The Power of Visual Elements on Your Blog

We have all heard the old saying that an image is worth a thousand words. This is very true in the online world. We have discovered that the human brain processes visuals way faster than words and captures the message they bear almost instantly. So, merely telling things does not cut it, not when you can also show them. A visual piece of the equation is its vital part, the key to unlocking the full potential of blogging and attaining online greatness.

More than words

Focusing on the written content is fine as long as you do not neglect the visual side of things. We seem to forget that 90% of human communication is nonverbal. We react to numerous visual cues every day, even when we are not aware of it. Likewise, blogging is much more than a plain text on a white digital canvas. A good article is an amalgam of words, headlines, images, and other multimedia elements like videos, slides, charts, GIFs, etc.

This is a chief lesson to learn if you mean to separate yourself from the competition and spark attention in a crowded blogosphere. Blogs that are well-designed and visually appealing tend to perform better in terms of volume of traffic, user engagement, and conversion rates. Like it or not, it takes more than just words to hit it big and leave a lasting impression on the audience. Thus, you do not want to just inform people. Go the extra mile: Ignite emotions and inspire them.

Art and craft

Thus, strive to include original imagery and personal photos that put your own stamp on the content. Assemble collages and slideshows of products and services you write about. Stock photos can come in handy as well, but you have to avoid coming across as generic and ordinary-looking. Nevertheless, it is possible to find a plethora of free photos on Burst and other platforms, so do your homework. Do not forget to utilize photo-editing tools to beautify your creations.

Of course, it is crucial for visual elements to support and complement the written content. Just like an article, an image should convey the right message; otherwise, it could do more harm than good. Keep an eye on features like related or popular posts that also rely on small images, i.e. thumbnails, which impact metrics like click-through-rates (CTR) and bounce rates. Ultimately, by investing in these visual improvements, you should be able to uncover a distinctive visual identity, which goes a long way in making you stand out.

Step up the social game

Furthermore, we must grasp the big social picture. Did you know that posts with quality images attract way more shares, comments, likes, and other social signals? Facebook posts with photos, for instance, receive twice as many comments as those without it. This does not come as a surprise considering that around 63% of social media tissue is made up of images. Hence, photos allow you to gain traction in social media, drive traffic your way, and successfully retain it.

Also, note that images enable bloggers to grab traffic from image search engines and social networks. To make the most of this opportunity, though, it is necessary to create gateways between the blog and social media accounts and facilitate a synergy. Also, you will need to optimize things like image descriptions and names as well as Alt text. In order to pull this off, one can use SEO-friendly Image WordPress plugin and similar tools.

These efforts really pay off because social media is huge right now; it’s the birthplace of viral phenomena. Users like to see their wall looking all nice and swell and steer away from unattractive and poor quality images. And to select the right images for social media distribution, you can rely on your aesthetic sense or tools like Yoast SEO plugin. Finally, tap into opportunities that hubs like Pinterest hold, as they have evolved into powerful marketing and branding platforms.

Get the show on the road

Images and other types of visual content are the ultimate tools for the digital age. They enable people to see and visualize things you are talking about. Therefore, master the art of visual storytelling to take your blogging to a whole new level. Employ strong imagery and make sure it fits the layout and web design. There is a multitude of tools and resources at your disposal, so it is not like you have to break the bank to harness the power of visual tools. Provide an integrated digital experience and blow people away instead of struggling to win their attention.

*** This Guest Post was from Alex Williams ***

My name is Alex Williams.

I am a journalism graduate, and a rookie blogger trying to find my luck.

Blogs are the perfect opportunity for presenting yourself to wider audience, getting the chance to showcase my expertise and receiving recognition.

I am a regular contributor at Bizzmark Blog

You can find me on Facebook and Twitter.