Pablo by Buffer – Cool Tool of the Weekcontentplan.co /pablo-buffer-cool-tool-week/

Greg Fry

This week I am very much blowing my trumpet for the brilliant Buffer.

Not only does Buffer have one of the best social media management and scheduling tools on theplanet and according to the Social Media Examiner the best Social Media blog on the web, but theyhave just released a brilliant FREE tool that can only be described as Canva on Speed.

What is Buffer’s Pablo?

Buffer’s Pablo – Design great images in seconds

Choose from 35 great images or upload your own.

Buffer’s Pablo app allows you to add great images to your text updates in seconds. One thingmost busy social media managers have in common is a “need for speed” and with Pablo I can createa branded image and post to multiple social media sites and/or blog posts in an instant.

Unlike Canva’s 10,000s of templates and stock photos Buffer’s Pablo gives you 35 images you canuse for free. The images come from the brilliant guys at Unsplash and rotate on a regular basis. LikeCanva you can also upload and use your own images.

Creating an Image using Pablo

Once you have selected you chosen image you can “cut and paste” or even write your chosen text intotheir text box. You also have a choice one of four font colours – white, black, blue and red. So pickthe colour that will make your text stand out the best. Then just select your chosen text size andposition the text in the picture. (Tip – look at how the text is sitting in the preview image and alter tosuit your preference)

You can also change the appearance of the original image. Choices are Black & White, Blurred, andIncreased Contrast (this option will make the featured image darker and may be a good option to makeyour text stand out more).

You have a choice of 10 fonts you can use (plenty of good ones including Lato, Merriweather,Hamersmith and Monsterrat). Other options here include: the ability to use italics and make your textbold. You can even add secondary text if needed. This could be useful if you wanted to add areference to an image – eg image by Content Plan.

One problem with creating great images on the web is that when they get shared 100s times very oftenthe source of the image is left behind. For example that picture you took of the cat in a batman capegets shared around the web 100,000 times however the viewer sees the image and has no clue whothe creator was.

Choose from 10 fonts

Buffer’s Pablo allows you to insert and position an “Icon” or logo to your image. This will ensureyou don’t get forgotten when your image goes viral;)

Sharing your Image on Buffer’s Pablo

Once you have your image created it is time to unleash it into the wild. You can post it instantly toFacebook and/or Twitter by clicking the appropriate below your image. If you are a Buffer user youcan schedule or post your image to multiple social networks including LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitterand Google +.

If you have created an image you wish to save and possibly upload to your blog just click

“Download” and save your image in png format.

In a nutshell Buffer’s Pablo is a real gem due to it’s simplicity. The fact that I don’t have 1,000s ofimages and templates to look at, 100s of fonts to debate about and loads of filters to fiddle with allowsme to create impactful images at Usain Bolt speeds.

Too lazy to read this post? Don’t worry here is a quick 4 minute demo. Pour yourself a cup of coffee,stick your headphones on and enjoy:)

Greg Fry

Add your Logo to your Images

An International Social Media trainer delivering regular LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google+and Social Business Strategy training and workshops for institutions such as the Digital MarketingInstitute, Sure Skills and the Digital Skills Academy. In 2014 I have worked with top multinationalsincluding: Ulster Bank, Microsoft, UPC and Coca Cola Hellenic. Alongside training I work as a SocialBusiness Consultant. I believe that in order to make social media work for your business you musthave a clear business goal, a clearly defined strategy and make sure that everything you do ismeasurable.

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Share your masterpiece direct from Buffer’s Pablo App. Or Download the image direct to your pc or mac.

You may want to sign up for a FREE Buffer App account and schedule your image to multiple Social Networks.