Designing for your online business kind of sucks when you’re not a graphic designer, right?

When you’re in the beginning stages of your business, you probably don’t have a few thousand extra dollars hanging around to hire a professional designer to create a smashing brand and gorgeous graphics.

But you’re not going to let that stop you from bringing your big dreams to life, are you?

HECK NO! You’re going to figure out this design “thing” and hack it together yourself! You’re pretty creative and resourceful, aren’t you?

The only problem is, is that you’re running your business in the margins of your time (naptime, bedtime, late nights and early mornings) and you don’t have hours to waste in Canva trying to figure it all out on your own.

How many times have you asked yourself… “Am I even doing this right?” or “Does this look okay?” What about the dreaded “Am I even cut out for this?”

It doesn’t have to be that way!

After designing in the corporate world for over 15 years, and then spending the last five years, primarily designing for my own brand and business, I realized that there’s this magical set of graphic design pillars… buckets… skill sets, whatever you wanna call them, that combine to make designing for your business something that anybody can do.

The interesting thing about these pillars is that they overlap in a way that is easy to learn and creates harmony among your brand, your graphics, and your unique business.

Oh, and the best part – you only need to learn the basics of each pillar to make this work!

Pillar #1: Your Visual Brand Identity

Designing anything is going to be really, really hard if you don’t know what colors to use, you don’t know what fonts to combine, and you have no idea what stock photos are going to match the vibe and tone that you are trying to convey.

I might even say that your visual brand is the backbone of just about every single business-building task that you’re working on!

Your visual brand is made up of:

• Your logo trio
• Color palette
• Font combination
• Imagery/stock photos
• Patterns
• Textures
• Design Elements

It is very important to use ONLY these elements in any graphic that you create. This will help you be incredibly consistent so your viewers start to recognize and remember you when they interact with your brand online. When you have all of these super important design design design decisions made in advance, you can ditch all of that time you’re wasting looking for colors, the perfect fonts and stock photos – and jump straight into designing.

Yep, it’s true. Before you start designing anything for your business, you need to create your visual brand image, which will set the stage and help grow your business organically from the start.

Pillar #2: Understand Basic Graphic Design Principles

If you want to feel confident about the graphics you’re creating to market your biz, you need to understand the very, very basic principles of graphic design.

I know – this sounds a little scary, but stick with me! There are just four principles that you can follow that will make the most impact in your graphics:

• Proximity
• Alignment
• Repetition
• Contrast

There are of course some other principles but start with these four and you’ll be on the right track!

You can also use these principles to gut-check your graphics when you’re asking yourself, “does this look okay?” Or, “Am I doing this right?”

HOLD UP! Free Design Training Alert!

If you’re itching to learn more about branding your business, designing amazing graphics to market your content and offers with a healthy dose of Canva know-how, tune into my free, on-demand graphic design training, Design Class 101: From Chaos to Canva Pro!

Pillar #3: Your Design Software

After being madly in love with Adobe programs for, like 20 years, I broke up with them! Today, you’ll find me creating just about all of my business graphics in Canva Pro!

What I love about Canva is that it is a super easy online design software to learn and use. And, you don’t need a ton of design skills to create some really nice-looking designs.

You will, however, want to start with the basics:

• How to create different size designs
• How the workspace is laid out
• Where the tools are and what they do
• How to work with images
• How to work with text
• How to export your designs
• What file type to use

Once you know the basics, you can jump into more advanced canvas techniques like:

• Text effects like shadows and glows
• Photo filters
• Animations
• Creating mockups (especially if you have digital products you wanna sell!)

Pillar #4: Design Flow and Psychology

TRUTH BOMB: Design is not just making things look pretty! While it does help to have aesthetically pleasing graphics, the purpose of design is actually to communicate your message in the quickest and clearest way possible and get your viewer to take action.

When creating any graphic, you should always have a goal (Nope! we’re not just designing pretty pictures for fun!) and a path that your viewer should take through your message. What do you want your viewers to see first? Second? Third? And what you actually want them to do after they interact with your graphic.

Always think about your design through the lens of marketing. Put yourself in your viewers’ shoes.

When you consider design flow in psychology, it’s going to be so much easier for you to design graphics that not only look good, but convert.

Designing Graphics for Your Business is Possible!

