The tools of the trade have changed. Today we can carry nearly everything we need in our pockets; it’s a matter of choosing which ones are the best fit for the job. Let’s look at some tools that will save time, provide inspiration and help create even more compelling marketing stories.
Video tools
Fifty-two percent of marketing professionals worldwide named video as the content with the best ROI, and what we do with the video just after we shoot it is the key to its success. If you’re recording video on your phone, here are some editing tools to use in addition to those already on your phone.
- Movie Maker (Windows) and iMovie (Mac) Both are free and easy to use. You can edit and add text, overlays, still images, music, animations, visual effects—even voice-overs.
- VSDC Free Video Editor With a bit of help from the tutorials, you can add text, special effects and image stabilization. Color correction and blending can improve video quality that’s less than perfect.
- Lumyer Imagine adding confetti, lightning and lens flare to your group tour videos. It’s a great way to capture attention, and Lumyer lets you do it for free.
- Lumen 5 Want to create video from an article or blog you’ve written? This free (and really cool) tool takes your written copy and turns it into a video slideshow complete with your text and images.
- Screencast-o-Matic Do you want to create a video tutorial? This tool lets you record on-screen activity for short presentations or demonstrations of your booking engine or other activities.
Photo tools
There’s a popular saying among marketers: “Hear a piece of information, and three days later you’ll remember 10 percent of it. Add a picture and you’ll remember 65 percent.” The same focus applies to your social marketing.
When we take the time to add a bit of pizzazz to photos we post socially, we’re rewarded with increased reach and engagement. Here are some of my favorites filters and photo-effects tools.
- Social platforms now have onboard photo-editing tools. Most have filters and overlays, and some let you draw on the image freehand.
- Desktop image editing tools are everywhere. Here are some of my favorites:
- Did you capture a photo-bomber in your last snap? Using TouchRetouch or SnapSeed on your mobile device, run your finger over a face (or anything) to edit it out.
Turn lookers into bookers
Keeping in touch with your clients can transform them from lookers to bookers. Here are some cool ideas to help you stay top of mind.
- A new Skype plug-in lets you add a call link into an email, social post or a calendar invite. Clients simply click the link; they do not need a Skype account.
- Your Facebook inbox gives you the chance to create an appointment with your connections.
- Do your e-blasts get the open rate you want? Use Headline Analyzer to write stronger email subject lines and blog titles. Simply type in your text and the analyzer provides a relevance score. coschedule.com/headline-analyzer
- And if you lack inspiration, check out sample emails with great wording. goodemailcopy.com
We’re all looking for faster, better, stronger ways to grow our businesses and expect to be able to carry all the tools in our pocket. Forget the glue and scissors and transform your marketing efforts with a few clicks, a bit of creativity and a splash of copywriting.
Catherine Heeg, international speaker and trainer, focuses on social media marketing strategies for the tourism and hospitality industry. And connect with her at cmsspeaking.com.
Top photo ©everythingpossible/Adobe Stock