CANVA - My new favorite tool for all things "graphic design and visual arts." (Remember, I'm a writer.)

 Hello Creative!

Have you heard of CANVA? If no, keep reading. Are you using Canva but know you could use it better? If so, keep reading.

I consistently do research to find ways for my clients to create professional outcomes without overspending. Canva might be the best discovery I've ever made, and I promise you I wish I'd found it YEARS ago. BusinessInsider.com sums up this awesome site with the following descriptions (emphasis mine):

• Canva is a free graphic design platform that's great for making invitations, business cards, Instagram posts, and more.
• Canva's wide array of features allow you to edit photos without extensive photo editing knowledge or experience.
• A drag and drop interface makes customizing thousands of templates simple and EASY.

Free - Yes! There are paid plans that offer countless cool features and tools, but the free plan is fine for any author's marketing or document needs.

Edit photos without knowledge or experience - Um, let's just say that I have no "artistic eye," substandard vision (and twenty pairs of readers from Dollar Tree to prove it), zero photo editing training, and I can edit photos like a pro, well, semi-pro or highly qualified amateur, thanks to Canva.

Drag and drop - Whew! Finally, a word nerd like me doesn't have to morph into a graphic designer to accomplish basic tasks.

Templates - You name them. They are in there! From invoices to journal pages to receipts to sales forms to invitations to book covers to [like I said, you name it], Canva has so far offered everything I could possibly need, not only for my authors but also for my business.

Easy - I'm actually reading an uplifting book right now called Let It Be Easy. Well, Canva is just that: EASY. BUT, and I cannot stress this enough, a small investment in time and training will pay off in HOURS AND DOLLARS AND STRESS UNITS SAVED. Hmmmm, I should come up with a word to quantify stress. Any ideas? Volume = decibels, Weight = pounds, Time = hours. And, if you are already using Canva, you can drastically increase your speed and efficiency with training.

My buddy and fellow instructor, Brenda Cadman, offers just that: TRAINING, and in Canva style, the training is straightforward, easy to follow, and quick to implement in your business or personal life. Brenda's training is online, self-paced, and includes slides, printable notes, cheat sheets, and more. You'll love it. My team (Lauren, Madeline, Debbie, Maisyn, Genesis, Ginger) and I collaborate in Canva. Clients and I collaborate in Canva. We have used Canva for the following designs, and this is just a short list off the top of my head:

What in this list could/do you create?

bookmarks ~ flyers ~ invitations ~ receipts ~ invoices ~ sell sheets ~ order forms ~ journal creation (books I sell!) ~ book COVERS ~ Facebook posts ~ Instagram posts ~ Pinterest Pins ~ LinkedIn posts ~ online banners for social media and web pages ~ product brochures ~ photo editing ~ artwork for books ~ coloring book pages ~ presentations ~ slide decks ~ cheat sheets ~ checklists ~ entire illustrated books ~ tutorials ~ postcards and other stationery ~ posters ~ signs

ENTIRE AUTHOR BRAND MARKETING KITS, TOO!

Canva emailed me a few months ago to congratulate me on creating my 1,000th design. I'm probably close to #2,000 now.

Here's what I suggest you do: GIVE IT A SHOT AND HAVE FUN CREATING ANYTHING.

FIRST, visit this site for a quick, free tutorial from Brenda called 10 Time-Saving Canva Tips. This will give you valuable information and a look into Canva.

Here's the link: 10 TIME-SAVING CANVA TIPS

SECOND, visit the pages below and learn how you can invest a little time and money in something that will, if you're like me, pay off "thousand-fold."

Canva for Beginners - click HERE

Clean Up My Canva - click HERE

Create Your Canva Brand Kit - click HERE

IMPORTANT - You can bundle all of these trainings and save money.

Click HERE for bundle information and pricing:)

Friend, I am doing this training, too. I practice what I preach for sincerity as I teach. (Okay, I may be a writer, but that doesn't mean I'm a poet. At least I rhyme, right?) The point is that in only seven minutes, I made a cute Canva .mp4 design (turn up your volume:) as an example.

Then I saved it as an Instagram post/image.

Give yourself an hour this weekend to look at Brenda's training and set up/improve your Canva account. Remember, too, that if graphic design doesn't interest you whatsoever, my team and I are ready to help you. We create entire author brand marketing kits. Email me for information, pricing, or to set an appointment at dyer.cbpublishing@gmail.com or visit https://www.crippledbeaglepublishing.com.

HAPPY CREATING, CREATIVE!

xoxoxo

Jody

Go where your readers are already gathered.

Hello Creative Friend,

Do you ever wonder, "Where are all the people who could/SHOULD read my book?" As my cousin used to say about extraterrestrial aliens and ghosts, "You can't see 'em, but there out there!" Here are a few tips on how to find those readers.

1. Instead of thinking about what you are trying say, think about what questions your readers are asking. What are they typing into web search boxes?
2. Take time to consider the personality traits, habits, budgets, schedules, and interests of your target readers. Now, where do they look for books to read? They may: Ask friends on Facebook, participate in book clubs, browse by genre on GoodReads, use the library, LISTEN to audio books, read Kindle versions only, and so on.
3. How specific is your content? If you have a book about birdwatching in the Smoky Mountains, you should absolutely toss it into the Amazon haystack, but why not reach out to avitourism websites and bird-enthusiast retail shops? My client Carole Ayres wrote a cute poetry and photography book about Turks and Caicos. Guess where it sells best. Yes! Turks and Caicos gift shops. I ghostwrote a book for an outlaw biker and reformed felon. Part of my marketing plan is to contact Harley Davidson dealerships and bike clubs. (Don't tell my mama.)

Remember, online marketing is efficient and smart because the majority of books sold are sold online, BUT every author should have a personal outreach plan. Crippled Beagle Publishing client Phyllis Babrove emails people with spheres of influence. She offers to speak to their groups, donates books as giveaways or gift basket items to help them fundraise, and does Facebook interviews with them. Last week, she sold 20 books to one group in New Hampshire. Fantastic, Phyllis!

If you are in the Tennessee area, one of my contacts, Nancy Mitchell, is spearheading an in-person event. I asked to share her invitation with you, and she said, "Absolutely!" Read her message below and respond to her if you are interested.

Nancy Mitchell:

Hi, Jody ~
I host a writing group at the Art Circle Public Library in Crossville, TN. We are sponsoring another Author Day on Saturday, November 5, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participating authors will be provided a table and chair to set up a display of their published books. There is no fee to participate. We may have a few time slots available for authors who would like to speak for no more than 15 minutes. Visitors in the library may visit the author tables and purchase books. There is no fee for visitors other than what they pay for their book purchases. Authors keep all sales proceeds. Depending on the number of authors who participate, you may need to share a table. If you would like to participate in our event, please let me know by August 16. I will need to know if you want a table and if you would like to speak. If you would like to speak, please provide your topic.
Nancy Mitchell nancy.lyn@hotmail.com (315)559-1740 (cell)

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If you are nowhere close to Crossville, TN, no worries. I bet a stack of books that you can find similar events close to you. No luck? If you have several author friends, organize your own event. I always have a good time talking with other authors and people who love to read.

Please know that you are always welcome to forward my emails to other writers and authors!

Also, if you don't have the CBP Gift of Time Book Marketing Planner, CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FREE .PDF. It's a simple but helpful tool to help you map out six to twelve months of marketing steps.

Happy marketing!

xoxoxo

Jody