They say an image is worth a thousand words. In today’s social media word, images are required to say that much and more. Due to the character limit social media platforms have instilled, your audience must be reached via images. Not only, though, must their attention be captivated, but your visual content needs to possess sharable and likeable qualities in order to produce viral results. Sounds like a lot of work, huh?
Surprise! It’s not. It simply requires a little creativity and strategically placed text. Here are five tips to turn your images from simply pretty to simply viral.
Are your images worth a thousand words or more?
1. Use Keywords
Using keywords in labeling your images will give you SEO gold. Before you publish a post with an image, label the image’s file name, title, alt text and description using targeted keywords.
2. Keep it Relevant
While that Picasso-like abstract image might be visually stunning, it won’t complement your blog post about summer workout routines. Be sure to use images that are relevant to your content and visually aid your post, as well as pictures that use bright colors and high contrast to capture the eye.
3. Use Text
The Internet has been taken by storm by funny pictures with clever sayings, AKA – memes. Simple (and snarky) lines of text over an image give the picture an edge and can be used to turn that canned HubSpot image into a relatable visual statement.
4. Get & Give Permission
Contrary to popular belief, everything on the Internet is not public domain. Much like pirating music, using an image without permission can land you a fine with a lot of zeros. If you are not going to produce your own content, make sure that the site you are gathering images from is royalty free.
If you want to make your content shareable, let your readers know they can share it! This is the easiest way to gain viral attention.
5. Use the Right Size
You can always tell when an image has been blown up using the incorrect program or method. Take note of the image size required for different parts of your website or various social media platforms and adjust your images as needed.
These are just a few tips you can use to boost SEO and engagement with your audience through the use of images. What have you tried? We’d love to hear about it in the comments below!