How do you optimize your images and infographics for SEO and accessibility?

Think of your press release like a blockbuster movie—choose your multimedia like you're casting A-list stars. Skip the generic or low-budget options. You want visuals that scream, "This is us, this is our story!" Original or licensed, make sure it's top-notch quality that adds sizzle to your steak. No distracting, fuzzy, or amateur hour stuff—clear, crisp, and pro, always. Your multimedia should be the co-star, not the diva stealing the show. So, when in doubt, think Hollywood: make it blockbuster or go home. Your press release, your showbiz moment!

To ensure fast loading times, I prioritize creating press releases with downloadable Low/Medium/high-resolution photos and videos relevant to the topic. I optimize these visuals for web viewing and include brief descriptions with corresponding names for easy identification.

Let's talk website speed. Slow loading? That's the online equivalent of a snail race. Nobody's waiting around for your multimedia files to saunter onto the screen. Compress those files! Your website isn't a storage unit; it's a speedway. Use tools like TinyPNG—because big files are so last season. And formats? It's not a fashion show, but JPEG for pics, PNG for graphics, MP4 or WebM for videos, and MP3 or WAV for audio. Speed up, or your audience will leave your site like it's on fire. Fast, furious, and optimized—your website's new tagline.

In addition to alt text and captions, it’s important to ensure that the content in your infographic or multimedia file is also included as copy on the page. Search engines are not able to index the embedded copy from the image or video. By including this content as text near the image or video, you allow the search engines to index the content. There is also an added benefit of increasing accessibility by including the content in a way that is easy for screen readers to read for visually impaired viewers.

For better accessibility and SEO, include alt text and captions in your multimedia. Alt text aids screen readers and search engines, while captions benefit those with hearing impairments or a preference for reading. Use HTML attributes or plugins like Yoast SEO, WP Accessibility, or Rev for effective implementation.

Keywords and metadata are your multimedia's backstage pass to the SEO spotlight. Embed your main keyword in the file name, alt text, caption, and title. Sprinkle variations and related terms generously. Enhance with metadata—craft a compelling title, detailed description, and relevant tags. Elevate your SEO game by embracing schema markup or structured data. It's not just about visibility; it's about being seen in the right light.