I've said it before and I'll say it again - my iPhone is a key part of my blogging arsenal. I use it to take & edit photos, I use it to organize blog files, I use it to share blog posts, and I use it to create cover images for those blog posts. There is a lot of power packed into this tiny thing and I am all about harnessing it. Blogging doesn't have to be a chore and, honestly, it shouldn't be. Creating a space that is supportive & expressive is right at your fingertips.
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I've been blogging for over 10 years and Pinterest came into the game for me right around the time I decided to take my blog to the next level. But it wasn't until recently I started to optimize my blog posts with the vertical images best suited for Pinterest. As website traffic grows increasingly from mobile users, vertical media is being prioritized over the square or horizontal format. Not only are we consuming media in a vertical format, but the tiled style of your Pinterest feed allows for vertical pins to rule. The more real estate an image takes up the easier it is for us to see on our small, mobile screens.
Since we're already on our phones all the time, we can take our blogging tools on the go. I can't tell you how helpful it is to have an handy computer in my pocket to work on blog tasks - especially with my 9-5 job. I can edit videos, photos, and blog posts quickly and on the go! But let's get started with the step by step on creating Pinterest friendly images straight on your iPhone:
First, Start with the Perfect Canvas
Create a your photo library
I often use my own blog photos to create the pinable cover photo for each blog post. But sometimes I don't have a photo specific to a blog post. This post is actually a good example of that! If I don't have a photo, I'll pull from my own library of styled photos or from an online, royalty free stock photo site. Unsplash is a great resource as it allows you to create a library as you browse their site and I use it quite often.
Plenty of bloggers use stock photos, so don't feel like you're cheating! Here are some tips to make sure you're choosing the best stock photo for your post. You can also find some free styled photos here on the blog.
Image size is important
The best aspect ratio for a pinable image is 2:3. This means you're image is longer than it is wide. You don't have to be terribly precise if you're cropping a photo, but many photo apps offer a ratio scale so you can crop your image perfectly. Vertical images straight from your camera roll fit this 2:3 ratio perfectly. When you're taking your blog photos, or searching for the perfect stock photo, consider where your text will fall on this image. Sometimes you can use any 'ol image you take but sometimes you'll want to take a specifically framed image so that your text will balance nicely on the image.
If you want to step up your iPhoneography game, I've got a ton of posts with photo tips here. Make sure your lighting is even and when in doubt, just make it black & white!
Adjust, Edit, & Include your Watermark
Subtle edits to create cohesiveness
If you're using a stock photo you'll want it to fit in with your current editing style. Since you're starting with an image that fits the post and fits in well with your blog, you'll want to make sure the over all aesthetic of your blog is matched with any edits you normally do to photos. Subtle edits work the best - these edits correct & balance with out creating an overly filtered effect.
I have two apps to recommend for these types of consistent edits - A Color Story & AfterLight. The perk of both of these apps, and why I recommend them, is that you can save your edits as presets to use over and over again! Talk about consistency!
A Color Story is my all time favorite app to use and I honestly use it on the daily. The free Essentials filter pack is all you really need for subtle natural edits plus you can batch edit (which saves a butt ton of time) & you can see how your photo would look on your Instagram grid. All of these features are part of the free version of the app! Say what?!?!
Add branded text & watermarks
The key part of a pinable image is the text that draws in the reader. Add the blog post title or other related key words to your pinable image as well as the web address for your blog + the watermark if you have one. It is important to watermark photos with at least your web address because pins lose their links all the time. Others also try to hijack images to claim as their own so your watermark deters this behavior.
My favorite app for this is Phonto. It is super simple to use, you can save text as presets, and you can upload your own fonts. So it is perfect for your branding! Another app that is newer on the scene but seems amazing already is A Design Kit. This app comes from the creators of the A Color Story app so they can work seamlessly together. I don't believe you can save any presets, the there are quite a few text options available. I also just reviewed an app called PhotoMarks that works amazing to add branded text!
Finally, organize your files
Push images through to your other devices
I've used my iPad for blogging before so my photo library is shared between my devices. And if you use a Mac, it would be even easier to grab your files from the cloud. I use Google Drive to push my files & photos between my devices. I find it is the easiest and gives me the most storage to work with. Once the photo is uploaded from my phone I can rename it in Google Drive and upload it to my blog post.
I will also have the images available to post to various social feeds, no matter what device I'm on. Previously I would need to email myself the images so I could download them to my computer. If I needed to edit or change something, it became a huge hassle! This type of cloud sharing would be great for teams or blogging partners to collaborate. Or even if you are a part of a group of bloggers that work closely together on content.
I will also have the images available to post to various social feeds, no matter what device I'm on. Previously I would need to email myself the images so I could download them to my computer. If I needed to edit or change something, it became a huge hassle! This type of cloud sharing would be great for teams or blogging partners to collaborate. Or even if you are a part of a group of bloggers that work closely together on content.
It is seriously that simple to create amazing, pinable blog images right on you iPhone. I've been thinking of upgrading my phone to an 8 plus for the bigger screen since I do so much blog work on it! These little guys pack a huge punch when it comes to convenience, creativity, and quality!
If you've got some older blog posts that need some TLC or you just wanna take the time to make sure you're starting out on the right foot, I've got a FREE ebook for you! This guide to revamp your blog is an easy to follow 10 page book filled with 5 simple tips to get your blog working for you. Plus you'll be on the 516 newsletter list!
I hope this post inspired you to start making your Pinterest images in the palm of your hand. Sometimes I think we put a lot of pressure on ourselves when we blog to have the best software, the best camera, the best gadgets when really there are amazing ways to get things done simply & easily. I want to share all of that with you! So check out more of the Boost Your Blog series here and get to blogging!
How do you create pinable images for your blog? How do you save time & work efficiently?
xoxo, Moe
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If you've got some older blog posts that need some TLC or you just wanna take the time to make sure you're starting out on the right foot, I've got a FREE ebook for you! This guide to revamp your blog is an easy to follow 10 page book filled with 5 simple tips to get your blog working for you. Plus you'll be on the 516 newsletter list!
I hope this post inspired you to start making your Pinterest images in the palm of your hand. Sometimes I think we put a lot of pressure on ourselves when we blog to have the best software, the best camera, the best gadgets when really there are amazing ways to get things done simply & easily. I want to share all of that with you! So check out more of the Boost Your Blog series here and get to blogging!
How do you create pinable images for your blog? How do you save time & work efficiently?
xoxo, Moe
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