How to Resize Images Quickly and Easily

By: Amber Ludwig, Internet Marketing Coach

I’m sure by now you’ve come across at least one instance where you wanted to upload a picture – thinking it would be a simple process – only to find that your image didn’t fit in the allotted space. I know I’ve come across these situations in the past:

• Trying to add your headshot into a profile page for Facebook, Linked In or Twitter
• Wanting a photograph in your blog post but your original was three times too big for the post
• Having a specific space in your website you want to fill with an image

Well, I know that not everyone has a fancy Adobe product that can resize images and not everyone is tech savvy. I have a very quick and easy-to-use solution for you.

Caution: The following example is for PC users only. If you are a Mac user, scroll to the bottom of this post for an alternative method.

If you are a PC user, you have a free piece of software, already installed on your computer called Windows Office Picture Manager.

Instructions to Resize Pictures Using Windows Office Picture Manager:

1. Open the picture you would like to resize in Windows Office Picture Manager (You can do this by right clicking the picture and selecting “Open With…” – you’ll see the program in that list, OR you can find it by clicking your Start button and it will be in your list of programs)
2. step 2
3. Click “resize” on the right column
4. Click the drop-down “Predefined width x height”
5. Select Web – small (You will also see other options to select if you need a bigger image)
6. Click “Save As” when you are done resizing. MAKE SURE to save the file as a different name than the original. It is easy to make a picture smaller, but if you ever want it bigger again, the picture will be distorted. Save it as “picture1″ if you want…add a 1, or a 2.

That is a simple PC solution. Now, for you Mac users…

I am a PC girl myself. I am sure there is a similar program already installed on your Mac. But, if you don’t know what it is or where to find it, here’s another simple solution I’ve found online. www.ShrinkPictures.com allows you to upload your image and it will resize it for you right then and there. There are step-by-step instructions on their home page you can follow.

So now you should all be able to resize images to your heart’s content. Ha! Let me know if how the programs worked for you. What is your opinion?