The image added to this article doesn't really match the content, and it is actually kind of confusing….
Are you doing the same thing to your readers with your Google+ posts?
Using the right graphic is an important way to engage readers. It may seem simple to some people, but many don’t realize that you can change the default image that appears when you add a link in a Google+ post.
For example, if you add a link in your Google+ post that shows a blog article. While you hope the image that shows matches your content, that does not always happen. It could pull an image that is somewhere else on the web page, such as the sidebar. And this could be totally unrelated to your topic and confuse your reader. (And confused readers stop reading so I am glad you are still reading.)
I see this happen quite often when people add links in Google+ to their blog posts on www.erpsoftwareblog.com. Many times the graphic of our white paper from the side bar shows up. (I assume this is because it is the largest graphic on the page).
Image 1: The default image that shows is the white paper.
Have you been letting Google+ choose your image? You can change that. (tweet this)
Simply hover over the image and you will see a dark grey bar with arrows. Click the arrows to see other photo options. (Note: if there are no other graphics on the page, you won’t get any other options…makes sense.)
Image 2: I scrolled through image options and selected an image that applies to the theme of my article.
Also, if none of the options fit your content you can click the X button in that same dark grey bar and remove the image altogether. Although in this case I would suggest that you add the link to the blog post directly in the text area of the Google+ post and choose the option to upload your own photo.
A tip from Social Media Examiner suggests: For more visual impact use a tool like www.canva.com to create irregularly shaped images, such as tall and skinny ones, that will take up more space on the Google+ page and catch the eye. Adding charts and graphs is a great idea too, because people love to share these, which will give your content extra exposure.
The point is, you have options. And now you know how to choose the image that will attract the most readers to your Google+ post. (tweet this)
By Anya Ciecierski, Collaboration Works Marketing
Twitter: @AnyaCWMktg