My Favorite Canva Tips And Tricks
Whether you're a seasoned designer or a small business owner with minimal design experience, Canva has emerged as a game-changer in today’s content-driven landscape. Canva empowers anyone to create stunning visuals without the need for extensive design skills. This free tool is especially helpful for small business owners who are striving to make their mark in a crowded market, because with Canva you can create professional-grade visuals that position your brand on par with industry giants.
So, why am I singing the praises of Canva? Because I believe every small business owner should absolutely know how to use Canva. Whether you have an assistant, an outside marketing firm, or a teenager in the house that helps you pull your marketing together, I believe small biz owners should always be able to open up Canva and create a piece of content themselves. Canva offers you the ability to create social media images, videos, gifs and posters, to full websites, booklets, multimedia presentations, and so much more to grow your business.
The best part? Canva is simple to use. I have yet to introduce Canva to anyone who couldn’t use it at a basic level in a matter of minutes.
To give you a quick glimpse into the powerhouse Canva really is I'm sharing some of my favorite Canva tips & tricks, along with step-by-step instructions, to put these tips to work for you. Still a novice with Canva, or haven’t even heard of Canva, but interested in learning more? Join me on November 6th from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm ET for my Canva For Beginners Live Class.
Without further ado, let’s jump in to those Canva Tips and Tricks for small business owners and solopreneuers!
1. Master the Art of Consistency:
Your brand's identity is a critical component of your business's success. With Canva’s "Brand Kit" feature, you can ensure that your designs maintain a cohesive look and feel.
Step 1: Log in to your Canva account and navigate to the "Brand Kit" section.
Step 2: Upload your brand logo, set your brand colors, and choose your preferred fonts.
Step 3: Whenever you create a new design, click on the "Brand Kit" tab to apply your established colors, fonts, and logo to maintain a consistent visual identity.
2. Utilize Custom Dimensions:
Creating designs with specific dimensions is crucial for various social media platforms and projects. Canva allows you to customize dimensions to fit your exact needs.
Step 1: Click on the "Create a design" button on your Canva dashboard.
Step 2: Choose "Custom dimensions" and enter the specific width and height you need for your design.
Step 3: Design your content within the custom dimensions you've set, ensuring it fits your project's requirements perfectly.
3. Embrace the Magic of Transparency:
Transparency adds depth and sophistication to your designs. Canva makes it easy to incorporate this effect into your elements.
Step 1: Add an element to your design, such as a shape or text box.
Step 2: Adjust the opacity of the element by selecting it and using the transparency slider that appears.
Step 3: Experiment with different levels of transparency to achieve the desired effect, creating depth and visual interest.
4. Tap into Canva's Photo Editing Tools:
Enhance your images without leaving the Canva platform by using its built-in photo editing features.
Step 1: Upload an image to your design or select one from Canva's library.
Step 2: Click on the image to reveal the photo editing options.
Step 3: Use features like cropping, resizing, filters, and adjustments to enhance your image's quality and visual appeal.
5. Leverage Animation for Dynamic Content:
Adding animation to your designs can make them more engaging and eye-catching.
Step 1: Add an element (text, icon, or image) to your design.
Step 2: Click on the "Animate" button that appears when you select the element.
Step 3: Choose an animation style from the options provided, preview it, and adjust the speed and duration if needed.
6. Collaborate Seamlessly:
Canva's collaboration features streamline feedback and input from team members, clients, or stakeholders.
Step 1: Create your design as usual and click on the "Share" button in the top-right corner.
Step 2: Choose the "Invite to edit" option and enter the email addresses of the collaborators.
Step 3: Collaborators will receive a link to the editable design, where they can make comments and suggestions directly.
7. Stay Inspired with Templates:
Canva's extensive template library offers a starting point for your designs, saving you time and boosting your creativity.
Step 1: Start a new design or select an existing one.
Step 2: Browse through Canva's template library by clicking on the "Templates" tab.
Step 3: Choose a template that aligns with your project. Pro tip: To apply a template to an existing design, click on the desired template, and it will replace your current design while keeping your content. Customize it by replacing elements with your content, and adjusting colors, fonts, and images.
8. Harness the Power of Grids and Alignment:
Using grids and alignment ensures a polished and professional look for your designs.
Step 1: When adding elements to your design, enable the "Grid" option from the top menu.
Step 2: Use the grid lines to align your elements precisely, ensuring a visually balanced composition.
Step 3: Adjust the spacing and positioning of elements based on the grid, creating a polished and professional look.
Now, can you see that Canva is more than just a design tool—it's a powerful ally in building your brand? Let’s be honest. The ability to convey your message effectively through captivating visuals has become non-negotiable in the marketplace today no matter what industry you are in. Don’t let your lack of knowledge and know-how using Canva hold you back from growing your business. Put these tips and tools to work today and join me for my live Canva For Beginners Training to learn more.