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No matter the size of your library, you likely have a shoestring budget and limited resources. So make the best use of the tools that are available.
After presenting a well-received session on top affordable marketing tools libraries can, and should, be using for their communication and outreach efforts at Computers in Libraries 2017, I was asked to recap my favorites for Computers in Libraries' readers. So here goes ...
I wish I could share all 25-plus tools I showed in 45 minutes at the event, but, alas, that's not possible. Here are my top must-have tools and then a roundup of as many tools as the editors let me fit in.
IMAGE-EDITING TOOLS
Having good-looking images or graphics in your marketing is not optional. We process images a lot faster and with greater focus than we do text. Use this to your advantage, and draw people in with attractive visual content.
As a serious amateur photographer all my life, I admit that my go-to photo tool is Adobe's Lightroom via a Creative Cloud license. But I still use other fast, simple tools for various projects.
Pixlr Express (pixlr.com) is a free, user-friendly, basic photo-editing tool with filters and some effects. There are more advanced features in Editor, such as layers and color replacement. It offers desktop and mobile versions.
Gimp (gimp.org) is a free, open source image editor that's very similar to Photoshop, with nearly the same learning curve. If you can use Photoshop, you can use Gimp for the same actions. It won't hurt to try it, since it's free and you are always going to need graphics.
Canva (canva.com) has photo-editing capabilities, along with the wonders of its graphic design simplicity. To begin, select Filter, and then go to Advanced (adjust brightness, contrast, and saturation; add a touch of blur; or use the built-in filters). I can't say enough about how life-changing Canva is for making good design accessible and affordable-go sign up.
Coolors (coolors.co) is easy to use to create color palettes or to find complementary colors for existing brand colors. You can find inspiration in pre-made palettes.
STOCK MEDIA SOURCES
We aren't all photographers or videographers, and sometimes, we can't take or use pictures of our own patrons or...