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

Liked this post? Share the love and pin your favorite image for later!

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

You have some blog posts, you’ve got Pinterest and you’ve played around in Canva, the free design software so many bloggers rave about. But now what

If you’re wondering how to create a pin for Pinterest and need to know more about creating Canva Pinterest templates, you’ve just hit the jackpot.

I’m about to walk you through my step-by-step process for creating Canva Pinterest templates.

And, I’m going to wow you even more with some simple design tips you can apply to your Pinterest pin designs going forward.

There are free Pinterest pin templates and a free video, too! It really can’t get any better, can it?

[disclosure]

First things first…

Why Canva for Pinterest Templates?

First things first. I don’t use Canva for creating my own graphics. I use the Adobe Suite. But, I don’t expect you to – yet, anyway.

The truth is, is that many bloggers are intimidated by Adobe programs. There are more tools than you’ll ever need and more options that you’d ever know what to do with. Canva offers a much simpler solution to creating blog graphics and visual content for your website. It’s easy to learn and more importantly, easy to use.

There is a free version of Canva and a paid version (currently $12.95.month). The paid version includes everything in the free version, but gives you the option to do things like:

• Upload custom fonts for your brand
• Have unlimited folders for your designs
• Set color palettes for your brand
• Save templates
• Resize designs into custom dimensions
• Download designs with transparent backgrounds (and more!)

My advice is to use whatever you can afford right now.

Before we go any further, we need to pause for a second and talk about how important it is to be creating really great looking pins. Wht? Because if your pins don’t look good, you’re going to have a hard time getting clicks to your website.

I love this element of a Pinterest strategy SO MUCH, that I’ve created a free on-demand Pin Design Workshop just for you!

If you’re ready to go from pin design shame to pin design gain, this training is going to put you on the fast track to creating beautiful pins for all of your content, that actually convert. Click right here to register and the on-demand workshop will be sent to you immediately! (No waiting for a specific time that you can’t commit to.) 

Alright, now that you know that your pin design is crucial, and you’ve hopefully signed up for the free workshop, let’s dig in.

How to Create Canva Pinterest Templates Video Tutorial

Creating Pinterest pin templates in Canva is simple! (I’m calling them templates because, essentially, that’s what they are. Once you create a single pin, you can then switch out the image and text to create more pins for more posts! This saves time since you aren’t reinventing the wheel every time.

Watch the video below to see a quick tutorial. Don’t stop there! The rest of the post has tons more great info including the four golden rules of pin design and some FREE Pinterest templates!

The color picker tool I mention in the video is called ColorZilla. you can download the browser extension for Chrome and Firefox right here.

I highly recommend creating your own set of templates as opposed to using the stock templates that Canva offers. Do you know how many people use Canva? Over 10 MILLION. These 10 million users all have access to the same free templates that you do. Choose to stand out with your own templates instead.

What is the Ideal Pinterest Pin Size?

Pinterest states that the ideal pin size is a 2:3 ratio. I create all of my pins at 600px 900px, which is pretty. You can make them longer if you want but they may get cut on in the feed. in her article, How to Use Pinterest, Suzi from startamomblog.com shares this interesting tidbit:

“The maximum pin size you can do is 600×1200 pixels.  However, if someone is searching for chicken recipes and there is a pin that is 600×900 and one that is 600×1200, the larger pin is taking 30% more space on your screen. For the longer pin to show up first in the results it has to have 30% more engagement than the smaller pin.

Make sense right? Basically, you have to earn the real estate space.  It makes sense to create both a 600×900 and 600×1200 pin.  And don’t be afraid to try out square pins too.”

Suzi Whitford, Start A Mom Blog

More Pin Design Tips to Help You Craft the Perfect Pin

Use an Enticing Headline

Remember, you’re not designing pins for yourself. You’re designing pins for your audience. Craft your headlines around what they may be searching for on Pinterest. Do some keyword research. Add in a few power words.

I recommend that you test out various headlines and create multiple pins for your posts. Come up with multiple headlines you can use on other pins. Once you have those headlines, make multiple pins for the same post then schedule them using Tailwind. (Pinterest LOVES when you pin new pins multiple times a week – or even daily!)

Here’s an example of multiple pins with different headlines, created for the same post:

Choose Your Image Wisely

The image you choose for your pin just might be the most powerful element you use! If you have any photography skills or are going for that “real-life” look, you can use your own. If you’re like the rest of us, you’ll find yourself scouring the internet for the perfect image.

