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During your registration, we ask for image descriptions, also known as Alt Text. This resource is designed specifically for venue managers and presenters, helping you understand why these descriptions are so important and how to write them effectively as you prepare your show or venue details for the festival.

Contents

What is Alt Text?

Alt Text, short for "alternative text," is a brief written description of an image. It's embedded in the code of a webpage and isn't typically visible to most users. Think of it as a hidden caption that pops up when an image can't be displayed or for those who can't see the image themselves.

For example, if you have a photo of a performer juggling flaming torches, the Alt Text might be "A performer on stage juggling three flaming torches." It simply describes what's visually present in the image.

Why Bother with Alt Text? Accessibility and Beyond

You might be wondering why we're making such a fuss about a few words for each image. Well, Alt Text plays a vital role in making the Adelaide Fringe experience accessible to everyone, and it has some neat benefits for your show's visibility too!

Making Fringe Accessible for All

The primary reason we ask for Alt Text is for accessibility. For people who are blind or have low vision, tools called screen readers convert the content of a webpage into speech or braille. When a screen reader encounters an image, it reads out the Alt Text. Without it, the image is just a blank spot, and a significant piece of information or context is lost.

  • Imagine someone using a screen reader trying to decide which show to see. If your show's main image has no description, they might miss out on understanding the visual appeal or theme of your performance.
  • Good Alt Text ensures that everyone, regardless of their visual ability, can grasp the full picture of your show or venue. It helps create a truly inclusive festival environment.

Boosting Your Show's Visibility (SEO)

Beyond accessibility, Alt Text also gives your show a little boost in the digital world. Search engines like Google can't "see" images in the way humans can. They rely on Alt Text to understand what an image is about. When you include descriptive Alt Text, you're essentially giving search engines more clues about your content.

  • This means that if someone searches for something related to your show (e.g., "comedy magic show Adelaide"), your image might be more likely to appear in image search results, driving more potential audience members to your Fringe listing.
  • It's a small but mighty way to improve your Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and get more eyes on your fantastic work!

Writing Great Alt Text: Best Practices

Crafting effective Alt Text isn't difficult, but there are a few handy tips to keep in mind. The goal is to be concise yet descriptive, giving the essence of the image without unnecessary detail.

  • Be descriptive and specific: Focus on what is visually represented in the image. Instead of "Show photo," try "A person in a glittery costume standing on stage under a spotlight."
  • Be concise: Aim for around 100-125 characters, or about a sentence or two. Get straight to the point.
  • Avoid "image of" or "picture of": Screen readers already announce "image," so you don't need to repeat it. Just jump straight into the description.
  • Include keywords naturally: If relevant, include the name of your show, the performer, or the type of performance, but only if it genuinely describes the image. Don't just stuff keywords in.
  • Consider the context: Think about why the image is there and what information it conveys. Does it show the genre, the mood, or a key performer?
  • Don't describe text in an image: If there's text embedded within your image (like a poster with the show title), that text should be replicated in your main show description, not just in the Alt Text.

Examples of Good and Not-So-Good Alt Text:

Image: A close-up photo of a clown with colourful make-up, smiling broadly.

  • Not ideal: "Clown" (Too vague)
  • Better: "Smiling clown" (A bit better, but still lacks detail)
  • Good: "A close-up of a clown with vibrant red and white make-up, smiling broadly." (Clear, descriptive, and concise)

Image: A performer balancing on a unicycle while juggling three bright red balls on a stage.

  • Not ideal: "Circus act" (Doesn't tell you what's actually happening)
  • Better: "Performer juggling on unicycle." (Getting there!)
  • Good: "A circus performer in a blue costume balancing on a unicycle while juggling three red balls on a brightly lit stage." (Excellent detail and context)

Alt Text and Your Fringe Registration

When you're registering your show or venue for the Adelaide Fringe, you'll be prompted to upload images. It's during this step that you'll see a dedicated field for your Image Description or Alt Text. We can't stress enough how important it is to fill this in carefully!

This field is a required part of your image upload for registration. Taking a few moments to write clear, descriptive Alt Text will not only help us create a more accessible Fringe guide for all audiences but also ensure your show information is complete and optimised from the get-out.

Summary

  • Alt Text is crucial for accessibility: It allows screen readers to describe images for people who are blind or have low vision, ensuring everyone can access your show's visual information.
  • It boosts your show's visibility: Good Alt Text helps search engines understand your images, potentially driving more traffic to your Fringe listing.
  • Be descriptive and concise: Focus on what's visually in the image, keeping descriptions brief and to the point (around 100-125 characters).
  • Alt Text is a required field: Please remember to complete the Image Description/Alt Text field when uploading images during your Adelaide Fringe registration.

Additional Resources