How to Use Images to take Your Blog to the Next Level

This is the age of writing.

Online, we can achieve a lot of things by writing, and it is also the main form of communication.

One important thing that can complement writing, or that can even go a long way to influence it is the use of images, but very few people are aware of how, and what it takes to use images to grow their blog.

We all know that an image speaks a thousand words, and the reality is that you don’t need to be a professional photographer to be able to use images to grow your blog.

I’ll be sharing a few tips with you on how to use images to grow your blog below.

Start Using Infographics

Infographics are becoming quite popular online lately, and it is currently one of the best ways to market your blog by using images.

An infographic is usually designed for the purpose of passing across facts, survey data, or information on a specified subject.

Depending on your level of expertise, your niche, and the strength of your outreach campaign, you can easily use infographics to take your business to the next level.

The good thing about using infographics is that you don’t have to own all the data or information you will be using; you can aggregate information from various online entities, and then credit them below the infographic.

You can easily design your own infographic by looking for companies that specialize in this online, or by posting a job offer for it on sites like oDesk and ELance.

You can then market your infographic by including an embed code on your website for those who want to use it, by sending an email to top blogs in your field that are interested in covering it, and by embedding it in your guest posts on other blogs; all these methods will contain a link back to your blog, and this will lead to a lot more traffic for you on the long run.

Distribute Images to Image Sharing Sites

If you’re a blogger who is reading this, there is every probability you’ve used an image from an image sharing site like Flickr at least once, and there is every probability you credited the author of the image after you use it.

This is another smart way to use images to grow your business.
The good news is that you aren’t restricted to submitting a single kind of image, and you can submit as much image as you want based on nature, the current trends, or important subjects in your niche.

Your image also doesn’t have to be professionally edited and designed, it just have to be clear enough for other people to use.

Take images of nature, of things people like to talk about in your niche, and of anything else that comes to mind without you infringing on the copyright of others.

Submit these images to image sharing sites like Flickr, and include a link back to your website in the description; people will start using your images gradually, and they will end up linking back to your Flickr page. Others will discover your Flickr page via their links, and they will visit your website as a result.

Use Images Smartly Inside Blog Posts

The final tip in this article is one we’re already very familiar with, but that we can do better at. The final tip is to use images effectively inside of our blog posts. A lot of us will say this isn’t new so what does it matter, but the reality is that most of us are using images the wrong way.

The process most of us go through when trying to choose images for our next blog post is like this:

Visit Flickr creative commons >> Search for Image keyword >> Look for an attractive Image >> Use it inside the blog post.

This looks smart, but the reality is that it is anything but smart. It simply doesn’t work. Here are a few things you should consider before using any image in your blog posts, if you really want to get results:

Only Use Images that Communicate: If an image can’t communicate the same message as your headline, don’t use it.

The purpose of your image is to capture people’s attention and lead them into the main blog post once they’ve read your headline; it isn’t to distract them from reading the main content.

As much as you can, make sure you only use images that can communicate your points in any blog post you write. If an image can’t communicate your point, don’t use it. It’s as simple as that!

Use Captions: While your images can be very attractive, and even communicate the same message as your headline, the reality is that some people still won’t get it. Couple that with the fact that some people won’t be able to see your images due to some disability or due to issues with their browsers, and you’ll see how important captions can be.

There really isn’t a rule to what kind of captions you can use. It’s very simple; what message do you want your image to communicate? In as few words as possible? Use it as your caption!

Consider the Direction of Images: The final tip in this section is to consider the direction of the images you will be using. Make sure the direction of your image leads people into your blog post, not outside of it, so make sure you consider this when using any image with your blog post.

This is a guest post written by 4g expert, Paul Tobis.