Tips for Selecting the Best Visual for Your Blog

#1   Select an image that either expands the shareability of your post or communicates the message better

If you’re writing a thought provoking piece of content then the image should catch the eye of the reader or communicate the article in a more engaging way. For example, if you’re writing an article about  the best leadership tips, then the image should expand on the idea or be relevant to it.

#2   Use more than one image

Depending on the length of your article, using more than one image might be perfect for your audience. A combination of images and graphics in your post can draw the eye of your audience and help them understand the information in a more engaging way.

#3   Match the visual theme to that of your article

The visual that you choose should relate back to your article in theme. For example, if you’re writing an article about the business growth that you’ve experienced over the past year, the visual may be one of your business that shows just how much you’ve grown in a year, or is otherwise related to growth and improvement, such as a rising line chart or a growing tree.

#4   The image should be in line with your brand description, logo and the tone of writing

The image should be relevant to your brand and the message you’re trying to portray. It should add value to the post and not make the reader feel it’s not related or out of place.

#5   Ensure it has a purpose

The image should capture the eye of the reader and draw them into the post. I.E a video, quote, statistics, imagery, etc that can be used to hook your reader into the article.

It should be relevant to the topic and not add any confusion to the topic at hand. If it’s an article on SEO, the visual should not be one of your business offering a new SEO service.

#6   Ensure the image is well executed

Make the visual something that you can be proud of. Don’t use an image that is blurry, pixelated, or poorly designed.

If you’re using a stock image, ensure that you find a royalty free image that you don’t need to credit someone for using.

Many stock image sites (such as Shutterstock, Depositphotos, BigStockPhoto) allow you to use images for free and some even offer a free trial or free images to use.

#7   Keep it simple

The image should be simple. It shouldn’t distract the reader from the article.

Simple images tend to do better than overly complicated ones.

#8   It should reflect your tone

The visual or image you choose should communicate your tone and objective. If you’re writing a funny piece of content, then the image should reflect that. If you’re writing a serious piece of content, then the image should reflect that too.

#9   You should be able to change the colours of the image without losing its purpose

You should be able to change the colour of your image to match your blog or for your brand, or for your blog post without losing the integrity of the visual. This also helps your capability to layer it onto other publications.

The SimpleMarketing.AI Content Engine generated this post (with a little human editing). 

SimpleMarketing.AI now selects images to match your blog. To learn how to do this AND to reduce your own Content Marketing burden via AI, visit SimpleMarketing.AI