Let's think about what a blog is? In its most basic form, it's a bunch of text that conveys some information or shares content. But if all you are doing is writing text on a page, are you really connecting with your audience? In an overcrowded marketplace, bloggers need to master the art of engagement to capture the attention of their readers.

​The guiding philosophy in blogging tends to be the idea that content is king. While it remains true that quality content is essential, today’s bloggers need to consider other elements of digital marketing to gain traction in an overcrowded market.

Blogs can be effective tool for relaying information, developing a loyal customer base, creating a platform for your freelance work and asserting yourself as an authority in your field. However, to achieve any of these goals, your content must be seen by the right people.​

One of the most powerful tools that can be used to capture a reader's attention is adding visually appealing elements (called images and graphics) to your posts. The creation of eye catching images is an effective method to help you get noticed. Keep reading to discover why your blog needs visually appealing graphics.

Build Brand Awareness

build brand awareness

Even if the purpose of your blog isn’t commercial, it’s still in your best interest to create a personal brand. Your brand is the feeling or message people get when they see your blog. For example, if your niche is all about fitness, you’ll want to consider the kind of image you wish to portray. You could aim to portray yourself as a muscled, intense boot-camp style instructor or aim for the vibe of a fun, eclectic instructor. You would then determine the colors, typography, symbols, logo and other elements that lend themselves to creating such a feel. By using these elements consistently when you post anywhere online, you are building brand awareness. Each time that someone sees your sites or products and are exposed to these visual representations they will begin to recognize that as you. That is called branding.

Appear Professional

Adding graphics that incorporate elements of your brand also makes your blog look professional. Be sure to choose high-quality images, rather than blurry photos or ones that appear overly promotional. We’ve all seen graphics that contain photos that are clearly outdated, generic stock images but there is no need to use those when there are plenty of sites that provide access to free images that are beautiful and well-done. If they allow commercial use and modification, you can add your own special touches such as overlays and text to customize them. Make sure you check the licenses to see exactly how you can and can’t use the images.

professional images build brand awareness

Get Shared

build brand awareness through social media

Social media posts that contain a visual image are shared far more than those without. People relate to photos. Quotes elicit emotion. Infographics provide easy to digest content in a quick, visual manner. It makes sense that such images would be shared more readily than simple text. Social media is one of the quickest ways your content can spread, and attention-grabbing graphics will surely boost the sharing. This is particularly true for a platform like Pinterest that relies on images.

Spicing up your blog post with images has a lot of benefits – but they do need to be visually pleasing to the eye. The right images will not only help you get noticed but help others identify you with your brand.