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Three Ways To Add Bling To Your Blog

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Blogging was once reserved for those who knew how to build and maintain a blogging platform. It wasn’t a user-friendly tool for expressing a brand message. Today, thanks to LinkedIn long-form publishing, we all have an opportunity to be bloggers without having to worry about the mechanics.  All we need to worry about  now is delivering a relevant, compelling message to the people we seek to influence.

Another transformation is that we now have endless formats for communicating information. There was a time when most communication was done using the 26 letters of the alphabet – boring! Today, there are many ways to enhance that text-based commentary. When you incorporate media into your Blogs, you:

  • Deliver a clearer and more thorough message. Some data and concepts are best delivered through pictures (stationary or moving).
  • Support the different ways your audience processes information. Some people are visual, others auditory and others kinesthetic. Using media allows you to deliver material in ways that are engaging to all.

Let’s look at the options available:

1. Pictures

If a picture is worth a thousand words, adding a few to your blog is a great way to thin the alphabet soup. In addition to posting an image that reinforces the title, consider images for each of the primary sections of your post. This will help you bolster your message and create visual pauses in your content, making your post most appealing. When you use types of images consistently (for example, graphic illustrations, or photos – black and white or color) you start to build recognition around your content.

There are lots of free resources for images. This Blog by Bootstrapybay has a good list:

If you can’t find what you’re looking for using a free resource, or you want to invest a little to get the ideal pictures to express your message, you can use services like iStock Photo. It’s my favorite tool for royalty-free images.

Still can’t find the ideal image? Create your own. There are numerous photo editing tools that will help you create a one-of-a-kind picture. Pixlr and Fotor are two of my favorites. 

2. Infographics

Infographics are both innovative and informative. They are especially helpful when you are looking to display data or complex content in an interesting and simple-to- understand format. Would you rather look at an Excel spreadsheet or a visually compelling graph, chart or image? If you want to display data in a way that inspires engagement and interaction, use infographics. Here are a couple of resources that can help:

Launched in 2012, Easel.ly allows you to create your own infographics using their thousands of free templates and design objects. You can combine these elements to customize, create and share your visual ideas online.

Visual.ly has a team of designers who can help you create compelling infographics. In addition, their platform allows you to socially share your infographic (beyond including it in your blog).

You can also use resources - like Fiverr and elance - to find an infographics designer – typically at very affordable rates.

3. Video

Use video to motivate, engage and inform your audience and to differentiate your message. Because video allows you to deliver a complete story, it’s the most powerful way to clearly communicate (next to being there in person, of course). And because the medium is not being used by everyone – yet! – it will help your message stand out in a world that is barraged by words. Video can range from simple narrated MS PowerPoint presentations to you appearing on screen (something you can record easily). When you deliver your message through video you deliver a comprehensive experience that’s relatable and will build those critical emotional connections with your audience.

If you want to create your own videos, you can go the do-it-yourself approach or invest in a studio shoot. For DIY videos, I recommend videoBIO (disclosure: videoBIO is a partner of my company, Reach Personal Branding). They provide everything you need to produce a quality video while sitting in front of your computer or tablet. They include editing tools that enable you to customize and polish your masterpiece.

Studio shoots will provide the most impressive way to communicate your message, but they can be expensive – probably too costly just for a Blog post. You might want to get your Blog video clip done as part of another video session or create a series of them at the same time to spread the cost among a series of posts.

Adding media to your blogs is an excellent way to convey a clear, complete and compelling communication that demonstrates your thought leadership. Choose the media that are right for you and your audience, and you will build a fan base. And remember, when you create custom pictures or infographics or produce videos, repurpose them for other media outlets. For example, use Visual.ly to share your infographic with a larger audience, or post your video to your YouTube channel. This is a great way to increase your visibility and attract more people to your full suite of branding.

Learn more about expressing your personal brand. Download my complete list of 50 eye-opening questions to ask yourself when uncovering your brand here.

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