🚀 Part 2 is here! Game-Changing Tools Every UGC & Ads Creator Needs

The secret toolkit top creators use (and you’re about to steal it)

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👋 Hey there, welcome back to POV: Ads + UGCs Unlocked!
Last week, we kicked off our 2-part series on must-have tools to level up your ads and UGC game. 🎯

This week, we’re wrapping things up with Part 2 — diving into tools that help you create stunning creative assets and stay organized with planning tools. From designing scroll-stopping visuals to mapping out your entire content calendar, these picks will make your workflow smoother and your output sharper. 💡

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📅 Must-Have Planning Tools for Creators

1️⃣Notion

Notion is an all-in-one workspace where you can plan, write, and organize your entire content workflow in one place. From mapping out campaign calendars and creating shot lists to drafting creative briefs, it offers flexibility and endless customization. Whether you prefer minimal layouts or detailed boards, Notion adapts to your working style, making it a favorite for creators managing multiple projects at once.

✅ Pros:

  • Highly customizable with templates for creators

  • Combines notes, tasks, and databases in one place

  • Great for tracking multiple campaigns

  • Free version is powerful enough for most creators

⚠️ Cons:

  • Learning curve for customization

  • Can feel overwhelming with too many features

  • Requires internet connection for real-time sync

2️⃣Trello

Trello is a simple, card-and-board style planning tool that works beautifully for visual thinkers who like to see their projects laid out. You can drag and drop tasks, set deadlines, and organize ideas in an intuitive, color-coded way. It’s perfect for keeping track of small to medium-sized projects while giving you a quick visual snapshot of progress at any time.

✅ Pros:

  • Very easy to learn and use

  • Great visual overview of projects

  • Free plan works well for solo creators

  • Integrates with many other tools (Google Drive, Slack, etc.)

⚠️ Cons:

  • Limited features compared to more advanced tools

  • Can get messy without proper organization

  • Best for small projects or simple workflows

3️⃣Asana

Asana is a task and project management tool designed for creators who need to track every step of a campaign from brainstorming to publishing. With features like list, board, and calendar views, it’s versatile enough for both solo work and team collaboration. It’s ideal for creators juggling multiple deliverables and deadlines, ensuring nothing slips through the cracks.

✅ Pros:

  • Excellent for detailed project tracking

  • Calendar, board, and list views available

  • Automations to streamline repetitive tasks

  • Strong collaboration features

⚠️ Cons:

  • Free plan has limitations for advanced features

  • Interface can feel cluttered for simple projects

  • Some features require learning time

🎬 Quick Summary: Planning Tools

Tool

Best For

Pros

Notion

All-in-one customizable workspace for managing campaigns, notes, and databases

Highly customizable; Combines notes + tasks; Great for multiple projects; Powerful free plan

Trello

Visual, drag-and-drop project tracking

Easy to use; Clear visual overview; Good free plan; Integrates with many tools

Asana

Detailed project + task tracking for solo or team use

Multiple view options; Automation features; Strong collaboration

✨ Top Tools to Create Eye-Catching Ad Creatives

1️⃣Canva

Canva is a beginner-friendly graphic design platform perfect for creating ad creatives, social media graphics, and quick mockups. With its drag-and-drop interface and huge library of templates, fonts, and stock assets, Canva makes it easy to produce polished visuals in minutes.

Pros:

  • Super easy to use with drag-and-drop interface

  • Huge library of templates, fonts, and stock assets

  • Great for quick, polished visuals

  • Free plan is solid for basic needs

⚠️ Cons:

  • Limited customization compared to professional design tools

  • Common templates may look generic if overused

  • Heavy reliance on internet connection

2️⃣Adobe Creative Cloud Express

Adobe Creative Cloud Express (formerly Adobe Spark) is a simplified Adobe tool for creating high-quality graphics, short videos, and web stories without the complexity of Photoshop or Illustrator. It offers access to Adobe Stock, premium templates, and smooth integration with other Adobe apps, all in a mobile-friendly package.

Pros:

  • Professional, minimalist portfolio layouts

  • Easy integration with Adobe Creative Cloud

  • No coding required

  • Free with Adobe subscription

⚠️ Cons:

  • Requires Adobe Creative Cloud subscription

  • Fewer creative customization options compared to Canva

  • Less suitable for interactive/multimedia-heavy portfolios

3️⃣Figma

Figma is a collaborative design platform widely used for UI/UX, prototyping, and visual asset creation. Figma runs directly in the browser or desktop app, making it easy for multiple people to work on the same design in real time. Its flexibility and integration with plugins make it ideal for creative teams and individual designers alike.

✅ Pros:

  • Real-time collaboration for teams

  • Works directly in the browser, no heavy installs

  • Powerful plugins and widgets

  • Free plan is generous for individuals and small teams

⚠️ Cons:

  • Requires internet connection for full functionality

  • Can be overwhelming for complete beginners

  • Advanced features require paid plan

📁 Quick Comparison: Tools for Making Creative Assets

Tool

Best For

Pros

Cons

Canva

Quick ad creatives, social media graphics, simple mockups

Easy drag-and-drop interface, huge asset library, polished visuals, solid free plan

Limited customization, templates can look generic, internet required

Adobe Creative Cloud Express

High-quality graphics & short videos without full Adobe complexity

Professional results, Adobe Stock access, integrates with Adobe apps, mobile-friendly

Limited free plan, fewer features than full suite, paid plan can be pricey

Figma

Collaborative design, UI/UX, prototyping

Real-time collaboration, browser-based, powerful plugins, generous free plan

Internet needed for most features, learning curve for beginners, advanced features are paid

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