Would you like to connect consumers to your business through visual marketing?
Not only can the right graphic tell your company story, but they also optimize the consumer experience.
While you might have shied away from image creation in the past, new tools have emerged putting the power of visual marketing in the palm of your hands.
In this article, I’m going to share seven of the best visual marketing tools and mobile apps that offer a simpler, leaner approach to creating compelling visual content.
Ready to get started?
Read on!
Create Social Media Graphics
1. Canva
Canva has emerged as one of the most impressive tools for small business owners and entrepreneurs. If you’ve never fancied yourself a designer and don’t have Photoshop skills, this is the tool for you!
Need to create an image for Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest or Google+? Canva has pre-designed graphics that allow for complete customization in a clean, drag and drop environment.
From the design-selector menu, you can choose your layout, search for images, purchase stock photos, add effects to your image, and customize the look and feel to match your brand color palette and fonts.
A great example of matching every aspect of your brand look and feel is Peg Fitzpatrick. Peg uses her color palette in every one of her designs, creating a consistent experience for her fans and followers.
2. Over
Over is an app available for Android and iPhone and one of my original go-to apps. With Over, you can turn your mobile device into an on-the-go design studio.
As a photo-editing app, Over makes it easy to add text, choose your background, font and save or submit directly to your social networks.
Rather than simply post a generic quote to Instagram or Facebook, use Over to transform your thoughts into eye-catching social media images.
3. PiktoChart
With PiktoChart, making your own Infographics has never been easier. But they don’t just stop there. This free web app has over 100 customizable themes for Infographics, reports, banners and presentations.
Simply pick your template and within minutes you’re editing and publishing your design.
PiktoChart’s intuitive editing tools give you flexibility and control over every aspect of your project.
From text to color scheme, you can match your branding to a pre-designed template.
4. Skitch
Skitch is an online application developed by Evernote, one of my favorite productivity apps. It’s also available for iPhone and Android making it a powerful multi-platform tool.
Skitch is different than the traditional photo-editing tools. You won’t find unique fonts, overlays or fancy backgrounds.
What you will find is a simple tool designed to help you markup a photo, make notes on a webpage, point a location out on a map, or annotate a PDF.
This is an excellent tool for team communication or educational training. For example, I need to explain to my assistant how to add a graphic to a Facebook post.
Rather than just send a text-based description, I can show a step-by-step through Skitch.
5. QuotesCover
Want a quick and easy way to create beautiful quote graphics? QuotesCover is your tool!
With QuotesCover, you can design a visual representation of personal or famous quotes in a snap.
Here’s how it works – add your quote, choose your layout, add a photo or choose a plain background , choose the color and font and you’re voila – you’re done!
Whether you need an image for Facebook or want to design a new Google+ cover, it can all be done as easy as 1,2, 3.
6. PicMonkey
PicMonkey is not new to the graphic game. Having been around for a while, it’s a tool that might get overlooked. But it’s just as relevant today as ever.
With PicMonkey, you can edit an image or create a collage using your own images. Arrange these images using the pre-made templates, and then add your special touches through overlays, text and more.
You can then save, download and share your image across all of your social networks.
PicMonkey is user friendly, allowing you to make multiple images in minutes.
7. Pixlr
If you’re looking for a robust desktop design tool, then Pixlr is the one for you.
The interface, very similar to Photoshop, allows you to choose your image, add effects, overlays, filters, text and borders to convert a photo from boring to beautiful.
Whether you want to create an image from scratch or build off a stock or pre-designed template, Pixlr gives you the flexibility to capture your visual style.
Pixlr can also work as a Chrome extension within your browser, giving you the freedom to move back and forth from online to offline.
Final Thoughts
Designing an engaging and on brand social media graphic has never been easier.
With the abundance of online tools and mobile apps available, the hardest decision you have to make is which one works best for you.
What tools are you currently using?
I’d love to hear what I missed and why it’s your favorite.
Let me know in the comments below!
Originally written by Rebekah Radice and posted on Maximize Social Business because they’re awesome!
An awesome list especially for those who have just started their career in graphics.
