Images are the “in” thing right now. Images need to load faster and faster these days. With faster broadband, internet 4G, smart phones, better hosting, content delivery networks — they are all changing, and that means that images need to load faster on the internet.
So, what are you using for your images? Are you using extremely small images in the top left hand corner of your website, or are you using stock photography with a bunch of people in suits, with everyone sitting around the board room smiling a plastic smile?
Or — are you thinking about the images you use?
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Times have changed. You will find all kinds of beautiful images on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, — even twitter. In fact, if you use an image on your tweet, you’re definitely going to get a better response. BUT — don’t use too many. Make sure you have a variety of written quotes, images, etc. Be sure to balance it out.
Wherever you are at on the Internet, whether it be your website or social media, you really must think of the quality of your images. You need to ask yourself things like —
Are my images large enough?
Yes! Large images bet better responses and are shared more, especially on the very successful site, Pinterest.
You can use products like Canva and PicMonkey to add text on top of your images. Use the text to explain what the image is about. Allow that image to paint the picture of what you want to explain.
An image can paint a thousand words. It’s true. You don’t even need a story if you choose the right image.
Infographics make great informative images. They are filled with information that explains everything about your story. Think about it — what looks better to you — an infographic that contains all your data or a pie chart that just contains numbers? I prefer infographics myself.
The next publish a blog post or update your website, don’t just put out words, but also add in an image. Make that image come alive and be part of the story.
Where Can I Find Images?
There are a number of places to get free images. Be sure and make sure that they are royalty free and that you are free to use them. Even better though –take your own. Use your smartphone or your camera. Get out into nature and enjoy photography again. Take lots of pictures.
Include your products and things around your home. Take a trip and go to unusual places like the beach. It will make a difference.
Tuesday Toolbox Tip
My Tuesday toolbox tip for this week is one of my favorites. I use this everyday. Audible.com (for you U.S. folks) or audible.co.uk (for all of us in the UK). Audible is part of Amazon. It’s recorded books, and I love it.
Every Monday I give you a great book recommendation (be sure to check out yesterday’s — it’s fantastic). If you don’t have time to read, no worries! That is what Audible.com does for you. It allows you to listen without having to read.
I always have a queue of books waiting for me to listen to. I listen to them everywhere — even in the supermarket. It may seem like I might be ignoring you if you see me out, but I’m really not — I’m just listening to a book or a podcast. I love to always learn something new.
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There are a lot of great books Audible– classics, fiction, and of course, my favorite — the boring business books. Most of them are often read by the author themselves, and they are great quality. I recommend Seth Godin. He always reads his own books.
Listening to audiobooks are great. It means you get through them a lot quicker and of course you can go back and listen to them again and again if you want.
Audible runs around £7.99 a month in the UK and around $14.99 per month in the USA. I actually have the package where I buy 24 credits at a time once a year and then I can listen to them as slow or as fast as I like. Please go and have a look at Audible.com. It is well worth your time.
