Images are everywhere – no matter if we look outside or in the darkest room.  Our mind still captures an image and stores it for future use.  Mental images are important because they allow for you to recall a person, place, or thing.  For example, when you’re lost and you pass by the local movie theater twice, you know that you’re going in circles.  In addition, mental images serve as compliments to what we hear, guides for our actions, and much more.  Images are essential to our lives…

…and our blog posts.

Blog post images don’t serve as your guide for life but they do have a significant impact on your reader.  In order to be an effective blogger, you must know how to incorporate effective images into your writing.  Choosing not to use images or using ineffective images can hamper your progress and reputation as a blogger.

The good thing is that using powerful images effectively isn’t hard.  It can be easily mastered and will make a difference in your blogging and your impact on readers.

Truth #1: Create linkbacks to your website.

On the Internet, stats and ranking are everything.  No matter where you turn, someone is talking about ROI or Google page rank.  Oftentimes, bloggers get tired of hearing about these things because they don’t know how to increase their page rank or use ROI.  Let me in on a little secret:

If you want to increase your page rank, create linkbacks using your images.

It’s pretty simple.  Whenever you pull an image from a royalty-free site, such as Flickr or stock.chng, leave a comment on the image saying that you used it for your blog post.  Be sure to include a hyperlink to your site and not just a passing mention.  The more you get your name and URL out there, the higher your page rank will go.

Truth #2: Choose relevant images.

Relevancy is probably the most important criteria for evaluating effective images.  As a rule of thumb:

If it’s not relevant, it doesn’t belong.

When you are browsing the ‘net for images to include in your post, please pass on the images that do not pertain to your post.  Yes, that dog doing tricks might look cool but it has nothing to do with chemistry.  Your readers will most likely remember your post by your image.  If the image you choose doesn’t match your topic, you’re confusing the reader and chances are slim that they’ll think about your post again.  Make it easy for them; choose relevant images.

Truth #3: Name your images carefully.

I think it’s interesting to go through Google images and look at how many images use a naming convention totally unrelated to the subject of the image. (I know, I’m nerdy.) A majority of the time, the images are named using a word and then a string of numbers.  How is this effective?  It’s not.

When you’re uploading an image to your site for use, make sure you name it appropriately.  For the images at Folk Media, we usually name them according to our blog post.  So, the image you see above is named “four-truths-about-incorporating-images-into-your-blog-posts.”  This creates a better page rank for our blog post and it helps us organize the images on our server.  Make sure to effectively name your images.

Truth #4: Don’t be image happy.

Have you ever been to a website that is image happy?  Have you ever seen a blog post with an image before or after every paragraph?  It’s annoying isn’t it?  Yes, the images help the reader rest their eyes but they also distract the reader.  I don’t know about you but I can’t understand and remember an article if I need to look at 10 images in the process.

As a common courtesy, only use two or three images per blog post.

This does not mean full size images, either.  Keep your images small.  Remember, the images you include need to compliment the text.  They are not a replacement for words.  It is your job to deliver the message to your readers and your images are only supplementary to your words.

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Eric Alpin is the Associate Editor of Folk Media and works for a telecommunications company in Baltimore, Md. He is a social media enthusiast, blogger, writer, and student with a passion for leadership and self-development strategies and techniques. Find out more about Eric on Twitter.

*Photo by ahmed76

Blogging isn’t new.  In fact, there are over 50 million blogs in existence.  Some are news related, others deal with sports, finance, or hobbies.  No matter what you’re interested in, there is most likely at least one hundred blogs you could read on your favorite subject.

But, good blogging is quite rare.  Out of the 50 million blogs that exist, very few of them are highly functional sources of information.  Most blogs are just skeptics ranting and raving about a particular topic.  There is no life, no strategy, and no validity in those blogs.  Good, solid blogging is rare so when you encounter it, you’re knocked off your feet.  As the reader, you’re captivated and want more.  You are excited about updates and you peruse through the archives to find useful information that may have been published years ago.  You hand on every word the author types and you can’t get enough.  That is a good blog.

Want to know the kicker about good blogs?  They aren’t too tough to develop.  Don’t get me wrong; it’s no walk in the park to create a successful blog.  A lot of work is needed but it’s not as difficult as a person might think.  Check out these tips for creating a successful blog.

