Whether you call them “text images” or “text pictures” or “image quotes,” using images with text is a content marketing trend that’s not going away anytime soon.

You’ve probably noticed a lot of bloggers use text images to promote their content, particularly blog posts. I also recommend doing that, as I suggested when I published the Online Visibility Challenge (ongoing, take the challenge anytime!).

The second step in the Challenge is to “Create a quote image from your post” and the third step is to “share the quote image.”

Text to Include on Your Text Images

There are two types of images I generally see associated with promoting blog posts:

1. The title of the blog post with an eye-popping image
2. A quote from the content of the blog post

The image below by Dustin W. Stout is a great example of creating an attractive image with the blog post title:

You can easily create quote/text images on sites like PicMonkey and Canva – two of my favorites – then save them to your computer to use on your social networks.  

Each social network favors different image dimensions. However, if you create your image 560 pixels wide, it will work nicely on Facebook pages, Google+, Pinterest and Twitter. If you take it one step further and create a square image, you’ll be able to create one image that works on Instagram as well.

Where to Share Your Images

My suggestions probably won’t come as a surprise to you. There are five primary sites where you can use your images to promote your content. Caveat: every blog post may not be appropriate for every platform. You’ve got to know your audience.

Tip: Make sure your image has a Call to Action and a URL for people to follow so they can get to your post. Create a redirect link (use a plugin like Pretty Link) or use a link shortener like bit.ly or Goog.le.

1) Google+

Like the other social networks, gorgeous, large images get a lot of attention on Google+. There are a couple of ways you can present your text images: upload your image and in the description of your update, include the link to your blog post; or share the link to your blog post and (at the time of this post) your large image will be displayed automatically along with the title of your post and a preview of the content. For a detailed review of how the link posts work, please read Mike Allton‘s post on the subject.  

2) Facebook Page

 If you have a Facebook page for your business, you probably do this already, right?

The optimal size (currently) for images on Facebook is 560 x 292 pixels, and square works as well.

NOTE: Optimal image sizes are always evolving, especially on Facebook. Here’s an updated list of best image sizes for Facebook in 2016.

3) Pinterest

 It’s well known that Pinterest can drive a lot of traffic to your blog posts, so don’t neglect this social network. Pin your image to the appropriate board and make sure you include the URL in the description and source. If you think you’re topic doesn’t lend itself to Pinterest, think again and watch this interview with Joan Stewart about how to use Pinterest for dull or yucky topics.

4) Instagram

 Do you promote your content on Instagram? Most people don’t, so you have an opportunity to stand out. Use a pithy quote from your content vs. the title of your blog post. Instagramers love quotes. Then add the URL to the description. The link won’t be clickable but at least your followers can find your content if the quote resonates with them.  Use the #quote hashtag to attract new followers.

When you share an image on Instagram, you have the option to also push it to your Facebook profile and Twitter. In this case, I suggest you don’t do that and have another option for you.  The reason why you don’t want to share on Twitter is that the image is shared as a link vs. a full-size image. There is a better way so your image shows in all its glory on Twitter.

5) Facebook Profile and Twitter

 Before you post your text image on your Facebook profile, set up a recipe on IFTTT (If This Then That). Lou Bortone has built a recipe that creates an action to share an image you post on Facebook and tweet it to your Twitter account with a linked pic.twitter.com image. That means your image shows up in the Twitter stream vs. only showing a link to the image.

This is how your tweet will look:

It’s back. Are you in? #visibilitychallenge #visibilitytip http://t.co/YQUVlXtEbE pic.twitter.com/hp2yT8T1sD

— Denise Wakeman (@DeniseWakeman) March 19, 2014

 There you have it. Five ways to post on six social sites. Are you using any of these tactics? Do you have other ways you share your text images? If so, please share in the comments!

The post 5 Ways to Use Text Images to Promote Your Content appeared first on Adventures in Visibility.

But when it comes to our businesses, many of us have trouble figuring out how to tell our stories in a way that connects and isn’t boring (OK, I’m talking about myself!) That’s what my guests Michael Kass and Téa Silvestre Godfrey and I talk about in this episode of Adventures In Visibility. Both Michael and Téa are storytellers and work with others to help them tell their stories.

You’re going to learn why and how to share your personal and business story so it stands out. Learn about how to use the power of metaphors in your visual and social media marketing.