Don’t go searching on Google for images. And, be choosy. Don’t use the first image you see. Look for more emotional images that will draw people in.

There are websites like Pixabay and Unsplash where you can find some decent free stock images. But, if you’re looking for stock photos with a bit more personality and branded look, check out websites like PixiStock or IvoryMix.

(Ivorymix is my favorite website for top-notch styled stock photography. I have the pro membership and exclusively use all of them for all of the Pinterest pin templates in my shop!)

Adding Text

Firstly, use your brand fonts if you’ve got them! If not, don’t go too crazy with different fonts. Stick to two-three fonts for the best result. Readability is super important. Remember, your viewers are sitting on their couch, waiting in the waiting room at the Dr.’s office – on their phone. Consider the font style you choose and how your viewers will relate to it.

Colors

Use your brand colors. If you don’t have a set, I’ve heard that warm colors tend to do better on Pinterest but the jury is out on that. I’ve seen black pins that are VERY eye-catching in my feed! Most importantly, use colors that make your viewers feel the feels. Add color with overlays, bits of text, or pops of color behind your text to help it stand out.

Here are a few pins from my article, 53 Pin Designs that You Can Steal that showcase a great use of color and contrast:

Color helps a ton with creating contrast. Contrast is a design principle you don’t want to ignore. It will help draw attention to your pin and help it stand out in the feed.

For a peek into my super simple and straightforward Pinterest pin design process, download my free Pin Design Roadmap.

Call to Action

People don’t know what you want them to do unless you blatantly tell them to! Use action words like “click to read more” or add a button. Add a mock-up to your freebie if you want to really drive traffic. This way, viewers will not only pin your pin but visit your website.

You’ve Designed a Pin, Now What?

Export the pin as a .jpg out of Canva. Wondering why Canva recommends a .png? I wish I knew. .Pngs are a little larger than .jpgs and you want your images to be as small as possible while still retaining their quality. So I say, stick with .jpgs.

Naming Your Image File

Your file will download to your browser window or wherever you have your downloads set to go. Canva names the file based on what you have it titled in Canva, or the first text you use on the graphic.

For optimization purposes, you’ll want to change that to something that makes sense keyword wise. Using keywords in your images is just another way to make Google happy when it comes to SEO.

For example, the pin graphic I created for this post is called “canva-pinterest-templates.jpg” because that is the keyword I’m targeting for this post. Any additional pins that I create would be named
“canva-pinterest-templates1.jpg”, “canva-pinterest-templates2.jpg” and so on.

Publishing Your Pin

Now it’s time to upload the file to your WordPress image library! Upload it there and add a shot alt description. The alt description is yet another bit of info that Google uses for SEO purposes and to see what your image is about.

The alt tag is also what appears as a pin’s description when someone pins directly from your website, so you want to write it to include keywords and be a little catchy.

How to Pin a Pin to Pinterest

Say that ten times fast! There are a few ways to pin your pin to Pinterest.

The easiest is to insert the pin image into your blog post or page. Then visit the live link and using the Pinterest browser extension, hover over your image, and pin to your board from there.

*If you want to get real fancy, you can also create a custom pin-it button that appears on all of your images on rollover! I use jQuery Pin It Button for Images.

You can also pin directly from your Media Library. I do this when I create multiple pins for a post that I don’t want to hide in the post. The big thing you have to remember when doing this is to change the URL to the right destination on your website! If not, it will just link to an image file, not your article.

Schedule Your Pin in Tailwind

Now it’s time to get your pin in front of hundreds and thousands of viewers! Tailwind is the only Pinterest approved scheduling tool and I love it! It saves me tons of time pinning both my own content and other people’s content.

Click here for a 30-day free trial.

Since I try to publish a new pin no less than four times a week, Tailwind is a HUGE time saver. All I have to do is schedule the pin and it automatically goes onto any boards I tell it to.

First, I pin it to my most relevant personal boards. Then, I pin it to the 45+ group boards I am a member of starting with the most relevant, then moving on to the boards that have the highest virality score. (Tailwind provides you TONS of stats so you know which boards are working the best for you!)

Scheduling multiple new pins a week means that my lovely pins are being pushed through Pinterest for months out!

Related: How to Quickly Create Multiple Pins.

