It's All About the Images

"Articles that have relevant and compelling pictures get 94% more views than those that do not." (MDG Advertising infographic)

www.mdgadvertising.com

When I started my blog almost four years ago, I immediately started posting pictures.  Our minds remember images much more readily than words.  Every one of my posts is accompanied by at least one image.  I am not capable of drawing, so I have always found photos, pictures and cartoons on the Internet, copied and pasted them, and then credited the source.  I figure it's a good way to catch the reader's attention.  To read more about how the brain remembers, visit http://www.mindtools.com/memory.html. 

The hippocampus (which is shaped like a seahorse) serves to store our memories courtesy cbucommons.ca.

According to one blogger, pictures play a big role in how readers perceive you.  Furthermore, if you don't display your content well, you will lose readers.  Your pictures (style, layout) should go hand in hand with your brand (to be discussed in a later post).  They may say something clever or hidden about your topic.  Pictures should enhance your topic, rather than distract from it.  They may encourage conversation about your topic.  They often inspire readers to share your post.  For more information on the importance of picture choices, visit http://www.blogtyrant.com/blog-images/.

For eye-catching photos, visit www.1stwebdesigner.com.

Beware of a shot that is too abstract; it will ultimately say nothing to the reader.  Make sure the images are not too small.  Choose pictures that go hand in hand with your topic.  Choose images which are relevant not only to you, but to the reader. For instance, I could post a picture of Jumbo the Elephant when referring to my Boston trip.  That's because Tufts University, which has Jumbo as its mascot, is located in Boston.  However, most readers wouldn't know that.  On the other hand, if I post a photo of the Boston Public Gardens, everyone should relate to it.  Read more about images here:

http://www.incomediary.com/how-to-use-photos-in-your-blog-to-make-it-more-interesting.

Image courtesy blog.blogadda.com.

You have options as to where you find your pictures.  You can buy images from Dreamstime.  You can use the Photodropper Wordpress Plugin.  You can access free photos from Wikimedia Commons or Creative Commons or Stock XChng.  You may also use photos in the public domain.  For photo editing, check out Gimp.  Don't forget to keep all of your images the same size for consistency.  Here is a site with some tips about adding photos to your blog:  http://www.wikihow.com/Add-Pictures-in-Blogspot.

Photo of the Day at commons.wikimedia.org.  

Don't forget to give credit where credit is due! Visit http://www.roniloren.com/blog/2012/7/20/bloggers-beware-you-can-get-sued-for-using-pics-on-your-blog.html for more information on copyright.  At the same time, be aware of your own rights as a blogger.    

Image courtesy cloudfront.net.

Don't add pictures randomly and create needless clutter.  You want your photos to create an emotion in the reader.  Ideally, find photos that are "arresting", that pique the reader's interest.You want your reader to be so inspired that he or she shares your post with others. Remember, posts with good pictures get significantly more page views!  Visit http://www.mdgadvertising.com/blog/its-all-about-the-images-infographic/.

A blog reader's reaction to an "arresting" photograph courtesy www.inkthemes.com.

Source:  www.blogtyrant.com

Surround Yourself with Who You Want to Be

"Associate yourself with people of good quality.  It is better to be alone than in bad company." (Booker T. Washington)

You don't do it alone.  You need help along the road to success.  You need help in your effort to achieve your life's goals.  If you are a business person, seek out talented people.  As Henry Ford said: "I am not the smartest, but I surround myself with competent people."  Develop potential leaders. Once your business grows, and you have to delegate responsibility, you can assign managerial tasks to these leaders.

Seek out the best employees.  Author P.J. O'Rourke, when writing about the Vietnam War protests and Women's Movement, maintained that:  "It's the beautiful women who are always on the edge of social trends."  While you don't necessarily have to hire beautiful people, you should hire professional looking people.  How you look after yourself says a lot about your personality; it shows you care.   

Create an environment of collegiality.  Learn how to build people up.  I once taught for a principal who had a talent for building his teachers up.  He focussed on our strengths, rather than our weaknesses.  I would have followed him anywhere, to any school, but he retired shortly after that.  

Joel Osteen says:  "Surround yourself with people that inspire you,  that challenge you to rise higher, that make you better."  If you are a student, seek out fellow students who will do just that.  When my husband Rob was in university, he had a friend who was always questioning Rob's work ethic.  "Why do you work so hard?" he asked.  "I barely try and I'm getting grades almost as good as you."  So, after two years of being on the Dean's Honour List, Rob slacked off in his third year.  He didn't make it on the honour roll.  In the meantime, his friend was furiously working away, trying to achieve "A's".  Mid-way through third year, Rob decided to pull up his socks and his grades gradually climbed back up.  His friend, however, couldn't sustain the pace.  He dropped out at the end of the year.  By fourth year, thankfully, Rob was back on the Dean's Honour List.   

Seek out people who build you up, who rejoice with you in your success.  Maybe you are a couple trying to adopt a baby.  I remember when Rob and I were on the waiting list to adopt a baby.  We had friends at the time who were also trying to adopt.  I took a proactive stance by completing a home study and getting on two waiting lists.  I also circulated 400 business cards telling people that my husband and I were searching for a baby to adopt.  While I heard several horror stories about couples waiting ten years and still not getting a child, I hung on to two local success stories.  If they could do it, so could we!  Meanwhile, my friend sat at home and did nothing.  Within a year and a half, I called her with the exciting news that we had a baby.  She did not sound happy for me.  In fact, she asked:  "Why did you get a baby instead of me?"  

Seek out people who you can trust.  If you're running a business, trust is tantamount. Trustworthy employees are worth their weight in gold.  You are not just trusting them with your money, but also your reputation.  Trustworthy business associates are also valuable.  If you open a business with someone, check their record first.  Are they already in massive debt? Did they already fail at business once (or more)?  

Say you're looking for a potential mate.  A trustworthy spouse not only helps build a good marriage, but also a good family.  You need someone who will make a good husband or wife.  Just as importantly, someone who will be a good role model for your future children (or present children, if you are widowed or divorced).  Choosing a spouse will likely be the most important decision you ever make.  Choose wisely!  

Seek out positive people.  "We become part of what we are around."  If you hang around people who are constantly swearing, chances are you are going to pick up the habit.  If you associate with people who are constantly complaining, odds are you will start grumbling too.  If you surround yourself with lazy people, chances are your productivity level will also go down.    Seek out people who have a talent for seeing the glass as half full, rather than half empty.  As Roy Bennett says:  "You cannot surround yourself with negative people and expect positive outcomes." 

Seek out others who are striving for a common goal.  Draw on their inspiration and encouragement. It's comforting to meet others who are in the same boat as you, to know that you are not in it alone.   

Note:  For more information, read The Winning Side:  How to Associate Yourself with Success by Stanley F. Bronstein http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/the-winning-side-how-to-associate-yourself-with-success/.

www.teachersparadise.com