New year-2008, Tips and tricks for Bloggers

Here's a basic tip that you can implement on yourblog today that will have an immediate positive impact on your traffic:

Include Photos.

Yep, it's that easy. A photograph or pictureenhances a blog post and I have no doubt that in most cases if you did a basic A/B test of the exact same blog article with and without a photograph, the article with the image will generate a better response.

It should be obvious to you why photos and pictures enhance a blog since I expect you enjoy images too. Words are good but pictures tell a thousand stories they say, so whenever possible use the power of words and pictures together.

Let's look at some of the ways you can integrate photography into your blog.

SMALL BUSINESS BLOGGING

I'll start off with what I know best - small business blogging. If your blog is designed to sell you (your services or your profile, etc) then adding a photograph of yourself is a must.

One of the most effective credibility building tools is to include a photo of you with someone famous in your industry or just someone famous in general. Get yourself a happy-snap with a high profile entrepreneur like Richard Branson or Donald Trump and you have a fantastic tool for building a reputation in business circles.

The logic behind this is obvious - if you are socialising with experts in your industry then you, by association, are perceived as an expert too.

Even if you don't have any celebrity snapshots to include on your blog, be sure to at least include a photo of yourself (or several). Blogging is about personality and it's important your readers can identify with you. A headshot on your blog
helps foster a natural rapport with your audience and projects an image of trustworthiness and friendliness.

Obviously you should use a photo with a smile and an approachable and friendly look if you want positive outcomes. It doesn't matter how old or freaky looking you think you are - just smile and people will like you :-) There's no room for being
shy if you want to be famous in the blogosphere.