Ask any public relations or marketing professional whether visuals are important to their storytelling success, and you’ll hear a resounding yes. When PR News and PR Newswire surveyed public relations professionals in 2013, 76% reported that they planned to incorporate more visual storytelling elements in their communications.

However, some brands are still hesitant to start using multimedia, citing lack of resources, time and budget as their top three challenges.

The reality, though, is that effective graphics aren’t that difficult to produce.

Here are 7 graphic styles that won’t strain your budget, time or resources — even if you aren’t a designer. I’ve prioritized this list from easiest to most-involved. The next time you need a visual on the fly, try one of them out.

1. Screenshots & Cover Pages

What They Are
Images of websites, reports, slides, etc. that can be grabbed from your viewing screen. These are often the best and easiest ways to visually show off your digital services and other promotional content such as white papers, eBooks, webinars, etc.

Keep in mind that your content does not need a fancy cover to effectively communicate your content offer. But taking any extra step beyond the white background with black text is worth your while – add your logo, a background color block, photo, etc.

Level of Difficulty: 0 (out of 5)
If you can read this, you can take a screenshot. There are a variety of ways to accomplish this – keyboard short-cuts, software, apps, etc. If you need help getting started, Google “how to take a screenshot” for tutorials.

Spend less time editing your screenshot by following these tips before you take it:

• Open it in a separate window.
• Go to full screen mode whenever possible, particularly for webpages and slides.
• Zoom in or out to capture the area you want to highlight.

I’ve found the fastest way to accomplish all three is using my iPad – which also guarantees great resolution.

Download our whitepaper Driving Credibility & Success for Your Brand to learn how to earn more media by using visuals and less traditional content formats.

2. Visualized Quotes

What They Are
Direct quotes and or summarized thoughts that support the ideas of your content, in image form.

Level of Difficulty: 1 (out of 5)
Easy-peasy. These don’t have to be Michelangelo-level art to help you visually connect with your audience.

For those with very limited time, budget and resources, I recommend using PowerPoint as a design tool and then grabbing a screenshot. For best results, stick with your brand’s approved fonts and colors.

3. Photos with Text & Internet Memes

What They Are
Photos can be effective on their own, but adding text in the image itself focuses your audience on your message and ensures it remains intact when shared across social media. Internet memes generally rely on this format to quickly communicate their thoughts and reactions to current events.

Level of Difficulty: 1 (out of 5)
I dare anyone to tell me these are that difficult to create. If they were, my Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest feeds wouldn’t be filled with them. With hi-def smartphone cameras and free editing apps available, you can even put these together on the go.

4. Tweets

What They Are
Posts via Twitter. They’re a great way to add visuals and third-party support to your content.

Level of Difficulty: 1 (out of 5)
These are also very easy to incorporate.

For blogs and similar online content, I recommend embedding the tweet. The embed code is available in the “… More” option at the bottom of every Tweet. For other content like white papers and presentations, I suggest taking a screenshot.

5. Charts and Graphs

What They Are
Data presented in visual format such as pie charts, bar graphs, etc. This is an obvious choice and easy win when you’re sharing data and statistics with your audience.

Level of Difficulty: 1-3+ (out of 5)
You have a variety of options on this one…

• Level 1: Export data in Excel to one of their many chart options. Then, take a screenshot.
• Level 2: Export data in Excel to one of their many chart options. Spend a few minutes editing colors, fonts, etc. to make it look better and aligned with your brand. Then, take a screenshot.
• Level 3: Export data in Excel to one of their many chart options. Take a screenshot. Then, use that as a base to redraw the chart in a design tool (or even PowerPoint… most of the time we’re just using boxes and lines.)

6. Visualized Lists

What They Are
A list, in visual format. (Is it sinking in yet that words can be visuals, too?)

Level of Difficulty: 1-2 (out of 5)
Ok, so you might have to spend a little bit of your time, resources or budget to accomplish this, but I still wouldn’t categorize this as difficult. And once again, non-designers can use PowerPoint to put these together.

7. Simple “Infographics”

What They Are
A simple visual expression of stats, processes, maps or notes. Basically any idea that doesn’t fit into the other categories above.

Level of Difficulty: 1-3+ (out of 5)
Don’t let a word like “infographics” scare you. I don’t want to put myself out of a job, but I’ll say that you don’t always need someone with Photoshop skills to put these together.

If you’re not already familiar with PowerPoint’s SmartArt feature, check out my previous blog post for more information.

Just look at some of the examples below. Some of them should make you think, “Hey, I could probably re-create that in Word or PowerPoint.”

Everything I’ve shown you today should drive home the fact that the images you use in content don’t have to be complex to help you tell a more compelling story. I hope I’ve inspired you to include visuals in each and every piece of content you work on, because really… you have no excuse!

Author Jamie Heckler is the Senior Creative Manager at PR Newswire. Follow her on Twitter @jamieheckle for more #design, #PR & #marketing updates.