If you’re a blogger, author, designer, etc. you know how essential marketing is for success and longevity in this digital age.
We have to hustle. We have to stay on top of trends, apps, and gadgets. We have to be visually present on social media and offer valued, engaging content.
One of the many reasons why I love blogging is having this awesome opportunity to pass on tips, tools, and resources to help others on this journey of creating and connecting.
This post is all about marketing and making connections. Yup, we can do both at the same time. This is what I consider to be a win-win!
Let’s create content AND build connections. Let’s talk Mockups ~ the win-win solution! β₯
Topics covered in this post:
- How to use an iPhone Mockup
- Where to get images to use on an iPhone Mockup
- How to take a screenshot using an iPhone
- How to “snip” images and use them on an iPhone Mockup
- How to use an iPhone Mockup to market our work and build connections
A quick video tutorial on how to use an iPhone Mockup
I love creating Mockups and I use them in my own marketing. Mockups are fantastic tools that give us the opportunity to share our creative work in a realistic setting.
The iPhone Mockup is quite simple to use. Depending on the file format, they can require Photoshop with the use of Smart Objects, but the iPhone Mockup used in the video tutorial above and the image below is in JPEG format. Any image editor, like Photoshop, Canva, and/or PicMonkey will work just fine. All that’s required is the ability to upload and open the iPhone Mockup file and then place your image on top of the iPhone.
We take pictures with our phone, not of our phone. Ta-da … the iPhone Mockup is the game changer!
Sample of an iPhone Mockup
What images do I use? Where and how do I get them?
When it comes to images, the possibilities are endless. As long as your images have a 16:9 aspect ratio, as all iPhone’s screen have, you’re good to go.
We can source our images by:
- Taking Screenshots
- “Snipping” content/images
Using screenshots and taking “snipped” images from our social media profiles, blog, website, etc. are great ways to gather relevant, engaging images.
Screenshots
We can use any screenshot taken with our iPhone and then layer it on top of the iPhone screen. In the video tutorial, you can see how quick and easy this layering process is. It can be done in seconds. Literally!
Screenshots are super easy to do and are great marketing tools.
How to take a screenshot using an iPhone
The image on the iPhone Mockup below is a screenshot I took of an Instagram Story I recently posted to my profile. I then layered it on top of the iPhone screen.
“Snipped” Images
In the sample below, I “snipped” this image from my WordPress dashboard while I was viewing my website in the iPhone layout mode.
How do I access and use the Snipping Tool?
The Snipping Tool in Windows is perfect for cropping and making selections from our website, blog, social media, and more. You can find it under the Start Menu > All programs > Accessories. Or you can type “Snipping Tool” in the Search box and you’ll see it. I typically use the Rectangular Snip format. To make a snip, left click and drag your mouse over the area you want to snip. Once selected, let go of the mouse. Easy peasy!
If you’re using a Chromebook, to access the snipping tool, hold the Ctrl, Shift, and Switch Windows keys. The Switch Window key is above the number 6 key. You’ll know the snipping tool is active when the screen display darkens. To make a snip, left click and drag your mouse over the area you want to snip. Once selected, let go of the mouse. The snipped image will be saved in your files folder.
Tip: Accessing our website dashboard along with the snipping tool is another win-win. This is an awesome way of sharing content, promoting our work, and displaying our website as a responsive design that views easily in multiple layouts.
We can access the multiple layout options from our dashboard. If you’re using WordPress, just click on View Site in the top left corner of your dashboard.
From here, we can select from the drop-down menu, as displayed in the image below.
I “snipped” this image while using my Chromebook.
Then I layered it on top of the iPhone screen.
Using an iPhone Mockup to Market and Build Connections
An iPhone Mockup is a great tool for marketing/sharing an Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Blog post on our other social media platforms and for building connections. So many possibilities!
There are numerous benefits of doing this. It not only shows that we’re active on Instagram, for example, it’s a visual snapshot that includes our username along with content that we share. This is a fantastic way to connect with others.
In the image below, people can see that I’m active on Instagram and that I’m a blogger sharing tips and resources. Visuals, like this, are introductions in this digital age. We are more likely to connect with people if we know a little bit about them.
Pinterest is a must for visual marketing and a fabulous source for finding inspiration, ideas, and solutions. In the Mockup below, I used a screenshot of a Pinterest pin I recently added to my profile.
Sharing a Pinterest pin using an iPhone Mockup is another means of connecting and a win-win for marketing our work, products, and services.
We can share our designs, products, and services. If you design digital products like apps, design templates and graphics, you can showcase your work in a realistic setting. If you offer services, you can share your details and contact information. I create and sell digital design templates, so this form of marketing works really well.
Another popular use for an iPhone Mockup is the ‘how-to” visual. Offering tips with a visual is an awesome way to connect with people. In the image below, I show how to capture screenshots from an iPhone. I love the use of visuals in blog posts, especially tutorials.