• Pick a topic and stick to it.  Readers are much more likely to visit your page if you blog about one or two topics compared to dozens.  Most people like consistency rather than change.  Blog readers are no different.
• Update often.  Many people don’t visit blogs because they aren’t regularly maintained.  Create a schedule of when you will post blog entries and follow it.  Once again, consistency goes a long way.
• Encourage discussions.  Blogs aren’t solely about you telling your side of the story.  Blogs enable readers to chime in with their thoughts and feelings, too.  Ask questions and create an interactive community.
• Ask for feedback from readers.  Chances are good that your readers want to see your blog succeed, just like you do; therefore, they won’t be shy to offer their feedback on how you can improve their experience.
• Post a variety of content.  Readers get bored with text-only entries.  Spice things up by including links to other articles, videos, and slide shows.  The more interactive, the better.
• Form partnerships with other bloggers.  Instead of developing content on your own, contact other bloggers to see if they would be willing to guest blog on your site.  It’s a great way to form a partnership and to gain exposure.  Don’t forget to return the favor!
• Create an email subscription list.  Most people don’t have time to look through your site so you want to bring the content to them.  An email subscription list is easy to develop, maintain, and customize.
• Be candid when posting.  Very few people like to read material that clearly lacks heart, passion, and honesty.  Make sure you’re “shooting straight” with your readers.  They’ll respect you tell them accurate information.
• Give something away.  Whether it’s a document you created on desert animals or a $25 gift card to Subway, find something to offer your readers.  When you show your appreciation by giving something away, your readers know that you are passionate about your work.  Blog readers love passionate people.
• Remember that it’s not about you.  It’s about your readers.  When you make decisions about your blog, you should keep in mind that you are serving your readers.  Instead of asking yourself, “Will this make the blog better?” ask, “Will this make my readers happier?”

Successful blogs aren’t created overnight.  In fact, it takes months or years to cultivate a great blog.  But, stick with it.  Continue practicing the ten tips described above and develop your own list of thing that make a successful blog.  The Internet awaits you and what you have to say.  Make the most of it.  Become rare and become great.

If you have any great blogging secrets of your own that aren’t mentioned here, share them with us in the comments section.  We’d love to hear from you!

Eric Alpin

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Eric Alpin is the Associate Editor of Folk Media and works for a telecommunications company in Baltimore, Md. He is a social media enthusiast, blogger, writer, and student with a passion for leadership and self-development strategies and techniques. Find out more about Eric on Twitter.

*Photo by debsch

This post was written by guest author Chris Tompkins.

With the numerous books being published on social media marketing, intense media coverage and more people joining sites such as Facebook and Twitter than ever before, it is obvious that many of us are hungry for social media materials.

Since more people adopting the use of social media channels, the need for new resources that will help us utilize them in a more effective manner is great.  Honestly, it is extremely encouraging that so many people are eager to learn before they act, rather than just plow blindly ahead.

With that said, I wanted to share a useful list with you. This list focuses on a few social media blogs that I suggest you visit. As these are well known, they may have appeared on other lists, but who cares – they have great information!

The blogs below are not only informative, but they offer great tutorials on new and existing social media tools, talk about the latest technological advances, offer free downloads….and can be pretty entertaining at times.

So, without further ado, here is my own personal list of favorites blogs (in no particular order):

Mashable
This is my top favorite. A great blog with loads of content and so many updates it only makes sense to subscribe to the RSS feed or be left behind. No nonsense advice, lots of fresh perspectives and multiple bloggers make this one a slam dunk in my opinion.

Chris Brogan
If you have read the amazing Trust Agents (which I absolutely love and endorse 100%) then this is the blog behind one of the authors – Chris Brogan. Great blog, great information and written in an engaging, conversational style.

Social Media Today
Another site in the same vein as Mashable, with comprehensive content written by many different authors. This is another one with so many regular updates its a smart idea to subscribe to the RSS feed.

Guy Kawasaki
Terrific blog from the ever-present Guy Kawasaki. He talks about anything and everything from upcoming tech conferences to how to build iphone applications. Always an enjoyable read and his positivity is catchy.

Ma.tt
Another extremely interesting blog with one heck of a blog design. Matt Mullenweb (aka PhotoMatt) dishes the dirt on many topics and is heavy on video, pictures and great content. Worth a look to see if it is a good fit for you.

Altimeter Group
This offers a holistic approach to emerging technologies (which I support). If you liked the book “Groundswell,” this blog will be right up your street.

Rashmisinha
I like this one as it really dives into more technical subjects and discusses them in an easy to understand way. Worth a look for sure.

Seth Godin
The wonderful blog of Seth Godin, author of more books on marketing and sales than you can shake a stick at (most recently the bestseller Linchpin). I enjoy Seth’s take on the social media and his posts are always well written, witty and full of takeaways.

TechCrunch
Are you more interested in the latest applications, toys and software to make the online experience more enjoyable? Then this is the blog for you. A clean and clear design and “regular folk” language make this a must-read for anyone who wants to stay up to date with the latest technology.

Now, let’s remember that these are just some of my favorites. What are yours? What sites do you visit to get the best information? Please share them below! Also, let me know what you think about the sites I suggested. I would be interested to hear your take on them!

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Chris is the CEO of Go! Media International, LLC – an integrated marketing firm specializing in cutting edge social media strategy and online marketing campaigns. Chris is a fundamental supporter of education in the online marketing technology sector (for companies and individuals) and speaks at national and international conferences alike. If you’d like to find out more, visit his blog or follow him on Twitter.

