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Is it always necessary to add photos / pictures in your blog post?
Posted by shankha72113 • 5/18/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: fiction blog, image, photo, picture, post, story blog, viewer
I don't have any picture / photo attached to my posts. This is because my blog is a story blog / fiction blog. I cannot get the real photos for the stories I write. I don't have much viewers either. So will you please comment on this matter, if photos are that essential?
User Comments
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an image attached to a post may attract the reader or beautify your post. Or helps as an illustration.
The best part is that it help in bringing extra traffic to your blog when people do image search, for that you will need to title and give alt tag attribute to your images-
I know. But can you please suggest something after viewing my blog? Means should it be photo or an image??? Also all photos which are copyrighted cannot be used. Right?
golporkhata.blogspot.com -
There are ways to use copyrighted materials-PERMISSION.
You need not worry much on that. Read the site or blog's disclaimer. Or Just give the credit in your post. -
i wouldn't use a copyrighted image unless you get permission...get an account at a stock image site like istockphoto.com; then you can download royalty free images and they're cheap. -
If you look on my Resources page on my blog (scroll down to "images") you will find the links to about 100 different sites you can get free images from. Read the Terms of Use on the sites as some require a link back and others do not. onecoolsite.wordpress.com
You can use Paint or Photoshop to optimize and re-size the images. If you don't have either one then these are links to free image programs you can use to optimize and re-size the images with:
www.irfanview.com/
www.picasa.com/
www.gimp.org/
www.photofiltre.com/
www.faststone.org/
park18.wakwak.com/~pixia/ -
Thanks timethief I got my point and thanks for the links.
But tell me how come I increase views in a "StoryBook"? -
@shanka
I'm here to tell you that there are no shortcuts when it comes to getting targeted organic traffic ie. traffic you do NOT pay for. You must learn basic SEO and become a skilled blogger with a search engine and reader friendly blog.
Twenty five steps to increase blog traffic
onecoolsite.wordpress.com/2009/01/15/twenty-five-steps-to-increase-blog-tra...
More traffic promotion advice
www.blogcatalog.com/group/new-blog-catalog-users/discuss/entry/more-traffic...
Networking with other fiction writers here at BC is also essential
7 steps to effective networking at Blog Catalog
onecoolsite.wordpress.com/2009/01/12/7-steps-for-effective-networking-at-bl...
I would also advise you to seek out other fiction writers in other social networks and in online groups and forums and build relationships with them.
I hope this helps you and best wishes. -
Thanks timethief for your continuous support. Will try to do just that.
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It is better to have image.
For image optimization read picture optimization post on my blog traffic tips blog. -
With me it depends on my blog and the post. If I have a pic that is relevant to the post I will put it up. My investors blog however is about stocks so there really is no need to put a pic up in the post.-
I absolutely agree. But tell me one thing, what is the visits per day for your blog? Must be more than 100 or so??? Unless, you must have been worried as I am, who is getting only average 3 visits per day.
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I have no pictures or images on my blog. I prefer nothing to distract from the plain words on the page. The simple act of one person talking privately to another. -
A picture or photo tells a milllion words. This is so especially when words are hard to express the "inner" story.
Different people read and sense words differently. -
I try to include one opening photo-- usually an illustration I make myself-- with each post. This, I think, helps set a tone.
Plus, Google indexes these images, so I get a bit of traffic from Google that way. -
Sadly, it's what's popular. Personally, I try not to base my opinion of a blog on the visuals. Then I prefer to tackle walls of text. -
I'm convinced people are visual creatures and pictures interest them far more than writing. And well, the young generation is used to having faster internet access and won't even read more than a few words. But will look at a picture, if it does not take too long for them to see it... -
Bizarrely enough, I get more readers when I don't have images. I get more unique visitors, thoughtful comments on my posts that are essays on my life.
I have been doing posts on my trip to Paris for the past few weeks and have had tons of photos and less text. I used to average 12 comments per article (I know that's not very high), but now I average 2-3 comments (which is really low). -
I think it's not necessary but a good practice though. It's part of representing your article. Not all of your visitors would stay to read every post you make, would they? But if you have visual aids for that post that's catchy or intriguing (and related to your article), readers would sometimes want to stay and read. I would.
The point is that photos gives a more descriptive idea of what your post is all about at a glance. -
for mine photos are essential -
Words stay with you in a way no picture or image can. The words of the Bible, the words of Shakespeare, the words of a poem or song. In hard times, in sad times, we turn to those words for comfort and understanding.
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I turn to my picture Bible
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No, you don't. You diabolical ape.
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I'm not an expert, but he's no ape. -
I think apes are bigger...
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I wouldn't know... I'm just a puppet.
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Puppets should keep their yaps shut. Apes! Monkeys! Who's counting?
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This conversation was really interesting.
