Graphics for copywriters?

AustinLadyTam · 03-15-2010, 11:27 AM

Can anyone recommend a graphics package or piece of software to use for adding graphics to sales letters/pages? I already have copydoodles and love them, but I'm looking for more. Would Adobe Illustrator be good for a copywriter like me who has no skill or training in creating graphics? I can't even sketch, but am trying to learn!

Thanks, y'all!

Paul Hancox · 03-15-2010, 02:46 PM

Hi Tam

It depends what type of graphics. If you're talking about headers and ebook covers, then I recommend outsourcing them to the spectacular designers on the Warrior Forum, many of whom are excellently priced. You can get a nice ebook cover done for a few tens of dollars - or possibly even a barter exchange

Ross Bowring · 03-15-2010, 07:06 PM

Hi Tam,

Adobe Photoshop Elements lets me create almost everything I need.

--- Ross

BrianMcLeod · 03-15-2010, 07:39 PM

Illustrator is a whole different animal than Photoshop.

IMO, you'd be far better served learning Photoshop or
Fireworks (and its integration with Dreamweaver) if you
want to make web graphics - that's what they're for.

Want to know an easy way to get hands on with software?

Buy templates and reverse engineer how everything works.

How they did what they did. They give you a finished product
you can work your way backwards with...

"How'd they do that metallic gradient or glassy look?"

Open up the PSD and start turning layers on and off.

Play with the effects settings (which teaches you where
they are and when you use them, as well as how they work).

Just duplicate the source file before you begin futzing
and go nuts... and as Bill Cosby said, "you just might learn
somethin' before its through".

Good luck. Learning design is foolishly under-appreciated,
mostly by people who write great but know dick about design.

It's invaluable to you as a marketer and a creative.

Learn.

Best,
Brian

Minisite Frog · 03-16-2010, 12:19 AM

Hey Tam,

Your best bet would be Photoshop, and as Brian said 'reverse engineering' pre-existing templates would be your quickest way to learn. But be warned, it is very time consuming learning a piece of software like Photoshop from scratch.

There are also tons of free and paid minisite templates on the market, whether they convert or not is a different story.

Your other alternative is to outsource to a minisite/salesletter designer who can get the job done. And remember, you get what you pay for

So even though you may come across a $100 minisite designer, his or her work will probably reflect that amount – and vice versa.

BrianMcLeod · 03-16-2010, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minisite Frog

Hey Tam,

Your best bet would be Photoshop, and as Brian said 'reverse engineering' pre-existing templates would be your quickest way to learn. But be warned, it is very time consuming learning a piece of software like Photoshop from scratch.

Very true... and you guys create MAGIC in Photoshop the same
way a talented copywriter moves mountains with words.

PROPS: MinisiteFrog gives away some AMAZING templates from
time to time...

Best,

Brian

John_S · 03-16-2010, 08:46 AM

Learning PhotoShop is to direct response graphics as learning Keyboard is to expert copywriting.

Yeah, necessary. But there is a whole world more.

Johnny12345 · 03-16-2010, 11:44 AM

Adobe Illustrator is actually a poor choice for beginners because it is vector based. A "paint" program is easier to use and generally more useful for web graphics.

If you're a graphics rookie, you're probably better off with something like Photoshop Elements. However, don't expect to be able to create professional quality, original graphics with it -- that takes knowledge and experience.

The main thing Photoshop Elements will let even a beginner do is easily size, crop, and adjust photos and other graphics. For actual graphics creation, either outsource it or go to a stock graphics site.

Regards,

Johnny

AustinLadyTam · 03-16-2010, 05:08 PM

Thanks, everyone! From what I'm hearing, outsourcing is probably my best bet. Heck, I can't even SKETCH, so from what John_S said, I shouldn't expect Adobe PhotoShop to turn me into a decent graphic artist.

I think copydoodles and Adobe Photoshop elements will be the extent of my graphics. After that, I'll let the graphic artist take over.

jasonthewebmaster · 01-13-2011, 01:44 PM

This site here lets u make some slick sales page graphics:
CopyDoodler® Copy Doodle Generator - Sales Page Graphics, Headlines, Buttons Creator

its free and no optin required.

thanks to mark hess for his awesome script!

studioprod · 01-16-2011, 07:41 AM

It would be wondrous if one could purchase a software package and have it come with the skills a designer spends years to develop. The sad truth is that getting the software will go as far toward producing eye-grabbing and convincing graphics as getting a spellchecker will turn you into a persuasive copywriter.

Writing and art are hard-won skills and ad agencies pay people big bucks to apply their talents to selling products and services. It not about the software, it's about the skills. That's why most online offers look as though they were crafted with a stone axe.

When it comes to creative services, there's no free lunch except in a mouse trap.

03-15-2010, 11:27 AM	#1
AustinLadyTam Tam Thompson War Room Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 56 Thanks: 14 Thanked 11 Times in 8 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Graphics for copywriters? Can anyone recommend a graphics package or piece of software to use for adding graphics to sales letters/pages? I already have copydoodles and love them, but I'm looking for more. Would Adobe Illustrator be good for a copywriter like me who has no skill or training in creating graphics? I can't even sketch, but am trying to learn! Thanks, y'all!

