by L. Diane Wolfe, @DancingLemurPre
Online media provides us few opportunities to express ourselves in our entirety. Text gives us a voice, but what about the other senses? We can’t taste, touch, or smell. But we can see.
Studies have shown that online all text is boring and difficult to read. Most news articles contain one or more images to ground the reader. Unless it’s reading an actual book, readers don’t want all text.
Images break it up. A long line of text leave readers almost gasping for breath. Unlike traditional book readers, people do not want a tome of information online. They want the important details and they want it quick. Adding a few graphics gives their experience more meaning.
Items with images are more likely to be shared. Look at your most shared blog posts, Facebook posts, Tweets, etc. Those with images were shared far more often. A line of text doesn’t convey enough. But add a graphic or a video and it gains new depth.
Consider adding images to your:
Blog posts – Mix images in with the text. Break up the monotony. Give readers a visual to connect to.
Twitter – Include an image where possible when you Tweet. Don’t just send out a link – send out a corresponding image. It’s ten times more likely to be retweeted. And be sure your pinned Tweet has an image. People don’t always trust just a link, but a link and an image will win them over.
Facebook – Add an image or two when you post on Facebook. People take notice of image posts sooner. Plus they are more likely to be shared. And if we are posting book information, we really want it to be shared.
Pinterest – Pin book covers and graphics with excerpts. Most important – don’t forget the link. You are allowed one link (make it to your book’s website) and a description. Take advantage of those. Marketing superstar John Kremer says Pinterest is the most lasting of all social media because while other media shares are buried within hours, a Pinterest post is not. It will be discovered for years to come and re-pinned.
So start adding images to your online media today. Jazz it up! And prepare to be jazzed.
Diane Wolfe
Owner of Dancing Lemur Press LLC, Speaker & Author
Known as “Spunk On A Stick,” Wolfe is a member of the National Speakers Association. She conducts seminars on book publishing, promoting, leadership, and goal-setting, and she offers book formatting and author consultation. Wolfe is the senior editor at Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C. and contributes to the Insecure Writer’s Support Group.
http://www.dancinglemurpressllc.com/ – Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C
http://www.spunkonastick.net/ – Spunk On A Stick
http://www.circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com – Spunk On A Stick’s Tips
http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/ – Insecure Writer’s Support Group
HOW TO PUBLISH AND PROMOTE YOUR BOOK NOW!
By L. Diane Wolfe
SECOND EDITION
Publishing and promoting made simple!
Have you dreamed of publishing a book but didn’t know where to begin? This book guides you through identifying markets, budgeting, building an online presence, and generating publicity. Get the current scoop on:
- Traditional publishing & self-publishing
- Print and e-book setup, formatting, and distribution
- Finding your target audience
- Generating reviews and media interest
- Networking and developing an online presence
- Promotional materials and appearances
Uncover your ideal publishing path and various marketing options before you begin. Writing is your dream. Give it the best chance for success!
Publishing/Marketing, 206 pages
$14.95 Trade paperback ISBN 9780982713952
$2.99 Ebook ISBN 9780982713990
Amazon –
iTunes –
Nook –
Publisher L. Diane Wolfe of @DancingLemurPre On the Importance of Social Media Images: Click To Tweet
I know Diane!
It took me a while to start using images on Twitter, but I’ve always used images in my blog posts. The end up making my blog posts look longer than they really are.
And they’re very eye-catching! I always enjoy going to your blog to see what’s new. It’s a visual treat as well as a good read.
And that’s why those images are so important.
Diane, thanks for the great post today!
Elizabeth, thank you so much for hosting me.
I need to start using images on Twitter. I hadn’t really thought of how important that is. Thanks.
They are especially important in the pinned tweet.
Great post. Thanks to Diane for sharing her thoughts.
I started creating and adding images to my FB marketing posts a while back, but I’m not as image conscious with my blog posts. I really need to step it up on those.
There’s a lot of research that suggests that we learn and know in different ways. One of those ways is the visual. So I completely agree that visuals make an important impact. It’s one way in which people learn about who one is as an author, etc…
Diane always has so many great ideas!
I haven’t joined Pinterest at this point – but I love the tips for there. Maybe… :)
Watch out – it’s addictive!
I have been receiving the writing blog for some years. All of a sudden, I’m not. I don’t know what has happened. I have not unsubscribed.
I would very much like to receive it again.
Thank you.
Hi Gail! Thanks for letting me know. I think the WordPress plugin has been having some issues.
I have a ticket open with the folks at the plugin and hope to have the problem resolved in the next few weeks. I’m sorry for the delay and the inconvenience! Thanks for subscribing. :)
I’ve been BUSY creating images. I’ve been updating the images in my old blog posts, then sending out a tweet for them and posting them to Pinterest. It’s a lot of work but worth it. I love using images with my social media.
Well written and helpful. LOVE your pic.
Hello, Elizabeth.
Hi and thanks, Sandra!
Hi Elizabeth and Diane – can’t get to do other things (social media wise) than the blog for the moment … but I’ve always added images to my story line – brings whatever I’m writing about to life. Thanks for reminding us … cheers Hilary
Excellent points you have here! Thanks for sharing. Images are very important. Making sure the HTML has a code to provide the right caption is also important.
I love Instagram because it’s impossible to post without an image – so I create my posts with images automatically for Instagram, then I try to reshare via Twitter and Facebook. I will be starting to streamline my content across my social media platforms in the next month – not to create overdoses of spam posts, but to have the same images and messages throughout each week going out via the various platforms. And, I’m going to start each post in Instagram to remind myself to include images every time.
Thanks for the reminders about images – and Pinterest! (I need to get my posts over there, again.) :)
This is great advice, Diane. I know I must make more of Pinterest and Instagram.