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This question reminds me of one my granddaughter asked me recently..."Gram, why don't your books have pictures in them like mine do?" Well, personally I like the pictures that the words create in my mind better! -
The way your blog looks depends entirely on the limits you set. But it's not a book. Sometimes I use pictures, and sometimes I don't, but I know I have an empty page I can fill with my imagination, and adding pictures is not just a way to add to the blog or to attract readers--it's also a way to express myself.-
This is absolutely true. But tell me, how are you going to get an image / photo which is relevant to your post (in my case a story) all the time?
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Well, it doesn't have to be relevant. It could be an unrelated photo that will just add to the atmosphere. A book cover isn't always related to the book, but it puts you in the right state of mind to read the book.
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There are other ways to make a text-based blog visually interesting. Your use of colored sidebars, font choice, and header can draw a reader's attention. IMO you don't need photos or illustrations with every entry, especially if the rest of your blog layout is doing its job.
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No it's not always necessary. Yes it does add interest and eye appeal and as well as being used for illustrative purposes, images can be used to break up large blogs of texts thereby increasing readability. Images also bring search engine traffic to blogs. Even if readers do not like your posts, image searches can bring your blog hits. And if you do use images be sure you complete the ALT tags.
ALT and title image tags
onecoolsite.wordpress.com/2008/04/26/how-to-fix-alt-and-title-image-tags-in... -
Oh yeah it is NOT necessary.
I feel a creative(simple) blog design with everything neatly organized will help you. -
People like looking at pictures more than reading. Plus, it can illustrate the words somewhat. -
I think photos really help. I carry a camera everywhere with me. If I see anything interesting, I take a picture knowing that I will eventually use it in a post.-
exit2013 is absolutely right. People view images these days than reading a post. Andalso I liked the way of pinkmonkeychatter, who carries a camera. I am thinkin of doing so, if possible.
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The first thing that popped into my mind when I took a look at the description of the story wasy, what does kolkata look like?
While you don't have to place images of characters, or what they where and let imagination do that part. A good scene of what the atmosphere is like can really draw in the audience. Its telling me hey the story takes place here, I can image it better or relate to it better. You can always find free stock photography of locations if you need to. Or you may even find a photography blogger in that area that you can ask if you can link their images. I'm sure they'd be glad to get keywords like 'kolkata photo' or something in exchange for using their photos.
That way you help each other out, you get pics to use, the other gets more exposure.-
Thanks Xight .... that's true. Once you look at a photo of the place, it is easy to visualize the actual story.
Also, thanks to rcal4848 and Xight ... I shall try to get some photos from photobucket or such network where people store their photos and use them. To hell with the copyright....
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An image can tell your whole story. Exaggerating!?
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Man dont be worried about the copyright. You dont have many viewers so just let it be. Write good stuff. Keep posting on discussions and commenting on peoples stuff. Use a picture if you feel it would go well with the writing. Feel it out.-
Thanks to rcal4848 and Xight ... I shall try to get some photos from photobucket or such network where people store their photos and use them. To hell with the copyright....
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@shanka
Man dont be worried about the copyright.
I'd like to let you know that ignoring copyright is not the way to go. Please bookmark and read the related posts linked to in 100 Essential Legal and Privacy Guides for Bloggers www.criminaljusticeusa.com/blog/2009/100-essential-legal-and-privacy-guides...
I shall try to get some photos from photobucket or such network where people store their photos and use them. To hell with the copyright....
That's a good idea. In addition I have over 100 sources of free images listed on my resources page that you can use to locate appropriate photos for your blog under the subtitle images onecoolsite.wordpress.com/resources Some require a link back and some don't so in each case you must read the Terms of Use. -
@timethief : Thanks again. You may now have a look at my blog. I have added some photos of Kolkata & Sector V in my blog.
Just searched the images from goolge and added them.
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Photos are easy to take and download. They help to break up the text, which can get monotonous to the eye. Do try to use some illustrations or pictures, it will help with traffic also. -
Certainly..images are one of the method to make attraction in the way to read your blog..its more enjoyable if the stories and images blend together.cause if only just a stories in it i better buy a novel book or something...cause blog are for viewers to see and read..i think that much enjoyable!For problems like this..maybe you have to find the ways to link it...just my opinion though.. -
Thanks pandanartrepublic and blindcat. Will try to get images from search. Meanwhile ... you may visit my blog once and read.
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I don't think its necessary to have them. One of my blogs is a travel blog so its imperative, but my other blog is just a banter blog and I rarely have pictures, but keep those posts a lot shorter.-
Thanks JamCan. Will try to add photo or will shorten the posts.
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Well thanks to all your great knowledge sharing with me in this discussion. I could not get photos yet, but have changed the look and feel of my blog a lot.
Added a new theme with a teaser to highlight the story and then only interested persons may start with "More...".
Thanks again!!!-
Thanks again guys & gals to participate in this discussion and now I am using some relevant photos in my posts.
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