A Marketing Tool That's FUN!
I can hear you saying, Noooooo! Not another thing I have to do to build a platform! I'm already on FB, Twitter, Pinterest, I Blog, have a website, Instagram, Google Plus , Linkdin, Goodreads . . . Okay, I'll stop, because I'm depressing myself, but just know that I could go on.
But what if there was a passive marketing tool? One that you create, send it out into the webverse, and forget it? Like a satellite, it goes into orbit, and does it's thing, without any maintenance? Would you be willing to try it then? What if it gave your creative side a facial and a relaxing massage at the same time?
Impossible?
Nope.
Enter:
Oh, you say, the software that makes cat memes? Well, yes. But I'll bet that you pass on those cute memes every day on social media. Come on, admit it. Cute cats, funny sayings, or, in Orly and my case, coffee, goats, horses, mini pigs, squirrels with purses, and an occasional ostrich.
But wait, there's a lot more to it than cat memes!
If the meme links to something - a website, an article or other info, I sometimes click on it, don't you? Even if I don't, when I share it, all my followers see it, and I get up to 30 shares on a typical day. Many of those people have friends that share too. On and on. Social media is The Force.
All you need is an eye-catching photo, and something to say. Hey, we're authors. We have LOTS to say! Some of you know that I'm a quoteaholic. I post a Cowboy quote and an Author quote every morning on Twitter (@PBRWriter). I have books full of them. Universal truths are universal for a reason; they touch everyone. Hello, shareability! And, if the quote says something about the books you write, all the better!
PHOTOS: They're free on many sites. My favorite is Photopin, but Morguefile, Gratisography and many others are good, too. Or, you can use your own personal photos. The main thing to remember (besides giving credit to the photographer or the site), is that you want a lot of blank space. Preferably monotone, so lettering shows up well.
I love the one below - it goes perfectly with the saying - but the saying is hard to read because of the color shift.
Don't forget to put your info on it!!!! I refer to my website.
Canva has tons of layouts, a good choice of fonts, and you can use their backgrounds and photos if you'd like. Some are free, some are cheap. And it's EASY to USE!
But wait, there's more!
You can use Canva to make memes for your books as well. The saying? Your logline, or a great line from your blurb. Or a great line from a review. Something compelling that will make readers want to pick it up.
Here are two I made for my recent release.
I post these everywhere: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, my website . . . every platform I have. If I were into swag, I'd have postcards made.
Here are some tips that may help you dive into Canva:
- There are many sizes to choose from for posts - horizontal, vertical orientations, even ones that fit FB, etc. perfectly. Or, you can make one that's a custom size.
- You can upload your photo, or buy one for $1 from Canva.
- There is a section called 'Elements' that give you the option to put 'shapes' (squares, elipticals, etc) into your design.
OR - You can choose one of their custom layouts (most cost, but they are very nice).
- You can choose from custom backgrounds - either colors, or textures. The nice ones are $.99
- Text - they have quite a few fonts and sizes to choose from, and you can use any color you can think of. Or they have custom ones (for cost).
- When you're done, I'd suggest downloading your design to your computer, and posting from there. The ones that come straight from Canva have their ads on your post.
This may seem overwhelming, but it's not, I promise. If I know what I want to do, I can create a design in a half hour or less.
So what do you think? Have I convinced you that Canva is worth your time? Oh come on, you know you want to go create a cat meme!
* * * * * *
About Laura
Laura Drake is a city girl who never grew out of her tomboy ways, or a serious cowboy crush. She writes both Women's Fiction and Romance.
She sold her Sweet on a Cowboy series, romances set in the world of professional bull riding, to Grand Central. The Sweet Spot won the 2014 Romance Writers of America® RITA® award in the Best First Book category.
Her 'biker-chick' novel, Her Road Home, sold to Harlequin's Superomance line (August, 2013) and has expanded to three more stories set in the same small town.
In January, Laura released her first Women's Fiction, Days Made of Glass.
In 2014, Laura realized a lifelong dream of becoming a Texan and is currently working on her accent. She gave up the corporate CFO gig to write full time. She's a wife, grandmother, and motorcycle chick in the remaining waking hours.
41 comments on “A Marketing Tool That's FUN!”
