I've written on the topic before: why you should use visuals to capture clicks by drawing attention to your article, quote, post or social media profile. Why? People love looking at beautiful, funny, lovely images.
One great advantage for viral sharing is its ability to have a domino effect. Spin offs abound from it, just like "Caturday" instead of Saturday for those who want to be in the know: just tweet or share an image with a cartoon or cute cat or kitten with the #hashtag #caturday and watch it roll ... reTweet, Shared.
Google Plus (G+) is, in my opinion, the best social media avenue to share images. There is no clutter, the images are shown in size larger than Facebook or Twitter. In fact, in Twitter, you have to click on it to see the image. That is perfectly fine because words are your ammunition on Twitter. Enhance your words or quote with an image and hashtag it and you will likely have it RT'd and shared even more. People tend to like to philosophize when they are surfing social media sites and visual stimulation attracts the eyes and then the heart.
Pinterest is THE place where people go looking primarily for stimulation -- whether it be a tip, trick or treat -- the images attract the viewers attention and pretty much guarantee it will be clicked. The better the image, the more likely it will be shared.
The following are top picks from my viewers .... certainly, I chose them because I liked them ... but the endorsements that others shared them are demonstrated by the number of likes, rePINs or shares:
Animals are always a great idea to emphasize an attitude, just like this tiger has been popularized.
Babies and kids illustrate cuteness.
Even the most skeptical hard noses, can't help be drawn into the innocence captured by others who share in adoration.
Stunning expressions, faces and humanism are popular amongst viewers. In fact, my FACEus board on Pinterest has one of my largest following. People are drawn to humanity, especially life's experience etched with wrinkles and profound expressions:
Doesn't a quote on wisdom just beg to go with this image? People love this one. There is nothing beautiful or fancy here, just mesmerizing eyes that speak of laughter and weariness from life and experience. The next one is popular for individual people's reasons, if not for the beautiful photography and capture.
The secrets of talented, seasoned photographers may be guarded while we all get to participate in the experience simply by gazing upon a marvelous visual interpretation of the mystical innocence of youth.
Mothers with children or babies are significant in their contribution towards society. However, a father who sheds his masculinity in his embrace of the sheer wonder of holding his child was identified by many who loved this.
Magical moments where the subjects are oblivious to a photographer capturing the essence of feeling and enable the viewer to participate as though they are there is a wonderful way that images appeal to many.
Flowers, beautiful objects and stunning photography evoke a sense of peace and inspire love for our world. Lucky for many, it is captured to be shared for others to feast upon in its gorgeousness.
Scenery abound: trees, bridges, buildings, fields, forests, pathways and hidden gems are applauded by those who appreciate seeing new places and landscapes virtuall. This is as good or even better because it lingers in our eyes and reaches our souls.
A burst of color explodes to grab our attention like nothing else. I hazard to guess that the photo manipulation software "PhotoShop" was used to enhance the colors in this photo. I think that is cheating and offensive to Mother Nature because often she doesn't need any help.
For many, who have not had the chance to touch or feel snow firsthand, the pictures of snow wonders are popular among all viewers. Thankfully, without the cold, others can relish the sereneness and quietness that untouched nature invokes in us profoundly.
We love the sun, especially sunsets. Waves of joy cascade over us when we visually embrace them all at once. Visions of water attract viewers in their quest to impress.
All seasons and events are celebrated visually with stunning creativity as though we are in the pumpkin patch ourselves and allowed to pick the biggest and best one for ourselves and others to enjoy. Our giddiness and excitement for Halloween while we scheme our costumes meant to amaze or amuse. Imagine being in this pumpkin patch in a field of orange. We cannot quite feel the bumps and creases, yet we can conjure memories from days past where we took our time to choose the best pumpkin. For others, it reminds us to be thankful as the time surrounded by family, friends and good cheer with great feasts upon which we bowed our heads together in prayer.
Sometimes there is no event, mystical reason or plain purpose for something to be so popular. This is the most recent image that has been rejoiced and shared, as though the splashing is cause for a festivity or the merriment we feel by this fun image and graphic appeal to so many.
I hope you have enjoyed the combination of creative images that I have enjoyed along with so many others who have embraced them or shared -- thank you ALL!
You are welcome to join me on PINTEREST http://www.pinterest.com/optioneerjm/ to gaze upon wonderful images. I have simply compiled the favorites from those who have agreed with me. Photo credits are found there.
Discover your own wonders and underscore your message, blog, post, comment, quote, share, tweet, G+ with an image. I'm confident you will be amazed at how wholeheartedly others will nod in agreement by their share.
Comments encouraged, shares applauded, subscribers rewarded and questions answered .... do you have something you would like Jeannette to answer? You may be surprised when she devotes an entire Blog to it.