Creating endless graphics to market your business may seem like a challenge but get started by learning the basics of each pillar outlined in this video/blog post. You really don’t need to be a professional designer to look and feel like a professional online business owner!

If you’re itching to learn more about branding your business, designing amazing graphics to market your content and offers with a healthy dose of Canva know-how, tune into my free, on-demand graphic design training, Design Class 101: From Chaos to Canva Pro!

If you like this video and you want more branding and design tips, there are a few ways we can connect!

Grab one of my free branding + design resources
 Subscribe to my YouTube channel
Follow me on Instagram

I can’t wait to see what you create!

XO Kristin

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The post DIY Graphic Design Tips for Your Online Business [UNSTUCK YOURSELF!] appeared first on Kristin Rappaport.

If you’re ready to stand out online and look like the professional you are, it’s time to stop settling for average images and common stock photos that everybody is using. I’ve collected over 500 totally free styled stock photos from the most creative photographers on the web. These photographers specialize in stock photos for bloggers.

[disclosure]

If you’re new here, I teach graphic design to bloggers and online business owners. I whole-heartedly believe that great graphics have the potential to take your business to the next level. I teach ten simple graphic design tips in my free graphic design mini-course, and you can further develop these basic tips into a more robust set of design skills that you’ll use in nearly everything you do to grow your blog or biz in The Blogger’s Graphic Design Primer.

Use this massive collection of free styled stock photos to design beautiful, eye-catching Pinterest pins that get repins, tons of clicks and bring you all kinds of website traffic. Use them for your social media image needs and even create opt-in freebies that will have your audience handing over their email address. The options are endless.

Let’s turn your so-so graphics turn into b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l images your audience will notice!

Howto Get TONS of Free Styled Stock Photos

IvoryMix

Hands down, one of my favorite places to get styled stock photos! I love what Kayla offers so much, that I have V.I.P access to her entire library and use her images to create all of my Pinterest pin templates in my online shop! Long before I became a paying customer, I was utilizing her free styled stock photos that you can find right here. All you have to do is get yourself on her email list to access her free resources library where you’ll find TONS of free stock photos that she has shared since 2016.

Pixi Stock

Alicia over at PixiStock is helping bloggers from all different niches build a beautiful brand with her styled stock photos. She sends her email list free stock photos every month. All you have to do is sign up here, and you’ll get your first batch immediately! I love seeing her in my inbox. If more unique photos for your brand are what you’re seeking, Alicia offers custom photography services where she will take custom photography specifically for YOUR BRAND!

HauteStock

Another one of my favorites, HauteStock (formerly HauteChochoate) creates beautiful images that will instantly help elevate your brand. Rachel understands that online entrepreneurs are expected to deliver tons of visual content to stand out online. It’s not enough to have a fantastic website and a beautiful logo. That’s why she’ll send you a bundle of free stock photos specifically for female entrepreneurs just for signing up to her email list! Grab your free photos here.

Styled Stock Society

The free styled stock photos over at Styled Stock Society are everything you would ever want in a stock photo! The images are square-cropped and perfectly sized for sharing on Instagram – but you can, of course, use them on other social media platforms, your website, your blog, or anywhere else you market your business online! Add your own color overlays, text and elements to make them your own. Get a taste of what she offers with 10 free stock photos plus new freebies in your inbox every month! Click here.

Related: Creative Ways to Use Stock Photos

SCStockshop

Stockshop is used by big brands everywhere, including BRIDES, Lauren Conrad, and the knot, so you KNOW the images found here are amazing! Add yourself to their email list, and you’ll receive 20 free styled stock images instantly, and then monthly free images as a subscriber! Sign up here. If you’re willing to invest in stock photos, I love that you can shop by color, and collection, making it super easy to find the perfect photos for your brand.

With all of these free images coming monthly, you may want to create a brand new email address just for all of your free styled stock photos!

Join my Exclusive Pin Template Subscription

Gold and Berry

Gold and Berry is a lifestyle and design blog that focuses on DIY projects, tutorials and more. Beyond her free styled stock photos, she offers TONS of other freebies like watercolor textures, gold foil textures, mockups, desktop wallpapers and illustrations, most of them free for commercial use. Head over here and see what goodies you want to download!

atelier21co

Ingrid, the creative behind atelier21co, helps bloggers and online creatives stand out with stock photo collections, tutorials, and freebies to help them have the best-looking brand around. Sign up to her email list here, and receive a bundle of free styled stock photos. I love that she includes two mockup images that will make it super easy for you to showcase your opt-in freebie!

ohtilly.

