The workplaces we will go back to at some point will be totally different. Budget costs will trim staff and those of you that have a job to go back to will have to take on some additional tasks, I’m sure. Some of you won’t be called back and will have to look for new positions ( check out a new resource at the bottom of this post for you). Either way, picking up a new job skill is a good idea.
Let’s be Graphic Designers for a day!
I am the first to admit I do not have a great eye for Graphic design and I am always amazed when a professional can tweak a layout and some colors and make an ad or brochure look completely different. And I think the big projects should still be left to the professionals. But what if I told you there is a free tool you can use to create graphics that is more like a big arts and crafts area? A site where you can develop social media images, postcards, banners and all kinds of things. Did I mention that it’s free?!
Canva is a great sandbox.
I originally learned about Canva from my friend Catherine Heeg, who speaks on social media and tools for success. When I was developing the Tourism Pro Academy site, I knew I couldn’t afford to pay someone to help me develop images and banners for each course and element. So one day I took a deep breath and went to Canva. Like any other tool, there is a bit of a learning curve figuring out how to add elements, upload photos and change sizes. But it wasn’t hard at all. And once I got the hang of it, I started to get creative. The free version even allows you to upload your brand colors and logos.
Making time to be creative is good for you.
We are all living in stressful times and taking even just a bit of time to work on an art project can reduce your stress. This article cites a study that says “45 minutes of creative activity significantly lessens stress in the body, regardless of artistic experience or talent.” So just the act of trying out Canva can help your day get better. And for those of you home schooling ( special shout out to you!) this site would be easy for your kids to navigate and make something.
When my kids were growing up we used to make menus for dinner and pretend we were a restaurant. They used construction paper and stamps to decorate each menu- Canva would take this to the next level! And remember, whatever you create is good enough. None of us are experts when we start something new.
Some ideas to get you started.
You can create images for Facebook, Instagram or even Linkedin. In fact, I used Canva to create a Linkedin Banner photo that features my Tourism Pro Academy site and my brand colors! It really made my profile pop. Can you create a graphic with your businesses image in the background? Maybe a destination image with a message to potential future visitors? Whatever you make – please share it with me! Just reply to this email and add it as an attachment.
My goal for you is to have you gain some confidence in learning a new skill, have a bit of fun and realize that you can create some basic graphics that will get the job done. For those of you considering a Side Hustle idea after reading my last post (link here) you can create everything you will need right in Canva. And remember, done is better than perfect. Have fun!
How can I help you this month?
Have you checked out Tourism Pro Academy? There are free resources, online courses and more. Take some time to learn something new during our National “Pause”. I am adding new courses this month so check it out! Click here to access the site for free.
DMO’s – Are you looking for ways to provide some value to your members during this time? I know many of you are struggling to find ways to support your partners. I am developing a series of 3 webinars called Take Action- Plan for Tomorrow that your organization can offer now. Reply to this email and we can set up a time to answer your questions about the Online Tourism Training Program.
New! Profile Sheet 911. We know that your profile sheet is your sales ambassador in the Group Tour market. Is yours doing it all it should? Is it effective in answering tour operator questions and making your business sound appealing? Get ready now for when group tours start picking back up. Get ready now for the upcoming trade show season! Sign up for the new Profile sheet 911 program. For only $69 you will get a customized review that is also recorded. Click here for more details. This will be fun!
My friend Jonathan Elkboubi has teamed up with some other Tourism Pros and created HTTA and asked me to share:
If you have recently joined the ranks of the unemployed and furloughed of the US Hospitality, Travel, Tourism and Activities Industries, we invite you to register now at www.HTTA.us. HTTA is a benevolent, confidential and secured database meant to allow you to remain connected to the Trade Associations and DMOs you were involved with, which are unaware of your current work status. We will be adding new functionalities to benefit you once recovery starts, such as industry job boards, a continuous education resource center, and a recovery information repository.
Check out Jonathan’s 2016 Tourism Pro Talk Interview here
Can I ask a favor?
I would love it if you would share this post with at least 2 people who would benefit from the information. And then they can sign up here to receive posts delivered straight to their inbox. Thank you! 😁
Hi Sally,
Wishing you a happy, healty and joyful Easter.
I spend most of my time givin onl line lessons, reading and writing and listening music. Sharing nice historical, mitholgical wideos with my collages.
Associate Professor. Uysal YENİPINAR is currently the Head of Tourism Guidance and Tourism Department at Mersin University Faculty of Tourism in Turkey. She give lectures on Tourist Guiding, Tour Operators, Mythology,; She also conducts graduate studies like; intercultural communication, Faith Tourism, Destination Management. She is the author of Hatay-the Queen of the East Book and Body Inscriptions of Traditional Tattoos. She has articles and publications on tourist guidance, destination management, local food and tourism. She has been participating congresses of World Federation of Tourist Guiding Association as a seminar presenter three times. One was about “Zeugma Museum and Mozaiks” in Prague, the second one was about “Coffee Culture on Crossing Road” in Tehran. The third seminar will bee about “Storytelling on the Silk Road” in Tiblisi-Georgia in 2019.