This is a replay of the live broadcast with Denise Wakeman, Téa Silvestre Godfrey, and Michael Kass. {click here if you prefer to watch the video on YouTube}

Timestamps for Not-to-Miss Moments

6:57 Why should businesses be telling stories?
8:01 We want to engage the whole person
8:24 If we don’t tell the story, the person who’s receiving whatever we’re saying will make up their own story 
9:09 If you give people data points, they’ll make up a story based on their experience of the world. You’ve got to meet people where they’re at. 
12:37 People who didn’t tribe up, got eaten by tigers!
13:54 Keep in mind attention span of your audience
14:16 Make sure you have a point every time you say something
14:27 Make it about your audience and not about you (to make it engaging)
14:59 What do you want them to do at the end of the story
15:22 Then you can reverse engineer how to tell the story
16:19 Definition of metaphors
17:02 What is the big over-arching theme you’re trying to portray (Téa’s brand example)
19:24 Example of Wall metaphor
25:09 Example of using story for small business coach – new shoes story
26:53 It doesn’t matter where you start; find a thread and follow it from there to find the connections in your life
29:13 What kind of words do you use when you talk about your big why?
30:00 What’s your origin story – your spider bite story (Superman)
30:2;7 What do you like to do when you’re not working
31:43 What’s your internal story? Needs to be consistent with the external story so you are comfortable being visible in the world
32:29 Denise’s story about adventure brand
33:41 If you don’t believe your own story, nobody else will.
35:06 Give examples to show us what you mean. Are they relevant to your audience and do they understand?
38:56 You need to learn how to tell powerful stories because only the powerful ones are cutting through the noise. Authenticity trumps structure
41:03 What is no one else saying that needs to be said?
42:15 Do you feel uncomfortable sharing the story, then you need to tell it. What’s the story only you can tell?
43:06 Branding story; come at it strategically, and what is the thing you need to say in the world that no one else can express
47:58 Story of designing a hammer 
50:42 use the metaphors of your brand as search terms to create visuals for your stories
52:04 Create a “story bible” for your business so you always pull the right images to illustrate your story

Recommended Storytelling Tools

Discover Your Primary Business Story Type (The Story Bistro)

Building Leadership Stories Ecourse (Michael Kass)

How to Build Your Brand and Visibility Through Stories (interview with Carey Pena)

For your convenience, the audio is available as a podcast.

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About the Guests

Téa Silvestre Godfrey is a storytelling coach for small biz owners who want to change their industry and/or the world. She’s also the author of “Attract and Feed a Hungry Crowd,” and the co-author and editor of “30 Ways to Bloom Your Relationships Online.”

Michael Kass is an award-winning storyteller, facilitator, and coach whose work focuses on helping people and organizations harness the power of their stories to create change. His clients include start-ups, social impact organizations, CEOs, artists, musicians, and other humans interested in reconnecting with a deep sense of purpose and self.

Join Me for Future Adventures in Visibility

•  Watch previous Adventures
• Subscribe on YouTube 
• Subscribe and Review on iTunes 
  (if you enjoyed this interview, please rate and review it on iTunes!)

To get reminders about when Adventures are scheduled and when replays are posted, you can get on the list to get notifications about upcoming shows.

Do you have a question about how to create a more visible presence on the Web? Click here to record your question and I’ll include it along with my answer in an upcoming show!   

The post How to Use Metaphors to Tell Your Business Story – Adventures in Visibility appeared first on Adventures in Visibility.

By the end of a mini-course on creating branded blog images, taught by Andrea Beltrami, I knew I was going to hire her to help me with the visual branding for my blog and other marketing images. She is sassy and savvy, both qualities I like, and most importantly, Andrea is talented with a keen eye for what works. I hired her and immediately received feedback about what I wanted, what would work and what wouldn’t, along with suggestions for how to improve my visuals all around. Andrea helped me create a simple, attractive and recognizable look for my blog and quote images. Now,  you can get a dose of Andrea’s badass visual marketing savvy.

In the mini presentation below, you’ll see before and after – images I was creating before Andrea created a simple, brilliant image template for me:

During the show, in the video below, we discuss:

• Defining your branding guidelines 
• Why your visuals need to be consistent
• How to convey your uniqueness online 
• Why you’re missing out on connection and deeper exploration if you don’t create visual content for your audience to devour

(clickable timestamps are on YouTube)

Not to Miss Moments

0:14 How to use visual branding to boost your visibility on your blog
3:57 When did Andrea discover design was her calling?
8:41 What is a style guide and how do you figure out what it is?
9:47 Guidelines are the bones of entire branding
12:07 How do we bring the style guide to a blog
13:56 When do you start integrating brand guidelines?
16:15 How do brand guidelines save you time?
16:50 How does consistency contribute to the know, like and trust factor?
20:01 How Denise developed brand for the Blog Squad in 2005
22:12 How does Andrea help clients tap into their uniqueness?
24:54 What are the five adjectives that describe you?
27:04 How does Andrea convey the importance of visual marketing to her clients?
28:08 What’s the biggest barrier to integrating visuals on a blog?
32:35 What’s Andrea’s most memorable adventure?

