Like Chocolate for My Eyes
by Eric and Sean on April 8, 2009
in blogging
Like Hot Chocolate For The Eyes
I have a confession to make, a guilty secret that my burdened chest is just desperate to be rid of. There’s something I love more than writing.
I’ll just pause here to give Sean a chance to get back onto his chair.
Ready? Good.
It’s Chocolate.
There’s nothing as delightful as the feeling of that sweet, silk like food in your mouth or the delicious taste that lingers on your tongue and causes your taste buds to scream out in unison for more. The only thing that can come close to it are pictures of said delicacy.
You know what I’m talking about right? Yes you. The one with the sweet-tooth. You only have to see a picture of chocolate and your taste buds are already building up into that chocolate craving frenzy. Am I right or am I right.
So apart from a front-row seat at Chocoholics Anonymous, what am I getting at?
The Psychology of Your Blog’s Readers: Human Brains and Images
I’m not literally talking about images of the human brain, despite that cool photo – unless of course that’s the topic of your blog. No I’m talking about the psychology of the human mind, which is unusual for me as I’m normally talking about dog psychology.
Anyway, unlike dogs with their scent-oriented brains we humans are practically ruled by images. When we see a picture of something it can evoke memories and more importantly emotions. Images have a profound effect on us, even more – I daresay – than words. (I’m just going to carry on, Sean can catch up). There is a truth to the saying “A picture speaks a thousand words”.
Don’t get me wrong. Expert artisans such as Sean and Janice are able to weave words together in an effortless manner resulting in a picture being painted directly to the canvas of our brains, if only we were all as blessed. Still, they’re not shy of calling on the power of images as and when needed. The good news for us is this; that same immense power is available for us to tap into.
Why Using Images in Your Posts is Vital to Your Blog’s Health
Images can provide a cue to what your post is going to be about, a visual backup for your message, especially your headline. They are also a direct line to your reader’s emotions and as all good writers know, a great story is all about the emotions.
Furthermore they act as a sub-conscious break for the reader. Don’t ask me why but we can sit down for hours reading a best-selling novel, losing time – and ourselves – to the pages with hardly a thought given to the lack of images. Yet when it comes to reading anything online there is nothing worse than a wall of text.
Freelance Folder points out the 5 Steps For Finding the Perfect Image. You should also check out Eric’s Motivate Thyself site for some stunning examples of images at work.
I’m off to find a bar of chocolate.
About the author: Marc is a freelance writer. Subscribe to his blog today to receive practical advice for your writing career.
hot chocolate photo courtesy of macinate
human brain in a jar courtesy of hatchibombotar
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I love using images in my posts. Though I do like finding Flickr images that sing, I also like using stock photos as they allow me to never worry about usage. I wish I had piles of dough to download a bunch, especially those Getty Images. They are AWESOME! Great post, Marc.
Sean Platt’s last blog post..Like Chocolate for My Eyes
Great post guys! It’s funny you should mention chocolate. Last night before I went to bed I had a huge craving for some neopolitan ice cream (mainly chocolate) with that magic shell stuff on it. I had the ice cream but I could not find the magic shell stuff and I know I have some! Anyway, I ended up eating the ice cream without it but I still want some magic shell! My point? When someone craves good content from a blog and keeps coming back to get it. It sometimes isn’t always there but you keep coming back knowing that the majority of the time it will be there. You guys always have the magic shell stuff and I look forward to all your new posts. Great post! Now I’m gonna go find that magic shell or tear the house up looking for it!!!
Nora from http://www.squidoo.com/Come-Check-Out-Nochipras-Blog-Spot
Nora’s last blog post..Useful Youtube Videos On Blogging (Part 1)
Awesome post, Marc! Really, great job. I love subtle transitions from light conversation to a solid point that really hits home.
Yes, I’m a huge fan of images on a blog post and put a lot of effort in finding that perfect images that truly captures the essence of the post. Like you said, it can really make or break a post. You can write a great post and even an intriguing headline, but without a great image to bring out some kind of emotion or connection from the reader, there’s a good chance they won’t give it a second look.
Thanks for sharing your insights with us!
Eric
Thanks for once again letting me into your home guys.
@Sean there are times when I spend just as much time searching for the right image as I do in writing the post.
@Nora is that like the magic conch shell that Spongebob loves so much
@Eric Thanks mate. I really enjoyed writing that post, such a difference to the drier more practical stuff I write. Not that I’m complaining, those are my staple after all.
Marc – WelshScribe’s last blog post..How To Break Out Of The Freelance Writing Rut
This is a guest post by Marc I take it. I got confused because at the beginning it says, “by Eric and Sean.”
Right on Marc. Just like a good hook in your opening paragraph that can encourage your readers to continue all the way through, a home run picture can strongly contribute to this as well.
That says quite a lot about the power of a good picture in a post.
Bamboo Forest – PunIntended’s last blog post..How to Know if You’re an Enlightened Being
@Bamboo That’s right. Though the “good hook” should technically be first thrown by the title
@ Marc: I agree. I follow the Brian Clark school when it comes to the importance of a title.
Bamboo Forest – PunIntended’s last blog post..How to Know if You’re an Enlightened Being
Hi,Marc!
I love when you guys hop from one kitchen table to the next! Keeps me on my toes! And thank you for the lovely words above. You’re a total sweetheart and have made my day!
I agree with you about the importance of good photos – but I know that if I started trying to find photos that fitted my posts, I’d torture myself with angst, paralyse myself with perfectionism trying to find the right one. (Virgo curse.) The sites I visit – yours, Eric’s, Sean’s and a few others – always seem to have beautiful photos, but I wouldn’t know where to start. I have a new friend whose Flikr photos I love, so I’m thinking of using a few of those with permission when I get brave enough.
But where on earth do you start with stock photos? So many of them out there!
I’d also appreciate some light-hearted but informative insights into the Brian Clark Scool of Thought on title writing please, guys. (I keep tossing out Bamboo and Marc ‘commissions’ but no-one’s nibbling!) Before I launched, I read tons of SEO stuff, then laughed at myself and gave up, as my instincts come up with bizarre titles like Transcendental Trolleys, and fluffy ones like Birdsong…
I’ve enjoyed seeing a lot of your different sides this week, Marc!
janice’s last blog post..Me(me)
I agree with the image thing and I’m working on better photos.
My best yet is my current post. It’s of my daughter. I think it speaks 1000 words. I know it’s not cool to put my domain here but I can’t help myself and if you go look you’ll know why!
For my best photo in 6 months of blogging check it out!www.TheBoldLife.com
Tess The Bold Life’s last blog post..My Kid Did Something Bold & Thrilling
@Janice Some thoughts have crossed my mind but I have very little to no experience of copywriting, I’m still learning it. So I’m not sure how much credibility I can put into writing about it.
As James said to me a while ago, there are a *lot* of bad copywriters out there.
@Tess I think it’s ok to share your domain in the comments, the only uncool thing would be doing it every time