Using Graphics to Multiply your Message
Using Graphics to Multiply your Message [part 6 of 7]
Have you ever been scrolling through your newsfeed on FB or IG and suddenly, you see an image that grabs you and stops your scroll?
Today here on Episode 221 of the podcast, we’re talking about creating scroll-stopping, drool-worthy graphics. We’ll be using the quotes we pulled from our transcripts back on Episode 219 and I’ll share my go-to, free tool to get started with creating your graphics today.
Before we dive in, this episode is being brought to you by my Work-LESS, stress-LESS Guilt-Less Strategies for a Successful Summer training bundle.
These are the 21 best, most popular, most actionable strategies that can help you craft your most ideal summer all while working less, stressing less, and guilting less.
Until June 10, you can grab this bundle for only $19 – a total steal when compared to the hundreds of hours of interviews I’ve done to gather these 21 strategies for you.
Grab your copy today at www.yongpratt.com/bundle
And now, let’s dive into today’s topic.
In case you’ve missed the previous 5 parts of this series all about Multiplying Your Message – starting with one piece of content and multiplying it into many pieces – I encourage you to go back and take a listen and more importantly, take ACTION.
Remember that Imperfect action is far better than perfect inaction.
I’ll link up the rest of the series, including the bonus episodes over on the show notes page that will be available after the show goes live.
Back when I was running my performing arts school, we had a need to create graphics faster and more cost-effective than we could get them from our local sources. As much as I encourage supporting your local businesses, it’s not always possible when starting or scaling a business on a tight budget.
I invested in a graphic design tool that you’ve probably heard about before – photoshop. More accurately, I bought the version that was the scaled-down version called Elements.
The free tool I’ll share in just a bit wasn’t available back then
I spent hours and hours watching tutorial after tutorial to do what I thought would be a “simple” task. And the program was so big, it bogged down my mac like you wouldn’t believe making tasks even longer….
Can you relate?
Have you ever purchased a piece of software because of what it could create only to discover that the learning curve was FAR longer than you anticipated???
Fast forward to a couple of years ago and I was introduced to a free online software tool called Canva
I’ll link up the resource in today’s show notes at yongpratt.com/221.
Getting Started with Canva
Once you create a free account, you can begin designing immediately. What’s great is that there are thousands of templates you can use right out the box by just adding in your brand colors, a logo, or even your own pictures. The templates come formatted for all the sizes of images you may want to create – all the social media platforms, flyers, website headers, and much more.
And did I mention, it’s free?
Totally crazy.
I happen to use the paid version so I have access to more images and layouts and quickly change sizes, but you can get started today with the free version.
Once you’ve logged in, all you have to do is click on a template you like in the size you need and add the quote you pulled from your own transcript.
From there, you can download and use it right away – you can even do this today.
If you’ve pulled 3-4 quotes from your transcripts, you’ll create 3-4 different images. Use 3 different templates or use the same template with different colors or fonts.
That’s it! Easy peasy.
If you think back to your own newsfeed and all the images you see there, you’re scrolling past images that don’t resonate with you – maybe they don’t have messages that speak to you, maybe they’re confusing, maybe they’re just too busy.
I often see graphics with 3,4,5 different fonts or a rainbow of colors, or the font is illegible when scrolling…
So here are today’s action steps:
- Sign up for a free Canva  account
- Copy/paste your quotes into an available template
- Post on your graphic on social. And if you’re on IG, Post your graphic and then tag me @theyongpratt so I can see your creations.
Once you’ve done that, pay attention to what catches your eye on social – and then go into Canva and create something similar – hear me when I say this…don’t copy someone else’s stuff. Create your own with your flair, that speaks to your audience.
On Thursday, I have a bonus episode for you with my Nicole Thompson – a 28-year graphic design pro that will share some practice tips and tricks to help you create your scroll stopping graphics in no time.
Before you head out on your day, ditch the #momguilt and #stress that often accompanies summertime, especially if you’re raising a family alongside your business. Grab my 21 work-less, stress-less and guilt-less strategies bundle to craft your most or successful summer at yongpratt.com/bundle