Download the Audio 

For your convenience, the mp3 is posted below, from the live Hangout with Andrea:

[smart_track_player url=”https://soundcloud.com/denise-wakeman/andrea-beltrami” title=”Badass Visual Branding for Your Blog” artist=”Denise Wakeman” color=”5181cd” social=”true” social_twitter=”true” social_facebook=”true” social_gplus=”true” ]

Learn More About Visual Marketing

How to Plan and Create Captivating Visual Content

How to Stay Visible Online When You’re Having an Adventure Offline

Microcontent – Use Short-Form Content to Amplify Your Message

About the Guest

Andrea ‘Dre’ Beltrami is a straight shooting, wine guzzling, sassy California girl who in 2012 traded in her miserable day job for her lifelong dream of self-employment. Over the last two years, Dre has helped solopreneurs and small business entrepreneurs from around the world create a vision for their voice. She helps entrepreneurial badasses propel their online success by creating branding and visual strategies that reflect their unique personality and style. To learn how to create an instantly recognizable brand that conveys your passion, purpose, personality and voice head over to The Branded Solopreneur and join her Badass Solopreneur Society today. It’s your right to be heard and she can help you do just that!

Join Me for Future Adventures in Visibility

•  Watch previous Adventures
• Subscribe on YouTube 
• Subscribe and Review on iTunes 
  (if you enjoyed this interview, please rate and review it on iTunes!)

To get reminders about when Adventures are scheduled and when replays are posted, you can get on the list and follow me on Google+. Be sure to let me know you want to be added to my Adventures in Visibility Notification Circle so you get the invitation directly through Google+.

Do you have a question about how to create a more visible presence on the Web? Click here to record your question  and I’ll include it along with my answer in an upcoming show! 

The post Badass Visual Branding for Your Blog | Adventures in Visibility with Andrea Beltrami appeared first on Adventures in Visibility.

One of Peg’s talents is creating visual content and her posts always stand out as a result. On this show, we discuss the why and how of creating captivating visual content so your audience is compelled to click and share.

Peg and I discuss:

• Why quality counts in your images
• Where to find images that you have permission to use
• How to create branded images for maximum impact
• How to be more efficient when you create images
• A 5 step plan for your visual content

Check out the event page for comments, questions and photos.
(The video is timestamped on the YouTube page.)

Key Moments Not to Miss

 6:18 Get feedback from people you trust

7:54 Remain consistent with your brand

13:25 A great blog post needs a great image, too

17:49 Authors, you need to have good visuals

20:43 What’s going to work best if you don’t have time to make 5 images

22:10 Peg’s super secret Canva tip

30:05 Peg’s 5 step plan for visual content

Articles Recommended by Peg

How to Use Visual Marketing to Sell Books

Instagram 101: 7 Keys to Instagram Success

Best Places to Find Free Images Online

How to Maximize Your Visual Marketing so Your Content Spreads

The Art of Social Media, with co-author Guy Kawasaki

Peg Fitzpatrick is co-author of The Art of Social Media: Power Tips for Power Users with Guy Kawasaki. 

Social media is Peg’s passion. And her job. She shares her professional experience working day to day in the trenches of social media, marketing, and blogging. Peg works with global brands and leaders in the social media sphere every day. She’s spearheaded successful social-media campaigns for Motorola, Audi, Canva, Google, and Virgin as well as having been a brand ambassador for Kimpton Hotels. 

Connect with Peg

Blog: http://www.pegfitzpatrick.com/
G+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+PegFitzpatrick/posts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PegFitzpatrick Facebook: 
Instagram: http://instagram.com/pegfitzpatrick
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/pegfitzpatrick/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pegfitzpatrick

For your convenience, the mp3 is posted below, from the live Hangout with Peg.

Visit Peg Fitzpatrick for more information, and Circle her on Google+!

