A Powerful Online Image will Revolutionize your Business

You have a business. But you know your business is unlike any other business. You know that your business is special. This is a common thought among the many business owners and brand marketers in the world. They have a business, and they want to define the business as offering something special or unique, but they don’t know how because the image they have is not the image that they portray to their audience.

Unfortunately, there are many who get it wrong. Building a powerful image for your business, especially online can revolutionize your business for the better. Building a strong business image can improve the quality of your leads, improve the conversion to sales and to inspire the advocacy for your brand by consumers.

The online aspect of your business’s online marketing is now integrated as a part of the consumer buying process. This is due to the accessibility of information through the internet on people’s smart devices. Businesses need to manage their online presence well. Should they succeed, the financial rewards and accolades will come on autopilot. But should the business fail to manage their online presence, it could send the business’s brand into a crisis.

Below we discuss steps businesses can take to implement a positive presence online to enhance their brand image profile and to reinforce positive consumer sentiment.

Forge the trust aspect of your brand by engaging with your customers online.

With the anonymity available on the internet, people aren’t afraid to speak their minds or to seek out information that is related to your business, both good and bad. It is great to receive positive interaction. However, there will always be those people that will draw on the negative aspects of the business. The catch is that people will believe what they see. That’s why the voice of the brand that must be heard is the one directly from the business and not one of an anonymous internet user.

Potentially, other credible web citations may be influencing your brand presence and reputation. There is an internet joke that says ‘once it is on the internet, it is there forever’. And in a sense, this is true. Once it is there, you need to manage what you can to prevent what is being said about your business to dictate your business outcome. If you had no influence with instrumenting the dialogue towards your web marketing campaign efforts, you need to take action to ensure that whatever message is being communicated to your customers is one that is within your control.

To build this trust, you must be able to demonstrate value to your customers. And you can achieve this by communicating it through your business’s desired message.

Keep and manage your brand identity online

A business’s brand image is their identity. It is the business’s most trusted asset and must be guarded at all costs. The brand perception will either enhance the perceived value or reduce it. The loss of positive sentiment to your online brand presence can cost your business thousands or even millions in lost business opportunities. This means the business needs to manage the business presence across the mix of digital marketing channels available. Maximising the positive sentiment across these channels is crucial to the success of the brands online marketing efforts.

The only way to do this is by driving positive digital PR initiatives. Demonstrating your business value by publishing is the key to developing a strong online presence. By publishing brand content, the business will be able to gain a stronger ‘share of voice’ online. Below we have covered three important areas that businesses should manage with their online presence.

Web reviews

This is an area in the online arena that you must have in complete control. Upset customers and frustrated customers are able to publish content that could negatively impact your business, costing you opportunities in lost sales, lead prospects and referrals. Good reviews will further boost your web credibility and can potentially spur positive virality for your business. This leads to more cost efficient promotions and a stronger advocacy for your business.

It is crucial that businesses maintain strong web reviews across platforms that will make or break purchase decisions in the customer’s decision-making process. For example, people choosing to stay in hotel accommodation will check for reviews on Google search results, as well as on vertical search platforms such as TripAdvisor and other hotel comparison websites such as Booking.com and Agoda.com. The customers feedback will make a much stronger impact on the purchase decision than any marketing that your company will do. Work to get reviews in your favour to grow your business on autopilot.

Organic search presence

Businesses need to be aware of where they are in the organic search space. Which keywords are they showing up for and what type of traffic it is bringing to their business website. Furthermore, can those people take or initiate an action that will positively fuel the positivity of the business’s web presence. For example, if a business appears on the search results for a blog post, this allows the person to discover their content. This opens a window of opportunity for the business to pitch their credibility or their sales offer. Businesses realistically need to achieve one of the two. If not, the customer will leave and never come back. The business not only needs to know how to get the people to appear there, but how to keep them there to take action that will influence their actions.

Become an authority in your niche

You can become a perceived authority in your industry by publishing news and revealing new information. By becoming an authority source, you become the perceived expert, and the ‘go to’ business in your industry. Your business becomes synonymous with credibility and trust. You can easily achieve this status by publishing regular blog posts, publishing news feeds and providing regular bulletins via podcasting, YouTube shows and regular newsletters.