So there you have it, how to create Canva Pinterest templates from start to finish! And, a few more tips I couldn’t leave out:) Now head over to Canva and start designing!

I can’t wait to see what you create, and don’t forget to sign up for my free ON DEMAND Pin Design Workshop, The 5-Part Pin Design Formula! 

The post How to Create Canva Pinterest Templates + Video Tutorial! appeared first on Kristin Rappaport.

Oh, the whiteness! It’s so daunting. You really don’t have time to stare at a blank document, do you?

One of the best ways to get started on your next Pinterest pin design is to get inspiration from existing pins that already work.

[disclosure]

A Pinterest Pin Design Hack You Need to Use

I’m not saying to go out and copy the first pin that you see, but there is no shame in using the general layout or design concept, adding your own image, brand fonts, and colors, and making it your own.

Why reinvent the wheel? 

I’ve talked a bit about what makes an irresistible Pinterest image and what they can do for your Pinterest strategy, but one thing I haven’t done is shown you many real examples. 

I know what looks good because I’m a designer with years of experience, but not everyone has an eye for design. 

Before we go ant further, I think it’s safe to assume that if you’re here, you’re looking for some help and inspiration for your next batch of fresh pins. Am I right? 

Well, friend, you’re in the right place RIGHT NOW! 

I’ve created a free on-demand Pin Design Workshop just for you! If you want to up-level your Pinterest strategy, this training is going to give you so much creative inspiration for creating pins that actually convert. 

And you can watch it right now! (No waiting for a specific time that you can’t commit to.) 

Alright – back to the show.

I’ve made it a goal to put my Pinterest addiction to good use and start collecting the best Pinterest pin designs I came across. Not only was it fun, but it really made me realize that good pins naturally stand out in the Pinterest feed. 

It also made me realize that there are LOTS of ugly pins floating around. Eek! 

Okay, let’s cut to the chase and get to the good part…

53 Pinterest Pin Ideas That Work

Although my Pinterest feed is filled with design and marketing related pins, I tried to gather pins from various niches to help you see a variety of good Pinterest pin design examples.

Pinterest Pin Design #1
What I like about this pin: I like how the pin shows the printable in use. It’s actually a photograph but you could recreate this pin by finding a nice background and placing a mock-up of your printable on top. Add a slight drop shadow and you’ve got yourself a beautiful pin!

Pinterest Pin Design #2
What I like about this pin: I love the bright colors used on this pin. I also really like the unique choice of font. The black bars behind a bit of the text adds a bit of contrast that my eyes are drawn to.

Pinterest Pin Design #3
What I like about this pin: Great use of stock photo. The little girl looking down automatically makes you look where she is looking, and that happens to be right at the title of the article. The word “whining” also stands out from the other text, which is good. This is a keyword and it deserves extra attention.

Pinterest Pin Design #4
What I like about this pin: I like the simple font paired with the script font in this pin. LOVE the mock-up placement and how that is displayed. The arrow adds action and you literally can’t help but look at what it is pointing to.

Pinterest Pin Design #5
What I like about this pin: The white bars behind the text really help with the readability of this pin. If they weren’t there, it wouldn’t work. I also like the three images that show a few of the workouts you can expect to find in the full article.

Pinterest Pin Design #6
What I like about this pin: I love its simplicity! Between the solid purple color and the simple sans serif font, this pin jumped off of the screen. Let’s not ignore the slight image in the background that adds just enough interest to the pin.

Pinterest Pin Design #7
What I like about this pin: Um….Glitter. Need I say more? The tilted text is also pretty eye-catching. The emphasis on the keywords “Sales funnel” jump out from the rest of the text making this pin super clickable for anyone searching for that keyword.

Pinterest Pin Design #8
What I like about this pin: The hot pink catches my eye right away! It uses a simple font that is broken up with different colors and, again, white bars behind it. The call to action is displayed nicely and the arrow makes me look at exactly what the blogger wants me to do: click the link, read the article, and subscribe to the mailing list.

Pinterest Pin Design #9
What I like about this pin: I enjoy the solid background on this pin and the use of a single font. There’s a bit of playfulness going on with the different font weights and sizes. Recreate this by finding a font family with lots of different fonts. Play with the weights to create a simple, yet eye-catching pin.

Pinterest Pin Design #10
What I like about this pin: I’m really digging the dark background of this pin. You don’t see many dark pins, so this pin jumped out at me. Compare that to the bright yellow that is used and you are bound to stop someone in their tracks. 

