Using Photos and Screenshots Effectively as You Blog

When your boss is doing something as awesome as mine is, it only makes sense to want to be a part of it. So, when Ponn Sabra shared that Blogger Babes was holding a blog tour and I’d have the chance for her to guest post on Twenty Something Plus, I wanted in…

This post is a part of a month-long Blogger Babes blog tour which began here. To read this post in-context, we recommend starting at the beginning–then hop along with us for the full journey.

While the of blogging topic is rarely touched upon on this blog, I’d like to share a little story with you, how I think it’s relevant today:

I met Bethany at one of the Blogger Babes CT meetups 2 months ago. I immediately noticed an ambitious beauty and lifestyle blogger with a ton of potential. It was because of this potential and her follow-up (great networking skills are critical in the field of blogging), that I asked her if she wanted to work on a little Blogger Babes (BB) project.

That little project eventually turned into a position working for both brands: Blogger Babes and The Ambitionista (my co-founder, Heidi’s fashion blog). My point here is: if you have a dream of catapulting your hobby blogging to the next level, then follow Bethany’s lead

(1) show up and network with like-minded bloggers,

(2) practice good follow-up skills,

(3) offer to intern, and show your skills and personality off: be trainable, personable, determined and professional, and

(4) grow and get paid while you’re learning.

I know the lessons Bethany is gaining is unlike her startup blogging peers, because we’re teaching her how to achieve multiple streams of revenue while actively building publicity and awareness to the core brand: our blogs.

No matter what Heidi and I do, our blogs are our brands, and we must constantly write posts as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Beauty Blogs are Photo Rich – Don’t Let it Bog Down Your Blogging Process

Look for photos last (or first!)

Looking for photos can become very time consuming as you search for the perfect photo to go with your blog post. Set aside the time to look for images after you’ve written your first draft.

This strategy can be reversed – find inspiring photos from some of the free stock image sites and let them inspire your blog posts!

Use a screenshots effectively.  

If your post sharing that helpful information comes up short and is only 250 words long, bulk up its interest value by adding a teaser screenshot or infographic, highlighting some aspect of the resource that makes your reader want to read more.

Want to take your blog to the next level?

The above tips are an excerpt from our debut “21 Fast and Simple Tips to Write Blog Posts Faster” Guide, one of seven documents in our comprehensive Blogger Monthly Tutorials launching on May 1st. Each tutorial eKit comes with a tutorial, 21 tips sheet, worksheets, calendar, all our recommended tools, and much more!

For the price of your last unfinished premium coffee or tea, you can should invest in yourself and your blog. You know work-related educational materials are a tax write-off, right!? Yeah…taxes are still  on my mind… :-/

BBekit_promotional_button-500x5002

Click here to sign up for the Limited Time Only Early Bird special release of $5 per month!

Ponn Sabra is a best-selling author and homeschool mom of three tween and teen daughters, also bestselling authors and probloggers. The Managing Partner of Blogger Babes, Ponn is a lover of good photography–but not the one you’ll find in front of the camera nor behind it. So, rather than spend time on gazing at gorgeous blog photos, she delegates this task for quicker results. What can you delegate that’s time-consuming because you either love or despise the act?

Blog Tour

A while back, I was nominated for a Liebster Award by Michelle Nguyen of Midwest Beauty on a Budget, a blogger with impeccable style. We met in a beauty + fashion group on Facebook, and I have been envious of her wardrobe ever since! Sorry, Michelle, I totally dropped the ball on that one…

I was given the chance to redeem myself thanks to my obsession with Instagram, where Liv found me! Liv is the voice behind Unbelievably Human + my BBFF.  Her energy is undeniably contagious and there are SO many times she says something and I’m like, “YASSS!” or “Get out of my head!” (And yes, I had to spell it that way, because it is THAT serious.)

Thank you Liv, for being my BBFF, and also for giving me the chance to be a part of this blog tour!

What are you working on?

Currently, I am working on a style post that’s totally different then the ones I’ve been doing. I don’t want to give too much away, but it was inspired by People StyleWatch.
Aside from that, a giveaway, and a couple of other ideas, I am really just trying to focus on posting more often.

How does my work differ from other of its type/genre?

In a lot of ways what I do is very similar to others with similar blogs. BUT, I like to think that I’m more fun. I try to be informative + real, while giving you a little bit more of my cornball personality.

Why do I write/create what I do?

In all honest, because I needed a hobby that would last longer than a day. I mean, I have an English degree that I wasn’t really using, and in my book, this counts!

I really enjoy blogging. I allows to me tell people about things I care about. I know that the people that care about the same things can read it and the ones who don’t care, don’t have to. This is not always the case irl. When I talk, you listen. You don’t have a choice. When I’m passionate, I get LOUD.

How does your writing process work?

I’d love to be like, oh my process is A, B, C…but it’s not. I write about what excites me. New makeup, clothes, a fun date night. I try to plan ahead as best I can, but really my best blog posts are when I share what I am currently experiencing. I’ve also become aware of the fact that I am very easily inspired so when I do plan I come up with like five bazillion ideas, some good, other not so much…

 

Next up on the blog tour:

Christa of Beatrice Clay | I know I bring up Alt Summit quite a bit, but it is because I came away with so much for the experience. Including new friends. One friend in particular, Christa, was one of those people you meet and just know that you met them for a reason. She is so inspirational in a way that I can’t even begin to explain. One look at her blog and you’ll understand! Need a hug? Her Hump Day Hugs are simply the best!

Know someone with a blog that you think others should check out? Share in the comments!

xx
Bet