Creating social media graphics for your women’s ministry Facebook page, Facebook group, or Instagram account isn’t as difficult as it may seem.
Thankfully there are many free options for creating great-looking social media graphics.
No longer do you need a graphic design degree to create beautiful scripture graphics or memes. Several social media creation tools offer templates that simplify the process.
Getting started, though, can seem a bit overwhelming so I’ve compiled the resource lists and tips below to smooth the process.
Please note: This post contains some affiliate links.
Free (or inexpensive) Social Media Creation Tools
Spend a little time exploring your options and then pick the one that is the easiest to use. There’s no need to learn all of these, you just need one!
Note: Each one has a bit of a learning curve. I’ve found YouTube has plenty of videos that will walk you through the process step-by-step.
As you research options, consider:
- Is it free, or are there additional costs? Sometimes it’s worth paying the annual fee to unlock other features.
- Do they offer templates, and if so, what kind?
- Do they offer cloud storage for your creations?
- Do you want to be able to design on the go? Is there an app for that?
- What format do you need for your creation? Hint: PNG results in a cleaner font than saving as a JPG.
- Can you upload and use your own fonts?
I use Picmonkey, but it is a membership site. I like that I can use my fonts I’ve downloaded, multiple fonts in the same text box, and store and edit my creations in their hub (cloud).
Resources for Free Images, Photos, and Videos
Thankfully some social media creation tools, such as Canva, provide images that you can use for free or for a small fee. When you can’t find the image you need, you’ll need to search other online sites.
If you choose to search for images on your own, there are a few things you need to know.
- It is illegal to copy and paste images you find on the internet without permission. Yes, copyright lawyers really will send you a nasty letter and will threaten to take you to court.
- Images come with licenses that limit their use. Read the fine print and note the source if that’s required. For example, you might not be able to put the image on a t-shirt to sell at an event.
Before you start searching, be aware that some of these sites have rather racy photos in their collections.
Free Photo Sites:
- Freely – You’ll find church-related photos here
- Creationswap – Church-related images; mix of free and paid
- Pexels
- Unsplash
- Pixabay
- Stockvault
- Pxhere
There are several paid sites for photos too. I use Deposit Photos (watch for a deal on AppSumo) and Stockunlimited.
It can be challenging to find Christian-themed free stock photos. If you can take your own – do it!
You’ve got your creation tool and your image – now it’s time to finalize your design.
Graphic Design Tips
- Use a font that’s large enough to read on a mobile screen without your women having to grab a pair of readers.
- Select a font color that pops and doesn’t fade into the background.
- Use the preferred graphic size for your social media delivery. Instagram posts are square, but stories are vertical.
- Find inspiration online. It’s plagiarism to copy it exactly, so tweak it to make it your own or request permission to share it.
- Keep up with graphic design trends. That includes avoiding Comic Sans.
- Mix and match fonts. Click here and here for some font pairing ideas to get you started.
- Ask for help if you need it. There are probably several women in your church that have graphic design experience – see if they can help!
- Utilize online tutorials to learn the tips and tricks for the social media creation platform you choose to use.
Everything you post doesn’t require a graphic.
If you try to create a graphic for every post, you’ll wear yourself out!
Sometimes it’s best and easiest to type in the question or information you want to share.
You can also share graphics and posts other people have created – just please don’t remove the source or any website links. Asking for permission before you share is always appreciated. However, you are always welcome to share graphics and posts from the Women’s Ministry Toolbox Facebook page.
Once you’ve created your social media graphics, you’ll want to set up a social media schedule. Be sure to check out the post, How to Schedule Social Media Posts.
I can’t wait to see the graphics you create for social media! They can be a powerful tool in connecting with the women in your church.
You may also want to read:
Virtual Women’s Ministry Resources
3 Keys to Virtual Women’s Ministry
How to Create a Women’s Ministry Social Media Plan
How to Host a Virtual Bible Study
How to Schedule Social Media Posts
How to Use Facebook Groups for Women’s Ministry
How to Support Your Women When You Can’t Meet Together
Isolation Icebreaker Questions
Tips for Creating Live and Recorded Video
Women’s Ministry Email List Services
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