Marketing - Visual

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.

The Marketer: Kunaki.com

The Marketing blurb: "Your time to market is faster and easier. You can design, configure and manufacture in one day"

The Product Link: http://www.Kunaki.com

What it does: CD/DVD Manufacturing

You design and configure your product (case, disc, inserts, cover art, contents) with their publishing software. The software renders a precise 3-D replica of your product and lets you modify and review different possibilities. The software compiles your product’s content, packaging, art-work into a single digital file and uploads it directly to Kunaki."

• The work they product is retail quality: full colour, glossing, fully assembled, cellophane-wrapped, retail ready products with free upc bar codes.

• There are no minimums, commitments or contracts, no set up fees, mastering or surprise charges.
• It’s fast – real fast

• You can order what you want, when you need it
• You can also have them accept credit card orders on your behalf – and ship product directly to your customers.