It’s a lot to keep up with – terms like “digital strategy”, “brand awareness”, and “Search Engine Optimization” are buzzwords in today’s business world. With digital media and digital design platforms expanding at such fast rates, it’s difficult to know which elements are right for your business. How can you manage it all? How can you create original content that meets expectations of this digital era without a background in digital media, arts, or graphic design?
Let me share some tips – because the answer is easier than you might think. Here are some everyday resources I use to create, publish, and promote content:
Canva
Canva allows users to create their own free posters, flyers, social media images, and several other materials. Start with one of their templates or design your own content from a blank slate! Utilize your company’s color scheme, upload and directly insert your company logo, write content with a variety of text box sizes, shapes, and fonts, or search for icons and images from the Canva database. This website has assisted in my professional flyers and social media posts. To get the most out of this resource, upgrade to Canva Pro for $9.99/month – and keep in mind, Canva Pro is free for eligible, registered non-profit organizations.
Unsplash
This website is similar to Getty Images or iStock, but none of the photos contain the site watermark or faint overlay. Unsplash photos are free, high-quality, contain a diverse range of subjects, and pulls thousands of results based on your search! Images can be downloaded straight to your desktop or mobile device, and if you would like to give credit to the photographer, this option is available as well.
Mailchimp
Need one space to organize email contacts, gain subscribers, and design a marketing newsletter all in one space? Mailchimp is a must. This resource offers a free plan to help marketing professionals manage and distribute campaigns. From CRM software, to website creation, to campaign templates, Mailchimp can assist in content publication and marketing analytics. The free plan allows users to add up to 2,000 email contacts, but paid plans begin at $9.99 per month. This is a versatile resource that has assisted me in a variety of marketing professions.
Udemy
Never underestimate the benefits of free tutorials. If you’re pressed for time or don’t have the budget to purchase hours-worth of virtual academies, you still have several options to choose from! I’ve recently discovered Udemy, a free platform which provides online courses on professional skills and self-enhancement. Training categories include IT & Software, Adobe Creative Cloud, Health & Fitness, Music, and even Web or Game Development. Most courses range from 30 minutes to 2 hours and are self-paced. Udemy doesn’t have what you’re looking for? There’s always content on YouTube, or you can hop over to HubSpot and find a broad collection of blog posts. I’ve learned lots of tips and tricks by perusing HubSpot’s marketing blogs in my free time; best of all, these posts are short and require no subscription to access!
Whichever path your digital content is headed, it’s important to find platforms that best fit your company’s needs. Know any other free digital marketing and design resources? Share them with K-64 through our social media pages!