•  Watch previous Adventures
• Subscribe on YouTube 
• Subscribe on iTunes (podcast)

To get reminders about when Adventures are scheduled and when replays are posted, you can get on the list and follow me on Google+. Be sure to let me know you want to be added to my Adventures in Visibility Notification Circle so you get the invitation directly through Google+.

Do you have a question about how to create a more visible presence on the Web? Click here to record your question for me and I may include it along with my answer in an upcoming show!

The post How to Plan and Create Captivating Visual Content | Adventures in Visibility with Peg Fitzpatrick appeared first on Adventures in Visibility.

How many times a week do you use images in your social marketing content? Daily? Several times a day?

Using visual content in your online marketing is nearly mandatory now. If you want your content to attract attention and get shared, it’s got to stand out. And what better way to get noticed than by using outstanding images in your posts.

But here’s the problem. Managing all those images can be a nightmare. 

OK, maybe not a nightmare, but it can get overwhelming pretty quickly. Here’s what happens:

1. You have to find images by creating them yourself or buying them.

2. You have to store them somewhere, on your computer or cloud storage like Dropbox.

3. You need to be able to quickly find the right image for the right message and it needs to be sized correctly for the platform you’re posting to.

How do you keep track of all that?

I confess, my image organization is messy and it takes me too much time to find and design the perfect image. Then, I lose track of where I posted the image. And, I’m lazy so I don’t want to reformat an image to be the correct size for Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Google+. It’s a lot of work.

You know I’m an active experimenter and love to try out new online tools, right? Well a couple of weeks ago I was invited to beta test* a new social marketing dashboard called MavSocial. Apparently there are over 110 social media management dashboards, but MavSocial is the first to focus on managing your visual content.

I wanted to play around with the dashboard before I told you about it. The people behind MavSocial call it Digital Asset Management Software (web based). You can store your photos, videos, audio and other images you create.  That’s pretty cool in and of itself, but the part I really like about the software is that you can easily create and track visual marketing campaigns.

 All in one dashboard you can create your social campaigns, create visual assets, and schedule your messages for posting on several social channels.

I’ve been using Hootsuite for many years and love it, but there’s no easy way to build and manage campaigns for specific projects. Though you can post images, they need to be stored somewhere else.

That’s the power of MavSocial. 

Here’s how I’ve been experimenting with MavSocial…

1. I’ve set up campaigns with start and end dates in the calendar for each Adventure in Visibility episode coming up in the next month. I’ve also created a campaign for the Facebook Ad class that’s coming up.

By creating the campaign, I can see at a glance my time table and determine what kind of social posts I need to create and publish for each event.

2. I upload images that I plan to use on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn (posting on Google+ isn’t available yet).

3. If I don’t already own an appropriate image, MavSocial has strategic partnerships with Getty Images and BigStock Photo so you can search for and find the perfect image from right inside the dashboard! This is a huge time saver. 

4. Once you find and purchase an image, there’s an image editor built into the dashboard as well. You don’t need to go to another site like PicMonkey or Canva (both of which I love and use everyday) to edit the image. You can do it all in MavSocial. Again, big time saver.

5. Now that you have your images selected, you move on to Post Management. Here’s where you get another differentiator… you create your core message and then save it. From there you can choose where you want to share the message.

Select Twitter and you’ll see how many characters you have left or need to delete. Edit the message, schedule it, then save.  If you click back to your campaign calendar, you’ll see the scheduled tweet (you can also post in real time). 

Click back to your core message, select Facebook, tweak the content for that platform, choose a different image size if you wish, save and schedule.

Repeat for LinkedIn.

6. If you’re really productive and efficient, you could set up all your social content for a campaign in advance and then just let it roll. You can also adapt and edit scheduled content on the fly if you need to massage the message for better engagement. 

7. There’s a simple report function so you can track activity on each network.

MavSocial is a pretty cool tool and I’m told there are many more features being developed so I anticipate it will truly rival some of the other popular dashboards pretty quickly. The focus on images and other digital content management could make it the dashboard of choice for visual marketers very quickly. 

I’ve been focusing on the campaign and scheduled posting features for now, though there is more you can do with the dashboard. I’ll report back when I have some data from my campaigns.

Sign up for a free MavSocial account and take it for a spin! Then, let me know what you think, OK?

*Full disclosure: I received an invitation to use the MavSocial software. I received a complimentary copy of the Pro+ plan and am being compensated for my time and content reviews. The review is based solely on my experience. 

The post MavSocial – The Social Dashboard for Visual Content Marketers appeared first on Adventures in Visibility.