Tilly (LOVE her name, by the way) is a styled stock and feminine branding photographer who loves sneakers and vintage Levis. Sounds like my kind of gal! Tilly offers TONS of styled stock photos for bloggers in just about any niche. She also shares tons of helpful info about using stock photos and blogging in general on her own blog. Get access to 15 free styled stock photos right away, plus more every month right here!

Download Five Free Pinterest Pin Templates!

If you’re into free goodies for your blog or business, check out my free Pinterest pin templates – the perfect canvas to drop in any one of these stock photos into!

CreateHER Stock

CreateHER Stock is one of the only stock photo websites that focus specifically on authentic stock photography that features black women. After starting her lifestyle blog in 2014, Neosha realized there was a need for stock photos featuring women of color. CreateHER Stock was born and launched in 2015. I love hearing a story like this! Grab 180+ images for FREE right here.

She Bold

Head on over to She Bold where you’ll not only find free styled stock photos but a wealth of blogging and lifestyle information! She Bold is made up of women who are dreamers, thinkers, and doers who are determined to create the best version of themselves. Jasmine has a stellar brand herself, so there’s no doubt she can’t help you with yours! Join her free resource library where you’ll get access to over 100 free styled stock photos, quotes, and templates! Click here!

Shay Cochrane

Shay is the face behind SCStockshop, but you’ll find another 20 free styled stock photos on her website here. Shay loves helping other business owners create stunning brands with gorgeous imagery and has worked with tons of impressive commercial clients like Emily Ley, Sugarfina and Pure Fiji. Her style is very clean and pretty, and I love that about her!

Helene in Between

Helene travels the world with her two dogs and husband and runs her blog while living her best life! She has a bundle of 15 free styled stock photos that you can download right here. Use them on your blog, Instagram, Pinterest, or wherever! They are high quality, high-resolution images which means you can crop, cut and zoom to fit any size that works for you. Add your own text, logos, overlays and more to make them your very own. Download them here.

Girl Boss Stock

“Wow!” Was the first thing I thought when I landed on this fun and funky website! I love what Girl Boss Stock has to offer in terms of free styled stock photos! Never hunt for an image again when you become a member of Girl Boss Stock. You can develop your own style with elements, images, branding kinds, presets and graphics all available on the website. But first, grab 10 free styled stock photos here! (And more on the first of every single month!)

Solopreneuer Sidekick

If you’ve never stumbled upon Louise’s website, you are missing out! I love what she offers: everything from Canva tips, tricks and tutorials, a free website course for the tech challenged and even 10 free styled stock photos you can use to amp up your branding. Click here to download them!  Don’t forget to take a peek around her gorgeous website while you’re there.

Dabbles & Babbles

Jamey over at Dabbles & Babbles knows that good images are a crucial part of putting together great visual content for your website, promo material or blog posts. But finding images to use can sometimes be difficult. She has you covered with a free set of strong, quality photos that ensure you’re not losing potential readers, clients, and customers. Her photos are 1200 px wide making them large enough for just about anything you want to use them for. Click here.

Wonderlass

I stumbled upon Allison early on in my blogging journey, and she seems like a super fun person! Her entire brand encompasses who she is as a person, and it’s impressive to see the characteristics of one person all shoved into a website! Anyhow, she offers some fun and funky free styled stock photos you can download right here. Check out what else she’s got to offer and try not to get sucked into her crazy antics!

A Prettier Web

Mel over at A Prettier Web teaches WordPress to women entrepreneurs. Along with 7 free styled stock photos, she offers WordPress themes, online courses, and website packages so you can look prettier, on the web! Click here to access your free photos.

Well, that’s a wrap! I hope you found this resource for free styled stock photos helpful! I know you are going to find some beautiful images to use in your own blog graphics and visual content.

I can’t wait to see what you create!

The post 500+ Free Styled Stock Photos for a Stand Out Brand appeared first on Kristin Rappaport.

