How many times have we heard “a picture is worth a thousand words”? One picture could be the difference that keeps visitors reading your blog and, maybe, even buying. Are you using pictures with your blog?

Far too often I find myself typing an article or a post and it just seems to go on and on…and on…

Then I go looking for a picture that works with the subject matter and find a gem that says everything I've just typed. Knowing I really want to use that picture I will go back and re-work my post so that it fits the picture. But rather than try to explain the picture I try to build around it; meaning, I try to tell the story leading up to the picture or the story after the picture.

Use Quality Pictures

To begin with, don’t just grab the first picture that you see and that seems to make sense. You need to ensure that it is a good photo and doesn't look amateurish. For the most part try and stay away from your own family albums as, first of all, that’s exactly what they look like and, second, your family may not appreciate you pasting their faces all over the internet.

Should You Use Illustrations?

These are sometimes appropriate and will tell your story or support your post. But it does need to be targeted towards your subject and not just added because you think it’s funny and somebody else may think so, too. Again, use quality illustrations and not necessarily something you've created unless you’re an artist or have a software program that will make your illustration look professionally done.

The Picture Should Stand On Its Own

If you were to just post the picture it should tell your readers a story. There must be something compelling with the picture that draws your reader in and makes them ponder or smile. When you add it to your post it all must form “a whole” and give your readers that “aha moment”. Truly your words and the picture you use must work together. It’s more likely that someone will remember the picture after they've left your page but they will also remember the story or the article that went with that picture. And that is your goal as an author so that people will return to your site.

Whether your picture falls at the beginning, middle, or end of your post, it must make sense. It must form a part of the overall story. When visitors land on your site and see that picture it must make them want to know more and, after reading, know that they now understand the picture and why you used it.

Because we have become such a visual society each picture must stand out on its own and grab your reader’s attention. Don’t waste this opportunity to attract an audience…give them something to look at and they will stay and read.

Thanks for reading.