Blog posts sometimes need a little extra pizazz to attract more readers. Images and videos can be used in many ways in a blog post. But you have to make sure you are using the right ones for the job and that you are posting them legally.

This blog post will tell you how to use media in your blog posts.

Using Media to Emphasize Your Main Ideas

Images can be used to enhance your articles subject matter. They can be used to show examples or simply to brighten up your blog. Pictures and videos can entice the reader to keep reading. Try using them with an interesting fact as the caption as long as it is related to the points of that certain paragraph.

Use the Best Resolution Images and Videos

You don’t want to write a sub-par blog, so why would you use sub-par media. To get the most attention and intrigue for your time use images and videos that are high resolution, that seem to pop right out of the screen.

Make Sure It Is Legal

Some images and videos are not legal for you to use. It is possible for you to get sued if you use media without permission. Never fear I have made a list of some websites where you can find legal to use images. Keep in mind some of these may or may not allow for free use for commercial purposes, so do your due diligence first.

ShutterStock: Search millions of royalty-free stock photos, illustrations, and vectors. Get inspired by ten thousand new, high-resolution images added daily.

Stock Photos For Free: There are never any fees to download our stock photos, and they come with a royalty free license so you can use them in all types of media, for worldwide distribution, forever! You can even use them in commercial projects—always free!

Morgue File: Free photos, by creatives, for creatives that are in post production.

Death to the Stock Photo: A % of the profit from Premium Memberships pours right back into our community, to fund photography trips, creative projects, and adventures for our members around the world. The creatives you fund send stuff right back at you, as new image packs, stories, and inspiration galore. It's a sustainable business model for pushing art forward.

Site the Author

Just like citing sources in a research paper, you must cite the author of the media that you will be using. Some photos have different regulations but these are basic guidelines that you should follow:

• You must give the title of the photo (if titled on website)
• Provide the link to the website
• Give the author's name
• The license (CC 3.0)

Tap Into Your Creative Side

Don’t want to go through the hassle of searching and citing photographs? Try making your own images. It’s fun and it will make your blogs more authentic. There are many free tools out there to help you. Here are a few:

• Canva: Canva’s awesome suite of features make it easy to turn ideas into stunning designs. Simply search for the best graphics, photos, and fonts, then use Canva’s drag and drop tool to create a design.
• PicMonkey: Edit photos like a boss. Sure, you could just crop and be done, but why not make photos that will set everyone’s “Like” buttons on fire? Add dimension with one-click effects, or take it to the next level with advanced tools.
• Gimp: Whether you are a graphic designer, photographer, illustrator, or scientist, GIMP provides you with sophisticated tools to get your job done. You can further enhance your productivity with GIMP thanks to many customization options and 3rd party plugins.

Creating blog posts are fun, using media can defiantly up the fun level. It's a great chance to be creative and lets your readers see a different side of you. Remember to search the free image websites and to also site the author to make it legit. If you are feeling crafty, customize your own images. However you use media, be sure to enjoy it.

Queen of the Machine for Viral Solutions LLC

“If a brand genuinely wants to make a social contribution, it should start with who they are, not what they do. For only when a brand has defined itself and its core values can it identify causes or social responsibility initiatives that are in alignment with its authentic brand story.” ~ Simon Mainwaring