Pinterest Pin Design #11
What I like about this pin: The focus on #10 makes this pin something I’d click on. I already know it’s worth it to me. The light white box helps the text stand out from the busy background image making it readable but still fun.

Pinterest Pin Design #12
What I like about this pin: Even though this pin has a whopping 22 words, my eyes are drawn to the most important ones: build, email list, and crushing fans. That’s all I really need to see to feel compelled to click. Love the mockup of the cheat sheet. Adding a color bar to the bottom makes her name stand out among all of the other text. 

Pinterest Pin Design #13
What I like about this pin: The white space in the image is a perfect area to put a headline! When searching for stock photos, consider how you will use them. Most of your pins will have some amount of text on them so you need to make sure any image you choose can accommodate.

Pinterest Pin Design #14
What I like about this pin: The solid background works well in this pin. I love the dramatic black text with the white peeking out behind it. The little doodles also make the pin feel creative. If you are looking for Canva tricks, those may speak to you.

Pinterest Pin Design #15
What I like about this pin: I’m loving the contrast created by the white text on the dark background! I’m also digging the image choice and how the text balances the food and weights. 

Pinterest Pin Design #16
What I like about this pin: Most images are scanned in a “Z” pattern, and this pin puts a focus in that top left corner perfectly. I like the unique use of the hexagon and how there’s a bit of playfulness with the offset.

Pinterest Pin Design #17
What I like about this pin: Another great use of stock photography! The spoon itself is big and bold, so that caught my eye first. I can’t help but read the straight to the point, dramatic headline, either! Notice how the text fits ever so perfectly around the spoon? Pin on-point.

Pinterest Pin Design #18
What I like about this pin: The bright colors and the angle of the hot pink shape catch my eye. That shape creates a perfect little nook for the mockup of the eBook. 

Pinterest Pin Design #19
What I like about this pin: LOVE the patterned background. I’m not sure why, but the big space at the bottom does something visually for this pin. I think it might help balance the protruding circle shape at the top. Sometimes, when something looks good, you can’t always put your finger on it.

Pinterest Pin Design #20
What I like about this pin: It’s a beautiful pin that is talking about beautiful pins! SoI trust the pin 110% right off the bat. The hot pink jumps off of the light blue background and is used again to encase the URL.

Pinterest Pin Design #21
What I like about this pin: A simple and minimal pin makes sense for an article that speaks about simplifying and minimizing your closet, right? It’s light, airy and the stock image has enough white space for the title of the blog. Nothing about this pin is overwhelming, which would draw in the audience the blogger is looking for.

Pinterest Pin Design #22
What I like about this pin: Loving the chevron shape that points down to the images. I like the 6 images as well, they add a pop of color to the layout. The words “MEAL PREP” in the red helps grab attention since meal prep might be a keyword that a viewer would be searching for.

Pinterest Pin Design #23
What I like about this pin: Black does it again! Since most pins utilize brighter colors, this primarily black pin stopped me in my tracks. The little arrows give it a playful feel, which works. If you’re looking for Canva tips, you’re probably about to get creative. 

Pinterest Pin Design #24
What I like about this pin: They yellow and light pink gives an energizing feel that I like. Maybe it’s because I rarely design with yellow. What two words do you read at first glance? “DECLUTTER INBOX”. Those are the only two you really need to see to take action and click on the pin.

Pinterest Pin Design #25
What I like about this pin: Big, bold, and to the point, startamomblog.com pins are always click-worthy! The huge black number makes it so I can’t help but click. (This is an amazing article if you’re looking for blog post ideas, btw!)

Pinterest Pin Design #26
What I like about this pin: Perfect use of white space. Great use of fonts and interesting enough to intrigue me. I love the little addition of “It’s edible too!” with the arrow pointing to the ball of playdough.

Pinterest Pin Design #27
What I like about this pin: The green overlay over the background image makes a perfect canvas for the article title. The HUGE 20 caught my eye right away too. Not only does it take up most of the pin, but it’s in a funky font that works.

Pinterest Pin Design #28
What I like about this pin: The bright red in this pin catches me off guard. It’s mixed up just enough with the lighter tints used in the title. The red banner is cute too and ads a bit of visual interest. What’s not to love about that cute little elf staring at you?

