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

Unlock Your Potential

"The potential of the average person is like a huge ocean unsailed, a new continent unexplored, a world of possibilities waiting to be released and channeled toward some great good." (Brian Tracy)

Some scientists claim that we only use 10% of our brain.  However, in recent years, other scientists have argued this point.  Nonetheless, many scientists would agree that humans have an unlimited capacity to learn.  "No human brain has ever said 'hard drive full'", according to Neil Slade.  

Humans have unlimited potential.  It is only after we start to tap into that potential, that we realize how wide and how vast it is.  For instance, who would have thought 75 years ago that a runner would break the four minute mile?  Yet, in 1954, that's exactly what Roger Bannister did.  Who would have thought 50 years ago that the United States would put a man on the moon?  Yet, in 1969, Neil Armstrong planted his boot on its rocky surface. One hundred years ago, who would have thought doctors would find a treatment for diabetes?  Yet, in 1921, Sir Frederick Banting invented insulin. Back in 1898, weight lifter Georg Hackenschmidt bench pressed 361 pounds setting a world record. In 2004, Gene Rychlak became the first man to bench press upwards of 1000 pounds!

Humans continue to push the envelope:  Citius, Altius, Fortius...Faster, Higher, Stronger.  We continue to surprise ourselves with our new accomplishments.  We all have untapped potential.  Now is the time to tap into yours!

Georg Hackenschmidt circa 1900 courtesy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Hackenschmidt.

Nanowrimo Rules!

"Thirty days and nights of literary abandon!" (Nanowrimo slogan)

This year, I'm participating again in Nanowrimo (http://nanowrimo.org/), a marathon of words for the month of November.  Now that I have some experience under my belt, it is getting easier.  I know what to expect; that's half the battle.  I have an outline to work from.  That organizes me.  And I'm writing about a topic that I've written about before.  They say write what you know.

Nanowrimo is all about quantity.  Write now, edit later.  I do have to admit that I'm cheating this year:  in the past I've written the standard 50,000 words. This year, I'm only writing 30,000.  That is because I am writing a middle grade chapter book, not an adult length novel.  Besides which, it seems so much more manageable to meet a 1000-word-a-day rather than a 1700-word-a-day quota.  Right now I am sitting at just over 22,000 words, over a third of the way to my goal.  I find that if I keep a day ahead of where I'm supposed to be, then if I miss a day, I'll still be on schedule.

Even though this is my fourth time participating in Nanowrimo, it is still exhilarating.  I love the research process.  I love sitting down at the computer and filling the blank page.  I love setting the context.  I love finding "le mot juste", even if it takes me several minutes.  I love weaving historical details into each scene.

A project that started in San Franciso Bay area in 1999 with 21 participants has now blossomed into 400,000 members as of 2013.  I first took part in 2009.  Would you like to join?  It's well worth the time and it's a great workout for your brain!

Note:  For more information, read my post "Nanowrimo:  A Marathon of Words" at:
http://alinefromlinda.blogspot.ca/2013/11/nanowrimo-marathon-of-words.html.

inkygirl.com