Should your business be seeking web profile enhancement services, it is recommended that they seek advice from a digital agency in Melbourne that can best advise them on any digital PR activities that can help the business achieve the desired online profile that they are aiming for.

A Powerful Online Image will Revolutionize your Business

10 Useful Image Tools Every Social Marketer Needs

If you work with social media a lot, you must know that every platform requires different dimensions for the photos you upload. These dimensions ensure that you can create the best-looking photo for that position or location, be it a Facebook cover photo or a cover photo for Google Plus, a Twitter header or more.

To do this manually is a pointless venture because now there are plenty of tools that can help you manipulate your images into the dimensions and sizes suitable for most, if not all social networking sites out there. Here are 10 great tools that have help you better manage your images for higher social engagement online.

1. Social Image Resizer Tool

Social media is fickle-minded. There are so many image size rules for so many social networking sites that it will be a surprise if you can keep track of them all e.g. Facebook requires 315px by 851px for its cover photo, while Twitter requires 1500px by 500px.

With Social Image Resizer Tool you don’t have to worry about all these figures and dimensions, just click the item you want to generate your image in and the tool resizes your photo for you. You can then export the image to Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Linkedin, Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube.

2. Social Media Image Maker

This tool pretty much covers all major social networking sites out there and more. It is the perfect tool to find the perfect size and dimensions for use on any of the 16 social networks and services listed. Make profile pictures, headers, cover photos, backgrounds, then post them directly to the services from the tool.

Just pick the image you want to change, then click Create > to go to the editing page. Drag and drop your image in, or upload it from the Add your file button at the bottom of the page. Besides cropping your image to the right size, this tool also allows you to add filter effects and image adjustments such as sharpen, blur, desaturate and more.

3. Pablo

Pressed for time? Use Pablo to create the image you need in under 30 seconds. Insert your quote, add a secondary text or a logo, fix your headline text size and color then choose your background. You can choose any of the ready images or you upload your own. You can also tweak the images to carry a blurry effect or to change into a black and white photo.

Once you are done, you can share this on Facebook or tweet it. Alternatively, it can be placed in Buffer to be scheduled for later sharing, or downloaded to your desktop.

4. Pinwords

Pinwords helps you add a quote or caption to one of six typographic layouts. Your text can be easily shifted about, enlarged or shrunk to the right size. Upload an image you want to work on or pick an image from the web to get started, pick the font or typography style that you want, change the size of your text then click "Pin it" to save all your changes.

Once you are done, you can share your results via Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest, Twitter or email. Pinwords also has a bookmarklet which you can just drag and release on your bookmark bar to start using.

5. Befunky

Befunky is a mash of three tools: a photo editor, a collage maker and a tool to give you awesome photo effects. Apart from the regular tools (sharpen, blur, crop, etc), Befunky’s photo editor tool gives you color effects like color pinhole, chromatic, charcoal among others, and the ability to add not only text but also graphic elements.

Another cool feature is Overlay, that allows you to mask your image with a predefined shape. The fun thing about Befunky is that you can upload photos from a variety of sources including your desktop or webcam, Facebook or cloud storage like Google Drive and Dropbox.

6. Canva

Canva is a great tool for non-designers who just want to create a typography image without learning anything new. The tool has predefinted templates with the right sizes for each of the social media sites e.g. for Facebook cover photos, Instagram, Twitter headers, Pinterest graphics etc. It also accommodates custom dimensions if there is a need.

For quick use, you can choose one of hundreds of templates with fancy images and typography from the Layout panel; just edit and publish. Furthermore, you can also add text from the Text template, and choose the best photo or pattern background from the gallery, or upload your own photo, to create great images.

7. Recitethis

Quotes are hot content on social media and one of the most share-able too. The catch is, it is the kind that comes with a background image. ReciteThis is a tool you can use to create quote images very easily. Simply enter your quote in the form provided, and a live preview will be shown to you. Pick the template you find more suitable, then click the ‘create’ button.

