Optimising the use of images

Three key ways to increase the strengths of images:

• Relevance – choose images that have a direct implication of value for the actual product or service.
• Reality – choose images that help the visitor see the core value of the product e.g.
• Relative weight – images should draw the natural eye-path of the visitor and thus bring more force to the value communicated by the image. Image weight must be used sparingly, as too many competing graphical elements will only confuse the visitor.

View the webclinic replay learn how to optimize the design of your homepage.

Getting the most out of Stumbleupon

Unlike Digg, or del.icio.us, you don’t need hundreds of votes to start getting traffic to your blog. Only two or three votes can result in hundreds of visitors to your blog or a single blog post. He's a summary from a  article I read:
1. Browse for ideas
A quick series of stumbles can be a good way to get your ideas. If you want to view results only from the topic you blog about, you can select this in your profile.

2. Locate great links
Connect with users with similar interests to open up a large collection of great links for you to explore.
3. Connect with readers
If you notice the same users repeatedly stumbling your articles then take the time to add them as friends, or message them to show your appreciation.

4. Connect with other bloggers
Voting for pages on blogs you admire. The more traffic you send to them the more likely they’ll be to investigate your profile and discover the face behind all that extra traffic.

5. Build your personal brand
When you're the first user to vote for a site ('discover' it), a link to your profile image and details will appear on the vote page for that item so make sure it's a good one as if your item goes viral then you’ll receive a lot of exposure.
View the full article here: How to get the most from StumbleUpon

Digital strategy - driving customers into your online presence

A good diagram showing the numerous channels available to drive customers into the online marketing funnel and how to engage and bring them closer to your business.

Digital Strategy

Persuasive marketing

Brilliant article about how to persuade your audience to take action. Top picks:

1. Inconvenience the audience by creating an impression of product scarcity
8. If a call to action is motivated by fear, people will block it, unless call to action has specific steps.
22. How to impress a potential customer with credentials without being labeled as a show-off?
4. Ads quoting negative behavior en masse reinforces negative behavior.

http://www.moskalyuk.com/blog/yes-50-scientifically-proven-ways-to-be-persuasive/1624