Ryan McCready Profile picture
Feb 11, 2022 9 tweets 4 min read Read on X
Let's be honest, I'm not a designer.

I got my degree in Econ, the least creative field.

But I have created 1000s of visuals over the past few years.

So how did I do it?

By using these 7 simple tips non-designers can use to look like a PRO.
1️⃣ Leave white space around your design elements

To make your designs look more professional, leave negative space around your design elements.

This gives your content, text, graphs & more some room to breathe.

Not only will this look better, it will help with readability.
2️⃣ Use a clear text hierarchy

This might sound scary to some people, but it's not!

Basically, just make sure your main headers are larger than the subheaders & those are larger than the body text.

A clear text hierarchy will allow readers to move through visuals with ease.
3️⃣ Use image frames

If you want to use images in your designs, use an image frame or border to help them integrate seamlessly with the other design elements.

Also make sure the shape or border ACTUALLY fits the theme of your design, like in the example below.
4️⃣ Don't overcomplicate things

Sometimes it's best to just keep things simple.

This is especially important when it comes to clear communication.

For example, you don't need to create a complicated graph if you only want someone to focus on one statistic.
5️⃣ Keep everything consistent

Whenever I'm giving design feedback, the first thing I look for is consistency.

Did they use the same fonts, layout & color palette throughout?

If not, readers will focus on those inconsistencies & it will make your content harder to consume.
6️⃣ Embrace neutral colors

Not every part of your visual has to use a color from your brand palette.

Instead use whites, blacks & grays to make your colors pop.

Sometimes, less is more. Especially if your visual has some written content or data.
7️⃣ Use a template

I will be the first to admit I love a good template.

A REAL designer has done all the heavy lifting for you.

Just be sure to follow the tips above once you start editing the template!

Otherwise, even a great template can't help you communicate effectively.
As you can see, with a few simple tips...

Basically anyone can be a designer!

So start creating today!

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More from @RyanMcCready1

Feb 16, 2022
LinkedIn News are master copywriters.

They write perfect headlines.

Paired with engaging micro-content

And make it easy for millions of people to share.

Here are 4 simple ways you can copy them!

🧵
The main goal of these LinkedIn News articles is to give users something relevant to share.

Without leaving the platform or having to go find a link.

All of their decisions in terms of design, copywriting & more tie back to this idea.
Need some concrete proof?

Look at that big share button at the top of the page.

So how does LinkedIn ensure you actually click that button...
Read 20 tweets
Feb 15, 2022
Shopify has invested a TON into a free tool.

For their Business Name Generator they have:

🔗 Built 36k+ backlinks
🔎 Targeted 40k+ keywords
🎨 Designed 225+ landing pages

Why would they do all of this for a free tool?

🧵
This seems like a ton of effort to put into a free tool, right?

Wrong!

@Shopify has also turned the Business Name Generator into a fancy sign-up form for their services.

This form has the opportunity to turn every person who searches for a business name into a customer.
It's so simple too!

After you find the perfect business name, you can sign up for a Shopify store with a single click.

Then, all you have to do is enter your email & Shopify will create the site in seconds.

It's basically magic.

Especially for a new business owner.
Read 11 tweets
Feb 14, 2022
Want to 2x your conversion rates?

Start by embracing the idea of:

"One path of success"

Especially on landing pages!

Let me show you how with these 10+ examples.

🧵
Let's break down "one path of success."

It means that you should eliminate unneeded distractions on a landing page.

And make it VERY easy for a user to find success or value.
For example, if you want someone to sign up for your SaaS from a certain landing page.

Make sure that is the ONLY thing they can do on the page.

If you don't make that SUPER obvious, they will likely not sign up.
Read 20 tweets
Feb 10, 2022
With 2 simple tools, Ahrefs drives:

🔎 520k organic sessions
💰 $320k in traffic value

That's more than their entire blog!

How is this possible?

It's actually pretty simple.

Let's break it down.

🧵
Over the past few years, @Ahrefs has been giving away their best tools for free.

They have used that strategy to build a $10M content moat & an unmatched acquisition channel.
With just 13 of these SEO tools...

They drive around $858k in traffic value each month.

And rank on 532k diverse keywords!
Read 26 tweets
Feb 9, 2022
TikTok has one of the best simple growth/engagement loops I've ever seen.

And it took me way too long to realize it.

Mini 🧵
So when you share a link to a TikTok on another platform.

TikTok will notify YOU when that video is viewed.

And will show the TikTok username of the person you shared it with.

(Image from Reddit)
Now you can easily follow that person with a few clicks.

And BOOM.

Never have to share a TikTok with outside of the TikTok app.

It's genius!
Read 5 tweets
Feb 8, 2022
Ahrefs has a VERY complicated product.

Yet, they are able to show immediate value to new users.

And likely push them to sign up.

All in about 10 seconds...thousands of times each day.

How?

With 13 simple tools.

🧵
There’s no hiding the fact that I love when brands use simple tools as an acquisition channel.

I have even written a teardown on how the Shopify Business Name Generator dominates an entire content cluster. Image
But Ahrefs takes it to another level with their collection of free SEO tools.

I have never seen a SaaS brand succeed with so many tools.

Maybe one or two, but not 10+ free tools! Image
Read 11 tweets

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