One of the questions I get most often is: "Do I post the text OR the image? The commentary OR the link?"

The answer is simpler than you think: post both.

A jot doesn't have to be a single thing. Some of my best jots are hybrids—text paired with a photo, or a link with a strong perspective. These aren't the exception. They're the rule.

Text + Photo: The Caption that Matters

The simplest hybrid is text paired with an image. You've probably seen this format everywhere on social media, but here's what makes it different in Jottings: the text isn't crushed into a caption. It has room to breathe.

A good text + photo jot tells a story in layers:

I spent the morning redesigning the dashboard. The new layout reduces clicks by 40%. Here's what changed.

[image of before/after]

Or:

Morning light in the studio. Perfect time to think about what ships next.

[photo of workspace]

The text gives context. The photo gives mood. Together, they're more interesting than either alone.

Jottings optimizes images automatically, so don't worry about file size. Upload that phone photo, that screenshot, that inspiration image. We handle the technical stuff—resizing, compression, responsive delivery. Your job is just to tell the story.

Text + Link: Commentary as Content

The link jot is where Jottings really shines. You find something interesting online. You paste the URL. We fetch the title, description, and preview image automatically.

Now here's where it gets interesting: add your take.

Just read this essay on why constraints make better design. This is exactly what I've been thinking about Jottings. The simplest tool often wins.

[link preview with auto-fetched metadata]

That commentary transforms a shared link into your content. You're curating, yes, but you're also filtering through your perspective. That's valuable.

Some of my favorite Jottings users have built followings this way—they share links and add smart, brief commentary. No lengthy analysis needed. One sentence. One paragraph. That's the jot.

The Rare Triple: Text + Link + Photo

Occasionally, a jot wants all three. You found an article. The preview image isn't great, so you grabbed a better screenshot. And you added context.

This should feel natural, not forced. If you're adding all three elements, make sure each one earns its place:

• The text: Why does this matter?
• The link: What are you pointing to?
• The photo: Why does this visual matter more than the auto-fetched one?

Don't add layers just to add them. But when the story needs all three? Go for it.

When Hybrids Work Best

Text-only jots are perfect for quick thoughts. A photo jot is great for visual storytelling. A link jot is unbeatable for curation. But hybrids are for moments when a single format isn't enough.

Text + Photo works when:

• You're sharing something you made (design, code, craft)
• The visual context is essential to understanding the text
• You're documenting a moment or process

Text + Link works when:

• You found something interesting but want to add perspective
• You're curating a topic and filtering through your lens
• The link alone isn't enough context (especially important links)

Text + Link + Photo works when:

• The auto-fetched preview image doesn't capture the essence
• You're making a strong statement about something you discovered
• The context, source, and visual are all important

The Simple Rule

Here's the principle that guides everything in Jottings: if it adds clarity, add it. If it adds noise, skip it.

A jot with text and a photo can tell a deeper story than either alone. A link with your commentary becomes curation. These aren't complex formats. They're just... complete.

Don't overthink the combination. Just write naturally. If your thought needs an image to land, add it. If a link deserves your take, share it. If both matter, go hybrid.

That's the beauty of Jottings. You're not forced into a category. You're just sharing what you want to share, the way you want to share it.

Start with text. Add a photo if it helps. Tag it. Ship it. Move on.

The format will follow the thought, not the other way around.