You can also post directly to 5 different social media sites or download the image. Alternatively, you can send the permalink of the image, email the image to a friend.

8. Pagemodo

Cover photos on a social media account is one of the first images seen due to its upfront location. Hence, it would be smart to use cover photos to describe you or your brand in the most eye-catching way possible. You can do this with Pagemodo.

It has dozens of themes that are very interesting and customizable, letting you create a collage of your photo collection, or photos with beautiful typography. You can add your photos, text, logos, shapes and background, as well as edit the location and size of each component.

9. Share As Image

With Share As Image, you can easily add text and filters to your image. Once you have added text to the form, drag and drop the text to position it where you want it. The text field is unlimited, just add according to your needs. There are also options to save images to use on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

The pro version of this tool lets you change the logo to your own, and provides you more photos and filters. Also you can unlock the tens of template to use, and save design time. The pro version costs per month.

10. Infogram

If you need to display an infographic, infogram is a simple yet great tool to create infographics quickly. It’s easy to use, and it comes with infographic templates. If you have more time, you can create it manually by taking a chart from the cart list, and replacing the data values with your own data set. Besides that you are also add country maps.

You can unlock additional features from per month, such as replace the infogram logo with your own logo, download infographics, and other cool features.

10 Useful Image Tools Every Social Marketer Needs

10 Useful Image Tools Every Social Marketer Needs

If you work with social media a lot, you must know that every platform requires different dimensions for the photos you upload. These dimensions ensure that you can create the best-looking photo for that position or location, be it a Facebook cover photo or a cover photo for Google Plus, a Twitter header or more.

To do this manually is a pointless venture because now there are plenty of tools that can help you manipulate your images into the dimensions and sizes suitable for most, if not all social networking sites out there. Here are 10 great tools that have help you better manage your images for higher social engagement online.

1. Social Image Resizer Tool

Social media is fickle-minded. There are so many image size rules for so many social networking sites that it will be a surprise if you can keep track of them all e.g. Facebook requires 315px by 851px for its cover photo, while Twitter requires 1500px by 500px.

With Social Image Resizer Tool you don’t have to worry about all these figures and dimensions, just click the item you want to generate your image in and the tool resizes your photo for you. You can then export the image to Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Linkedin, Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube.

2. Social Media Image Maker

This tool pretty much covers all major social networking sites out there and more. It is the perfect tool to find the perfect size and dimensions for use on any of the 16 social networks and services listed. Make profile pictures, headers, cover photos, backgrounds, then post them directly to the services from the tool.

Just pick the image you want to change, then click Create > to go to the editing page. Drag and drop your image in, or upload it from the Add your file button at the bottom of the page. Besides cropping your image to the right size, this tool also allows you to add filter effects and image adjustments such as sharpen, blur, desaturate and more.

3. Pablo

Pressed for time? Use Pablo to create the image you need in under 30 seconds. Insert your quote, add a secondary text or a logo, fix your headline text size and color then choose your background. You can choose any of the ready images or you upload your own. You can also tweak the images to carry a blurry effect or to change into a black and white photo.

Once you are done, you can share this on Facebook or tweet it. Alternatively, it can be placed in Buffer to be scheduled for later sharing, or downloaded to your desktop.

4. Pinwords

Pinwords helps you add a quote or caption to one of six typographic layouts. Your text can be easily shifted about, enlarged or shrunk to the right size. Upload an image you want to work on or pick an image from the web to get started, pick the font or typography style that you want, change the size of your text then click "Pin it" to save all your changes.

Once you are done, you can share your results via Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest, Twitter or email. Pinwords also has a bookmarklet which you can just drag and release on your bookmark bar to start using.

5. Befunky

Befunky is a mash of three tools: a photo editor, a collage maker and a tool to give you awesome photo effects. Apart from the regular tools (sharpen, blur, crop, etc), Befunky’s photo editor tool gives you color effects like color pinhole, chromatic, charcoal among others, and the ability to add not only text but also graphic elements.

