Marketing - Visual

FreeDigitalPhotos.net provides free photos for web use with proper attribution.  when you are looking for images or graphic design items that can help you illustrate a point or a concept for your blog or web – using this service may be a preferable cost alternative to purchasing the image.

If you are needing images to use in print such as doing mail outs, brochures, flyers etc – you can also get those very reasonably priced.

So here you are – just one more resource for finding the images you need and want.

Courtesy FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Finding low cost graphics for blogs an websites can be easy if you have the right resources.

If you are doing things yourself:

My main source for royalty free graphics is Istockphoto.  Depending on the size of the image you are charged a certain number of credits to purchase an image.   Most small images for the web are just a dollar or two – and a large file for printing may cost you 10 to 15.  All in all – great value when you need to create an impact in your marketing material.

Another source is 123rf.com

123RF has a very large selection of free images they offer which are offered on a time-limited basis – definitely worth taking a look as the “just right” image may be right there waiting for you.

If you are looking to have someone help you with your graphic marketing materials there are a number of sources for which you can find economical help depending on what your needs are:

Try these folks:

99Designs.com

99designs connects clients needing design work such as logo designs, business cards or web sites to a thriving community of over 17,000 designers.

Elance.com

Elance is not just for graphic design – but also great to find writers here.

Guru.com – also has a very large freelancer data base

Outsourcing your design work can save you a lot of time and frustration if you are not an expert with graphic programs and up with best practices – and at the same time – it can also cost you some time and energy when working with outside suppliers.

A couple of quick tips:

Don’t just accept the 1st offer you get in response to your request – as some of the folks on these data bases – respond to everything – and sometime they don’t  read what they are responding to.  I often put a codeword in the post – and ask any reply to include the code word in the response – that way I know I am not getting just an auto-response.

So some smart best practices are often a great idea.

Things like:

• not paying full balance until the work is completed to your satisfaction – Keep the funds in escrow ready for the work to be completed
• not writing a positive recommendation until the work has been completed
• find someone who you like and who is efficient – and then use them
• be very specific about B timescales, quality required, layout etc – and renegotiate after anything changes

ScreenCast.com by Techsmith
The Product Link: screencast.com

What It Does: Upload, Manage and Store video.  Works very well with Camtasia Studio’s one of Techsmith’s other offerings

Take a Tour

Cost depend on the amount of monthly bandwidth you need.   I used the beta version frequently – and today – I received the announcement they have now issued 1.0 and are offering a 60day Free trial.

The visual look of Freemind

Free Mind - Open Source Mind Mapping Tool
The Product Link: Open Source Mind Map Software

What It Does: FreeMind is mind-mapping software. Mind Mapping software can be used as a productivity tool.

Keep track of projects, tasks, links to files, keeping track of small notes, brain storming tool, using colours to differeniate, an organizational tool. Aid to help with right-brain creativity.