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

Name That Blog!

You want to enter the blogosphere and you've chosen a niche (subject).  Now you have to pick a name.  According to Professional Blogging for Dummies, your blog name is one of the most important parts of your blog, and one of the most difficult to change.  If your blog is active even for a short time, it remains in the Internet's memory and will be difficult to get rid of in the event that you change its name.  Remember, it sets the stage for your words.  So, choose wisely.

Here are ten tips for choosing a blog name:

1.  Brainstorm by writing down topics that you would like to blog about.

2.  Use your ideas as building blocks, experimenting by pairing different words together.

3.  Search keywords and phrases to avoid duplicating another blog name.

4.  Test the name that you choose on your family and friends.  Does the name match the content?

5.  Avoid song lyrics, movie lines and show titles to prevent copyright infringements.  If you are determined to use a certain title ex. Field of Dreams, use it in your tagline (the little explanation that follows your title) instead ex. The Best Baseball Blog with the tagline "A Field of Dreams".

6.  Remember your target audience.  What is the purpose of your blog ex. to entertain, to make people laugh, to educate people?

7.  Research similar blogs for ideas.

8.  Visit a blog name generator and it will punch out dozens of suggestions in seconds.

10.  Keep it short, to the point, and easy to remember.

Fore more information, read http://www.blogclarity.com/the-guide-to-choosing-a-blog-name-you-wont-regret-part-1/.

Here are some good examples of blog names:

-Simply Scribblings at http://simplyscribblings.blogspot.ca/ is my writer friend's blog.  It's simple, it uses alliteration and it encompasses a wide spectrum which makes it long lasting.

-Three Kids and a Teabag (now Three Kids, A Husband and a Teabag) at  https://threekidsandateabag.wordpress.com/ is the blog of my Bible study friend.  It peaks your curiosity:  what's the teabag all about?  It turns out that's what your tummy looks like after you've had three kids.

-Centsational Girl at www.centsationalgirl is a frugal living blog.  The play on words is cute.

-Earth Wind & Flour http://www.earthwindandflour.com/ is a food blog which plays on the group Earth Wind & Fire.


-The Patient Gardener at https://patientgardener.wordpress.com/ plays on the movie The Constant Gardener.

-To Love Honor & Vacuum at www.sheilawraygregoire.com is my writer friend's marriage blog.  It's catchy and it gives you an immediate mental image of a housewife.