Visually Appealing: Do I really need photos on my blog?

The question about blog photos is one the web developers at McCauley Marketing hear often.  Even our Atlanta copy writers, admitted word smiths, are inclined to acknowledge that photos can make all the difference between clicking to read a story or not.  Despite the most witty headline and industry-specific SEM, a visual draw is important for most blog posts, especially for those that are feeding to social media platforms and must attract attention amid the noise of seemingly endless status updates.

It’s as simple as thinking back to grade school and visiting the library.  Which books did you pick up:  those with attractive covers and compelling illustrations or those with the thickest spines and smallest print?  A quick marketing tip if you’re just beginning to add photos to your blog posts is to keep it relevant.  If you’re posting a blog on website design tips and then add a picture of say a pirate or spaceship, chances are you’re just going to garner a higher bounce rate from viewers who click through and then click off of your site.  Blog photos don’t have to be professionally shot either. Sometimes a candid snapshot relating to your subject is best, as it conveys a human connection between the reader and writer.  It is important, however, to remain in compliance with copyright considerations and only share photos for which you have explicit permission and credit the source accordingly.

Visual appeal online is not a new premise. As we’ve covered before when discussing maintaining your online reputation, make sure that the photos you post on your company’s website or those affiliated with your blog and social media positively reflect your branding.  For more business blogging assistance, contact McCauley Marketing Services.  You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and LinkedIn for additional advertising and marketing news.