Pinterest Pin Design #29
What I like about this pin: The large pink circle becomes the focal point of this pin that uses a simple background image and blocks of color to help the test stand out. The left-aligned text helps balance the pin out, too.

Pinterest Pin Design #30
What I like about this pin: Balance wins again in this bright pink pin! And, there is just something about that pink and yellow that I like. 

Pinterest Pin Design #31
What I like about this pin: Right away, I know this pin is about thread. The image fading into a solid color is a neat way to let your headline shine. A focus is put on the word “sewing” and that helps draw viewers in, who are interested in that topic.

Pinterest Pin Design #32
What I like about this pin: Fun fonts, fun colors, and fun shapes come together to make this pin uber interesting! White text on black is the epitome of contrast and this pin works it well.

Pinterest Pin Design #33
What I like about this pin: The multiple images draw me in from the get-go. I like pins that show you a sneak peek of the article, but keep in mind, they have to be great images! The gold is also a nice touch in the word “Magical”

Pinterest Pin Design #34
What I like about this pin: First, I love the script font. Second I love how it fills the entire pin. Usually, you want to keep some white space around, but in this case, it’s not necessary. Probably due to the simple black on pink colors going on. Those hearts!

Pinterest Pin Design #35
What I like about this pin: This well-balanced pin probably get’s lots of re-pins because you may not even have to click into the article. I like the colors used and I also like the numbers that go down the center. It keeps the pin aligned creatively. Lots of repetition going on in this pin!

Pinterest Pin Design #36
What I like about this pin: Simple and not at all overwhelming, even though it has a lot of text on it. It’s straight and to the point. Alignment is on point and the light blue works well on the gray background.

Pinterest Pin Design #37
What I like about this pin: Like the last two pins, this pin has a LOT of content but is organized in a way that is not at all overwhelming. The thin lines help break up each section into an easy to digest layout.

Pinterest Pin Design #39
What I like about this pin: What catches my eye first is the arrangement of the opt-ins laid over the diagonal line in a way that is in perfect balance. I also like the black bar at the bottom that draws your attention to the URL. Brand recognition win!

Pinterest Pin Design #39
What I like about this pin: The blue overlay on top of the image makes a great canvas for the simple white text. Yellow helps the important words pop and the subhead is in an italic font that makes you want to read it.

Pinterest Pin Design #40
What I like about this pin: Loving the super bright background on this pin. If you’re using an image like this, you’ll need to use a technique – like a white box – to make any text readable. Finding the perfect image is sometimes easy, but making it work for you can prove to be a challenge.

Pinterest Pin Design #41
What I like about this pin: I like everything about this pin: the colors, the black on white text, the font itself, the use of italics, and the non-obtrusive circle that holds the call to action placed ever so perfectly in its place. 

Pinterest Pin Design #42
What I like about this pin: Anyone searching for running will stop dead in their tracks at this pin. A white background gives this pin a clean feel and the alternating colors in the table keep it organized and easy to digest.

Pinterest Pin Design #43
What I like about this pin: Great use of imagery! The photo looks cozy and makes me want to jump right into that bed. Light pink accents and a cutesy script font also give the pin a warm and fuzzy feel.

Pinterest Pin Design #44
What I like about this pin: My favorite thing about this pin is the funky colors in the “#CANVALOVE”! I also like the computer and iPad mockups, which are a great way to showcase your digital offering.

Pinterest Pin Design #45
What I like about this pin: Um, can we say dramatic?! Excellent use of stock photo. Text perfectly placed on the image right where your eyes go first. Very creative!

Pinterest Pin Design #46
What I like about this pin: A fun font in a bright color draws my eyes to the keyword of the pin, “lead magnet”. I also like the pop of color behind the text that pulls the pin together. 

Pinterest Pin Design #47
What I like about this pin: Great use of space in this pin. The words ” BLOG LONGER” would be a term that catches my eye. 

Pinterest Pin Design #48
What I like about this pin: I enjoy the alternating fonts used in this pin layout. The image breaks up the text nicely, giving it the breathing room it needs to not be overwhelming. 

Pinterest  Design #49
What I like about this pin: Sometimes it’s hard to design longer pins with the common horizontal photos. I like how this pin managed them by placing the text in between to fill up that space. Colors for the fonts pulled directly from the image give this pin a pretty presentation.

