jo gifford / dexterous diva looking good: ways to make your blog beautiful #dexdivacybher all tweets on http://www.tweetdoc.org/ search for #dexdivacybher @dexdiva #dexdivacybher all about me designer, writer, blogger director of cherry sorbet creative www.cherrysorbet.co.uk my blog is at www.dexterousdiva.co.uk jo.jogifford@gmail.com twin mumma, endo warrior... @dexdiva #dexdivacybher all about you hello, cybher 2012! tweet me your introductions, instagram pics and tell us all who you are... say hi to the people either side of you and tweet me your smiles @dexdiva #dexdivacybher looking good: getting creative with blog imagery So, why is a pretty looking blog important? - we are visual people - lifecasting is more visual now (Pinterest, insta.gram) - eyecatching blogs capture attention - encourage readers to engage You don’t need to be a designer or to use expensive software. @dexdiva #dexdivacybher the image how do you currently find or create imagery for blog posts? - iStock or similar? - steal imagery......? Tweet to let me know. Imagery is subject to copyright and bloggers need to beCAREFUL and aware. issue @dexdiva #dexdivacybher top tip Keep imagery consistent in width Consistent style looks better visually @dexdiva #dexdivacybher Iphonography and instagr.am Insta.gram inkstagram typoinsta HDR These are social in their own right and help drive traffic too. @dexdiva #dexdivacybher Screen grab Really easy way to collage and generate images! Mac = Command/Shift/3 saves screen as PDF to be edited PC = Print screen saves file to clipboard to be pasted into image editing software. @dexdiva #dexdivacybher Free image editing software Picnik (now Google Creative Kit in Google plus) pixlr.com splashup.com Add frames, edit images, add retro style filters, simple re-touching and even add text @dexdiva #dexdivacybher Polyvore (a cheat’s guide) www.polyvore.com get @dexdiva #dexdivacybher collaging! Create a collage by arranging items/pics and papers and taking an iphone, instagram or SLR pic Picframe Collage Maker cameraderie @dexdiva #dexdivacybher Use an SLR if you have one High resolution and ability to crop images better Worth investing if you are doing lots of outfit shots or close up beauty products but an extra, not essential for amazing images Creative @dexdiva #dexdivacybher Commons search http://search.creativecommons.org/ Creative commons images are images licensed by the creators to be used with a attribution link. You can search for images using the Creative Commons search tool, which may produce some exciting work you have permission to include on your site. Remember to attribute where necessary though. @dexdiva #dexdivacybher iStock www.istockphoto.com - inexpensive but can add up - won’t guarantee originality Asking! @dexdiva #dexdivacybher Maybe you have seen some amazing images by an illustrator, photographer, designer? Just ask them if you can use for your blog in return for a full link and credit. You never know... finally... thank you. and Feel free to follow up this session with emails, questions and feedback. More from me? Check out my ecourse/sign up on blog www.dexterousdiva.co.uk All the tweets from today can be found on Tweet Doc by searching for the #dexdivacybher