Another cool feature is Overlay, that allows you to mask your image with a predefined shape. The fun thing about Befunky is that you can upload photos from a variety of sources including your desktop or webcam, Facebook or cloud storage like Google Drive and Dropbox.

6. Canva

Canva is a great tool for non-designers who just want to create a typography image without learning anything new. The tool has predefinted templates with the right sizes for each of the social media sites e.g. for Facebook cover photos, Instagram, Twitter headers, Pinterest graphics etc. It also accommodates custom dimensions if there is a need.

For quick use, you can choose one of hundreds of templates with fancy images and typography from the Layout panel; just edit and publish. Furthermore, you can also add text from the Text template, and choose the best photo or pattern background from the gallery, or upload your own photo, to create great images.

7. Recitethis

Quotes are hot content on social media and one of the most share-able too. The catch is, it is the kind that comes with a background image. ReciteThis is a tool you can use to create quote images very easily. Simply enter your quote in the form provided, and a live preview will be shown to you. Pick the template you find more suitable, then click the ‘create’ button.

You can also post directly to 5 different social media sites or download the image. Alternatively, you can send the permalink of the image, email the image to a friend.

8. Pagemodo

Cover photos on a social media account is one of the first images seen due to its upfront location. Hence, it would be smart to use cover photos to describe you or your brand in the most eye-catching way possible. You can do this with Pagemodo.

It has dozens of themes that are very interesting and customizable, letting you create a collage of your photo collection, or photos with beautiful typography. You can add your photos, text, logos, shapes and background, as well as edit the location and size of each component.

9. Share As Image

With Share As Image, you can easily add text and filters to your image. Once you have added text to the form, drag and drop the text to position it where you want it. The text field is unlimited, just add according to your needs. There are also options to save images to use on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

The pro version of this tool lets you change the logo to your own, and provides you more photos and filters. Also you can unlock the tens of template to use, and save design time. The pro version costs per month.

10. Infogram

If you need to display an infographic, infogram is a simple yet great tool to create infographics quickly. It’s easy to use, and it comes with infographic templates. If you have more time, you can create it manually by taking a chart from the cart list, and replacing the data values with your own data set. Besides that you are also add country maps.

You can unlock additional features from per month, such as replace the infogram logo with your own logo, download infographics, and other cool features.

10 Useful Image Tools Every Social Marketer Needs

10 Useful Image Tools Every Social Marketer Needs

If you work with social media a lot, you must know that every platform requires different dimensions for the photos you upload. These dimensions ensure that you can create the best-looking photo for that position or location, be it a Facebook cover photo or a cover photo for Google Plus, a Twitter header or more.

To do this manually is a pointless venture because now there are plenty of tools that can help you manipulate your images into the dimensions and sizes suitable for most, if not all social networking sites out there. Here are 10 great tools that have help you better manage your images for higher social engagement online.

1. Social Image Resizer Tool

Social media is fickle-minded. There are so many image size rules for so many social networking sites that it will be a surprise if you can keep track of them all e.g. Facebook requires 315px by 851px for its cover photo, while Twitter requires 1500px by 500px.

With Social Image Resizer Tool you don’t have to worry about all these figures and dimensions, just click the item you want to generate your image in and the tool resizes your photo for you. You can then export the image to Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Linkedin, Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube.

2. Social Media Image Maker

This tool pretty much covers all major social networking sites out there and more. It is the perfect tool to find the perfect size and dimensions for use on any of the 16 social networks and services listed. Make profile pictures, headers, cover photos, backgrounds, then post them directly to the services from the tool.

Just pick the image you want to change, then click Create > to go to the editing page. Drag and drop your image in, or upload it from the Add your file button at the bottom of the page. Besides cropping your image to the right size, this tool also allows you to add filter effects and image adjustments such as sharpen, blur, desaturate and more.

3. Pablo

Pressed for time? Use Pablo to create the image you need in under 30 seconds. Insert your quote, add a secondary text or a logo, fix your headline text size and color then choose your background. You can choose any of the ready images or you upload your own. You can also tweak the images to carry a blurry effect or to change into a black and white photo.

