[chrisbrogan.com]

Give Each Blog Post a Pretty Face With Flickr Posted: 28 Feb 2009 05:39 PM PST I was asked by a friend on Twitter where I got all the pictures that I use for my blog posts (like the one you see in the top left of this post). The answer is that I get them off Flickr. But there’s more to it than that. Here’s a quick run-through of how I use photos on this site, and some more about Flickr. First, A Note About Creative Commons The photos that I use on Flickr for this blog are licensed to be used under Creative Commons. That means there are some rules to using them, but if you abide by the rules, you can use them. (More on Creative Commons.). There are multiple rules for these photos. I use the least restrictive photos, found by searching using this link, which will give you any photos posted by people who simply want credit attributed to them for their work. Attribution First off, this post by Steve Garfield should be required reading. He’s right that Flickr’s system needs some tidying up. That said, I’ll write from the perspective of how I’ve been using photos and how I attribute them. The word “attribution” in this case means giving credit to a person for their work. The photo above was taken (or at least posted) by someone who goes by the name M@rg. If you note above, I’ve made the photo clickable, such that it takes you directly to the person’s Flickr page. Further, skip down to the bottom of this post, and you’ll see an italicized area where I point out the photo credit. The best way to give credit would be to have the text of “photo by” or something directly under the photo, but I’ve yet to figure out the proper html syntax to accomplish that neatly for my blog. (You’re welcome to recommend how, in comments). That aside, I’ve at least give two ways for you to realize who snapped the photo, and how to find more about him or her. Make Sure You Share As Well I love that so many people make photos available for use on Flickr. You should be sure that your own settings in Flickr are set appropriately. I’ve written about that here. Simply, go into your Flickr account and adjust your settings here. Quick Recap To use great photos from Flickr for your blog posts: Search for photos here. Provide attribution by making the photo link back to the original source, and by adding a photo credit. Share your own photos by updating your settings. There. Anything else? Ideas? Thoughts? Photo credit, M@rg

Put a Face to Your Brand Posted: 28 Feb 2009 05:51 AM PST I’m really impressed with this project featuring Bigelow Tea president Cindi Bigelow asking people on the streets of New York who drinks Bigelow tea. Take a look for yourself: There are plenty of people helping the Bigelows with the effort, including two PodCamp alum, Justin Kownacki and John Carman, to name a few. They’ve done a great job of putting the Bigelows forward, and giving the brand a face. It’s a great project, and I’m hopeful that other brands check it out as a potential idea for their own B2C marketing. Sometimes the face of a brand is a fictional character, and before you scoff at that in this age of transparency, think again about Colonel Tribune, the Chicago Tribune’s representative, who has parties thrown for him all around Chicago, even though he doesn’t seem to show up to many. Would it hurt or help to have a face on your brand? I bet Cindi Bigelow can answer that.

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