Pinterest Pin Design #50
What I like about this pin: The color is what caught my attention first. That’s probably because viewers are drawn to warm colors like the pink used in this pin. The pretty picture in the background is a nice touch without being too much for 

Pinterest Pin Design #51
What I like about this pin: I love seeing the final product in use, not to mention it’s adorable! The arrangement of the images gives the pin a nice balance while providing a space for copy. 

Pinterest Pin Design #52
What I like about this pin: Loving the faded background image that is a little blurry as to not distract. The keywords are the main focal point, which is a good trick to catch browsers and make them click.

Pinterest Pin Design #53
What I like about this pin: I love that what you see is what you get in this pin that is specifically promoting a freebie! Creating pins specifically for your freebies is a good way to draw people directly into your email list. Remember, it’s not just blog posts you can make pins for!

Are you Inspired to Create Some Pins?

Phew! You made it to the end! I hope these Pinterest pin designs inspire you to design your own eye-catching pins and help you better understand the key components that make up a great Pinterest pin design.

I can’t wait to see what you create, and don’t forget to sign up for my free ON DEMAND Pin Design Workshop, The 5-Part Pin Design Formula! 

The post 53 Pinterest Pin Design Ideas That You Can Steal appeared first on Kristin Rappaport.

Printables are one of the best and quickest ways to help grow your blog. You can use them to grow your email list, sell them online and even turn them into tangible products that people will actually buy from you! Your options for them are endless and your imagination is the only limit. This leaves the doors wide open for you to turn just about any idea into a printable your viewers will eat up.

[disclosure]

This brings me to my next point. PLEASE don’t let it scare you off.

I Can’t Teach You How to Design a Printable.

HOLD UP!!!

Before you tap that little “x” in the top right corner…let met explain something. Although I can’t provide you the perfect step-by-step tutorial for how to create a printable that is specific to you, I will teach you all of my best professional graphic design tips to help you craft a printable that will make you feel and look like you know exactly what you are doing. The best part? You can apply these tips to just about EVERY printable you create from here on out. And that’s the best kind of knowledge to have.

So let’s jump into my version of how to design a printable. Rather, specific design guidelines you should follow if you want to end up with something your readers will: a. hand over their email address for. Or, b. Enter in those magical 16 digits that will make your bank account grow.

In this article, I’m going to assume that you’ve already decided on the specific type of printable you are going to create. If not, go do that. How do you want to help your viewers? Do you have certain content on your blog that resonates more than others? What can you create as a “bonus” to this content? Printables come in many forms: checklists, worksheets, step-by-step guides, planners, calendars, schedules, trackers and even less traditional things like birthday invitations, motivational quotes, decor, and so much more. Your creativity is the only limit!

How to Design a Printable: Design Tips for Non-Designers

Plan It Out

If it’s one thing you take away when it comes to how to design a printable, let it be this. Plan your design out before you get started! This is an important step that most will just look past. I know you’re anxious to start designing your perfect printable, but take a step back and think about its purpose first. Jot down everything that needs to be included and how you wish your viewers to use it. Consider how you would use the printable. Determine the sections of your printable. Figure out what goes together and what isn’t really related. In the world of design, this is called Proximity. This principle is SO important that I even dedicated an entire lesson in my signature course, The Blogger’s Design Primer.

Avoid Basic Graphic Design Mistakes

Even if you’re not a designer, that doesn’t mean that you don’t need to follow some basic graphic design principles. Learning some basic skills can go a very long way in the professionalism of your Pinterest pin design. You don’t need to have years of design experience or extensive knowledge of design theory to design a printable that looks professional.

I’ve created a free design mini-course that will teach you ten easy to implement design tips that will take your pins to a new level of design. Enroll in the course and start designing better pins that will improve your Pinterest strategy right away!

Use The Right File Type

When it comes to how to design a printable, make sure you are creating your file in the right format and ideal resolution for use. If it is a printable that is intended to be printed, (as most are) the best file type for output is a .pdf. You’ll also want to create your file at a minimum of 300 dpi. (dots per inch in design lingo) Dpi is the resolution of your document. The higher the dpi, or resolution, the better quality your printable will print. If your file is meant to be used digitally, a .pdf at 72 dpi will do. This will result in a lower quality file, but that is okay since most often computer monitors don’t display over 72 dpi. there are a handful of different file types, but do you know what each of them are specifically for?

