I am often asked, how I “come up with ideas,” for graphics or even just your regular, run-of-the-mill social media posts. The wonderful thing is there are a TON of free resources on the internet that you can use and re-use without breaking any copyright laws.
If you’re new to graphic design, there are also a lot of free online courses that can steer you in the right direction of basic knowledge you should be operating under (don’t ever use Comic Sans for a font). Canva has quick, free tutorials and some great tricks to make your life easier.
Also, if you’re a certified non-profit [501(c)(3)], you may be eligible to get Canva Pro for free – ask me how!
There are websites I use for ideas, like ready.gov and also nationaldaycalendar.com. Some of the sites might direct you to pre-made artwork or could give you ideas on how to rebrand artwork for your own use.
Sometimes it’s tough to produce original content multiple times a week, so I rely on peers and websites to help me along. It’s also important to stay up on trends, but it also doesn’t mean that all your posts have to follow the new “boho-chic” design trends that some commercial stores are using, or the color pick of the Pantone color of the year (Very Peri) doesn’t have to be woven into all your designs. I look at all these resources as a backbone for decisions moving forward with design work or staying current on media trends.
A tremendous help to this is knowing what lies ahead – are there special weeks you’re celebrating? Are there special days, or months you want to bring attention or awareness to for your audience? Do you have a communications plan? Your Town Media Training can help you with all those questions, and more! Reach out to see what kind of training or services we can offer!
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