Why Kindle Unlimited is a Game-Changer for Book Lovers

If you love reading, you’ve probably heard of Kindle Unlimited – Amazon’s subscription service that lets you read all the books, audiobooks, and magazines your heart desires, without having to buy each one individually. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, it’s not! Let me break down why Kindle Unlimited is so awesome for bookworms.

1. An Entire Library at Your Fingertips

With Kindle Unlimited, you get access to over 4 million titles, from e-books to audiobooks to magazines. There’s literally something for everyone: romance, mystery, sci-fi, non-fiction, you name it. Whether you’ve got a specific author in mind or just want to dive into something new, you’ve got endless options. The best part? You can borrow as many books as you want – no limits. Want to read 10 books in one month? Go for it!

2. No Due Dates or Late Fees

One of the biggest perks? No pressure to return books by a certain date. You can keep books for as long as you need – no late fees, no stressing about finishing a book in time. It’s perfect for people who like to take their time with a book or those who just get too busy to read for a few days.

3. Read Everywhere, on Any Device

You don’t need to own a Kindle to use Kindle Unlimited. You can read books on your Kindle device, Fire tablet, or even on the Kindle app, which works on your smartphone or tablet. Whether you’re on the couch, on the bus, or waiting in line at the coffee shop, your next read is always with you. Super convenient, right?

4. Audiobooks and Text-to-Speech – Bonus!

If you’re an audiobook fan (or want to be), Kindle Unlimited has you covered. Many e-books come with an audiobook option, so you can listen as you go about your day. Plus, there’s a handy text-to-speech feature that lets you listen to any book, even if it doesn’t have an audiobook version. Whether you’re running errands, cooking, or relaxing, you can keep reading while doing other things. Talk about multitasking!

5. Affordable and Worth It

When you love reading, the cost of books can add up quickly. Kindle Unlimited gives you access to a huge library for one low monthly fee. No need to buy each book individually. If you’re someone who reads a lot, this can save you a ton of cash in the long run. Why pay for one book when you can have access to so many?

6. Find New Authors and Genres

Kindle Unlimited isn’t just about the big-name authors – it’s a great way to discover new voices and genres you might not have considered before. There are tons of indie authors whose work is only available on Kindle Unlimited, so you can explore fresh stories and get hooked on a whole new author or series. Plus, you can read books from genres you might not usually pick up, and you’re not locked into buying something if you don’t love it.

7. Exclusive Content and Deals

Kindle Unlimited subscribers often get access to exclusive content, early releases, and special deals. You might even score discounts on other Amazon services or free books. It’s a little bonus to make the subscription even sweeter!

HTB RECOMMENDS books for Kindle Unlimited and Gift Giving

Recommended Books for You (and for Gift-Giving!)

While Kindle Unlimited offers endless options, here are a few gems to add to your reading list – or to consider as perfect gifts for the book lovers in your life!

  1. “Bildung’s Roamin'” by Ross Barry Schwartz
    If you’re into poetry and philosophy, this one is a must-read. Ross Schwartz blends thought-provoking ideas with poetic expression, creating a work that’s both reflective and creatively inspiring. A perfect gift for someone who loves to ponder life’s big questions! (Get Bildung’s Roamin’ for free by subscribing to Kindle Unlimited)
  2. “Steps to Net Zero” by Gary Nahrung
    For those interested in making a positive impact on the planet, this environmentally conscious book is an insightful guide to achieving a sustainable, carbon-neutral lifestyle. A great pick for anyone passionate about climate action and the future of our world. (Get Steps to Net Zero for free by subscribing to Kindle Unlimited)
  3. “Amor Y Luz” by Marilyn Marlow
    This bilingual Spanish-English children’s book is a heartwarming read for kids and families. Love and Light (Amor Y Luz) is a beautiful creation story complete with the amazing artwork b creative artist Marilyn Marlow, perfect for introducing young readers to new languages and cultures. It’s not only educational but also a delightful read with lots of colorful imagery to share together! (Get Amor Y Luz for free by subscribing to Kindle Unlimited)
  4. “Healing with Color” by TARA (channeled by Katharina Notarianni)
    If you’re seeking a deeper connection with yourself and the world around you, this spirituality and meditation book is a beautiful choice. Through TARA’s guidance, as channeled by Katharina Notarianni, “Healing with Color” offers powerful insights into using color for healing, meditation, and self-discovery as you meditatively experience The Twenty-One Taras. This is a wonderful gift for anyone on a spiritual journey or looking to explore new forms of healing. (Get Healing With Color for free by subscribing to Kindle Unlimited)

Now you’ve got some fantastic book recommendations – from poetry and philosophy to spirituality and sustainability. Kindle Unlimited is the perfect way to discover all these gems and more. Happy reading!

Wrap-Up: Why Kindle Unlimited is Totally Worth It

If you’re a book lover, Kindle Unlimited is like a dream come true. With access to millions of titles, audiobooks, and exclusive content, it’s a subscription that can totally change how you read.

Whether you’re someone who flies through books every month or just loves having a ton of options available, Kindle Unlimited is an affordable, convenient, and fun way to keep your reading habit alive without breaking the bank. Ready to explore? You’ve got a whole library waiting for you!

Attention Self-Published Authors: Source High Quality Stock Photos from Dreamstime

Hey there, fellow authors! Let’s chat about something that can seriously level up your content game—stock photos. If you’re writing a book that can benefit from visual imagery, running a blog, launching a brand, or just trying to get your message out there, visuals are key. Enter Dreamstime, your new best friend for high-quality stock images.

Here’s why you should consider using stock photos and how they can help you shine.

1. Budget-Friendly and Professional Appeal

Let’s face it, hiring a pro photographer for every single photo shoot is not exactly budget-friendly. Did you know that Dreamstime has a huge range of affordable stock photos that won’t drain your wallet? With flexible pricing options, you can snag stunning visuals without sacrificing your savings.

2. Time-Saving Treasure Trove

Dreamstime has millions of images at your fingertips. Their smart search filters make it super easy to find what you need. You can quickly narrow down results by category, color, or even mood. This means less time scrolling and more time creating beautiful content that resonates with your niche audience.

3. Top-Notch Quality

Nothing screams “amateur” like low-quality images. With Dreamstime, you’re getting access to high resolution photos that look amazing. Whether you’re after vibrant lifestyle shots or sleek business images, you can count on finding visuals that match your stories. After all, your content deserves the best.

4. Diversity Is Key

Every author has their own vibe, and you want your visuals to reflect that in your storybooks and cover art. Dreamstime has an incredible variety of styles and themes, so whether you’re into minimalism, bold colors, or something quirky, you’ll find images that resonate with your unique aesthetic. Imagery helps you connect with your audience on a deeper level.

5. Licensing Made Simple

Image rights can be super confusing, but Dreamstime keeps it straightforward. Take advantage of flexible licensing options that cater to your needs. You’ll have peace of mind knowing you’re covered legally, which is a huge plus when you’re building your brand.

6. Always Fresh Content

Staying relevant is crucial in today’s fast-paced world. The great thing about Dreamstime is that they have over 200 million images and fresh images that reflect current trends and seasonal themes are added regularly. So, you can keep your content fresh and engaging, helping you stand out in the crowded digital landscape.

7. Support Creative Talent

When you choose stock photos from Dreamstime, you’re not just getting great visuals; you’re also supporting a community of photographers and artists. This platform is full of creative talent, and by using their work, you’re showcasing unique perspectives that can set your content apart. Plus, you get to be part of that creative community!

Conclusion

In a nutshell, stock photos from Dreamstime are a game changer for young entrepreneurs looking to elevate their content without breaking the bank. With a huge library of high-quality, diverse images, you can find the perfect visuals to connect with your audience and showcase your brand’s personality. So why not give it a shot?

Special Offer! 15 Free images from Dreamstime

Head over to Dreamstime, and start exploring the endless possibilities that stock photos can bring to your entrepreneurial journey! Happy creating!

Follow @HTBphotos on Musero

Attention ARTISTS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS:

Finally, a social media app designed for artists and photographers.

MUSERO: a social network run by people who are dedicated to artists, who are dedicated to beauty, and who worship creation.

How to Join Musero

It’s easy to join. Just download the Musero app from your mobile phone, create your login and start posting your art and photography.

About HTBphotos

Tall Palms – La Jolla @HTBphotos

Katharina and her husband John Notarianni enjoy photographing wildflowers, wildlife and stunning landscapes while traveling. HTBphotos represents their collaborative efforts.

HTBphotos are available exclusively on Dreamstime.

Get 15 images free

Discover HTBphotos by John and Katharina Notarianni on Dreamstime! For your website, digital and print marketing efforts.

Get 15 images free on your first order!

Copyright 2022 Healing Time Books and HTB | Website Design by Katharina Notarianni. All Rights Reserved.

Demystifying Stock Photo Sizes for Social Media

Stock photo sizes for any social media post

I love the brilliant colors of autumn!

Add some fall colors to your social media projects with HTBphotos ‘Fall Foliage‘ Series by John and Katharina Notarianni, available on Dreamstime.

HTBphotos fall foliage series available on Dreamstime
HTBphotos ‘Fall Foliage’ by John and Katharina Notarianni has been cropped and resized to 1200×1200 pixels for social media purposes.

Stock photo sizes for any social media post

Graphics, photos, and other visuals are a necessity when posting content on social media!

And with copyright concerns, it is best to either take photos with your cell phone, digital camera or even your iPad, or leverage the many reputable stock photography sources like Dreamstime, or design services like Canva. There are even high quality free stock photo sites like Unsplash.

The question is, now that you have the perfect image for your social media post, what size image displays correctly across multiple platforms? Is that even possible? Yes!

Keep It Simple Strategy

Square images are ideal for Facebook and Instagram posts. Square format also works well for LinkedIn posts – and can work for Twitter.

Easy 1:1 ratio (square)

Instagram and Facebook photos: 1200 x 1200 pixels

Pinterest Pins (repurpose from Instagram)

All profile pictures* (allows cropping to circle format): 500 x 500

YouTube channel icon*: 800 x 800

Best size for link posts

As you can see the featured image at the top of this post also from HTBphotos ‘Fall Foliage’ Series, has been resized to 1200×630 pixels which work perfectly for WordPress blog posts as well as for several popular social media platforms that have a similar size requirement: Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

For specifics on all popular social media platforms, I recommend taking time to review Louise Myers’ Social Media Cheat Sheet.

Get noticed with a Video Cover

Facebook: Tell More of Your Story

Instead of a cover photo, now you can use a video. It can be 20-90 seconds and should be at least 820 x 312 pixels.

Louise Myers, Visual Social Media

HTB | Website Design

HTB | Website Design designs, develops and hosts mobile friendly business websites. E-commerce, SEO and Social Media packages available. Please contact info@healingtimebooks.com to request a free 15 minute consultation.

HTB Photos celebrates over 4000 stock photos on Dreamstime.com

Congratulations to John and Katharina Notarianni for making available over 4000 high quality web and print ready images from their stock photography collection on Dreamstime. HTBphotos stock images are available exclusively through Dreamstime.com.

HTBphotos on Dreamstime.com
HTBphotos Cafe Series available exclusively on Dreamstime.com

SPECIAL OFFER: Get 5 free images when you sign up for a Dreamstime’s stock photos subscription.

What makes a stock photo image popular?

HTBphotos on Dreamstime - white-clouds-blue-sky stock photo is a top seller

HTBphotos‘ White Clouds in Blue Sky image is a best seller from John and Katharina Notarianni’s portfolio of stock photos featured exclusively on Dreamstime.

What makes a stock photo image popular? Here are some tips:

Images need plenty of “negative space” for the end user to add text, logos or other images.

Variations of the same shot, or a cropped photo, like the one above, may even sell better than the more detailed original photo.

Taking time to photoshop the original shot to increase dots per inch to represent print quality (300 dpi) and offering various resolutions from low to high quality also gives the end user choices for web or print use without extra work on their part.

Zoom in to “actual pixels” to scan for imperfections that can be easily fixed with photoshop, like dust or spots. Even the smallest issue may keep a buyer from buying the image, particularly if they plan to use it on a billboard where the image is blown up to maximum size.

Tagging the image with key words like blue sky, white clouds make it easy to find. Search engines like Google and Bing are more likely to bring up your image when tagged with key words.

‘Western Tiger Swallowtail’ is most popular – HTB Features Nature Photography by John and Katharina Notarianni

Congratulations John and Katharina Notarianni.  This photograph of a western tiger swallowtail has sold the most copies from their collection of photographs on Dreamstime.

Popular butterfly photos by John and Katharina Notarianni on Dreamstime

Western Swallowtail Butterfly by John and Katharina NotarianniHTB features nature photography like this western tiger swallowtail feeding on a butterfly bush (buddleia davidii) by John and Katharina Notarianni, available on Dreamstime.

Wildflowers at Borrego Springs by John and Katharina Notarianni

Wildflowers blooming in Borrego Springs desert by John and Katharina Notarianni

Wildflowers like these photographed by John and Katharina Notarianni in the Anza-Borrego desert near San Diego will be coming into bloom in the next few weeks. This is a great opportunity for photographers to capture flowering cacti, ocotillo and other subjects in the Southwest desert landscape.

Get HTB Photos on Dreamstime.com