This is extremely useful! In spite of the fact that I’m not specifically in advertising, I’m certain this will be a profitable skill set to separate me from different representatives all through my profession.
Much obliged for sharing!These all look awesome, I wil tale it as an opportunity to experiment with every one to see which ends up producing the best results.
This is an awesome list Rebekah! We’re big Canva users. Since you wrote this, Canva have launched their iPhone app, so may be worth you editing this to mention it 🙂 . We actually wrote a Canva review (https://www.blrt.com/blog/canva-review-quick-beautiful/). We think it compliments the post really well, and we’d be happy for you to include it, or link back to our post if you feel that it does. Cheers!
I normally just use Canva for designing my business presentations. Canva is such an amazing tool with which, we can choose the layout, search for images, purchase stock photos, add effects to image.
But after reading your blog, I will surely give a try to PiktoChart tool for making creative infographics.
I started using Canva and love it! I’m always on the lookout for free images and will check out Unsplash. PowToon sounds cools, so I’ll check that out too. 🙂
I’ll have to try a few things on this list. I really like using Snapseed to edit my own photos, which often get text on the with an app called Phonto. They work on both Apple and Android which is great for me since I use both between my iPad and my phone.
The info is great, but I don’t understand why those who spend so much time and money into building their business would not want to invest in a professional designer.
I get why some may try to fix their home instead of hiring a handyman. And while DIY works for a lot of home projects I would guess that most of us would not try and repipe their own home. So why on earth would you think that your design abilities will outshine your competitors who have invested into their brand by hiring a real designer to design and create their marketing materials?
Wow these are some nice resources you have compiled…I was looking for a nice infographic tool and came across this post. Is PiktoChart completely free?
I use Visage.co for data visualization and for general micro content. Its just out of Beta, and its got a great, team of motivated individuals. It gives you the option of uploading and managing your own visuals and allowing team collaboration (which is a pretty amazing thing).
This is indeed a great social media graphics creation tool list. I’ve been using PicMoneky currently to design my social media content graphics improvement. Previously I used Pixlr & it was good as well. A well designed & graphically merged content in social media attracts more users attention than other posts without images or graphics.
Great list! I’m excited to try the two I never heard of, Over and Piktochart.
I also use Pablo, the new browser-based application created by Buffer (www.bufferapp.com/pablo). Since I’m a Buffer user anyhow, it’s a pretty awesome tool. You can get away with using their image for Twitter and Facebook, which is always a plus (though I do still like creating Facebook-specific images). It’s a way to make quick quote graphics for sure.
I use both Canva and PicMonkey. I feel like they both have different uses, depending on the type of graphic you need and how quickly you need it. I think PicMonkey has more abilities than Canva does; however, Canva’s amazing social network templates make it super quick to produce something. You can also save in Canva, where you can’t in PicMonkey. Yet, you can actually connect to PicMonkey directly from Google Drive… so yea, they both have + and -.
Great list. Thanks for pulling it together. I use PicMonkey a lot and have played around with PiktoChart and Canva, but it’s great to learn of others and especially mobile apps.
I would add one more to this list for creating social media deliverables ( though it’s not specifically an image editing tool). Haiku Deck. Makes it super easy to create slideshares and presentations. They’ve partnered with Slideshare so you can produce and publish at once, but it also can be used separately and you can download the final deck as a PPT or PDF. Intuitive and they include creative commons images to use ( which is the thing that takes the most time when developing slideshares).
Love, love, love this online tool. Been making slideshares left and right since I discovered it.
Rebekah,
An awesome list of suggestions as always. I have been using Canva for months, and I am absolutely in LOVE. It is extremely user friendly and has a great variety of options for every type of graphic imaginable.
I recently downloaded Pixlr, but have not used it yet. Looking forward to checking out the other options on this list, but of course I will continue to use my new best friend Canva!
You know I was thinking about doing an expert round up in a couple of months and I wanted to create a collage of experts. Then I run into this post that introduces PicMonkey which I never heard of before.! I feel like I’m on a streak since I’ve ran into other posts reviewing different tools I need. The Universe has been looking out for me all day today.
