The document provides insights into enhancing blog posts through effective photo and video storytelling, emphasizing the importance of quality imagery, web optimization, and video marketing for building an online presence. It outlines practical tools and techniques for photographers and videographers, as well as the significance of authenticity and engagement with audiences in content creation. Additionally, it covers the transition from blogging to vlogging, the benefits of joining networks, and maintaining brand integrity while navigating monetization on platforms like YouTube.

1. Storytelling through Photos & Videos
Personalizing your Blog Posts
Kris Cain Sarah Malkin LaShanda Henry
#Blogalicious12
#MakeItPersonal
Wifi Network: Blogalicious
Wifi Code: BlogHer4Blogalicious

2. About Me…
• Tech Blogger
• Event Planner Text
• Photographer
• Mom to 2 sets of twins
Main Blog: http://LittleTechGirl.com
Twitter: @LIttleTechGirl
Email: kcain@littletechgirl.com
YouTube: http://youtube.com/littletechgirl2

3. Start With Great Photos/Graphics
• Cell phone snapshots are not always ok (Of
course there are exceptions!) 
• Check your surroundings
• Invest in a REAL camera
– DSLR
– Great point and shoot
• Use FREE Clipart
– http://clker.com
– http://free-clipart.net/

4. Make Your Pics Web Friendly
• Sign up for Flickr
– Flickr FREE (great for most bloggers)
– Flickr Pro ($24.95/year)
• RESIZE, RESIZE, RESIZE
– Make photos no more than 600px wide
– Fav Resize Tool: Mihov Image Resizer
– Resize in Wordpress Media Tool
• Add Alternate text & tags for SEO
• Give Photo Credit (tag with photographer or site name where
the photo was found)

5. Spice Up Your Photos
• Learn Photoshop (CS5 or SE)
- Photoshop actions & brushes
• Use Photoshop Lightroom
- Export Plugins will watermark, resize, and
upload all at once
• Add a tasteful watermark
• Add borders
• Use effects

6. Watermarks
(to give photos personality and make them your own)

7. Clean Up Your Blog
• In the Wordpress dashboard, click on
MediaLibrary
- Look for Unattached Photos and remove
them
- Be careful of items in the sidebar!
• Check sidebar widgets and buttons for out of
date items (expired ads)
• Watch for duplicates

8. Fun Useful FREE Photo Tools
• Mihov Image Resizer
– (http://www.mihov.com/eng/ir.html)
• Instagram for iOS and Android
– (http://instagr.am/)
• PS Express (Mobile Photoshop for iOS)
– (http://
www.photoshop.com/products/mobile/express/ios
)
• Flickr Uploader
– (http://www.flickr.com/tools/uploadr/)

9. Random Blog Graphic Tips
• Optimize Your Header (No more than 200 –
300 px high)
• Optimize photos for web loading
• Don’t overload your sidebar
- Other blog buttons
- Affiliate Links
- Ads
• Too many photos and graphics slows down
blog loading which affects PR.

10. Wordpress Plugins
• NextGen Gallery Wordpress Plugin: http
://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/nextgen-gallery/
• Flickr Gallery: Uses a simple shortcode to embed
a whole set from Flickr into your post or page: http
://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/flickr-gallery/
• WP-Flickr: Displays a gallery of your Flickr Stream
below posts for easy access to inserting photos:
http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wp-flickr/
• Featured Post or Slider Plugins: http://slidervilla.com

11. Things to Know…
• You don’t have to be a pro To Take Great Photos
• You Should Never Steal Others Work!
• You Should Always Use Great Tools
• You Should Always resize your photos
• You Should Always Protect your work
• Using Flickr
• Inserting photos the right way
• Fun mobile photo apps

12. Vlogging

13. About Me…
LaShanda Henry
Web designer, social network creator, blogger
and online marketing coach. I use video a lot to
market myself and my sites online.
Two of my blogs
SistaSense.com and BlackParentingBlog.com

14. About Me…
My Youtube Channel (lhenry)
Approximately 1700 subscribers
I’ve been online since 2000, but…
For a long time I was afraid to show my face
online let alone do video.
I used the avatar graphic above as a digital
representation of me and spent a lot of years
strictly blogging (no video or audio). But…

15. The Truth is…
Resistance is Futile
According to marketingland.com, YouTube
receives about one billion daily views and an
hour of video is uploaded every second.
To Build Your Blog and Your Brand…
Like it or not, you have to work with what’s
working! And video marketing is what’s working
right now online.

