5 Apps Every Content Creator Needs

App Summary

1. PicsArt

2. Spark Post

3. ProCreate

4. Airbrush

5. Preview

Introduction

Hey there, content creator!

While I am constantly learning new things about the digital advertising industry, I have had a lot of experience with social media advertising and my biggest take away has been that the apps you use to create content can make or break your campaigns.

Luckily, I have created a quick list of the 5 best apps for creative professionals, whether you are editing photos, creating graphics, crafting illustrations, or something else entirely. Here’s everything you’ll need to turn out fantastic designs every time:

PicsArt (free)

Why it rocks: This one little app can do just about everything you’ll ever need for creating unique graphics and images. You can browse through content others have created using the app or create your own by:

• Completing PicsArt-made projects & challenges

• Adding stickers, photos, text, backgrounds to images

• Retouching, color-correcting, & filtering photos

• Using templates to create collages

• Draw using custom pens and brushes

The possibilities are endless!

Spark Post (free)

Why it rocks: Not only does this Adobe app allow you to create all kinds of different sized digital graphics, but you can also choose from thousands of templates to match what you’re looking for. They also offer lots of free fonts, stock images, and backgrounds to create professional-looking content. My favorite part of the app is their font “Style” tool which allows you to select any of the text on your page and they will give you different combinations of fonts, colors, and shapes so you can try out different styles you never would have otherwise--more often than not, their suggestions are just what my text needs!

With it you can:

• Create social media graphics & Instagram highlight labels

• Create flyers, documents, & posters

• Create logos and headers

ProCreate ($4.99)

Why it rocks: The ultimate digital illustrator. There is no other app out there, free or otherwise, that does everything ProCreate can. Allows you to draw using your finger or stylus with different colors, weights, and brushes. Great for drawing interesting texts and phrases, doodles, or intricate life-like drawings. Don’t have a steady hand? No problem-- ProCreate automatically corrects wobbly lines to straight ones when users hold down while using a brush. Wobbly-handed artists rejoice!

Best used for:

• Digital illustrations

• Background/basic pattern creation

• Handmade text creation

• Logo creation

Airbrush (free)

Why it rocks: I recommend this app for everyone--creator or not-- because of the range of tools it has for editing photos. Complete with filters, background removal, and editing this app can be used to spot correct any image or even graphic in a professional-looking way. I love their “Acne” tool because not only is it great for removing unwanted blemishes or unwanted extras in photos, but I have also used it to remove mistakes and unnecessary items in graphics I’ve created. The whitening tool is also great for adding highlights to dark photos!

Use this app for:

• Photo or Graphic Editing: whitening, brightening, spot correction, blurring, smoothing, etc.

• Adding makeup to faces in photos

• FIltering images

• Changing the background in images

Preview (free)

Why it rocks: This app is great for social media managers as it shows you how your content will look in your Instagram feed so you know whether a post fits in with the rest of your profile. It is also great for scheduling and keeping track of all of your planned content. As a bonus, the app also gives you caption ideas and post analytics so you have everything you need for your Insta presence.

Here’s everything the app offers:

• Post scheduling & planning

• Caption ideas

• Social media tips and How-Tos

• Analytics

Conclusion

I hope after reading this post, you come away with a few more apps on your phone (and a little less storage space)! Most of these are free and are compatible with all smartphones and tablets, and have gotten me through my social media content creation with ease. Let me know if you have any suggestions for more great apps or want to find apps for a certain project in particular by leaving a comment or heading to my “Contact” page.