Once you are done, you can share this on Facebook or tweet it. Alternatively, it can be placed in Buffer to be scheduled for later sharing, or downloaded to your desktop.

4. Pinwords

Pinwords helps you add a quote or caption to one of six typographic layouts. Your text can be easily shifted about, enlarged or shrunk to the right size. Upload an image you want to work on or pick an image from the web to get started, pick the font or typography style that you want, change the size of your text then click "Pin it" to save all your changes.

Once you are done, you can share your results via Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest, Twitter or email. Pinwords also has a bookmarklet which you can just drag and release on your bookmark bar to start using.

5. Befunky

Befunky is a mash of three tools: a photo editor, a collage maker and a tool to give you awesome photo effects. Apart from the regular tools (sharpen, blur, crop, etc), Befunky’s photo editor tool gives you color effects like color pinhole, chromatic, charcoal among others, and the ability to add not only text but also graphic elements.

Another cool feature is Overlay, that allows you to mask your image with a predefined shape. The fun thing about Befunky is that you can upload photos from a variety of sources including your desktop or webcam, Facebook or cloud storage like Google Drive and Dropbox.

6. Canva

Canva is a great tool for non-designers who just want to create a typography image without learning anything new. The tool has predefinted templates with the right sizes for each of the social media sites e.g. for Facebook cover photos, Instagram, Twitter headers, Pinterest graphics etc. It also accommodates custom dimensions if there is a need.

For quick use, you can choose one of hundreds of templates with fancy images and typography from the Layout panel; just edit and publish. Furthermore, you can also add text from the Text template, and choose the best photo or pattern background from the gallery, or upload your own photo, to create great images.

7. Recitethis

Quotes are hot content on social media and one of the most share-able too. The catch is, it is the kind that comes with a background image. ReciteThis is a tool you can use to create quote images very easily. Simply enter your quote in the form provided, and a live preview will be shown to you. Pick the template you find more suitable, then click the ‘create’ button.

You can also post directly to 5 different social media sites or download the image. Alternatively, you can send the permalink of the image, email the image to a friend.

8. Pagemodo

Cover photos on a social media account is one of the first images seen due to its upfront location. Hence, it would be smart to use cover photos to describe you or your brand in the most eye-catching way possible. You can do this with Pagemodo.

It has dozens of themes that are very interesting and customizable, letting you create a collage of your photo collection, or photos with beautiful typography. You can add your photos, text, logos, shapes and background, as well as edit the location and size of each component.

9. Share As Image

With Share As Image, you can easily add text and filters to your image. Once you have added text to the form, drag and drop the text to position it where you want it. The text field is unlimited, just add according to your needs. There are also options to save images to use on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

The pro version of this tool lets you change the logo to your own, and provides you more photos and filters. Also you can unlock the tens of template to use, and save design time. The pro version costs per month.

10. Infogram

If you need to display an infographic, infogram is a simple yet great tool to create infographics quickly. It’s easy to use, and it comes with infographic templates. If you have more time, you can create it manually by taking a chart from the cart list, and replacing the data values with your own data set. Besides that you are also add country maps.

You can unlock additional features from per month, such as replace the infogram logo with your own logo, download infographics, and other cool features.

10 Useful Image Tools Every Social Marketer Needs

Some Common Legal Misunderstandings About Image Usage

The Web is visual. You have no option. Your website must use images. Colors and images create mood and emotion and both are important in buying decisions. But, where do you find good content images? Images that will not end up costing you dearly legally are really hard to find.

Every image you find online belongs to someone. A photographer has invested time, energy and expense to capture that perfect image, so they are entitled to be paid for its use. Sometimes people are willing to let you use their photos for free under certain conditions. You need to ask before you use any picture.

Below are some common misunderstandings about image use:

Image Source: Image Creative via Shutterstock.

Images You Find Online

Every image belongs to someone. You can NEVER just take an image from another website, even if you link back. Sometimes the copyright owner will take you to court and sue you for thousands of dollars for using their image without written permission. There are many cases where this has happened.

