Using Images In Blog Posts (Part 1) ~ by Todd Burleson and Patricia Toht

As new bloggers, we're on a steep learning curve about posting. One technique we'd like to master quickly is using images.

Todd: You've heard the adage that a picture is worth 1,000 words right? How many times have you struggled to find just the right image to help illustrate your point?  And, more troubling, how many times have you found an image and wondered if you could use it?  "It's just a blog post.  Nobody else will really care right?" 

I'm a visual thinker; images help me communicate in all facets of my life.  I write tutorials for my colleagues and I've been told that the images I use are very helpful.  For nearly a decade, I was a professional photographer and I experienced first hand the theft of my images, so this particular article has some personal relevance as well.

Why use images?

1.  Articles with images get 94% more views. 
Isn't this why we do what we do? We want people to read our work.  Putting images into our posts or projects ensures more of our readers will in fact do that; read.

2.  Images drive more blog comments and engagement.
"If you have images that are not only relevant to what you are writing about, but trigger some kind of emotion within the reader, not only are they going to be more engaged with the blog post, but they are subsequently more likely to comment."*

3. "An image can help make make your blog post look better.  It makes blog posts easier to read, more aesthetically pleasing, and provides an overall better experience for the reader.  Again, something that every writer should want to do."*

4.  "An image can help explain something technical or data heavy by using charts, graphs or diagrams, or it can help make a "How To" post a lot more easier to understand by using screenshots."*

 

Infographic by MDG Advertising


Where to get images?

Patricia: You may be familiar with the Rolling Stones song, "You Can't Always Get What You Want". Well, with images the refrain would be "you can't always USE what you want."

Images are easy to come by on the internet. But the great majority of these are protected by copyright and can't be used without permissions and/or payment. So what's a blogger to do?

One of my own from an Easter market.

First option is to mine your own photos. Use your phone or camera to capture interesting images. If something catches your eye, it may catch your readers' eyes, too. 


(Remember, if you photograph people, or you must secure permission to use their likenesses.)

A cute puppy from morgueFile.

Another option is to find images that are free or low-cost. I've used morgueFile, which has an easy search function. Selecting an image will pull up its details, including a list of permissions and resolution. 

A bouquet for you from freeimages.

I've also used freeimages.com. A search option will turn up a selection of "premium images" which cost, but below those are images for no cost. Check in the "availability" box for instructions about notifications and accreditations.





I'm now starting to work my way through a wonderful list of options gathered by Blogging Bistro, "20 Terrific Places to Find Free and Low-Cost Stock Photos Online". 

In our Part 2, we'll delve into the "how" of using images and tell you why you should NEVER use an image in your post without proper permissions, attributions, and/or payment.

* "Images -- 10 Reasons Why You Need Them In Your Content (Zemanta Guest Post) • InboundWriter." InboundWriter. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.

If you have images that are not only relevant to what you writing about, but trigger some kind of emotion within the reader, not only are they going to be more engaged with the blog post, but they are subsequently more likely to comment. - See more at: http://www.inboundwriter.com/content-marketing/10-reasons-why-you-need-images-in-your-blog-posts/#sthash.KKBq68yE.dpuf

If you have images that are not only relevant to what you writing about, but trigger some kind of emotion within the reader, not only are they going to be more engaged with the blog post, but they are subsequently more likely to comment. - See more at: http://www.inboundwriter.com/content-marketing/10-reasons-why-you-need-images-in-your-blog-posts/#sthash.KKBq68yE.dpuf

Articles with images get 94% more total views
Read more at http://www.jeffbullas.com/2012/05/28/6-powerful-reasons-why-you-should-include-images-in-your-marketing-infographic/#TUT7MXFCk5BkTwTA.99

Articles with images get 94% more total views
Read more at http://www.jeffbullas.com/2012/05/28/6-powerful-reasons-why-you-should-include-images-in-your-marketing-infographic/#TUT7MXFCk5BkTwTA.99