But you have no design skills, you don’t think you’re creative enough and, um…. where do you even begin?!

[disclosure]

If you don’t have an idea for your opt-in freebie yet, spend some time figuring out exactly what your audience needs. It has to be something valuable enough they will be willing to hand over their email for.

This might be a no-brainer for you, or it could be a challenge if you don’t know exactly what your audience needs.

A successful opt-in freebie will provide your viewers with a quick fix or a solution to a problem they are having.

Once you have the content ready, it’s time for the fun part! I’m going to share with you a step-by-step process for creating an opt-in freebie that you can add to your website and start building your email list.

Step One: Create a Plan

The first thing you need to do before getting started on ANY design project is to create a plan of action. I can not stress how important this is; it will give you a good handle on the flow of your message. Assess what you have to work with and determine the following:

The format of your opt-in freebie. Is it a checklist, a worksheet, a cheat sheet or a workbook?

The name of your opt-in freebie. Brainstorm a few ideas then ask your audience what resonates more with them. You want the name of your opt-in freebie to be memorable and catchy.

One to two sentences describing what your opt-in freebie is. This “tagline” usually describes what your viewer will get out of your freebie. What problem will it solve? What will the viewer accomplish with it? Having a tagline can help especially is the name of your opt-in doesn’t describe much.

What information will be included? The most important thing to do before you start creating anything is to figure our exactly what you want to be included in your opt-in freebie and organize the content in a way that visually makes sense for your viewer.

What is the overall look and feel you want to portray? If you have branding in place, by all means, stick with it for your opt-in freebie. Don’t go picking random colors and fonts. If you don’t have any branding in place, keep it simple. Stick with no more than 2-3 fonts and choose images that support the overall vibe you want your viewers to feel.

Step Two: Get Inspired!

Whenever you start a new project, one of the first things you should do is gather some inspiration. I’ve been designign for over 15 years and even my designer brain is not always full to the brim of layout ideas and creative butterflies.

Even the best designers seek inspiration, so it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Many people diy-ing their own visual content think they are not creative enough to design something that looks good. But with a little inspiration and guidance, you can absolutely do it!

If you need some inspiration, I’ve rounded up some great opt-in freebie ideas.

Step Three: Learn Some Basic Design Skills

Once you have a plan of action for your opt-in freebie and some design inspiration, it’s time for the fun part: designing your freebie!

in this tutorial, I am going to assume that you want to offer a pdf worksheet, checklist, guide, etc. for your freebie. Don’t worry if you’re creating something like an email course, or free webinar. A lot of these instructions will still apply to you since you will eventually need to generate support documents and promotional graphics.

Make sure your opt-in looks professional.

Enroll in my Free 30-Minute Graphic Design Traning to learn some great design tips for creating your opt-in freebie. YES, it’s only 30 minutes (cause I know you’re busy!) but you are going to learn SO much! You’ll also get a very brief introduction to six super important graphic design principles that will improve your graphics when you use them.

Now that you’ve got some design tips under your belt, it’s time to create your opt-in freebie so you can share it with the world!

Step Four: Design Your Opt-In Freebie

If it’s one thing that all successful opt-in freebies have in common, it’s that they are all visually appealing. Even though we are taught not to judge a book by its cover at a young age, we do it anyways! Your opt-in freebie should look valuable. If it looks unprofessional, you get lower sign-ups and conversion rates.

Head on over to your design program of choice. I am a total InDesign nerd, but you don’t need a professional design program to pull of your first opt-in freebie. You can use Canva, which is a free design software.

Open a new document. The most common size for an opt-in freebie is a standard 8.5″ x 11″ since this is the perfect size for printed pages, but you really can create it any size if you don’t intend your viewer to print it. Maybe you want a square booklet, or a more horizontal layout might work better for your content.

Cover Page
Your cover page should include the name of your opt-in, which should be the largest font used on your opt-in freebie. You want the title of this thing to stand out, right?

Add the tagline or subhead that you decided on in step one. Put the tagline near the header.  Add an image to the background and make sure it is not too bust. Make sure your image gives off the general vibe of your brand.  Add your logo somewhere on the cover. Finally, add your blog URL or logo, and a copyright. (You don’t want someone stealing your hard work.)