Out of the list of visual tools you have here, the only one I use is Canva which I started using a couple of weeks ago. For me it’s been really easy to use and I like the control over the images and customizations I do!
I will look into other tools as needed! Thanks for sharing Rebekah and I hope you’re enjoying your weekend!
An image is worth a thousand words. And if that image is help you to gain attention, nothing could be better than this. For the last 6-7 months i am using Canva and i am very pleased with options it provide you to create stunning images.
Iwould like to try my hands on Skitch from the awsome list.
Great graphic tool roundup! Brand new to your blog Rebekah and love it.
I’ve been using Canva for what seems like forever, and it’s such a brilliant app. Love it! I agree with others, that it’s often hard to replace Canva in many ways.
QuotesCover is a brand new one for me, so that’s my take away. I look forward to using that very soon. Thanks Rebekah.
Hi Jordan! Thanks so much for stopping by and saying hi. I’m with you on Canva. I’ve been using it since day 1 and it just continues to improve. QuotesCover doesn’t have near the functionality, but it’s a terrific tool if you just need something quick and easy. Have fun with it!
Going to have to revisit PicMonkey (but) its going to be hard to replace Canva for creating custom images for my social updates and blog post articles.
Hi Rebekah maam,
an awesome list especially for guys like me who are yet to learn photoshop. I use Pixlr and canva . I use chrome’s light shot extension instead of skitch.
I guess this post was an answer to my question on the last post of yours. Thanks for replying to my question “how do you create awesome graphics” in this awesome way. Its an honor. 🙂
This is very helpful! Although I’m not directly in marketing, I’m sure this will be a valuable skillset to help set me apart from other employees throughout my career. Thanks for sharing!
I’ve enjoyed using many of these tools – I’ll be sharing your list – thank you! (I’m a visual person, so it’s fun-work to add a visual element to words.
Have you tried BufferApp’s newest tool, “Pablo”? It’s great to add a quote to a picture, even providing the option to upload your own photo. I’ve used this for some of my husband’s photos from his workshops, adding his quotes. (Yeah. I find the fun everywhere… LOL)
Hi Lori! I have tried Pablo, although I’ve just played around and haven’t really created much with it. It’s a great addition to all of the amazing things Buffer is doing.
I really like Quotescover and Pixlr. Much quicker than opening Photoshop… Another really good one that is similar to Skitch is the Chrome browser extension “Awesome Screenshot” it’s really intuitive…
I’ve been fighting the Canva craze for a while but in the name of learning the software to better help my clients I finally caved…and I’m digging it. It really does put the power of visual content right in your finger tips. I’m stoked to be able to help my badasses leverage it to create their killer visuals.
Rebekah, you have shared very useful tips in very simple way. Thanks.It would be very nice of you if you share some tips for how to start, e.g., suppose one is toddler to all these.How should he/she may start. I have spent 3 decades for sketching , drawing graphic , cartoons and caricatures but I don’t know how to start doing this on computer.
Thanking you in an anticipation.
Hi Dharam – that’s a great question. I would choose one tool and give it a try for a couple of weeks. Start by creating a graphic for a social media post. Canva and QuotesCover have pre-created templates that you can use making it much easier to get started.
Hello Rebekah Bro, Thanks for your complete guideline. I mostly use PHOTOSHOP as well i don’t have knowledge with other software. But from now, I can do with others 🙂
Yes, they are really quick . I just check out one of them. And i made good Image by that software. Really it’s quicker and simply than Photoshop. AS well Photoshop has a lot’s of tools so, it’s hard to get for new learner . But these software are really cool 🙂
I nomally just use Adobe Photoshop or Fireworks, but i do spend a lot of my time building websites and app for clients over the globe, so something professional like those is what I need.
Getting more and more into SM now and signed up to Hootsuite pro so will check those out! Will schedule to share this post for you!
Happy monday Rebakah.
Very good “quick-guide.” I just started using Canva, and I am really enjoying the results. (My shares have increased as well). I look forward to trying out the others on this list. Great list! Thank you for the time you put into putting this together for your readers. 🙂
That’s great to hear Dr. Asha. It’s always exciting to see how one little tweak can improve results. Let me know how you like the other tools mentioned here.
