Images can enhance your writing by adding visual appeal, conveying emotions, illustrating concepts, and attracting attention. But how can you choose the most effective images for your writing? Here are some tips to help you select and use images that complement your words and purpose.
The first step in choosing images is to know who you are writing for and what they expect from your content. Different audiences may have different preferences, needs, and cultural backgrounds that influence how they perceive and respond to images. For example, if you are writing for a professional audience, you may want to use images that are relevant, clear, and credible. If you are writing for a creative audience, you may want to use images that are original, expressive, and inspiring.
The second step in choosing images is to match the tone of your writing and the message you want to convey. The tone of your writing can be formal, informal, humorous, serious, persuasive, informative, or any other mood or attitude. The images you use should reflect and reinforce the tone of your writing and the message you want to convey. For example, if you are writing a humorous article, you may want to use images that are funny, playful, or ironic. If you are writing a serious article, you may want to use images that are sober, realistic, or dramatic.
??Choose the same visual style for your writing, because it establishes the tone of your content. For example, if it is a humorous or casual topic, I will pick for cartoonish or fun visuals or images to go with it. ??Don't mix visual styles as it can confuse the readers or defeat the purpose of your content. For example, imagine if you are writing about a serious, technical topic and you use a funny cartoon. Unless it's a satire piece, it may work. Otherwise, it won't.
When choosing images, it's important to use high-quality images that are clear, sharp, and appropriate for your format and platform. Doing so can enhance your credibility, readability, and professionalism. On the other hand, low-quality images can damage your reputation, distract your readers, and reduce your impact. To ensure you use high-quality images, consider factors such as size (large enough to be seen and understood but not too large to slow down loading time or overwhelm text), resolution (enough pixels to be displayed clearly on different devices and screens but not too many to consume too much bandwidth or storage space), format (JPEG, PNG, GIF, or SVG; avoid formats like BMP, TIFF, or PSD that are outdated or unsupported), and source (ensure you have the right to use the image either because you own it or have permission from the owner or a license from a reputable source; avoid images that are copyrighted, trademarked, or otherwise protected without proper attribution or consent).
??Use high-quality images and consistent sizes for your writing. For example, large images for highlights or smaller images for additional information. This will improve readability and easy visual-text association for your readers. (e.g. If they want to read the additional information, they look for the small images). ??Also, invest on image subscriptions if you have the capacity do so. It helps increases your chances of using more relevant and unique visuals rather than just relying on free ones.
Using generic Google images can be a deal-breaker. Images need to complement the text, and choosing them requires a conscious effort. The resolution and image size matter based on the writing platform. generic Google images can be a deal-breaker. One does not need to invest too much to obtain these images. A low-subscription platform like Canva can do the job.
When choosing images, the fourth step is to optimize them for SEO and accessibility. This can help you rank higher on search engines, reach more readers, and comply with web standards and best practices. To optimize your images, consider the file name, alt text, caption, and title. The file name should be descriptive and relevant, including keywords and reflecting the content of the image. The alt text should summarize the content and function of the image for readers who can't see it or use a screen reader. Captions should provide additional information or context for readers who can see the image. Titles should provide additional information or context for readers who hover over it or use a screen reader. Avoid generic or irrelevant words that are redundant or misleading in any of these elements.
Testing your images for effectiveness and impact is the fifth step in choosing the optimal images for your writing. This can help you evaluate how they fit with your writing, how they appeal to your audience, and how they perform on different devices and platforms. When testing, consider the relevance of your images to your topic, purpose, and audience; the emotion they evoke; their clarity; and their diversity. Ask yourself if your images support, illustrate, or enhance your main points; if they match, amplify, or contrast the tone of your writing; if they are simple, focused, and legible; and if they are inclusive, respectful, and representative. By taking these factors into account when selecting images for your writing, you can create captivating content that resonates with readers.
If there are several images and one is having trouble selecting the best, ask for feedback from colleagues. A second opinion can provide clarity on which images to select based on the content.