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Laura, this is awesome. I always wondered where you got all those awesome quotes, pics and jokes. Now I know! I've had Canva on my (very long) list of things to check out, but I didn't realize that you could set it and forget it. I'm printing this out and will look into it over the weekend.
Yell if you get stuck, Densie - more than happy to help! Most Marketing tools are a time suck - it's so nice to have one that isn't!
I’ve used Canva for a while not. It’s a great tool for personalizing banners, book covers, etc. I do wish, however, you had the option of a background. In the free option, I find that very limiting to different designs. That may be something workable in an upgrade, but to date I’m sticking with the free options.
You're right, Sheila - there aren't many. BUT go look up free wallpapers. There are a TON (including the ones that Canva charges for. You'll need to cut or adjust the size in a photo manipulation program, but hey, FREE!
I love free!
Yes! I'm convinced. Laura, this is terrific! So much to love, not the least of which is its own little engine that keeps it chugging once you send it out into the Interverse. Thank you so much for sharing! 😀
Yell if you get stuck, Chris, more than happy to help!
You convinced me! I'll give it a go.
Yay, ML! You're going to love it!
I had just finished creating a meme on Canva and then saw this post! No cats on my meme though- sorry 🙁
I saw it, Alanna! Where did you find that background? You're better already than I am! Lovely!
I'm sold! I've played with Canva a bit and need to seriously sit down and master it. How long did it take you to be comfortable with Canva? Love your images and have shared many times.
Thanks Debbie - Honestly, you can make one the first time you try - it's just that you get faster every time!
I will give it a try. I HATE, HATE, HATE creating graphics. I have trouble just posting my bookcovers.
Isn't that funny, Kristina, I LOVE doing it! It uses a different side of my creativity, and if I don't do it now and again, I miss it! I trade off, Canva, and making changes to my website to freshen it.
I'm a sick puppy, I guess....
I haven't used Canva but have played around with others. Great ... another squirrel to tame. 🙂
Ha - I know you're kidding, you've never been a good squirrel-wrangler, Orly! Not like I am....
Okay, Laura. This is actually something I am willing to do. And you're right-it will be fun. Thanks!
Oh, you're artistically inclined, Fae, you'll be better than I in no time!
Laura, I had no idea how this worked. Thanks! And you can track click-throughs? You get 30 a day? Wow, I'm impressed.
Don't be too impressed, James - I get 30 shares a day - I don't know about Click-throughs. WAY less than that, I'm sure.
I'm in! Thanks for shining the spotlight!
I'll be looking for your creations on FB, Chris!
You know me too well! I just posted my first one! What do you think????
After seeing your cover, I KNEW you'd be great at this, Chris. Well done!
Laura, I used Canva to create images out of quotes from the pastor for a church I helped with social media and rebranding. We've taken their Facebook page from 150 likes to over 2K in 9 months. It's been awesome. 🙂
WOW! Now there's a resounding endorsement!
I thought you like that. We used the same techniques and shot the pastor onto social media like a rocket. He started a page last August while I was on my trip and he is over 2K in followers as well.
I love Canva! I use it for quotes from my books and I'm also using it for a Women's History Month Instagram/blog thing I'm doing. It is so great.
Brilliant, Nicole - tie it to Women's History Month. Those are going to get tons of shares!
I hope so! I'm doing an article on Huffington Post as well, so I hope to get lots of women involved.
We'll be watching for it, Nicole!
I love Canva. It changed my life! 🙂
Hey, fellow fangirl, Amy! Great to see you here! Hey, ya'll know about Amy's Amazing blog on Women's Fiction, right?
This is wonderful! And dangerously addictive, LOL! 😉 I had to go and try it out as soon as I read the article. Thank you so much for sharing!
I hope you're still thanking me when you spend hours there, S.C.! I'm SO with you!
I just started messing around with Canva. I never thought to put my website or logo on the things I created. Thanks for the tip.
These are great ideas. I've been wondering what to do with Canva. Are there any rules about using quotes? I guess I mean copyright rules.
I love the idea. Memes are great! I wonder though...when do we have time to write as we are doing all this social media? I have a hard time keeping up with my own blog post (Historical fiction Addicts) and my full time job as a teacher. However, I will be trying Canva!
Kelly, as long as you attribute it to the author, you're fine!
Kelly, I get you, believe me. But this at least, is one you create, launch, and hopefully others find it interesting/cute enough to RT!