[…] or at speaking engagements has taken on new meaning, thanks to the ease with which we can use pictures and video as popular mediums, find free visual images online, and understand and utilize the […]
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So helpful post, you just make my day. Many many thanks for sharing with us.
Hi Rebekah!
An awesome list especially for those who have just started their career in graphics.
This is extremely useful! In spite of the fact that I’m not specifically in advertising, I’m certain this will be a profitable skill set to separate me from different representatives all through my profession.
Much obliged for sharing!These all look awesome, I wil tale it as an opportunity to experiment with every one to see which ends up producing the best results.
Regards
Alison J stark
This is an awesome list Rebekah! We’re big Canva users. Since you wrote this, Canva have launched their iPhone app, so may be worth you editing this to mention it 🙂 . We actually wrote a Canva review (https://www.blrt.com/blog/canva-review-quick-beautiful/). We think it compliments the post really well, and we’d be happy for you to include it, or link back to our post if you feel that it does. Cheers!
Hey Rebakah,
Awesome post
I normally just use Canva for designing my business presentations. Canva is such an amazing tool with which, we can choose the layout, search for images, purchase stock photos, add effects to image.
But after reading your blog, I will surely give a try to PiktoChart tool for making creative infographics.
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks for these great tools!
I started using Canva and love it! I’m always on the lookout for free images and will check out Unsplash. PowToon sounds cools, so I’ll check that out too. 🙂
I’ve recently been using
Adobe Post for quotes
& Snapption for adding my logo to images.
Both really simple to use.
I’ll have to try a few things on this list. I really like using Snapseed to edit my own photos, which often get text on the with an app called Phonto. They work on both Apple and Android which is great for me since I use both between my iPad and my phone.
The info is great, but I don’t understand why those who spend so much time and money into building their business would not want to invest in a professional designer.
I get why some may try to fix their home instead of hiring a handyman. And while DIY works for a lot of home projects I would guess that most of us would not try and repipe their own home. So why on earth would you think that your design abilities will outshine your competitors who have invested into their brand by hiring a real designer to design and create their marketing materials?
Wow these are some nice resources you have compiled…I was looking for a nice infographic tool and came across this post. Is PiktoChart completely free?
I use Visage.co for data visualization and for general micro content. Its just out of Beta, and its got a great, team of motivated individuals. It gives you the option of uploading and managing your own visuals and allowing team collaboration (which is a pretty amazing thing).
Awesome post it’s amazing the tools out there for us all
Thanks a lot for this list! Thought you’ll find Visme helpful (www.visme.com) for creating visual content (infographics & presentation).
This is indeed a great social media graphics creation tool list. I’ve been using PicMoneky currently to design my social media content graphics improvement. Previously I used Pixlr & it was good as well. A well designed & graphically merged content in social media attracts more users attention than other posts without images or graphics.
Great list! I’m excited to try the two I never heard of, Over and Piktochart.
I also use Pablo, the new browser-based application created by Buffer (www.bufferapp.com/pablo). Since I’m a Buffer user anyhow, it’s a pretty awesome tool. You can get away with using their image for Twitter and Facebook, which is always a plus (though I do still like creating Facebook-specific images). It’s a way to make quick quote graphics for sure.
I use both Canva and PicMonkey. I feel like they both have different uses, depending on the type of graphic you need and how quickly you need it. I think PicMonkey has more abilities than Canva does; however, Canva’s amazing social network templates make it super quick to produce something. You can also save in Canva, where you can’t in PicMonkey. Yet, you can actually connect to PicMonkey directly from Google Drive… so yea, they both have + and -.
Great list. Thanks for pulling it together. I use PicMonkey a lot and have played around with PiktoChart and Canva, but it’s great to learn of others and especially mobile apps.
I would add one more to this list for creating social media deliverables ( though it’s not specifically an image editing tool). Haiku Deck. Makes it super easy to create slideshares and presentations. They’ve partnered with Slideshare so you can produce and publish at once, but it also can be used separately and you can download the final deck as a PPT or PDF. Intuitive and they include creative commons images to use ( which is the thing that takes the most time when developing slideshares).
