Finding & Using Photos Online

Often times when I'm working with clients, they have a need to find stock photos online.  The conversation usually ends up covering where to find photos onlie that are acceptable to use without infringing on copyright.  There are plenty of places you can search online using the term "royalty free photos".  With royalty free, however, you are still required to give credit to the person who took the photo.  While I have no problem with that, especially since I love to promote other people, doing so often takes time because you have to figure out a simple way to get the person's info into the marketing piece you're creating.  Awhile back I found PIXABAY and I was so excited!  With Pixabay not only are the images free to use, they are amazing and there is NOT a requirement to list who took the photo.  So the job of finding photos and using them suddenly became so much easier for me and I was in love with the site- and still am today.  Most of the photos in the Z&B Online Academy have come from Pixabay.  I encourage you to check them out.  ​

After I suggest the site to clients a follow-up question usually comes up related to where to create the item they need the photo for.  Maybe it's a Facebook Header, maybe it's a flyer, maybe it's an image for their website- regardless of what it is they are trying to create my answer is usually the same provided the client is NOT planning on doing tons of professional designing. What I recommend is Canva.  Canva is so simple to use and allows you to easily brand your colors and has a bunch of templates that you can use for free. I also caution clients to be careful because Canva sells stock images in their software and it can be easy to rack up a big bill unnecessarily.  Instead, I suggest they head over to Pixabay and find the image they want and then upload it to Canva.

Both softwares are easy enough to use for the average person.  If you are thinking about giving them a try and run into trouble, you can head out to a Co-Working Day.  

Co-Working Days are great because you have a whole Friday to sit around like-minded professionals and get tons done while also getting coaching and feedback from myself.  People love the nuggets they walk away from Co-Working Days with after picking my brain that's full of over 25 years of business and marketing experience.  They are included in the Coaching Club 2.0 and Ongoing Consulting programs but can also be attended ala-carte when needed. I let people come for the first time as my guest to try it out.  If you'd like to join us, you can register here and use the code LETMETRY!  

My private Facebook Group is another great place to ask questions.  Clients love that it's a place to get thoughts from others as well as my coaching. The only way to get access to the Z&B Facebook Community is to be a current or past client.  You can learn about the different programs Z&B offers here including the Academy Membership that gives you access to over 20 online course at a low monthly fee. ​