You can never copy a photo you find on another website. That is theft. If you link back it is theft. If you use it in a meme or infographic it is theft. You must research any photo you use very carefully. That is the only way to stay out of court.

Public Domain Images

Public domain rules are anything but simple. An image might be in the public domain in one country but copyright in another. Some 60 year old images are automatically in the public domain, others are not.

You can find collections of public domain images but all carry health warnings. You cannot use even public domain images that contain recognizable photos of people or private property, including logos without signed releases from the model, property or logo owner.

Are Public Domain Images Safe to Use?

They are safer than most. They have the added advantage that you are not required to link back to the source. They are not 100% guaranteed safe though.

US Government Images

People often quote US government photos as being totally safe but the screenshot above shows they are not.

Are US Government Images Safe to Use?

Many are safe, but you still need to check. You also need to check for faces, logos and property rights issues in every photo.

Creative Commons

There are different creative commons licenses. You need to understand the limitations of each one. All involve linking back to the source. Some allow you to use the image commercially. (Use on a blog counts as commercial use.)

Screenshot Source

Photos that are licensed with a creative commons license rarely have model releases or property releases. Anyone who sees thin your photo can sue you in the courts for using their image without permission. The same is true if you have a picture of someone’s house or car. You need a signed release by the owner of any property depicted in your photo.

Are Creative Commons Images Safe to Use?

Maybe. You still need to check for earlier publication of the photo to make sure someone has not taken a copyright image and re-posted it as creative commons. You can also only use images that are licensed for commercial use, even if it is just to illustrate a blog post.

Flickr

Flickr is the single most widely-used source of website images. Anyone can post any image on Flickr and re-label copyright material as creative commons. Yes, it is illegal, but the copyright owner is going to come after YOU, not the person who re-labelled his copyrighted photo.

Even big players like the BBC have been caught using Flickr images without permission.

Are Flickr Images Safe to Use?

Probably if you hotlink the image rather than hosting it on your own server, but it is still best to take legal advice before doing so. Most Flickr images have no model releases or property releases, so using them opens you up to legal concerns because you cannot just use someone’s image without permission.

Pinterest

Every Tom, Dick and Harriet post pictures on Pinterest. These people do not check copyright or usage permissions. If you just take an image you find on Pinterest it is very dangerous.

Are Pinterest Images Safe to Use?

>

They might be, but you need to check the image source and history to be sure. Pinterest images are highly unlikely to have model or property releases, so using them is never going to be trouble-free.

Free Stock Photos

Screenshot Source

The better website building programs, like IM Creator, include a section with free to use photos called IM Free, but there are still rules you have to follow. You can also use Pixabay although their database isn’t as rich as the aforementioned IM Free.

Sources of Genuinely Free Images

Free Stock Photo Sites

Free stock photo sites have some images available for free. You usually have to use an attribution link back to the site andd you still have to be careful to check for model and property releases.

Your Camera

Image Source: Image Creative via Shutterstock.

You might think your own personal pictures are safe to use, but you still need property and model releases. Taking photos of the Eiffel Tower and using them can land you in hot water, because the owners of the Eiffel Tower have property rights and you need their permission to use an image of their property.

Even a street scene that includes people’s faces and cars can lead to trouble.

If you intend to take your own photos then you are best avoiding technology, faces and famous buildings

Bonus Tip:

A new emerging technology called “In Image Monetization” can allow publishers and webmasters to monetize their images, or create images from HTML code alone. imonomy, a pioneer in the in-image advertising field does just that.

Screenshot Source

Screenshot Source: https://tctechcrunch4011.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/screen-shot-2013-05-23-at-18-02-08.png

Through using their platform, you can actually get access to millions of copyright free photos as well as to generate additional income.

Your Thoughts?

Are you happy to take the risk of being caught? Where do you find images and what checks do you make? Please share your thoughts using the comments box below.

The post Some Common Legal Misunderstandings About Image Usage appeared first on Speckyboy Web Design Magazine.

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Some Common Legal Misunderstandings About Image Usage