What to Know About Digital Photos and Graphics and Where to Find Them

If you are responsible for your organization’s blog, social media, or email newsletter, you’ve likely wondered just how important it is to add images. It may seem like an unnecessary step, one you are tempted to skip when your to-do list is long. Research shows, however, that adding photos is a must when it comes to your online content.

Why Are Photos Important to Your Online Content?

• Add Interest to Your Story: Many people are more inclined to read an online story or post when there are images attached to it. Photos catch the eye and make visitors more likely to slow down and at least skim the copy.
• Reinforce Your Content: Images can also help reinforce the narrative you are trying to develop with your web copy. As you transition from one thought to another, you can reinforce the ideas through photos.
• Break Up Large Blocks of Copy: Visitors can be visually overwhelmed when they see a lot of copy on a page. By placing photos throughout your blog, you help break that up and make it easier on the eyes.
• Improve Rank with Google: In recent years, Google has made it more obvious that they value images in web copy. By utilizing and optimizing images, you may be able to improve your rank in Google search engine results.

Now that you have a better understanding of why you need images, you’re likely wondering how and where to find photos and graphics that enhance your messaging. We have some suggestions you might find useful.

Where to Find or Create Digital Images

• Use Ours: LPi has a tool specifically designed for nonprofits like yours called WeCreate. This incredible time-saving resource includes an entire library full of stock photos and professionally-designed graphics just waiting for you to use so you don’t have to spend hours searching for, or designing them yourself! Our graphic design team carefully creates images especially for organizations like yours to use for all sorts of reasons — holidays, events, classes, management needs, and more! If we print your newsletter, you already have access to WeCreate! If not, learn more about our newsletter services and all their perks here, or simply subscribe to WeCreate on its own today so that you have access to these resources. Users have permission to use any of the images found in the library for blog posts, websites, and social media or print material!
• Take Your Own Photos: One great benefit to running an organization like yours is that it has a built-in stream of photo opportunities. Make a point of taking photos of both informal and planned events and gatherings. Just be sure to get permission from anyone in pictures you’d like to use, possibly even having them sign a photo release.
• Create Your Own Graphics: User-friendly platforms, such as Canva or PicMonkey, make it easy to put together your own images. You can create a collage or simple infographic using pre-made templates. Another idea is to pull one of the most meaningful quotes out of your copy and use it to create a graphic.

One final suggestion is to be aware of copyright regulations with respect to using photos. Using the photos and images in our WeCreate library can help you easily avoid any copyright problems.

Marketing Your Organization to the Community

If you are trying to increase awareness for your organization, a solid marketing and community relations plan is a must. Check out these tips for writing a basic marketing plan to get started today!

Updated on 03-21-2024