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Using Images in Writing

How to grab those eyeballs and keep them till the end.

By EyekayPublished 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago 6 min read
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The world is full of stimulation. Curiosity often leads to pursuits. However, in the world of excess information, the work for an author has become challenging. Reader curiosity must be sparked, or the author will only be raising the voice to the wind trying to stand out in a constant rolling data feed.

With writing, the first few lines act like hooks to engage the reader. However, the writer knows that is not enough. The ability to keep the reader engaged till the very end is the challenge.

The importance of a choosing a cover image cannot be undermined. The feed rolls constantly, and with increasing subscribers, the content growth explodes as well. If you blink, you might miss a good piece of writing.

The writer must adapt to the world seeking immediate gratification at warp speed. A beautiful picture, a few words, and multiple platforms disseminating information in nano seconds look like they're enough to satisfy a reader today. This may be true in some cases, but not in all.

How does a writer platform engage their readers to come in, play, and stay?

The first hook of words has relinquished its place to the first hook of the image.

Originality is the key here. An original photograph, an original piece of artwork are a couple of examples. That by itself will not guarantee reader engagement. The image must resonate with the written piece. It should make the reader want to click on the article. Even if the writer chooses from stock images, the way the image is used must be original. The Unsplash app or using Creative Commons licensed products provide data that act like an artist's toolkit. The choices of images can be tailored to elevate the author's writing.

Once the reader clicks, the written piece must hold attention. Sometimes, the opening image is brilliant, and a badly written piece might leave a dissatisfied feeling in the reader. Further, the negative association may even tick off the reader from ever opening the writer's works again. This is very subtle, and as an author and reader, I have felt this way. Hence, it is a fine balance to tell a story compellingly and hold the interest all through.

By Dainis Graveris on Unsplash

A provocative image is a sure way to get the initial attention. There's a curiosity with pieces of sexual content, just because of the rarity of seeing it in a normal situation. The same piece will have limited worth in a site which only provides sexual content. A provocative image must back up the click with relevant content, and not cheat the reader with alternate work like clickbait. Unlike the earlier example which highlights ability, this scenario borders on author credibility. On the flip side, it is very gratifying to read a piece that matches the cover image. It almost feels like the writer takes on a challenge and conquers it.

See what I did with the image there? I did not follow it with the expected content. Sorry, but I think it is relevant to add this to illustrate the idea.

Beautiful, smiling people grab attention, especially those of women. Beautiful women generate curiosity from all genders. People images garner more readership than others.

Colors play a great role as well. A black and white picture would work for specific articles; it may convey a mood for example. Colorful images on the other hand are click magnets. The ones with greater wavelengths hold an instant allure.

Emotional images spark curiosity, and a reader may want to know the story. The Migrant Mother image by Dorothea Lange still evokes the Depression blues and hopelessness of the moment of the 1930s.

By The New York Public Library on Unsplash

Information overload has made readers discriminating. If they want to plonk their valuable time on an author write-up, it has to provide reader gratification.

In addition, shorter messages have added distraction and diversion to the mix. Now more than ever, the challenge to write the way the reader understands cannot be more apparent. Using relevant images helps facilitate understanding.

The lure of short messages on different platforms has altered a person's way of reading and gaining information. A larger body of text today is a challenge to read unlike the days when data dumping was not an issue. Now, readers have too many choices, and writers have to work smarter. Images help break the text, and choosing them wisely will let the reader choose and stay on the page till the very end.

Choice of images is another point to keep in mind. It also includes editing out repeats that may annoy readers. A gentle segue with images in comprehending author's message is way more effective than a blitzkreig. Just because the image feature is available to the blog, it would be wise to avoid overuse. Surgical precision is required while inserting images.

That being said, some write ups shine better with additional images. The readership one of my writes is high due to carefully pieced images I'd think. I mixed up stock images from Unsplash and added a couple of original art to elicit a heart-warming chuckle.

It's not just grabbing the attention of the reader with the hook image and forgetting about the rest. A writer must keep interest going with curated images that reflect the author's voice and reader's interest. The second part of keeping attention adds credibility to the writer. A reader might recognize the satisfaction of an older read to visit a new one.

Using images between text is useful to break the onus of reading a larger piece. This again brings the shorter reads and various digital media of our times. Writers must stay relevant to the times. It's simplistic to disparage readers of today as ones who read picture books, while the readers before the digital age read chapter books. A true writer caters to all audiences. Classics have existed side by side with contemporary works. Whatever the flavor is today could very well be different tomorrow. The author must always reinvent to ensure readership.

On the flip side, there is more reader engagement than before. In the earlier days, there were readers and nonreaders. Now, almost everyone I know forwards reads of differening lengths. Smart devices have become ubiquitous, and readers forward content all over the world in a blink. This indicates that they are all reading in different ways. That is why it is important for a writer to speak in a way they understand. If one writes for a select group, images may or may not be of great use. However, if the audience is the whole world, the importance of using images in content can never be underestimated.

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About the Creator

Eyekay

I write because I must. I believe each one of us has the ability to propel humanity forward.

And yes, especially in these moments, Schadenfreude must not rule the web.

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