03-15-2010, 02:46 PM	#2
Paul Hancox Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 2,079 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 463 Thanked 608 Times in 254 Posts Social Networking	Re: Graphics for copywriters? Hi Tam It depends what type of graphics. If you're talking about headers and ebook covers, then I recommend outsourcing them to the spectacular designers on the Warrior Forum, many of whom are excellently priced. You can get a nice ebook cover done for a few tens of dollars - or possibly even a barter exchange
	Who Wants To Be The Next AUTHORITY In Their Niche? Article Marketing as it should be – that builds your authority, pre-sells for more sales, based on YOUR product. (More...) Free Pre-Selling Tips \| Presell Mastery (The Book) \| Become A Copywriter, With Clients, In As Little As 6 Months

03-15-2010, 07:06 PM	#3
Ross Bowring Cash Creating Copywriter War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Philadelphia, USA Posts: 722 Thanks: 588 Thanked 637 Times in 220 Posts Social Networking	Re: Graphics for copywriters? Hi Tam, Adobe Photoshop Elements lets me create almost everything I need. --- Ross
	PLUS... X-Rated Copywriting Secrets EXPOSED.

03-15-2010, 07:39 PM	#4
BrianMcLeod Fingers of Fury War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Miami, Florida, USA. Posts: 2,164 Blog Entries: 5 Thanks: 1,458 Thanked 1,643 Times in 693 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Graphics for copywriters? Illustrator is a whole different animal than Photoshop. IMO, you'd be far better served learning Photoshop or Fireworks (and its integration with Dreamweaver) if you want to make web graphics - that's what they're for. Want to know an easy way to get hands on with software? Buy templates and reverse engineer how everything works. How they did what they did. They give you a finished product you can work your way backwards with... "How'd they do that metallic gradient or glassy look?" Open up the PSD and start turning layers on and off. Play with the effects settings (which teaches you where they are and when you use them, as well as how they work). Just duplicate the source file before you begin futzing and go nuts... and as Bill Cosby said, "you just might learn somethin' before its through". Good luck. Learning design is foolishly under-appreciated, mostly by people who write great but know dick about design. It's invaluable to you as a marketer and a creative. Learn. Best, Brian
	Brian McLeod The Warrior Event 2012 - Official Facebook Page Direct Response Copywriting \| Get on my private list immediately...

03-16-2010, 12:19 AM	#5
Minisite Frog www.minisitefrog.com War Room Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 67 Thanks: 0 Thanked 80 Times in 11 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Graphics for copywriters? Hey Tam, Your best bet would be Photoshop, and as Brian said 'reverse engineering' pre-existing templates would be your quickest way to learn. But be warned, it is very time consuming learning a piece of software like Photoshop from scratch. There are also tons of free and paid minisite templates on the market, whether they convert or not is a different story. Your other alternative is to outsource to a minisite/salesletter designer who can get the job done. And remember, you get what you pay for So even though you may come across a $100 minisite designer, his or her work will probably reflect that amount – and vice versa.
	MinisiteFrog.com – High Converting Minisite and Salesletter Designs

03-16-2010, 08:46 AM	#7
John_S Advanced Warrior Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: , , . Posts: 863 Thanks: 25 Thanked 399 Times in 234 Posts	Re: Graphics for copywriters? Learning PhotoShop is to direct response graphics as learning Keyboard is to expert copywriting. Yeah, necessary. But there is a whole world more.

03-16-2010, 11:44 AM	#8
Johnny12345 John Palmieri, Copywriter War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: USA Posts: 797 Thanks: 134 Thanked 118 Times in 94 Posts	Re: Graphics for copywriters? Adobe Illustrator is actually a poor choice for beginners because it is vector based. A "paint" program is easier to use and generally more useful for web graphics. If you're a graphics rookie, you're probably better off with something like Photoshop Elements. However, don't expect to be able to create professional quality, original graphics with it -- that takes knowledge and experience. The main thing Photoshop Elements will let even a beginner do is easily size, crop, and adjust photos and other graphics. For actual graphics creation, either outsource it or go to a stock graphics site. Regards, Johnny

03-16-2010, 05:08 PM	#9
AustinLadyTam Tam Thompson War Room Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 56 Thanks: 14 Thanked 11 Times in 8 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Graphics for copywriters? Thanks, everyone! From what I'm hearing, outsourcing is probably my best bet. Heck, I can't even SKETCH, so from what John_S said, I shouldn't expect Adobe PhotoShop to turn me into a decent graphic artist. I think copydoodles and Adobe Photoshop elements will be the extent of my graphics. After that, I'll let the graphic artist take over.

01-13-2011, 01:44 PM	#10
jasonthewebmaster Banned War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 1,406 Thanks: 884 Thanked 435 Times in 166 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Graphics for copywriters? This site here lets u make some slick sales page graphics: CopyDoodler® Copy Doodle Generator - Sales Page Graphics, Headlines, Buttons Creator its free and no optin required. thanks to mark hess for his awesome script!

01-16-2011, 07:41 AM	#11
studioprod Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 13 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Graphics for copywriters? It would be wondrous if one could purchase a software package and have it come with the skills a designer spends years to develop. The sad truth is that getting the software will go as far toward producing eye-grabbing and convincing graphics as getting a spellchecker will turn you into a persuasive copywriter. Writing and art are hard-won skills and ad agencies pay people big bucks to apply their talents to selling products and services. It not about the software, it's about the skills. That's why most online offers look as though they were crafted with a stone axe. When it comes to creative services, there's no free lunch except in a mouse trap.
	Always thankful for a helping hand