This is the “how-to” visual I used earlier in this post.
Using an iPhone Mockup, we can easily share our work. This is verse I shared as an Instagram Story. Using this image in a blog post or other social media platforms is an ideal visual that invites readers to connect with us on Instagram. Again, we’re marketing and connecting across social media.
Basically, we’re using one platform to create connections on another platform. Win-win, my friends! We can encourage others to share a favourite quote and we’re using social media, not just to promote our work, but to build connections.
For authors, we can use an image of our ebook(s) cover and place it on the iPhone Mockup. Using an iPhone Mockup shows that our published work is available as an eBook and can be displayed easily on multiple devices.
This is the cover from The Heart’s Journey Home ~ my first collection of poetry.
We can post an image and ask fellow authors to do the same. Let’s create a #hashtag and tag a few author friends to get the party started!
We can screenshot a passage or verse from our book(s) and then place that image on the iPhone screen. This is a screenshot of a poem from The Heart’s Lullaby ~ my second collection of poetry.
Another idea is sharing an inspirational quote or picture. β₯
Also, we can easily crop the iPhone Mockup image to showcase a focal point. Again, so many possibilities!
I believe that when we promote our work for the purpose and possibility of connecting with others we’re bound to enjoy the process. In this digital age, we have this amazing opportunity to share our passion and connect with others.
I hope this post proves helpful. If you have an idea for using an iPhone Mockup, please feel free to share in the comments below.
Until next time… happy creating and connecting, my friends! β₯
Teri Polen says
I’m so clueless with this, Natalie, lol. I really appreciate the easy-to-follow directions and tutorials – thanks so much!
Natalie Ducey says
Delighted to share, Teri! Happy to help in any way. π Thanks a bunch for stopping by!
D.L. Finn, Author says
Thank you Natalie:) I recently learned how to do a screen shot which has been handy. I’m going to save this and play with the snipping later.
Natalie Ducey says
Fantastic to hear, Denise. Happy to help in any way! Thanks for stopping by and for sharing, too. Cheers! π
robbiesinspiration says
Thank you for this step-by-step instruction post, Natalie. I love these marketing pictures with cell phones but I didn’t know how to make them myself. I have being paying someone else to make them for me.
Natalie Ducey says
Cheers, Robbie! I hope this post was helpful. There are so many techniques and templates to choose from. With your creativity and talent, I think you’ll be a pro at this stuff! π Happy to help in any way. Thanks so much for stopping by, and for sharing, too!
Jacquie Biggar says
Very cool, Natalie, thanks!
Natalie Ducey says
Thanks, Jacquie! π
Jacqui Murray says
How clever! I often overlay screenshots from my tech books onto digital devices–including the iPhone. It really gets the message across nicely and visually. Great step-by-step directions, Natalie.
Natalie Ducey says
Awesome to hear, Jacqui! They are fantastic marketing tools and I love using them. Thanks a bunch for stopping by today, and for sharing, too. Cheers! π
Mae Clair says
Wow, I hd no idea about these handy tips, Natalie. I’ve done iPhone mock-ups the long way through manual screen shots, cropping and layers in Photoshop but this rocks, is so easy and so classy. Thank you for sharing!
Natalie Ducey says
Delighted to share, Mae! Screenshots are awesome and the picture quality of the shots is amazing, too. Thanks for stopping by. Hope you enjoy a fabulous day! π
watchingthedaisies says
Thank you Natalie. I will come back to your post and give this a try.
Natalie Ducey says
Cheers, Brigid! Happy to help in any way. π
Jan Sikes says
This is most interesting, Natalie. I’ve never tried this, but your step-by-step tutorial would make it easy to do! Thanks for sharing!
Natalie Ducey says
Thank you, Jan! Always delighted to share and happy to help in any way. Thanks for stopping by, and for sharing, too. Cheers! π
kevin cooper says
Love the new blog look, Natalie.
Natalie Ducey says
Thank you, Kevin! π
Vashti Q says
Hi, Natalie! Great blog post! Your tutorial is very helpful. I can’t wait to try making my own. <3 xo
Natalie Ducey says
Thank you, Vashti! Always delighted to share. Wishing you a lovely Sunday! XO
dgkaye says
Thanks for your step by step Natalie. I’m an Android user so I’ll have to find my way around. π xx
Natalie Ducey says
Happy to share, Debby! I found this article for taking screenshots with an andriod phone. I imagine the aspect ratio is similar or pretty close to the iPhone. With a screenshot you’re good to go. Hope this helps. Cheers! π
https://www.greenbot.com/article/2825064/how-to-take-a-screenshot-on-your-android-phone.html
dgkaye says
Thank you so much Natalie!!! <3
Natalie Ducey says
Most welcome! π