You can use your cover page to promote your opt-in freebie on social media and Pinterest. I like to add a drop shadow, and fan out the pages a little bit to make to look “real”.

Incorporate your Branding
Just like I said to make sure your imagery is on-brand, you’ll also want to incorporate your brand fonts and colors into your opt-in freebie. This will create repetition and brand recognition when your opt-in is on its own.

Follow the K.I.S.S rule!
K.I.S.S Is an acronym for keep it simple, stupid. Basically, that means that most of the time, less is more. Don’t go overboard with designing your opt-in freebie.

The Content!
After your cover page is designed, you can move onto developing the meat and potatoes of your opt-in. I can’t tell you exactly how to design this part, because all opt-ins are incredibly different. There is also not really a correct way to design, just principles and rules to follow. I’ll share a few to get you started:

• Make sure your text is readable and don’t use too many fonts. (Stick to 2-3 max.)
• Don’t go crazy with color or design effects.
• Make sure everything is aligned properly and don’t forget to give your document some space around the edges.
• Use headings to break up your information.
• Use visual hierarchy (make some things larger than others so there is an order to your design)
• Create a template so your page numbers, headings, etc. are in the same exact place on every page.

For tons more graphic design tips, don’t forget to enroll in my Free 30 Minute Graphic Design Training.

Add a Call to Action
The last thing you might want to add is a page at the end of your document that prompts your viewer to take another step. This could be joining your Facebook group, purchasing a product or signing up for a consultation. This is not mandatory, but it is a chance to ask your viewer to do something! People don’t do what they aren’t asked to. You can also take this as an opportunity to thank them for downloading.

Step Five: Saving Your File for Delivery

File types can be confusing, but the best file type to save your opt-in freebie as is a simple .pdf. They are recognized by almost all computers and are a versatile file that views good both on a computer monitor or printed. If you ever think someone will print your freebie, you’ll want to save it at the highest resolution possible, usually 300 dpi. Upload your file to the media library in WordPress and connect it to your email service provider.

Congratulations! You now have a completed opt-in freebie that’s ready to be integrated into your website.

For a conversion-focused approach to collecting those precious leads, I use and recommend Thrive Leads. It offers the most robust platform I have ever seen for collecting leads in a variety of ways. Thrive Leads integrates seamlessly with ConvertKit and just about every other email service provider in just a few clicks.

I hope this post was helpful and don’t forget to pin it for later!

I can’t wait to see what you create!

The post How to Design an Opt-In Freebie in Five Steps appeared first on Kristin Rappaport.

What better way to learn how to properly use fonts than to determine exactly what mistakes to avoid when working with them?

[disclosure]

Font Mistake #1: Using Hard to Read Fonts

One of the biggest mistakes that can be made as a designer is to make your readers WORK to get your message. It is our job to design in a way that is quickly received and understood immediately. So along with your images and other elements, make sure your fonts are readable! If you can’t read them at a glance, choose a different font. This is especially important when designing things like social media graphics and Pinterest Pins. If anyone has to squint their eyes to read what you have to say, they are going to look right past you.

Instead, choose fonts that are clear and legible. When selecting fonts for your brand and graphics, you want to make sure that you will be able to use them in a variety of ways. Will they catch a potential reader as they are scrolling through their Pinterest feed or Facebook? You want them to be eye-catching enough so that people notice you, but you don’t want to take it too far. Find a happy middle ground and hang out there.

Font Mistake #2: Using Too Many Fonts

I know, I know, with THOUSANDS of fonts available, it’s tough not to want to use them all. Do yourself a favor and stick with no more than two to three different fonts. Any more than that and your designs start looking like a smorgasbord. (I’m pretty sure those are only good when you’re planning on eating leftovers for dinner.)

Instead, pick two to three fonts that you always use and stick to them! You will be amazed at how easier it is to design when you don’t have to go searching for new fonts for every project. This will also amplify your brand and help others notice you online. You want your brand to have one personality, and you want people to start to feel like they know you. If you show up with a different mask on all the time, you’ll continue to be the “new kid on the blog.