*Photo by Martin Kingsley

A fair number of people tend not to do something unless they are rewarded in some way.  They want to get compensated for their efforts or at least get a small token of appreciation.  Unfortunately, Facebook and Twitter don’t hand out rewards to their subscribers simply for using their service.  Although nothing tangible is given, there are still a few reasons why embracing the Web 2.0 culture isn’t such a bad thing.

1.    Get connected.

Fact: In 2008, 1-in-8 married couples met via social networking websites. (Qualman, 2009)

Every human since the dawn of time has yearned to be part of a group and to connect with others.  Connections create communities.  Hoffman notes, “A community, whether virtual or real, is defined by the relationships that exist between its members.” (5, 2007) The components of Web 2.0?blogs, Facebook, iTunes, news feeds?are quick and easy ways to connect with others. (Barbaro, 2008) The world isn’t slowing down and it’s becoming tougher to create and maintain relationships.  Stay in touch using Web 2.0.

2.    Break loose.

Fact: There are approximately 37,500 new blog posts written each hour (or 10.4 posts per second) (LIS Education 2.0 Project, 2009)

Web 2.0 allows for a person to break loose from typical day-to-day activities and move into a different, and exciting, culture.  A person’s day no longer needs to consist of simply going to work, sitting in traffic, and grabbing McDonalds for dinner.  With the resources of Web 2.0, he or she can write about something interesting, read and respond to thoughtful articles, and participate in online videoconferences – all before bedtime.  Break the mold.  It’s easy.

3.    Stay up-to-date

Fact: Between 2:15pm and 3:15pm on June 25, 2009, the day of Michael Jackson’s death, CNN.com received over 20 million pageviews. (CNN)

Sharing information has never been so easy.  Most blogs display an icon that allows a person to share content with their friends on Facebook and Twitter.  Since content is constantly being recycled and passed on, information consumption is on the rise.  Breaking news spreads rapidly and social networking sites are often the first to report critical pieces of information.  Web 2.0 is a metropolis of data.  Embrace it.

4.    Become valuable.

Fact: Approximately 80% of companies use LinkedIn as a primary recruiting tool for new jobs. (Qualman, 2009)

Web 2.0 isn’t only for the people; it’s for corporations, too.  Companies have realized that social networking websites would be a great place to raise brand awareness and sales.  Although many companies want to embrace Web 2.0, they can’t because their employees don’t know the first thing about Twitter marketing or blogging.  Become a resource on all things Web 2.0 and it might lead to a promotion.

5.    Learn and grow.

Fact: There have been over 9 billion Twitter updates (also called tweets) to date. (Reed, 2010)

With all of the blog posts, Facebook updates, and tweets out there, it’s nearly impossible not to learn something new each day.  Web 2.0 is a great place for self-education, both formal and informal.  Maggiani notes that social networks in particular, “capture the essence of the community members and their backgrounds and expertise.” (20, 2009) The Web 2.0 world is full of things to learn.  As Einstein said, “Once you stop learning, you start dying.”

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Eric Alpin is the Associate Editor of Folk Media and works for a telecommunications company in Baltimore, Md. He is a social media enthusiast, blogger, writer, and student with a passion for leadership and self-development strategies and techniques. Find out more about Eric on Twitter.

*Photo by firehawk77

Here is my simple quick and dirty list of the top five blogs you should be reading in 2010 if you want to amp up your success potential. I don’t care whether you are a sole proprietor or CEO of a fortune 500 company, you need to absorb what these writers and thinkers have to say.

I was originally going to write “top 10 blogs” but decided that you are probably limited on time and need literally the top 5 blogs that are the most critical for social media and online marketing.

Copyblogger (writing)

This is like the grammar book for online marketing and media. Brian Clark teaches you how to write well and create compelling content which is the bedrock of success online.

The Art of Nonconformity (life & business)

Chris Guillebea travels all over the world and runs a global one-man business from his laptop. Obviously he has important things to say just because of this feat.

Micheal Hyatt (business, life  and leadership)

As the CEO of one of the larger publishing companies in the world, Micheal still manages to find time to write once per day. His insight is unique since it comes from the perspective of a top level executive.

Zen Habits (now Success.org) (life)

Less is more, simple is good.

Gary Vaynerchuck (business & social media)

Gary has the most watched wine show in the world. He wrote a bestselling book. His name is synonymous with energetic passion and enthusiasm. He knows a lot about social media.

This is by no means a complete list of great blogs to read. But if I had to choose five blogs to read to understand the new economy and social media, these are the ones I would pick.

What are your favorite blogs? Leave a comment below and let me know.

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Joel Mark Witt is the Publisher of Folk Media and author of 21 Days To Twitter Leadership. He is a producer, author, and speaker who consults with businesses and nonprofits on how to use social media in marketing and communications. Get more from Joel on Twitter.

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Get the book “21 Days To Twitter Leadership” The Step-By-Step Guide On How To Twitter, Get Twitter Followers And Position Yourself As The Leader In Your Industry In Less Than 10 Minutes Per Day.

* Photo By Leo Reynolds