Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

Thinking, writing, business ideas … You’re only a stranger once.

March 22, 2006

Eye-Deas 3-Photo Content Checklist

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 8:56 am

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Seeing your Work

Finding Ideas Outside of the Box logo 2

Images–photos and artwork–can be used in two ways: as illustration–to extend or explain the content–or as decoration–to bring readers in and add interest to the page. Either way, choice of images reflects your personality, your thoughts, your brand, and your business.

Decorative Images Versus Illustration

If you’re using images solely for decoration, you can wander outside the box fairly far and folks usually will call what you do “art.” Even if your readers don’t like your choices, they will most often glance over and then continue reading, unless your choice is something that makes readers uncomfortable–say, a giant eyeball that seems to be watching them. It’s possible that a choice such as that will make them stop reading and move on.

Images used as illustration might show how to do something or how something looks. Readers rely on illustrative visuals to get more meaning from the words. Visuals can bring an idea home, by making it clearer or stop the reader cold by being a distraction. Placement is important here. The image should be close to the words that talk about it, so that readers don’t have to work to make the connection. A caption helps readers in the same way.

Photo Content Checklist

Content is king and images have content too. It’s not hard to underscore the impact images can have on your writing. They can kick up a notch and be the added value that brings readers back to you. Here are some rules about what you might consider when choosing an image to support your words.

Keep those in mind when using photos to illustrate and decorate your writing. Readers might not be able to explain what has changed, but they’ll notice it just the same. You’ll probably hear more comments about how wonderful your writing is.

See what I mean?

Photos are the fastest ways you change the look and feel of your blog. You can change your blog daily and signal your readers what’s in store right now. With great photos, you add depth to your readers’ understanding that your brand stands for quality in every way.

I’m sure you check photos for other “photo no-nos.” What are they?

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related articles
Eye-Deas 1: Have You Started Seeing Things?
Eye-Deas 2: Test Ideas with Photo Searches
Great Photo Resources to Support Readers
Turning Reluctant Readers into Loyal Fans





Filed under Branding, Checklists, Content, Idea Bank, Outside the Box, Successful Blog, Tech/Stats, Writing |




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10 Comments to “Eye-Deas 3-Photo Content Checklist”

  1. March 22nd, 2006 at 1:06 pm
    Joe said

    Hey Liz,

    Great ideas. I usually write the post, then look for pics to fit the subject.
    I should try this way to see how it works for me.

    Joe

  2. March 22nd, 2006 at 1:09 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Joe,
    I do it both ways depending on whether I have an idea or I need to find an idea. Sometimes the picture gives me the idea . . . While I’m writing I’m thinking of what the picture will be even before I type the first word anyway.
    Liz

  3. March 22nd, 2006 at 5:59 pm
    Joe said

    Hey Liz,

    It’s kinda hard to get inspiration for working at home, most things I find are of houses. :-)

    Anyway, I usually just write and Google (whatever) picture… I seem to get the picture in my mind after I write the post then it’s easier to find.

    Make any sense?

    Joe

  4. March 22nd, 2006 at 6:10 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Joe,
    Use Google to find your inspriration, Joe. I wrote a fantasy trip to Key West and Italy when I got sick of winter in February from photos I found. Here are the starting and ending links if you feel like taking a trip with me. The idea started on Febrary 20 An Idea and the vacation went on until March 6 in Italy Two Men, a Phrase Book, and Lake Trasimeno

    At one point, folks on two other blogs were also writing about the trip–one piece was about a Happy Hour the group shared in Key West the other was about a friend who took me out to see the animals there.

    Or you could just read my writing blog. There’s all kinds of fantastical things happening there. :)
    Liz

  5. March 22nd, 2006 at 7:16 pm
    Joe said

    Hey Liz,

    Like John Lennon said: “Imagine”

    Wish I was there, maybe next time. ;-)

    Joe

    BTW I took the short trip, beginning and end.
    J.

  6. March 22nd, 2006 at 7:18 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Darn, guess that means you missed the party in Perugia. Oh well, maybe next time. I’ll buy you a cognac!

    smiles,
    Liz

  7. March 22nd, 2006 at 7:34 pm
    Joe said

    ;-)
    I’m there
    J.

  8. March 22nd, 2006 at 7:35 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Nothing like cognac in Italy!

  9. July 31st, 2006 at 7:23 pm
    Working at Home on the Internet said

    [...] Photo Content Checklist-ME “Liz” Strauss… Part of a series on “Eye-deas” This is about how to use photos to enhance your posts. [...]

  10. July 10th, 2007 at 8:59 am
    12 Detailed Checklists to Spit Shine and Promote Your Blog - Liz Strauss at Successful Blog - Thinking, writing, business ideas . . . You’re only a stranger once. said

    [...] Eye-Deas 3-Photo Content Checklist [...]

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