Keep it Organized

The purpose of creating this printable is most likely to make someone’s life simpler. Therefore, your printable needs to be as organized as can be. A lot of the organization will form in the planning phase of creating your printable. Even so, always keep organization in the forefront of your mind as you’re designing. There is nothing worse than a printable that is more irritating because it doesn’t make sense to the user.

Make Sure it is Readable

With 1000’s of fonts to choose from, it’s easy to get carried away and want to choose the fanciest fonts when learning how to design a printable. Don’t do this! Stick to readable fonts. Make sure they are sized appropriately so the user can easily read and digest them. Stick to your brand fonts if you’ve got some. If not, the safest is to choose a basic sans serif font to work with. If you are using any display fonts or script fonts, use them sparingly. Using them as the title of your printable will be fine but don’t use them much throughout.

Keep it Simple

When you are a beginner designer, it’s hard to design simple. There is a tendency to feel like things aren’t “designed enough”. But, the key to design is not to make things look over-designed. They need to look intentional and purposeful. This usually means keeping it simple. Make sure all of your design decisions have a reason and don’t just use elements for the sake of using them. This creates unnecessary clutter that most designs don’t need.

Don’t Forget About White Space

You don’t need to fill up your entire page with stuff! Make sure all parts of your design have a bit of breathing room as to not overwhelm the user. Keep all elements at least 1/4 inch from the edge of your document. This is also helpful for those printing your files since most home printers don’t print to the edge of the paper. White space will help your printable be clear and more organized if you use it right. Oh, and white space doesn’t have to be white! It can be any space where there is no visual element.

Consider Visual Hierarchy

Hierarchy helps people see the most important stuff first within a design, so you’ll want to make sure you use it to help your viewers understand your printable as you intend it. This might mean making the title of the thing much larger and possibly in a different font than the contents, drawing attention to the directions or another important part of your printable. Consider what you want the user to see first, second and third when using your printable. This all ties into the planning and general flow of your design.

Infuse Your Brand

If you have brand colors, fonts, and styles, by all means, use them! Your brand is your vehicle for being noticed, becoming recognized and standing out online so take advantage of it. If you don’t have a brand, I recommend starting to think about how you want to represent yourself in the online space. I love this comprehensive article about how to brand your blog. It’s the most comprehensive article I have come across.

Add your URL and Blog Name

Don’t forget this important detail! Always put your blog or business name and URL at the very bottom of your document. This way, nobody can run off with your printable and think they are going to use it as their own without spending a little bit of time removing your information. It’s also helpful in the event that someone downloads something from you and wants more of what you offer down the road. They won’t have to go on a hunt to find you if your information is at the bottom of your printable.

So there you have it, some basic rules to follow if you’re wondering how to design a printable for your blog or business. As i stated before, there are so many different printables you could create for lots of different niches and needs. If you need some inspiration, you can always check on Pinterest, Etsy or Creative Market. Ask your audience what they want! If you’re still stuck, I share my tips on knowing exactly where to start with any design in this post. 

Upload it for Use

Once you have your completed file exported and ready for use, it’s time to upload it to your website so your users can download/buy it! I simply just upload it to my WP media library and then directly link to it when I want to make it available for download. Once you have multiple printables, you may want to consider creating a resource library that has all of your freebies in an easy-to-access place. My friend Kimi, has a  free course that will get your resource library up and running on your own blog or website.

Promote it!

Now it’s time to get your printable in front of your audience! There are many ways to do this, but my favorites ways to promote are:

1. In Facebook groups, (here’s an extensive guide to the best Facebook groups you can promote your stuff in.)
   To your email list
2. Adding it to relevant places around you website like blog posts and your sidebar
3. Creating multiple Pinterest pins and promoting in on Pinterest!

If you want to go all out, you can quickly throw together a landing page that will result in even more conversions! I promise you, building a quick landing page is not hard if you have the right tools!:)

Now, its time to sit back, and watch the email subscribers (or money!) roll in.

How to Collect Those Email Addresses and Deliver Finished Product

Depending on the mail service provider you are using, they probably offer some kind of basic opt-in form. I use Convertkit for all of my email needs and I love everything about their software… Although I love them as an email service provider, I feel very limited when it comes to the opt-in forms and landing pages they offer. I could never create anything that fit my expectations. I wanted a software that gave me LOTS of options and was created specifically for collecting email addresses in a beautiful and functional way. Enter Thrive Leads. If you want ENDLESS custom options for collecting those precious email addresses, look no further.