16. Why (Heart) Videos
• People can get to know you
• People can see you in action in your space
• You can build your Brand Recognition
• You can build your Buzz and Credibility
• Great Free Marketing Tool
• Another way to help people find you (good seo)

17. Creating A+ Videos
Don’t Stress! Be Authentic:
Start at your level of experience
Start at your comfort level when sharing
Start with your personal brand message
- The who, what, why and how of your story

18. Authenticity & Your Comfort
Level
My progression + video tools in a nutshell:
Just Audio > Screen Cap Vids > In front of Camera
• Audacity Audio + Logitech Headset
• Debut Video Capture (screen capture software)
• Web cam + Windows Movie Maker (record & edit)
• Ustream (live video chats)
• iPhone Camera (for mobile / real-time video)
• Camtasia + Snowball (better audio and editing)
• Kodak Digital Camera (better video quality)

19. Authenticity & Your Comfort
Level about what people will say, know that as the creator of your
If you are afraid
videos, you can control the conversation. Also note that your surroundings
become a part of the video conversation: who you are, how you live, what you
represent.
If you have concerns about commentary
•Turn off Comments
•Set video privacy (for a small group)
•Set video as unlisted (only share on your blog)
•Record in a space you want the public to see
•Decide if you want to include your family life

20. Authenticity & Your Brand Message
Do’s and Don’ts
• Don't try to be perfect - Be you: Sometimes my son walks in or I
make a mistake when I talk, but I keep it moving! It’s all who I am
and a part of my brand as a mompreneur.
• Don't be afraid to share your feelings and your point of view: People
connect to our true selves and emotions. You can’t let outside
opinion or other brands stifle your voice.
• Do Share: Start with your story and also consider converting some of
your favorite blog posts into video.

21. A+ Videos Tip #2: Be Aware
• Search for the Top "Story Tellers" in your niche and
create videos on similar topics. Take note of the
subject headers they use too.
• Do video responses to relevant posts for increased
visibility and be sure to befriend other video
publishers.
• Know your surroundings when recording videos:
messy rooms, back noise (possible distractions).
• Make your video titles, tags, and descriptions as
specific as possible for better searchability.

22. A+ Videos Tip #3: Be an
Authority
• People online watch video to be informed or
entertained so unless you do a Beyonce routine or film
your cat, make sure your videos provide value.
• Consider doing product reviews, share your niche-
specific recommendations or teach something.
• As a service professional teaching sells because it helps
to build your credibility and show what you know.

23. A+ Videos Get A+ views…
For consistent visibility remember to:
• Make friends with other video creators
• Use specific headers and tags
• Repost video on Facebook, Your Blog, Social
Networks, etc.
• Email video in a newsletter or other bloggers
• Add it as a video response (if applicable)
• In video encourage comments and questions

24. Creating A+ Videos
Remember to:
• Be Authentic
LaShanda Henry
• Be Aware @sistasense
• Be An Authority
Let me know if you have any questions or want
to learn about my trainings, webinars, etc. I
brought my Cds with me. Let’s talk after panel.
My Money & Marketing Blog is sistasense.com

25. YouTube & Video Networks

26. About Me…
Sarah Malkin
Director of Programming - The Moms View
@themomsview @sarahbenjamino
* I love producing work driven by women.
* I have a background in the theater and have always been excited by the
interaction between content creators and audiences.
* I think creating content for YouTube allows an even deeper
interaction & ongoing engagement between makers and viewers.
* I am proud to be one of the driving forces behind TheMomsView’s creative
vision, content, brand, and more.

27. About The Moms View…
# 1 Moms’ Network on YouTube
www.youtube.com/themomsview
The Moms View is a show, a channel, and a network.
The Moms View show is a weekly 30-minute chat show where
moms share personal stories, answer viewer questions, and
host guests.
The Moms View Channel is the hub for the network. It has
92,000 subscribers & 7.5 million views.
The Moms View Network includes YouTube channels starring
moms all over the world, with 20 million monthly views.
The Moms View is part of of Maker Studios, a talent-first network
and next-generation media company.

28. Why (Heart) Videos
SOME OF OUR
#MAKERMOMS !

29. How $$ Is Made on YouTube:
#1) Ads & #2) Brand Integrations

30. All The Same Rules Apply:
The YouTube Community/The Blogging Community
•Must be Authentic
•Must be Passionate
•Must Engage & Interact with Readers/Viewers
•Should Collaborate with other Content Creators To
Get Exposure to other Audiences
•Should Have A Plan: Consistency & Optimization
•Branded Content Must Make Sense & Happen
Artfully – Your Audience is Most Valuable Asset

31. Blogger to YouTuber Transition
Some Tips:
•Be Patient – Audiences Take Time to Travel But
They Will Follow
•Embed YT Videos on Your Vlog!
•Make Sure to Link to Your YT Channel from all
Properties
•Call to Action: Ask Your Readers to Subscribe to
your Channel and Share Your Videos
•Embrace New YT Community – It’s a Different
World, But They’re Fun Too 

32. Why Join A Network?
•It’s Hard to Get Seen in the Sea of Content
•Big Influencers Drive to Growing Channels
•Let’s be Friends: Help Each Other Rise Through Community
Strategy
•Automatic YT Partnership/Revenue
•Sales Force & Deal Infrastructure
•Royalty Free Music
WATCH OUT FOR:
•Lack of Transparency Around $$ & Views
•Ownership of Channel & Content
•Long Contracts
•Being Pressured Into Bad Brand Deals
•Small Numbers from the “Drivers”

33. THANK YOU!!!