Want to make your life easier? There’s an app (or two) for that! Whether you are a digital marketer by trade, or you simply want to enhance your personal or professional brand, here are a few of my favorite free apps.
Canva
Not a graphic designer? No problem. Don’t get me wrong, there is no replacing a professional with years of experience and a designer’s eye. If you are fortunate enough to have this resource, use it (and please listen to the professionals when they make suggestions). This free app can help you in a pinch or if your resources (and funds) are limited. There are templates for everything you may need from social media posts, to business cards, to infographics. Many templates, photos and shapes are available for free, but if you find yourself using this app a lot, it may be worth it to upgrade to Canva Pro. Create an account on your desktop or mobile device.
Evernote
This isn’t specifically for marketing, but it can help anyone stay organized. This is an enhanced version of the notes app on your phone. I use it to take notes during meetings and keep track of my daily, weekly and monthly tasks. You can create digital notebooks and easily share documents with your colleagues or clients. Any change you make on one device will automatically update on another one. Like any free app, there is always an option to upgrade. Personally, I have my account synced to my tablet and phone, but you may want to add more devices. Download from Apple’s app store or Google Play.
Lightroom
This app from Adobe allows you to touch up any photo in the palm of your hand. This is an enhanced version of what may come standard on your phone. You can also download presets to automatically apply filters. Warning, these can get pricey. I recommend you only make this purchase once. Find an aesthetic and then stick to it. If you do decide to spring for a preset pack, make sure it’s one that includes options that will fit all of your needs. Create your account for free.
Retouch
Did someone or something photobomb your perfect pic? Have no fear with this free platform. With the tip of your finger, you can draw and erase unwanted items from your photos. I’ve personally used it to erase trash cans and visible cords. Be careful though, don’t go too crazy with the edits. The images adjust automatically and you could easily end up with strange and unrealistic results. When you export, there’s an option to “save as a copy” or “modify the original.” To be safe, I recommend keeping the original image, just in case you make a mistake. Download on your Apple or Google device.
Repost
Engaging with your audience is key to building loyalty on Instagram. There is more than one option to share posts from other accounts, but this one is my favorite. There’s a paid option to upgrade, but I don’t think it’s necessary for every brand or business. It’s actually kind of nice to give your fans some visible credit.
What apps do you use on a regular basis? OpenTable is my go-to for dinner reservations and Target is what I use to buy almost every thing! For fun, I pretend to style outfits on the Covet Fashion game and my husband and I try to beat each other’s daily New York Times Crossword scores. I also have to admit, I love looking at Zillow. I definitely felt seen (and a little attacked) by this recent Saturday Night Live skit.