Why Post Images are Important
Why does the author add an image to a blog post? The answer is because the reader first perceives visual information. Before he starts reading the post itself. This also means that an inappropriate image may discourage the visitor from reading. Even though the post might be interesting for him.
Post image is a powerful tool. It serves two main purposes: attract the visitor’s attention and help him to understand the post.
Now, let’s take a closer look at how to use images appropriately.
What Post Images Can You Use: Insights
1. Brief Introduction
Images of this type are generally composed of two main parts. The first part is a background image, directly or associatively related to the text of the post. The second part is the keywords that help convey the main meaning of the post. These can be single words, a sentence from a text or a short version of the title.
2. Collage of Persons
These images are common for posts that describe a certain list of people. As a rule, these are celebrities or people who have achieved something. An interesting technique for such images is to include only a part of the list in the post image. This way you increase the reader’s interest in those who remained “behind the scenes.”
3. Author’s Personal Photos
The author’s personal photos is another type of visually and semantically attractive images. These images are typical for blogs related to travel, fashion, and personal development. Personal photos, combined with blogs specifics, create additional value for the readers. The author, along with his thoughts, is sharing a “live” example. Readers, of course, appreciate this piece of his personal life and experience.
4. Emotional Photos
This type of images is not necessarily directly connected with the text. It performs a task of conveying the strong emotion. This might be author’s emotion or the one post causes or describes while you are reading it.
5. Simple Graphics
The author creates this type of images to convey the post meaning. Usually, using icons, simple diagrams, forms, and figures.
6. Motivation Images
Images of this type intended to motivate the reader to get what he sees. Could be photos of beautiful places for travel or pictures of some results. Those, that can be achieved or somehow connected with the blog post. In other words – any images that encourage the reader to act thinking “I want the same.”
7. Pictures from the Movies and Animation Films
Such images can be connected with the blog post in several ways. Directly – when the post dedicated to a film. Indirectly – when the image conveys an emotion, a well-known phrase or a situation. Those that the readers who saw the film understand associatively.
8. Before/After Images
Images of this type are usually directly related to the text of the blog. Those are attractive to the readers because they convey a real story. The real way to achieve some results through the course of time.
9. Creativity & Fun
Another type of images that authors use to convey a positive emotion and a smile. As a rule, these images are connected with the text on the emotional level. Not necessarily on the semantic one.
How to Choose an Appropriate Post Image
When selecting an image for a blog post, keep in mind the combination of following basic components:
- Attractiveness. The image should be interesting enough to attract the attention of the reader.
- Meaningfulness. The image should be directly or indirectly related to the meaning that you want to convey. Could help expressing brief description, emotion, personal experience, mood, memories, associations and much more.
Basically, that’s it! Now it’s your blog’s turn 🙂 .
Your Bonus Cheat Sheet
Here are a few free image stocks, that you might find very helpful:
- https://www.pexels.com
- https://www.flickr.com
- https://pikwizard.com (updated thanks to one of our readers – Micheal)
- https://stocksnap.io
- https://unsplash.com
- http://www.lifeofpix.com
Also, take a look at the list of image libraries gathered by WhoIsHostingThis.com (added thanks to Bryan).
Have fun and enjoy your writing!
© All images are copyright to their respective owners and are protected under international copyright laws. You can see the original posts of owners by clicking the images.
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