How to use images in blogs

All About Images(and how to use them)

Attract Readers; Gain Impact

Why use images?


An aid for skimming and scanning

• An image introduces the main subject of your post without the use of words

• It encourages your reader to continue reading if they appreciate the subject

• Images can break up a lot of text to make it look easier to read, and can help the reader to understand the content better

Why use images?


It catches reader’s eye

• An image is the first thing readers see after the headline, so should be placed underneath it

• If the image has a caption, this is also read before the rest of the content

• Images placed left or right of the first paragraph will narrow the text and make the reader read it more quickly. This will encourage him to continue reading

Why use images?


It enhances your post’s content

• They add value to your subject matter by providing a visual reference point

• They strengthen the content’s message by helping the reader to understand it better

• This also includes graphs and pie-charts and other explanatory material

Why use images?


It makes posts visually memorable

• Your readers are more likely to remember an image rather than words

• It helps your readers recognise which post they want when searching your archives

• Also, thumbnail images that accompany your post listings can help or entice readers to click and read

Added benefits of images


Images encourage social media sharing

• Research has shown that an update on social media with an image receives the most likes, comments, shares and a higher reach

• Platforms such as Pinterest, Flickr and Instagram are now easily integrated with other platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter

• Using humour, animals, food or beautiful scenery also helps gain interest and interaction



Images help sell a product

• Customers need to clearly see what they are going to buy

• An image should make your product look attractive, compelling, enticing and inviting

• It’s the same with a service: customers need to see who you are, and who will be helping them, to make it easier to form a business relationship with you



Enhances how your blog looks

• Images avoid blandness when used within a theme or blog design, by adding colour, vibrancy and interest

• You could consider other locations for images other than the banner, such as the contents of the sidebar

• Images provide visual reference points to help with navigation, so visitors can recognise which department or section they are in



Images also help with SEO

• All images should have an alt tag, which should contain the relevant keyword

• The keyword should also be found in the title tag and image file name

• These help the search engines to locate and index the image, which could bring in more traffic resulting from a relevant search request

How to add an image to your post


Put your cursor in the place where you want your picture to be, and click on the ‘Add Media’ button above.

You will be directed to your Media Library for you to choose an image you’ve already used before.

However, if you want to upload one from your computer, click on ‘Upload Files’



Click on the ‘Select Files’ button, which will bring up your computer’s files.

Find the image you want, select it and click the ‘Open’ button.



You will see your image being uploaded into the Media Library.

On the right sidebar you will have an opportunity to optimise your image before you insert it into your post.

I will show you how in the next slide.



This is your image’s URL

This creates that little yellow tag that appears when you mouse over the image, it needs to be descriptive

Here is where you add the caption, if necessary

The alt text creates the alt tag, which is necessary for the search engines. It also needs to be descriptive

You don’t need to add a description



Alignment allows you to place the image to the left, right or centre, with the text running around it

You can choose whether your image should link to its own page, an external link or even no link at all

You can select a different size if available. When you’re ready, click on the ‘Insert into post’ button



Clicking on your image will bring up options for re-alignment and the editing icon is the little pencil

This will allow you to add a caption or alt tag if you haven’t already, and to link your image to somewhere if applicable

Increase your image performance


Are you using the correct resolution?

• Images used in blogs and websites should have a low resolution. This needs to be between 72 to 96 dpi (dots per square inch)

• If the resolution is too high, the image will take too long to download on your webpage, causing a big delay for your readers

• Be aware most cameras take images at a high resolution, which is not suitable

Increase your image performance


Make sure your image is RGB

• The web uses ‘light’ colours: red, green and blue. It is not the same as images for printing

Take care in cropping and presentation

• Home in on the most important elements in your image, to focus the eye accordingly

• Eliminate any unnecessary material or background that may detract from your reader’s enjoyment or understanding

Use images in other ways


Have a go at creating an infographic

• These are visual explanations of a subject using images to present data, learning points and references

• They can come in any shape or size, and contain as much or as little information as you choose

• People like infographics as they provide an alternative to words

Use images in other ways


Here’s some websites that could help you to create exciting infographics for free:

• Canva.com

• Visual.ly

• PicMonkey.com

• I make mine using Photoshop, but you could use any application that suits you

Quick guide to legal issues


Copyright on images

• You can’t use any image from the internet

• Always assume pictures are protected, even those that say Royalty Free

• You need to seek permission for use, and merely acknowledging the source is not enough

• Exceptions are Creative Commons images, those from the Public Domain, and your own images you created yourself



Creative Commons

• Images with a creative commons licence provide permission for usage without the need to ask

• Flickr.com is a source of creative commons used by bloggers. Click on the ‘Some Rights Reserved’ link to see what you are allowed to do

• Compfight.com is a Flickr search engine; select creative commons and safe search, and use the images offered below the line



Free images websites• morgueFile.com• photopin.com/free-photos• pixabay.com • kaboompics.com • magdeleine.co • freerangestock.com • freeimages.com

Pay once for multiple use• iStockPhoto.com• shutterstock.com• fotolia.com• ghettyimages.co.ukPublic Domain Sites• commons.wikimedia.org• flickr.com/commons

How to use images in blogs

Technology

Transcript of How to use images in blogs