There are a few tools I use quite often, either in creating these blog posts, writing informative articles for posting on the MightyMerchant site, or in creating our monthly email newsletters. These tools really help me create a professional, attractive finished product, and I know they will help you, too. Best of all, they don’t cost any money to use! (Exception being istockphoto, which is inexpensive enough that it’s practically free.)
I wanted to share with you three of the tools I use to create visually appealing documents, and also introduce one resource for inspiration that a client shared with me.
As a business owner, you have probably had many occasions to create PDF files. These file types are pretty standard in the business world for sending and receiving documents. A suite of three downloadable programs is available from pdf995.com for Windows users. Pdf 995 allows you to create and save files in PDF format and offers a ton of features.
As I’m writing blog posts or articles, I frequently find that I want to take a screenshot of something I’ve come across to illustrate whatever point I’m making…a screenshot of a Google search result, show a how- to of something I’m writing about, or just capture a web page image to send to someone as an example. I use Skitch constantly. It’s is incredibly easy to grab anything happening on screen to share with someone else–an image of an IM screen, an email, anything. And once you’ve grabbed the image, their built-in editing menu lets you add text, resize, and save your images in a history folder. When you’re ready to use the images, just drag and drop. One drawback is it is only for Mac users, however, anyone using Windows who needs a free screen grab program can check out Mirekw.
In case you have ever wondered where the images that illustrate most of my blog posts come from, look no further. istockphoto.com is an invaluable resource for low-cost high quality images. For as little as $1 apiece, you can download images to use for newsletters, blog posts, brochures, or your website that illustrate any theme you can imagine, from business success to happiness.
Finally, Karen from InnocraftDesigns.com, shared her favorite website, simpletruths.com. InnocraftDesigns specializes in home remodeling which allows people to remain in their own homes as they age–walk-in showers, wheelchair access and other home accessibility projects. It’s a rewarding job and one that allows people to live more comfortable lives as they age, but it’s also a job that leaves Karen feeling like she needs her own inspirational lift every now and then. (We can all appreciate that, can’t we!) She appreciates the weekly uplifting videos she gets emailed to her in the newsletters, and if you ever wanted to know where to get some of those inspirational slogan posters, this is your place!
Got your own essential resource you use in managing your business? I’d love to hear about it.
Posted on January 24th, 2008 by Vanessa
Filed under: Best Business Resources
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