Thrive also has a landing page builder, Thrive Architect that will allow you to create ANY kind of page for your website, including high converting landing pages for your new sparkly printables. I love that it is a one time charge instead of something monthly, too. These two plugins combined have empowered me to grow my blog unlike any other tool in my arsenal.

P.S Don’t forget to enroll in my free design mini-course where you’ll learn ten tips for designing better Pinterest pins, blog graphics and any other visual content you create for your blog. Learning the basics of design is a skill you can apply to just about everything you create for your blog or biz!

I can’t wait to see what you create!

The post How to Design a Printable for Your Blog 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.

[disclosure]

Before You Settle on a Blog Logo…

You need to spend some time learning about your audience. Your blog logo not only represents you, but it also has to resonate with your readers and set the right mood. Who are they? What colors do the like? How do you want them to feel when they visit your website?

Where to Get a Blog Logo

So if you’re here, it’s probably safe to say that you don’t really know where to start when it comes to finding, or maybe even creating your own, blog logo. You probably feel like you don’t have a creative bone in your body and you are likely how can you turn your vision into reality and end up with a blog logo you love.  So, what’s a blogger to do? Well, you have a few options when it comes to a logo for your blog… Let’s jump in!

Design Your Own Logo

If you are the DIY kind of person, you can take a crack at designing your own logo. I know this might sound a little daunting, but if you’re up for a creative challenge, I say go for it!

There are a lot of perks that come with being your own designer. To get started designing your own blog logo, you need to first understand the basic principals of graphic design. You’ll also need some inspiring design elements to work with.

My go-to source for creative inspo is Creative Market. They have lots and lots of logo bundles that are pretty affordable.

Grab a bundle that speaks to you, pick a few of your favorite elements and fonts and start playing around. Create a handful of logos and then narrow down which fits your brand the best. You can even ask your audience what appeals to them in the process.

Learn the Basics of Graphic Design

Want to learn the graphic design basics? Enroll in my free 30 Minute Graphic Design Training where you’ll learn tons of actionable tips for creating more professional-looking visual content. 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.

(Even if you’re not going to DIY, you should still enroll so you have the information for later when you’re going to be needing all kinds of blog graphics!)

Buy a Pre-made Blog Logo

There are also professional designers like Angie Makes or Autumn Lane Paperie who specialize in pre-made logos. A pre-made logo won’t be nearly as unique as having a logo professionally designed, but this is a good middle of the road option if you can’t afford to hire a professional.

Because these logos are designed for nobody in particular, a pre-made blog logo tends to be a bit generic. You also run the risk of someone else having a logo that is very similar to yours.

Use a Logo Design Software like Logojoy

to be completely honest, I am blown away by this website. Although hiring a talented designer to create your dream logo would be ideal, there are times when you just can’t commit to that. LogoJoy makes it easy to get a decent logo for your blog or online business without breaking the bank. Their process is so intuitive; this is all you have to do:

• ​1. Choose five logos that you like from a collection of about 50 pre-made logos.
• 2. Choose 3 colors that you like
• 3. Add a tagline if you’ve got one.
• 4. Search and add up to five symbols that you feel represent your brand. (I typed in “heart” and was amazed at how many different hearts there were for me to choose from!)
• 5. Click continue and wait for the magic to happen!

Logojoy generates what seems like and endless amount of logos based on your direct input. As you scroll, they keep generating logos. You can favorite the ones you like and your results will be changed based on your input. If you change your mind about a color or icon, you can delete it and pick a new one right there and watch in amazement as new logos are created.You can even preview your logo to see what it would look like in the real world on things like tee shirts, mugs, and business cards.You don’t pay until you are satisfied, and logos come with all of the file types you’d receive from a designer. They even provide perfectly sized versions of your logo for social media, and brand guidelines that include the colors and fonts used.I am seriously #mindblown that something like this exists. Go play around!

Hire Somebody to Design Your Blog Logo

The best option for a blog logo is to hire a designer to design one for you. This is the most expensive option, (I know because I am one!) but a good graphic designer will be able to turn your thoughts and visions into reality.

You will probably end up spending anywhere from $300 to $500 for a professionally designed blog logo, but you can be guaranteed that it will be 100% unique. There won’t be another blog or business out there that looks like you.

Whatever route you choose, I wish you all the luck in your online business journey!

The post The Non Designer’s Guide to a Killer Blog Logo appeared first on Kristin Rappaport.