What can a Graphic Designer do for you?
With the advent of social media channels such as Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, we've moved into a highly visual age.
Take the fact that the information our brains take in is 90% visual over our other senses, we are hardwired to engage with visual content. Our brains process visual graphics 60,000 times faster than text. (Source)
Studies show that posts on Twitter or Facebook that have a photo or video are more likely to be commented upon and shared, and this trend is only continuing to grow. (Source)
As a business owner, you need to have a reliable source to go to for graphics that reflect your business, your audience, and you brand. And you probably don't want to learn to do it all yourself.
Here's just a few things a graphic designer can do for you beyond creating a logo and brand.
Branded visuals for a specific social media channels
I've been doing a lot of Instagram images for clients lately. Instagram has a very specific size requirement for uploading so your images will look beautiful across platforms (desktop, tablet, or mobile).
Facebook also has a specific size requirements. If you are boosting your post, there guidelines around how much text can be shown.
Twitter additionally has a specific recommended size as well.
These social media images can be inspirational quotes, provoke a feeling about your brand to your ideal client, highlight special promotions/offers, or motivate people to get more information and seek you out.
Social Media channel artwork
Each social media channel has its own size recommendation when it comes to your profile and/or cover art. Seriously, you could pull your hair out trying to get things to “look right” on each channel. Keep your lovely mane, and have a pro do it for you.
A designer can create custom graphics for you, within that social media's guidelines that are appropriate to your brand.
Custom icons
In addition to graphic design, I'm also a web designer. I often use icons on web pages to help break up text, convey a message, and give visual clues to what they should do next. Many graphic designers will customize icons or social media icons to your brand colors.
Website graphics
Often times, my clients want images with marketing messages on them. One of the services I provide is integrating their message with images or photographs in the sizes that is required for their website.
Branded blog post graphics & email newsletter graphics
Although all text emails generally get through the spam filter better, it's visually nice to have an image or two in your newsletters to break up the space. A graphic designer can size images appropriately for you so viewers on mobile devices or desktops can see your brand.
Shouldn't every post have an image? I think so. A graphic designer can help pick the right image for the job and add your name/brand information too.
Pinterest can bring in a steady stream of traffic for your business website—pinners pin other people's pins, so it's easy to get shared. According to Jeff Bullas, pins on Pinterest have viral potential: Over 80% of pins are re-pins compared to 1.4% of tweets retweeted. (Source)
Create a Pinterest board for your business topic, and your blog posts and hire a graphic designer to make a sharable “pin” for each one.
Infographics
Are you stat collecting queen for your field? Show it off in a custom infographic! This is a highly honed skill set, so I suggest seeking out someone who has experience.
Landing page graphics
Landing pages are a unique skill in themselves. I come from a marketing background and I believe most web pages on your site should act as a landing page. We're talking everything from graphics the help move people down the page to the call to action and the oh-so-important opt-in or purchase buttons. And don't forget those all important thank you pages!
Graphics for your Opt-in
You aren't everyone else. Why should your opt-in box look like everyone else's template from the same email service? Hire a graphic designer to bring that extra ommph! to your opt-in offer or freebie.
Design gorgeous PDFs for your business
Many graphic designers have layout capabilities to create beautiful PDFs for you and your business. Bonus – we can also make fillable PDFs too for all of your nifty course materials!
Ebook designs
Selling an ebook? From cover to final page, a graphic designer layout your ebook and put it into the format that you need. This is a highly specific skill, so you'll want to know what kinds of formats they've done in the past and if they specialize in a particular area (like Kindle books).
Slide decks
Want your presentation to stand head and shoulders above the rest? Have a graphic designer tackle your slide deck. Say it with me now, “No more ugly template graphics!”
Stationary or Post Cards
Bring back that power of the stamp, and actually mail your clients a letter or card—custom branded of course.
Swag items or Posters
Yes, I love a great swag bag—you know, those free gifties from trade shows or events? Yep, somewhere along the journey to your hot little hands a designer was involved. It doesn't matter if it's a coaster, a t-shirt, or a poster, all swag needs a little design love.
Your turn!
Tell me in the comments below what you specifically need a graphic designer to do for you or share with me a design item I've missed!