Font Mistake #3: Not Arranging your Fonts Correctly

Have you ever been shoulder to shoulder with a group of people? It’s not fun. The same thing goes for type. Not leaving enough white space around your text results in a cluttered design that is hard to connect with, and harder to read which means your readers will just keep on scrollin’. Make sure to leave adequate spacing along the edge of your design and between text. Be consistent! Along with spacing, poor alignment can ruin your design. Put a laser focus on making sure all of your written and visual elements are aligned left, right or center.

Use a grid instead of placing text wily-nilly in your design. When aligning text, draw an invisible line to make sure your alignment is on point.

I know what it’s like to want to fill that awkward space, but rest assured – you don’t have to! White space is a good thing and will help your readers understand your messaging quicker.

Free Graphic Design Training

If you’re ready to learn some basic design, enroll in my Free 30-Minute Graphic Design Traning to learn TONS design tips you can apply to your graphics going forward. YES, it’s only 30 minutes (cause I know you’re busy!) but you are going to learn SO much! You’ll also get a very brief introduction to six super important graphic design principles that will improve your graphics when you use them.

Font Mistake #4: No Hierarchy

It’s easy to get this one wrong. There should always be one focal point of your design that you want your readers to notice right away. Without visual hierarchy, your readers won’t know where to look or what you’re trying to convey. You want to catch your readers with eye-catching words that they can relate to. If your blog post is titled “How to Start Your Business as a Working Mom,” you’d want to catch moms who are looking to Start a Business. Put the attention on those words by making them a different color, a bolder font or much larger than the rest. You can see this in

Font Mistake #4: Using All Caps on Script Fonts

Script fonts are pretty, functional and have the potential to create a one of a kind personality for your brand. But I see them being used completely wrong all the time. It makes my eyes hurt. You never, ever want to use a script font in all caps. When you use script fonts in all caps, they are super hard to read because they are not intended to be used like that. Remember what I said about making people work to read your message? Using script fonts in all caps will scare people away.

Font Mistake #5: Using Fonts That Are Not Licensed

You found the perfect font. You’ve plastered it all over your blog and graphics. But can you even use it legally the way you want to? All fonts are someone’s intellectual property, and they have the right to tell you how you can and can’t use them. Most of the time, if you purchase a font – you can use it any way you want. If you are downloading free fonts, you need to check it’s license to make sure you can use it commercially. (That is if you ever intend to make money from anything that involves the font) I’m not a font licensing guru, but this article will tell you everything you need to know about font usage.

Font Mistake #6: Using Fonts That Don’t Convey the Right Meaning

When it comes to choosing a font to use, pick ones that match the vibe and set the tone for your audience. At first glance, the fonts that you choose will give your readers a specific feeling. Your goal is to make your image as easy for them to understand and you don’t want them to have to overthink or be confused! If someone sees an image for a Disney Vacation, you want to use fonts that portray fun, magical and excitement. Likewise, if you’re looking for fonts to use with an image about time management, you’d want fonts that look organized and strong.

Be choosy when looking for the perfect font. If you don’t nail it, you risk confusing your readers and causing unnecessary distraction!

Font Mistake #7: Using Fonts That Everybody Else Is Using

You want to stand out, right? Standing out means having your own set of fonts that are unique to you and your brand. When choosing fonts, it’s easy to look at what others are doing and want to do the same. But doing that only has the potential to hurt you because you won’t stand out! You’ll risk looking like someone else. It’s okay to get inspiration from others, but when it comes down to it, avoid using the same fonts as someone else.

Font Mistake #8: Using Fonts That Are on the “Never Use” List

Comic Sans. Need I say more? I think everyone knows not to use Comic Sans unless you are designing a flyer for a preschool, a lemonade stand, or a COMIC BOOK. And even if you do happen to design for a preschool, there are so many other fonts you can use instead.  Aside from Comic Sans, there are a handful of different fonts that have run their course and need to be retired. These include, but are not limited to, Brush Script, Trajan, Papyrus, Pacifico, Lobster, Bradley Hand, and Bauhaus. These fonts aren’t terrible, but their misuse has unfortunately ruined them forever.

Amp up your Blog Graphics!

So there you have it. Eight common font mistakes that you need to avoid to look professional and stand out online. You have about 5 seconds to win a reader over, and the last thing you want to do is scare them off with bad design.

I can’t wait to see what you create!

The post 8 Font Mistakes That Make Your DIY Design Look Unprofessional appeared first on Kristin Rappaport.