Love, love, love this online tool. Been making slideshares left and right since I discovered it.
Rebekah,
An awesome list of suggestions as always. I have been using Canva for months, and I am absolutely in LOVE. It is extremely user friendly and has a great variety of options for every type of graphic imaginable.
I recently downloaded Pixlr, but have not used it yet. Looking forward to checking out the other options on this list, but of course I will continue to use my new best friend Canva!
Hey Rebekah,
You know I was thinking about doing an expert round up in a couple of months and I wanted to create a collage of experts. Then I run into this post that introduces PicMonkey which I never heard of before.! I feel like I’m on a streak since I’ve ran into other posts reviewing different tools I need. The Universe has been looking out for me all day today.
Out of the list of visual tools you have here, the only one I use is Canva which I started using a couple of weeks ago. For me it’s been really easy to use and I like the control over the images and customizations I do!
I will look into other tools as needed! Thanks for sharing Rebekah and I hope you’re enjoying your weekend!
Thanks for sharing this. Great picks
stylediarybyosy.blogspot.com
Pretty cool list! I often use Wordswag (iPad app) and of course Adobe Voice for short explanation videos.
An image is worth a thousand words. And if that image is help you to gain attention, nothing could be better than this. For the last 6-7 months i am using Canva and i am very pleased with options it provide you to create stunning images.
Iwould like to try my hands on Skitch from the awsome list.
Regards
Vikas https://vikaspratapsingh.wordpress.com/2015/01/21/format-post-on-google-plus/
Really appreciate these.
Very helpful!
Great graphic tool roundup! Brand new to your blog Rebekah and love it.
I’ve been using Canva for what seems like forever, and it’s such a brilliant app. Love it! I agree with others, that it’s often hard to replace Canva in many ways.
QuotesCover is a brand new one for me, so that’s my take away. I look forward to using that very soon. Thanks Rebekah.
Hi Jordan! Thanks so much for stopping by and saying hi. I’m with you on Canva. I’ve been using it since day 1 and it just continues to improve. QuotesCover doesn’t have near the functionality, but it’s a terrific tool if you just need something quick and easy. Have fun with it!
Going to have to revisit PicMonkey (but) its going to be hard to replace Canva for creating custom images for my social updates and blog post articles.
It is hard to replace Canva Neil. I’m so comfortable with it at this point, it’s difficult to want to switch to anything else.
Hi Rebekah maam,
an awesome list especially for guys like me who are yet to learn photoshop. I use Pixlr and canva . I use chrome’s light shot extension instead of skitch.
I guess this post was an answer to my question on the last post of yours. Thanks for replying to my question “how do you create awesome graphics” in this awesome way. Its an honor. 🙂
I don’t use the Chrome extension, but it sounds like something I should check out. Thanks for the tip Swadhin!
Hi Rebeka
Wow what great list of quick and easy to use design tools.
For some reason I was drawn to quotescover and over.
I’ve never tried canva the peer pressure is getting to me so I’m going to have to give it a go.
Thanks for sharing
Over is an app I’ve used for years and love Mark. I’m newer to QuotesCover, but really appreciate how easy it makes image creation on the fly.
These all look great, it is going to takes some time to try out each one to see which turns out to produce the best results.
Take them one at a time Charlie and see which one will work best for you. Have fun!
Really your post is amazing. thanks
Thanks Adrian!
This is very helpful! Although I’m not directly in marketing, I’m sure this will be a valuable skillset to help set me apart from other employees throughout my career. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Terri! I’m glad to hear it will be helpful for you and those you know. Thanks for sharing it with them!
Hi Rebekah,
Thanks for this list! I knew about Canva, but the others are my new found jewels!
Best to you,
Denise
Have fun trying all of those new tools out Denise!
I am going to try out Piktochar, as I understand it helps you create banners too and Quotescover to create your own quotes. Thanks for sharing this! 🙂
Yes it does Rocky. There’s tons of ways to use all of the tools above!
I’ve enjoyed using many of these tools – I’ll be sharing your list – thank you! (I’m a visual person, so it’s fun-work to add a visual element to words.
Have you tried BufferApp’s newest tool, “Pablo”? It’s great to add a quote to a picture, even providing the option to upload your own photo. I’ve used this for some of my husband’s photos from his workshops, adding his quotes. (Yeah. I find the fun everywhere… LOL)
Hi Lori! I have tried Pablo, although I’ve just played around and haven’t really created much with it. It’s a great addition to all of the amazing things Buffer is doing.
I really like Quotescover and Pixlr. Much quicker than opening Photoshop… Another really good one that is similar to Skitch is the Chrome browser extension “Awesome Screenshot” it’s really intuitive…
I’ve been fighting the Canva craze for a while but in the name of learning the software to better help my clients I finally caved…and I’m digging it. It really does put the power of visual content right in your finger tips. I’m stoked to be able to help my badasses leverage it to create their killer visuals.
Great list, Rebekah!
OMG this is amazing!!! I cant wait to share with everyone!
Glad it’s helpful Nicole!
Hey Rebekah,Thanks so much for this list! I am a newbie to creating images. I have been looking for ways to create better images. Have a great day! 🙂
You Just gave me some fresh Ideas!! Thank you Rebekah!!
That’s a great way to start a Monday Tara. Have fun! 🙂
These are great tips! I’m checking out the apps that might work for me. Thanks so much!
They’re all great tools Michele, it just depends on your style and what feels easiest for you. Enjoy playing around with them!
Rebekah, you have shared very useful tips in very simple way. Thanks.It would be very nice of you if you share some tips for how to start, e.g., suppose one is toddler to all these.How should he/she may start. I have spent 3 decades for sketching , drawing graphic , cartoons and caricatures but I don’t know how to start doing this on computer.
Thanking you in an anticipation.
Hi Dharam – that’s a great question. I would choose one tool and give it a try for a couple of weeks. Start by creating a graphic for a social media post. Canva and QuotesCover have pre-created templates that you can use making it much easier to get started.
Hello Rebekah Bro, Thanks for your complete guideline. I mostly use PHOTOSHOP as well i don’t have knowledge with other software. But from now, I can do with others 🙂
Cheers
Hi Tonmoy – I use Photoshop as well, but these tools are great for quick projects. It’s nice to have a few tools in your toolbelt, right?!
Yes, they are really quick . I just check out one of them. And i made good Image by that software. Really it’s quicker and simply than Photoshop. AS well Photoshop has a lot’s of tools so, it’s hard to get for new learner . But these software are really cool 🙂
Cheers
Hi Rebekah,
Thanks for those great graphics tips, will try and make use of them.
I’m not yet at ease with them yet.
regards,
Brigitte
Hi Brigitte! It takes a little bit of time to get used to any new tool. Try one at a time and see how it works for you before moving on.
Great post, can’t wait to try many of them out! I currently use PicMonkey & Canva.
Thank you so much for sharing!
It sounds like you have a few new tools to play around with Jenn. Have fun! 🙂
Awesome post Rebakah,
I nomally just use Adobe Photoshop or Fireworks, but i do spend a lot of my time building websites and app for clients over the globe, so something professional like those is what I need.
Getting more and more into SM now and signed up to Hootsuite pro so will check those out! Will schedule to share this post for you!
Happy monday Rebakah.
– Phillip
That’s awesome about Hootsuite Phillip. I know you’ll love how easy it is to use and the amount of hours it will give you back in your day.
Have fun playing around with a few of these tools. I know you’ll like them too!
Hey Rebekah,
Plain AWESOME!
I use Canva, Over and PiktoChart but not the rest! Guess what? I really got to use them. Excellent article and sharing this around RIGHT NOW!
Keep it up Rebekah, you never fail to disappoint me 🙂
There are so many great tools out there Reginald, it’s hard to choose just one. The good news? We don’t have to! 🙂
Very good “quick-guide.” I just started using Canva, and I am really enjoying the results. (My shares have increased as well). I look forward to trying out the others on this list. Great list! Thank you for the time you put into putting this together for your readers. 🙂
That’s great to hear Dr. Asha. It’s always exciting to see how one little tweak can improve results. Let me know how you like the other tools mentioned here.