Stock Images: What Are They, Why Use Them, and Where Do I Legally Find Free Ones?

This post covers using stock images, why you should use them for your materials, and where you can get good quality free stock images legally.

What Is A Stock Image?

A stock image is basically a good quality image or photograph that people and business’ can use in their own promotional materials, blogs, eBooks, newsletters, and more without having to create the image themselves.

Why Use Stock Images?

Adding imagery is good for branding, keeps user attention, and breaks up information so that it’s more easily digestible.

You should be using stock images in your:

• Blog posts – I add at least 1 image per post and it really increases the readability and stickiness. It also adds a unique image for that post to be indexed by which can add to your optimization for the search engines picking up your posts.
• eBooks – Along with relevant screen shots having relevant stock imagery can really help break up the long boring text blocks in your eBook. Some people even go so far as to include an image per page to add to the reader interest.
• Newsletters – Both electronic and paper can benefit from using stock images for the same reasons as above.
• All other distribution media – everything can use a bit of imagery to capture more attention from the desired audience. Be it business cards, flyers, posters, signs, invoices, letters and faxes, the relevant use of stock images has been shown to be powerful in holding people’s attention and adding to the message of the media.

Where Can I Legally Get Free Stock Images?

I have one main website that I use for stock images and that is the stock.xchng.

I’m not affiliated with them in any way, in fact I don’t even think they have an affiliate program. I’m just a very happy user of their service.

They also sell images, but I find the free ones are quite good and can usually find something relevant.

Let us know your favourite stock images service in the comments below!

Conclusion

I hope that this has given you motivation to research the use of stock images in your blog posts, newsletters, eBooks, and all your other distributed media.

It really can make the difference between a boring piece of text or an exciting, enticing, inciting message.

But as always, keep the images relevant to your message, and think about what you’re delivering to your intended audience and how they will respond.

If you want to receive more DIY entrepreneurial tips and handy how-to tutorials consider subscribing to Code My Own Road!

Did you like this article?

If you liked this article click one of the buttons below: