I count 32 hummingbirds in the above illustration.
Hmmm.
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 16 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-Ir9rnc.jpeg)
I mean, Hummmm.
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 16 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-LzC4rz.jpeg)
What’s going on??
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 24 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-SpYOLR.jpeg)
Well, it’s a competition to see who can attract the most visitors.
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 16 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-AVR3zT.jpeg)
The custom illustration (with the pencil root) is the clear winner.
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 16 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-5z065M.jpeg)
The losers, down there with the worms, include 5 stock photos and The Same Meme Everyone Uses.
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 24 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-dd_Uf0.jpeg)
Let’s take a closer look at the losers, and why they lost.
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 24 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-sSoL4X.jpeg)
Person At Laptop![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 24 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-BH40Yv.jpeg)
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 24 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-BH40Yv.jpeg)
Two examples.
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 16 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-i_5ocP.jpeg)
I’ve seen this young woman biting her pencil many times. What’s causing her pretend anxiety??
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 16 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-0OlWpF.jpeg)
Then there’s the barely-glimpsed-person at a laptop with a cup of coffee. Whoa!– a china cup instead of a mug. Pretty radical…
![You Need A Header Image That Hums You Need A Header Image That Hums](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-Mq9ape.jpeg)
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 24 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-mi6EDG.jpeg)
![You Need A Header Image That Hums You Need A Header Image That Hums](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-jOUOj2.jpeg)
Happy People At Meeting![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 24 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-_5FOWq.jpeg)
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 24 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-KRlLKV.jpeg)
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 24 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-_5FOWq.jpeg)
How many times have you seen happy people gathered around a computer?
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 16 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-csLftv.jpeg)
Why are they all so happy??
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 16 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-tNPqvY.jpeg)
What the heck are they looking at??
![You Need A Header Image That Hums You Need A Header Image That Hums](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-S2OaFX.jpeg)
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 32 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-g6TW0X.jpeg)
![You Need A Header Image That Hums You Need A Header Image That Hums](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-kOJPWP.jpeg)
Sand Through The Hourglass![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 24 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-T2IAc9.jpeg)
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 24 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-Xypltb.jpeg)
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 24 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-T2IAc9.jpeg)
One of the great stock photo cliches.
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 16 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-LaEVLH.jpeg)
The one of the right kills me: a disembodied hand holding an hourglass with red sand shot against a distracting faux stone wall– nice!!
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 32 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-BGc52_.jpeg)
![You Need A Header Image That Hums You Need A Header Image That Hums](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-dg9JXP.jpeg)
The Same Meme Everyone Uses![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 24 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-BroeQi.jpeg)
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 24 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-N0OEvQ.jpeg)
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 24 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-BroeQi.jpeg)
I’m talking about the Gene Wilder-Willie Wonka meme. It even has its own Wikipedia entry, Condescending Wonka.
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 16 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-82HLnY.jpeg)
There are hundreds of them: same screen-grab, different words.
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 16 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-jG8CLE.jpeg)
They’re funny, but they’re all sarcastic and condescending– which makes them a little dicey for a business blog.
![You Need A Header Image That Hums You Need A Header Image That Hums](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-IYCOu3.jpeg)
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 32 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-m1kUfs.jpeg)
![You Need A Header Image That Hums You Need A Header Image That Hums](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-3XaqFz.jpeg)
The Drink By The Ocean At Sunset![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 24 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-dT1FNW.jpeg)
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 24 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-T2a2U0.jpeg)
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 24 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-dT1FNW.jpeg)
Millions of variations.
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 16 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-NkidUw.jpeg)
How about a toast (clink!) or a Mason jar on Sunset Bay??
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 32 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-oNAugh.jpeg)
![You Need A Header Image That Hums You Need A Header Image That Hums](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-vu4nAJ.jpeg)
The Laughing Guy With The Beard![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 24 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-wQXABC.jpeg)
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 24 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-ueAiZa.jpeg)
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 24 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-wQXABC.jpeg)
I have to admit, I get a kick out of this guy. He’s everywhere.
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 16 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-GNwt74.jpeg)
His most popular shot seems to be Hey Look, I Have A Post-It Note On My Head. I wish I had a nickel for every time I’ve seen it.
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 32 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-wQJD2c.jpeg)
![You Need A Header Image That Hums You Need A Header Image That Hums](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-9VEFBO.jpeg)
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 32 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-KXJRmP.jpeg)
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 16 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-63dpMf.jpeg)
He can do a phone and a laptop at the same time, and he can also combine Happy People with Workplace Diversity.
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 32 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-W5vGZF.jpeg)
![You Need A Header Image That Hums You Need A Header Image That Hums](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-sPegWA.jpeg)
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 32 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-FQtVMJ.jpeg)
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 32 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-iHYQ5z.jpeg)
![You Need A Header Image That Hums You Need A Header Image That Hums](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-9qrNeS.jpeg)
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 32 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-05UXPN.jpeg)
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 16 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-ViEhWk.jpeg)
Well, maybe except for the creepy hand with the hourglass.
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 24 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-zqiB59.jpeg)
So why are they all losers when it comes to header images?
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 16 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-k4vgZC.jpeg)
Because stock photos are essentially invisible. We scroll right past them.
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 16 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-UK0Kgq.jpeg)
We know they’re fake. Just window dressing.
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 16 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-2VQmmm.jpeg)
We know that look.
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 16 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-5DkAfH.jpeg)
We see them over and over again because so many people use the same or similar photos.
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 16 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-Ew3CVA.jpeg)
People use them because they’re free or cheap. Strictly a pro forma thing: a blog post needs a header image, so slap one in whether it attracts visitors or not.
The Advantages Of A Custom Image![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 24 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-JUwY5O.jpeg)
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 24 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-2MQ5t5.jpeg)
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 24 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-JUwY5O.jpeg)
Why create or commission a custom image for your brand?
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 24 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-Em9PZw.jpeg)
1. Because they get people to stop scrolling. They attract attention because they’re different.
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 16 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-FkMTX4.jpeg)
2. They’re customized for your brand and target audience. By contrast, stock images are generic.
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 16 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-Nm_Wts.jpeg)
3. They help you tell your story in new ways. Illustration is visual storytelling.
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 16 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-2WMsZ3.jpeg)
4. Commission an image, and you get a collaborator. Someone who will see things with fresh eyes and contribute new ideas.
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 16 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-22LwdQ.jpeg)
5. A custom image can act as a talk trigger, creating word of mouth.
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 16 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-oCeGhs.jpeg)
6. A custom image will reflect and amplify the copy to better communicate your brand message to the reader.
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 16 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-Bbk48i.jpeg)
7. A custom image can create what marketing expert Andrew Davis calls a curiosity gap, and make the reader want to know more.
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 16 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-C0KLUl.jpeg)
8. Ideally a custom image can be broken into spot images and repurposed. It’s a matter of design, so you need to discuss it ahead of time with the person creating the image for you.
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 24 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-WP_xsd.jpeg)
Not everyone knows how to create a custom image, not everyone can afford to commission one.
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 16 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-EntYQf.jpeg)
I understand that.
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 16 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-bMJ7AP.jpeg)
But a custom illustration might be more affordable than you think.
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 24 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-aSPLJu.jpeg)
I provide free estimates and a range of options.
![You Need A Header Image That Hums blank vertical space, 16 pixels high](https://m5.paperblog.com/i/268/2686877/you-need-a-header-image-that-hums-L-Za_f0U.jpeg)