Looking for visual content programs to boost your social media presence? The best way to increase audience retention online is to use visual content. This means you need to constantly create images, video, animation and infographics in order engage users. Indeed, visual content marketing will be sure to increase your success across social networks, because:
- video is predicted to comprise 82% of online traffic by 2021;
- images receive more views and shares than any other kind of content; and
- the use visuals in your marketing can increase conversions by up to 329%.
So, you’ve decided to enhance your impact by adding visual content to your marketing strategy? It’s time to figure out how you’re going to create that media and decide whether image, video, animation or infographics will be most appropriate for your topic and audience. In this article, we will outline the top 11 visual content programs you should be using to create awesome content for social media.
Image Creation and Editing Tools
1. Canva
Canva is a simplified graphic-design tool, founded in 2012. It uses a drag-and-drop format and provides access to photographs, vector images, graphics, and fonts. Canva makes it easy to create and edit customized images for sharing on social media, illustrating blog posts, and much more. It’s an essential content marketing tool for many professionals.
2. BeFunky Graphic Designer
You can play with hundreds of amazing photo effects that you can’t find anywhere else, like their world-famous cartoonizer, oil painting and pop art effects. You can also add extra flair to your photo with hundreds of one-of-a-kind, hand-drawn graphics, like:
- hats;
- beards;
- jewelry;
- photo frames; and
- graphic overlays.
If text is your thing, BeFunky Photo Editor has tons of fonts and customized text layouts for you to choose from! You can also make:
- cards;
- banners;
- brochures; and
- posters.
3. Adobe Spark
Adobe Spark is a fast content creation software that lets you easily combine text, images and video content for better storytelling online. Get started in seconds with professionally-designed templates you can tweak to make your own with just a few taps. Pick your photos, add some text and apply design filters to instantly create beautiful, eye-catching graphics.
Video Creation Tools
4. Lumen5
Lumen5 is one of the more interesting visual content creation tools on our list. That’s because it uses artificial intelligence to let you create a video from text. Enter a URL and the software will create videos to match, including photos and music. This is definitely one to keep an eye on.
5. RawShorts
With RawShorts, making explainer videos to illustrate processes and products is swift and easy. The program features a broad variety of video templates, plus a simple drag-and-drop video builder where you can insert text, transitions, effects, images, and much more. Once you’re finished creating the video, RawShorts makes it easy to share via Facebook, YouTube, your landing page, or other venues. Cost: Free limited version; packages available up to $59/month
6. VideoShop
VideoShop lets you add music, sound effects, and voiceovers to your videos. You can also combine and edit clips, add filters and create transitions. Plus, it’s easy to share your creations on social media. This app is available on iOS and Android. Other great features mean that you can create:
- voice overs with useful recording tools;
- animated titles;
- filters to enhance your video’s colour;
- transitions to animate between video clips;
- photos slideshows; and
- stop motion videos.
Animation Tools
7. Powtoon
Powtoon bridges the gap between videos and presentations. It makes it easy to create appealing visual content in only a few minutes. This is an excellent way to get attention and engage your audience. The PowToon platform allows you to:
- choose from several templates; and
- customise templates to suit your organisation.
You can simply plug and play your content and share across your social media networks. Free and paid versions are available at up to $59 per month.
8. Animaker
For infographics in motion, look to Animaker. It’s an amazing tool that provides over 100 charts, 1000 icons, 3000 maps and much more to help you jump-start your video infographic. Use Animaker to:
- tell stories with your data;
- catch customers’ attention on social media; and
- achieve powerful marketing on a slim budget.
Cost: You can produce five videos under two-minutes per month in SD for FREE. Additional packages range from $12/month to $39/month
9. Renderforest
If you’re looking for visual content programs that allow you to create graphic media fast, RenderForest is a good option. This cloud-based animation and video maker helps you quickly make:
- intro videos;
- explainer videos;
- presentations;
- infographics; and
- much more!
There are free and paid packages.
Infographic Creation Tools
10. Easel.ly
Easel.ly aims to make it simple to create infographics by using pre-made templates and adding photos, images and charts. The free version gives you access to 10 templates, but you’ll get hundreds more with a paid plan.
Sometimes, you need an image to get your point across to your customers. Just select one of easel.ly‘s many attractive templates and enter your data or other information. You’ll have a fantastic, professional-looking infographic ready in just a few minutes!
You can use a limited version of easel.ly for free, or purchase a pro account for $4 per month.
11. Infogram
If you’re looking for interactive visual content creation tools, Infogram is worth a try. The free version allows you to access:
- 37 types of interactive infographics;
- 13 types of interactive maps; and
- drag and drop features to create a stunning content.
With Infogram’s wide range of templates and customisation options, you’ll be well on your way to publishing noteworthy infographics as part of your content marketing strategy.
Infogram offers a wide range of packages and pricing options, from a free plan and up to $149/month for businesses. Enterprise package options are also available.
Wrap Up
Visual media is an essential part of your content marketing strategy. If you’re not taking advantage of photo, video, animation and infographics, you’re likely losing people who could have otherwise donated or volunteered with your NGO. Hopefully this list of visual content programs is a good starting point for your marketing needs.
Do you want help creating content to tell your organisation’s story? Get in contact with We are World Change to discuss how our talented student volunteers can produce your next visual media project.