The Importance of Images in Social Media

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Publisher L. Diane Wolfe of @DancingLemurPre On the Importance of Social Media Images: Click To Tweet

Elizabeth Spann Craig

View posts by Elizabeth Spann Craig
Elizabeth writes the Memphis Barbeque series (as Riley Adams) and the Southern Quilting mysteries for Penguin and writes the Myrtle Clover series for Midnight Ink and independently. She also has a blog, which was named by Writer’s Digest as one of the 101 Best Websites for Writers. There she posts on the writing craft, finding inspiration in everyday life, and fitting writing into a busy schedule.

20 Comments

  1. Alex J. CavanaughJune 21, 2019

    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.

    1. Elizabeth Spann CraigJune 21, 2019

      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.

      1. L. Diane WolfeJune 21, 2019

        And that’s why those images are so important.

  2. Elizabeth Spann CraigJune 21, 2019

    Diane, thanks for the great post today!

    1. L. Diane WolfeJune 21, 2019

      Elizabeth, thank you so much for hosting me.

  3. Natalie AguirreJune 21, 2019

    I need to start using images on Twitter. I hadn’t really thought of how important that is. Thanks.

    1. L. Diane WolfeJune 21, 2019

      They are especially important in the pinned tweet.

  4. B.E. SandersonJune 21, 2019

    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.

  5. Margot KinbergJune 21, 2019

    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…

  6. Jemi FraserJune 21, 2019

    Diane always has so many great ideas!
    I haven’t joined Pinterest at this point – but I love the tips for there. Maybe… :)

    1. L. Diane WolfeJune 21, 2019

      Watch out – it’s addictive!

  7. GAIL KIDDJune 22, 2019

    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.

    1. Elizabeth Spann CraigJune 23, 2019

      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. :)

  8. Chrys FeyJune 24, 2019

    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.

  9. Sandra CoxJune 25, 2019

    Well written and helpful. LOVE your pic.

    Hello, Elizabeth.

    1. Elizabeth Spann CraigJune 29, 2019

      Hi and thanks, Sandra!

  10. HilaryJune 28, 2019

    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

  11. J Lenni DornerJune 30, 2019

    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.

  12. Tyrean MartinsonJune 30, 2019

    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.) :)

  13. Anstice BrownJune 30, 2019

    This is great advice, Diane. I know I must make more of Pinterest and Instagram.

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