. No buzzwords. Just a lot of working insights, straight from people who work with/on brands like yours. Crafted with SMBs for SMBs.
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Saying More With Less
Published 19 days ago • 3 min read
Hey there!
Ever stop mid-scroll for an image that just ‘hit’ you? 💥
In a world packed with noise, there’s something powerful about a post that says everything without a word.
The magic of silent storytelling is letting visuals carry the weight of your message.
This issue is all about it with a spotlight on an artist who has been doing it all along.
But first thing first.... why go silent?
✔️ Universal appeal: If you didn't guess, no captions means no language barriers. Your content is open to personal interpretation, which means ANYONE across the globe can access it.
✔️ Sound-off behavior: 85% of Facebook videos are watched on mute. That stat has not changed since 2019! Why? Because we are mobile and not all 'public' spaces allow loud noises.
✔️ Emotional impact: Images can evoke feelings faster than words. Remember the last McDonalds' ad; what are you feeling right now? Exactly, that's what I mean!
So.... How to tell stories without text
Take photographs or play with software, but here is a general plan to follow:
Pick a mood: Calm, bold, playful— let that guide what you shoot or create.
Focus on details: Close-ups of hands, tools and textures; small things say a lot.
Show progress: Think in steps and create/shoot accordingly. See the carousel below on how to do this. 👇
Use space well: Don’t crowd the frame; let your subject breathe.
Lastly, keep it real: Show the mess, the process, the unfinished tale. That’s the story.
Silent Carousel in Action 🎬🎬🎬
With the why and how out of the way, let's create a visual carousel to draw viewers in with a subtle narrative.
For this particular set, I’ll be using a set of photos to create a carousel:
① Slide 1: Set the scene ⛱️
A wide shot to establish the mood or setting.
Use a bold visual with no text, or add a single word to anchor the tone (e.g., Before, It Starts, Beginning).
② Slide 2: Introduce the subject 🤸
Shift focus to a person, object, or gesture. Let the imagery lead.
If you want, add a quiet line of text like a thought or question.
③ Slide 3 (and more): Show the process
A close-up or in-progress moments.
Add slides if providing details is necessary. Experiment with switching angles or lighting between slides to add depth and energy.
Text (if any) should feel observational, not explanatory, e.g., hands at work, people in motion, getting almost there.
④ Slide before the last: Reveal the result 💯
Show your visual climax.
A finished piece, a moment of clarity or a big visual payoff.
Text here should be minimal.
⑤ Last slide: Let it breathe
End with white space, your branding or a CTA.
Text wise a soft fade-out or maybe a word like done or nothing at all.
Pro Tip: Stick to a consistent color palette or lighting style to maintain visual cohesion. And don't be afraid to leave some "negative space". It gives your viewers room to feel.
Also…. you don’t need a voiceover to add volume to this one!
Lahore-based fine artist Saad Farrukh doesn’t speak— but his art dances. Born mute and hearing-impaired, Saad built a brand grounded entirely in visual impact.
After formally learning tools like Photoshop and Illustrator, he continued his journey by doing— drawing inspiration from the greats and recreating their work to train his eye and hand.
Over time, he found his own rhythm— one that favors feeling over form, motion over perfection.
His paintings pulse with movement: Sufi dancers spinning, drummers mid-beat, wild horses galloping, tigers frozen in raw power. His passion blazes through every brushstroke.
Collage of some of Saad's work
The catch? There's no fancy sales and marketing funnel. 😮
Just process and pure intention. Saad doesn't hide how he works. He invites everyone in.
Whether it's the ferocious lion with his cubs or the musical instruments he sketches, the painter doesn’t need elaborate words to get people to listen.
Key takeaway: You don't need clever captions to make your message land. Your visuals already have a voice.
Grow your small/medium business with my field tested tactics, relatable SMB stories and experience laden notes. No buzzwords. Just a lot of working insights, straight from people who work with/on brands like yours. Crafted with SMBs for SMBs.
(Correction dated 4th April 2025: In last week's issue I made an error while writing Saad Farrukh's story stating he was based in Lahore. The painter is based in Karachi, Pakistan and is creating spectacular pieces as you read.) Hey there, The pressure to keep up with trends, engage with followers, and improve revenue while getting better conversions—is real. But the good news is that social media doesn’t have to be a time sink. This issue is all about streamlining your social media strategy....
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