We humans are peculiar beings. We are drawn to text, but we love our images. Yes, we are quite visually driven creatures. You can’t get around it; images attract attention. In fact, blogs with images are 40 times more likely to attract attention and get shared on social media. Several carefully selected, well-placed, compelling images on your blog will not only break up the content, they will take your reader by the hand and guide them through your post.
Is should do that anyway. All too often though, they miss the mark. How many times have you visited a blog, only to be confronted with a massive block of text so you clicked off, probably shaking your head, because it was just too daunting. Adding crisp, enthralling images to your blog transforms it from text you read to an adventure in words and pictures. Take your readers on an adventure by learning how to select the best images to your content and bring your blog to life.
What emotion do you want your content to evoke?
Another thing we visual humans gravitate to is emotion. Anything that “gets us in the feels” is going to get our attention. It doesn’t matter if those emotions are joy, sadness, compassion, or anger. When we feel, it reminds us that we’re alive – and many of us love to remind everyone just how alive we are.
If the tone of the images lines up with the tone of the words, you’re golden. It should be a steady flow, like a river, that your reader drifts down while taking in all the sights. Whether that river is a lazy, little babbling brook or the grand rapids is totally up to you.
What type of image should you use?
The type of image that you use is dependent upon several factors. What tone and style line up with your brand? What speaks to your readers? What will work best with your content?
The good news is, there is no shortage of image types: stock photos, illustrations, infographics, and charts all have specific purposes and appeal to different audiences. You have to decide what works best for you.
The Dirty Dozen: Best practices for pictures that pop.
Want a stellar blog that gets results? Check out these best practices for blog images.
- Do you own the usage rights for the image?
- Is it relevant to your content?
- Does it have that high-quality look?
- Is it large enough but less than 100KB?
- Is the image clear and sharp?
- Is it consistent with your brand voice?
- Is it attention grabbing?
- Is the image compelling on its own?
- Are you using more than one image?
- Does it help tell your story?
- Is it high resolution without bogging down your page load time (max 72ppi)?
- Is the image properly optimized?
If you know your brand and are in touch with your audience, adding stunning images to your blog is pretty easy. Combine it with awesome content and you’ll have ‘em sharing your stuff everywhere!
Stephanie M has been writing since she was old enough to hold a pen – and that’s a really long time! She has been writing professionally for more than 20 years and specialized in SEO, social media, and branding. She has written for clients of all shapes and sizes, including Home Depot, Mapquest, Axon Optics, Amazon, MobileRVing, Polaroid, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery, and many more. If you want polished, professional content that brings your brand to life, reach out to Stephanie and start a conversation.
