Blogging tips – Page 2 – Jean's Writing

How to prevent social media ignoring your images

Published on May 1, 2018May 1, 2018 by Jean M. Cogdell11 Comments

Remember the devil is in the details.

Size and description do matter.

If the dimensions are under 250 x 250, some social media sites won’t pick it up off of your website. So don’t make them too small. And if you fail to add information about the image, search engines can’t determine what your image is about.

Google, Yahoo, Bing or any of the search engines can’t “read” the image itself, so ALT TEXT is important for ranking your images in the search results!

The image title can be helpful to the viewer as it could increase the understanding the image. It can also be beneficial to those who use screen-reading software such as those with vision impairments.

When a reader hovers over the image, the IMAGE TITLE pops up. This can be a great tool. You could put “Click for info” or “Click to buy.” Get the idea.

Here is a short video to help.

Now if I could just remember to do it every time I add images to my blog.

Do you always remember to enter information on your images?

Have you thought of using the Image Title Attribute as a sales tool?

And as always, great articles below.

The Difference Between Image Alt Text and Title in WordPress

When To Optimize Alt and Title Text for Images by Nicolette Beard

10 TIPS ON BEST IMAGE SIZE FOR YOUR BLOG

YOU CAN FIND ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA BY CLICKING ON THE LINKS BELOW.

AND DO STOP BY JEAN’S WRITING ANYTIME, I’LL LEAVE A LIGHT ON.

Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, Pinterest, Stumbleupon

How to select the picture you want for your post

Published on April 12, 2018April 11, 2018 by Jean M. Cogdell19 Comments

Are you frustrated with Facebook?

Irritated every time you click the share button and Facebook chooses the wrong picture to post?

Me too!

What’s this all about? Apparently, from what I’ve been able to find out, Facebook controls this in an effort to stop people from changing legit articles by adding fake pictures.

Huh?

I don’t know about you but I’m tired of the same picture posting every time I click share. So, I’ve discovered a workaround. Well, works most of the time.

Instead of clicking on the share button, try this.

First copy your post address. ( https:// )
Open your Facebook page.
Paste the post address in Facebook.

The link should show default picture with arrows so you can select a different image.

If this doesn’t work, you may need to SCRAPE/DEBUG your Facebook.

Click on this link – FACEBOOK DEBUG

After you click the Debug Button go a little lower and SCRAPE your website.

Click the SCRAPE AGAIN button and this clears the default image from your Facebook.

Let me know if this has helped. Even if you don’t post a lot on Facebook you still may want to Debug/Scrape your website. Just another part of website housecleaning.

Did this change anything?

Have you ever used the Debug on Facebook?

Did I confuse you more? I hope not.

PLEASE FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA BY CLICKING ON THE LINKS BELOW. STOP BY ANYTIME, I’LL LEAVE A LIGHT ON.

Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, Pinterest, Stumbleupon

What is the image you want to project?

Published on March 12, 2018April 5, 2018 by Jean M. Cogdell3 Comments

Are you being true to your persona?

Merriam-Webster Dictionary definition:

“the personality that a person (such as an actor or politician) projects in public: image”

In other words your image. Your image as an author.

Learning how to share on social media can help us improve as writers and bloggers. And possibly sell more books. Now, who doesn’t want that?

Donna Galanti wrote an article that talks about how a writer can present a consistent image to readers on social media, and she really got me to thinking about mine.

I’m not sure I’ve hit the mark with my author persona, yet. But I’ll keep trying.

Donna suggests the image doesn’t need to be genre-based unless that is all you want people to know about yourself.

So how can what can we do to help readers know what to expect?

Define and keep up a message that is constant and on target.
Share with your peeps what they can expect to see from you.
What they see is what they get.

What can you expect from my blog?

Whenever I learn or find something exciting about the writing craft, I’ll share here.
I write stories because I love writing. I write a blog post because I love learning and sharing. And I will always try to reflect that love here.
I write on this blog because I want to be a better writer.
Learning from Y’all, has improved my writing. I do my best to thank you each for your knowledge and expertise.
I believe in possibilities, anything can happen and want to encourage other writers with this blog. Who knows, maybe one day we’ll both make the NYT Bestseller list.

According to Donna’s post, I need to update my “about me” page. So that task just got added to my to-do list. Y’all stay tuned and keep an eye out for a new and improved page.

As Shakespear wrote, “This above all: to thine own self be true,…”

Take a gander at Donna’s post and tell me if you’ve hit all the points in her article. Click her link below. And tell me…

Did you see anything to help improve your social media image?

Does your “about me” page tell a story of who you are?

Do your readers know what to expect when they click on your blog?

Do you think that projecting a consistent author persona will help promote your writing and books?

4 Ways to Create Your Author Persona By Donna Galanti

I HOPE YOU TAKE A MINUTE AND FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA, JUST CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW. I’LL LEAVE A LIGHT ON.

Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, Pinterest, Stumbleupon

What is the difference in a Gravatar, Avatar or Favicon?

Published on February 28, 2018April 5, 2018 by Jean M. Cogdell12 Comments

Answer: Not much.

Just different words for an icon that identifies you or your blog/website.

Gravatar stands for Globally Recognized Avatar. Using a Gravatar enables you to use the same recognizable icon/Avatar for all websites where you engage. How to Create and Use it?

Using a Gravatar promotes your brand.

An Avatar specifically refers to a character that represents an online user. Can be a profile picture, image of objects cartoon caricature, or 3D animated for gaming.

A favicon (pronounced “fave-icon”) is a small, iconic image that represents your website. Favicon Generator, 4 Easy Ways To Add A Favicon In WordPress.

I’ve written posts about using a Gravatar on blogs in the past. But some bloggers/writers still use a blank, the Gravatar Icon or other default icons. I don’t understand.

I use my picture as a Favicon, might change that one day, as well as for my Gravatar. These icons tell readers a little bit about you and your website. If you don’t want to use a picture of yourself, choose an object that gives readers a clue. Any picture can be a Gravatar or Favicon. Use your imagination and go wild. Use a Bitmoji character. But for the love of God, please don’t leave it blank.

An author? Use an icon of your book.