Why You Need to Brand Your Blog Post Images
Do you ever scroll through Pinterest or Bloglovin’ or possibly even Facebook or Twitter and can immediately tell whose blog an image belongs to simply by looking at it? If you’re saying no, then you need to get out more often. But the chances are, if you’re a regular Pinterest-er, then you know exactly what I’m talking about. And this is exactly what you want to happen for your own blog. It is so important to brand your blog post images and here are a few reasons why.
1. If people know (and love) your brand, then they’re more likely to click on your image.
First, let’s look at a few examples: [click on the photos to visit the blogs]
Do you see how in all four of these examples, each of these awesome bloggers uses the same (or a very similar) template in order to create the main image for their posts? They use bold, appealing fonts, professional photos, and they always, always, always include their logo.
This is what you want to do because this makes people want to see your post. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen one of Regina’s images on Pinterest and clicked through to the blog post just because 1. her images are great and 2. her posts are always top notch.
Side note: images like these with big, bold, easy to read text do extremely well on Pinterest.
2. You make your life ten times easier when you stick to the same image template.
I was working on my blog business plan the other day and in my blog + brand section I was determining what kind of images I would use for my blog. I wrote down (and I copy + paste here for full effect), “I will use stock images or my own photos if they’re well-taken…so probably stock images.”
I am not a photographer. I try to take artsy photos for the occasional Instagram, but I am fully aware that I am by no means a photographer. So I am not hard on myself for using stock images. That’s what they’re there for, right?!
[If you, too, lack the appropriate picture-taking skillz, here is a great list of 29 websites to find free stock images.]
I use Photoshop so this makes it extremely easy to stick to the same template–not sure how creating a reusable template works with other image editing services. However, I can now create my blog’s main images in like five seconds. Maybe that’s a slight exaggeration, but it’s freaky fast. I open my imgtemplate.psd doc, find my stock photo, resize it, make it the background of my new image, change the text, and save. Voila! Obviously, some tweaking has to be done occasionally depending on the length of the blog post title. But this makes it so extremely easy.
3. Staying consistent with fonts + colors + images helps to tie your brand together.
I’m obviously obsessed with the Montserrat font. Each and every weight, from hairline all the way up to heavy. I use this for all of the text on my blog images, my logo image, and my subheadings. Because this font is the bee’s knees. Find your own favorite font or two or three and stick to those. Use them everywhere.
4. Consistency builds trust.
Do you know why brands are so important? Why they work? Why everyone goes crazy for branding?
Because we kill for consistency. We fuh-reaking love it when we’re able to recognize a brand based on a color (Tiffany blue, anyone?) or a font (think Disney) or even just a symbol (like Starbucks or Pepsi). We trust these brands because we’re so familiar with them.
You want people to trust your blog’s brand. You want people to know you and feel comfortable listening to you because your brand looks awesome and is consistent and makes them feel like you really know your stuff.
So how in the hell do you create your perfect branded blog post image?
Simple. Fill out this easy 5-step questionnaire:
1. Pick 2-3 of your favorite fonts (mine are Montserrat and Helvetica UltraLight).
2. Pick 2-3 colors (mine are white, black, and coral).
3. Decide what type of images you’ll use (I use stock photos–maybe you prefer images with a lot of white space or images with a transparent overlay).
4. Determine the location of your text (I keep mine centered but also love the look of right align text on a main blog post image).
5. Determine the location of your logo (Mine is bottom right corner with a line across the whole bottom of the photo).
And there you have it! So now get out there and brand your blog post photos.
15 Comments
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Roland Kopp.Wichmann
Great tipp! Since some months I try to brand my blog with selfmade cartoons instead of all the boring stockphotos. But the idea with a consistent typography as the blog headline is very good. I will try that. Warm greetings from a German blogger
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Chloe
I love the idea of using cartoons in your blog images! That is an incredible way to brand yourself! (Although, yes, consistent typography is still very important!)
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Matija
Really love to read your posts. Excellent tips. It would also be nice to know what theme are you using. I guess women simply have better design view then man :) Great blog, regards, Matija
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Chloe
Not true! Some men have impeccable design taste! My current theme is called Caravan and I got it on Etsy for close to $40. However, I'm currently looking around for a new design just because I can't really play around with this one as much as I would like. I get antsy and like to mess around with my blog designs every now and then, and this one just doesn't really support that!
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Christina
Branded visuals are so important when you have an online presence for your blog or business. I love the examples you used, and I love that you give concrete tips on how to help achieve a cohesive look. I tend to fall victim to my love of fonts and have a hard time sticking to a select few. But I'm realizing it is SO important to stick with one look and stay true to it. As a photographer, I recommend to my clients that they use some of the photos I shoot for them as branded stock photos for their blogs. A lot of times, they assume they can only use their product or lifestyle photos for their 'about me' page or product listings. I suggest they crop, add text, ect to get multiple uses and a streamlined, branded look for their blogging and social media presence. So glad I found your blog! I'm really enjoying it!
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Chloe
My problem is that I've always struggled with finding the perfect fonts. I go back and forth and find fonts that I love then hate two days later, I take ten hours to pick two fonts that work well together, I download ten billion fonts that I'll never use again. It has been SUCH a time-saver to have finally found one that I'm obsessed with and can stick to and use every single time. You've brought up some really good points! Professionally done photographs are GREAT for 'About Me' or 'Services' pages. Probably the best thing they could possibly use. Thanks so much for stopping by! :)
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Courtney
Hi Chloe! I love this idea of branding your images for Pinterest. Every viral post I see has their logo or link to their blog so people can look back on who it was. I just started my new blog so I cant wait to start designing more consistent images. It was great to connect with you in the #createlounge chat last night! I really gained a lot from our chat about content marketing and Pinterest is a great way to market blogs these days. I really like your blog and the great content you've provided!
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Chloe
Yes, it is definitely important to put your watermark on all of your images! I'm so glad this was useful to you. Thank you so much, Courtney! :)
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Sam @ Love and Wonderful
I often create the same template but without different color so I won't stick with the same background color all the time. However, the font is what I stick with the same one because that's how create my brand. Being consistent really helps me to focus and get my brand out there.
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Tee Taylor
Hello! This is a terrific post. I really appreciated the content. As a photographer, it would be great if you listed 29 sites that sell wonderful stock. I don't know what the resistance is to buying a photographers hard work is but it would be nice to occasionally see someone encouraging the support of photographers. These free links seem to show up again and again. Photogs gotta eat too!
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Kerri
This is SO helpful, Chloe! I'm in the middle of rebranding both of my blogs, so this came to me at just the right time! Totally tweeting this! Thanks, love! ^_^