Marketing Concepts | How to create images for a blog

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How to create images for a blog

How to create images for a blog

Marketing Concepts | How to create images for a blog

When I’m working with someone on a website I am often asked, “Where do you find such cool images?” or “What program do you use for design?” Here’s my secret:

I’ve never paid for an image and I’m doing it legally.

So here is my step-by-step guide to creating amazing images for your blog. But first, why should you care?

1. Images with text are more likely to get shared.

2. Newer social media outlets like Pinterest and StumbledUpon highly value images

3. It makes you look more professional.

4. It’s way more fun.

Step 1 | Get ideas for your image

The best way to get ideas is to be inspired by others. So for this article, I might Google “images for a blog.” Never use images from Google Images, they are often protected and intellectual property of others.

How to create images for a blog

 

Step 2 | Find images for your blog

For this post I’ve decided that I want to find a camera photo. But sometimes I have to look around or be flexible. Originally I wanted to do something like a canvas or art studio, but there were not very many high quality images. So I want to find images that I can use.

I started at www.flickr.com/creativecommons. Click on “see more” under “Attribution License.” Attribution License means that the photographer will let you copy, use, and promote the image, as long as you give them credit. Click on “search” so I’m going to search for “camera” for my blog image. 

Create images for a blog

 

Step 3 | Find quality pictures for your blog post

Below you will see that the first few images are not very good. So I clicked on “sort” in the upper left corner. I then sorted by “interesting.” You’ll find better images if you do this. They aren’t always applicable, but they usually look stunning. Compare the first screen shot below to the second.

Create images for a blog posts

amazing images for a blog posts

 

Step 4 | Click on the image you want to use for your blog post

Now that I’ve selected a high quality image, I click on it. On the far right you’ll see three bubbles. Click that and then click “download all sizes.”

I usually download a medium for blog posts and large for things that I want bigger.

Right click and save the photo. I usually keep the photographer’s name in the image file name so if I use it in the future I can say the person’s name.

So for SEO purposes, I’ll eventually change the name. But for now it will be “camera by 55Laney69”.

flickr blog pictures

 

Step 5 | Insert the blog post image into a Word document

Open a new Word document and set it to landscape (at least that’s what works best for my WordPress theme).

Insert the picture into Word. Use text boxes to put text over the image.

USE ALL CAPS, IT LOOKS BETTER.

Make the text box with no background or outline, unless you want one.

Also use only a few colors.

marketing concepts

 

Step 6 | Save the document as a PDF or screen shot

Whichever gives you the higher quality image you’ll want to do. I always export it to Adobe Acrobat and then crop it to the size I want. I then export it as a jpeg. There are lots of ways to do it.

Lastly, go to the top of your blog post and click “add media”.

Click “upload file” and select your blog image.

Now the most important part for SEO, label the image something that you know people will search for, keywords, or a focus that your website has. Put that name in all the fields except “comments.”

step-by-step how to make an image for a blog post

 

Step 7 | Give Credit for the Blog Post Image

At the very bottom, in light gray, I always put the person’s name that provided the image.

Does that help? How would you have answered this question? Will you let me know via voicemail? https://www.speakpipe.com/PracticeofthePractice

counselor headshot

Joseph R. Sanok, MA, LLP, LPC, NCC is a licensed counselor and owner of Mental Wellness Counseling in Traverse City, MI. Email me, I’d love to talk [email protected]

To link to Joe’s Google+ follow the link.

 

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Thank you 55Laney69 for the image!