subject: Why You Should Add Images To Your Blog Posts [print this page] Why You Should Add Images To Your Blog Posts
It seems that just about everybody blogs about something these days. Blogs run the gamut from quiting smoking to dog grooming to seriously helpful online business building blogs like Marketing Profs, Rosalind Gardner's Net Profits Today, and of course, Michael Stelzner's Social Media Examiner. There are many, many more but these are my top picks. When you visit these blogs you will notice right away that not only are they giving you some terrific, free, actionable tips and advice, but that each blog post is also image rich in that there are pictures and videos that help tell the story and draw your eye to the important part of the blog post. If you are simply posting a lot of text in your blogs but are not concerned with adding images let's try this quick exercise. Are you one of the increasingly rare people who still cling to the good old fashioned telephone book? If so, grab a copy of the White Pages off your shelf and flip open to any page and then answer these questions:
Where does your eye go first?
Are you pulled into the content?
Do you want to read more, or are you tempted to simply slam the book shut and stick it back on the bookshelf?
When visitors come to your website, you have a choice. You can make it inviting and pleasant, or you can make it just about as appealing as the innards of the phone book. The only difference? Images. Color. Action. Images photos, illustrations, or other graphics -- are often the first thing visitors look at. If the image is compelling, visitors stay to check out the text. If the image is poor quality or unappealing or non-existent! visitors leave. It's really that simple. Here are some compelling reasons to incorporate images into your blog:
They break up text. Facing a page of black-and-white text is daunting. Images can give the eye a place to rest, breaking up the flow of an otherwise monotonous page.
They lead into the text. Since people look at them first, the images provide a starting point for the rest of the blog post. Good images are like flashing arrows that say, "START HERE."
They introduce the topic. Picking an appropriate, related image gives the reader an idea of what to expect from the post. For instance, a photo of a street sign that says "Bumpy Road Ahead" lets the reader know that the post is about challenges or change.
They support the post content. A diagram, graphic, or other image can further illustrate the post's content. A flow chart of a sales funnel, for instance, gives you another way to explain the concepts you're presenting.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. If that's true, you can't afford NOT to use images in your blog posts. They may be the most powerful tool you have. So the choice is clear. You can either make your blog posts interesting and vibrant with the use of images and video, or you can make them about as bland and boring as watching somebody point at a flow chart. By the way, one of my favorite places to find great graphics is Presenter Media. A one year subscription is $59.95 and you have access to royalty-free clipart, presentation animations and PowerPoint templates and animations. There are no additional fees, charges or royalties to pay to download and use their images in your projects.
