Canva is a great, free tool you can use to craft quality social media posts for your accounts. You can use this graphic design platform to create everything from social media content to presentations. Here are a few ways to use Canva for your business!
When I started my free Canva account, I was shocked by what I was able to accomplish! I started using the platform in college. I began designing flyers and social media posts for things I was doing on campus. Since I’ve started working for clients across a variety of industries, I’ve used it to create social media images for a variety of platforms.
If you want to create beautiful content using free templates and communicate a clear brand image, Canva is a great tool to consider! This is also great for up-and-coming business owners who still manage all facets of their business by themselves.
This post contains affiliate links. That means when you click on a link and make a purchase, I make a commission at no extra cost to you. For more information about my disclosure and privacy policy, visit this page.
What can I create with Canva?
You can create all of your marketing materials using Canva. If you need Instagram stories, carousel posts, a brand kit, business cards, flyers, and more. You can take advantage of Canva’s social media templates and create content for things like Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and more.
How to Use Canva to Create Social Media Posts
If you haven’t already, open Canva and create a free account. Now start exploring! (Note – you do need an email address to create an account with Canva!)
From the home page, you can head to the top, right page and hit “Create a design.” Using the search bar, you can find common designs or begin customizing your own designs. A few common sizes are:
– Instagram feed posts – 1080×1080 pixels
– Facebook feed posts – 1200×630 pixels
– Pinterest feed posts – 1000×1500 pixels
Once you’ve selected your design and opened your workspace, begin familiarizing yourself with your left sidebar editor’s panel. You can begin searching for pre-made templates that are automatically sized for the design you’re working with. Or, you can begin navigating other design elements to create your own beautiful social media images.
You can also organize different design elements in folders and save those folders to your editor’s panel. I group images and brand colors in those folders to make my design sessions flow smoother.
As you create your design, be sure to refer to your top editor’s panel so you can adjust the color, transparency, orientation of your image and more.
Tip – there is an option to become a Canva Pro User. For a monthly fee, you have access to additional features like image editors, unlimited downloads from stock photos, and collaboration features.
When you’re finished with your design, hit “Share” in the top, right-hand corner of your browser and scroll down to “Download.” Select your file type and hit the download button. Ta-da! Your design is now yours to publish where you need to!
Note – if you are using the free Canva version but include a design element that’s only available for Canva Pro users, there will be watermarks on your downloaded images. To avoid the watermarks, you can upgrade to a Canva Pro account or pay for your Canva Pro images prior to downloading. There will be an option to pay, as well as your total, on your download screen.
How do you create content for beginners?
The design process for each business is going to look different based on your needs. If you aren’t comfortable with designing your own social media images, perhaps you decide to hire your social media content creation for a season. If you’re reading this blog post, chances are that’s not what you’re interested in doing.
My design process is fueled by what content my audience wants. I talk more about that in How to Market Your Business as a SAHM, so I highly encourage you to head over there to read that post. Download my FREE marketing ebook while you’re at it!
Your design process may look like scrolling through the templates tab of Canva to get a feel for what inspires you design-wise. Or, you may know that you need to create content for a physical product you have, so you forego Canva templates and begin crafting your own template you can reuse.
If you are using a Canva template, feel free to change the background colors to match your personal branding. Use other design tools, like transparency, crop, and image editors to get the perfect design!
Finally, be sure to explore the different fonts Canva offers its users. Again, match them to the branding of your small business.
My design process looks like this. I complete my market research and better understand the questions my audience is asking. After I create content that serves my audience, I make sure it’s appealing. I don’t use overly busy designs and I always incorporate my brand colors or text.
I also work on my content in advance. I attempt to be a week ahead of schedule. That way, if a design just isn’t coming together, I know that I have time to let it sit for a day or two and return to the design refreshed and ready to bring it together.
When I hit other creative slumps, I’ll also turn my attention to a different project or scroll through pre-made templates for inspiration.
Finally, I schedule content in a timely manner! I’m not going to talk about how to help chickens stay cool in the summer when we’re just breaching spring. Be mindful of when you schedule your content!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Canva good for Instagram posts?
Canva is an easy-to-use, free program that will help you craft great Instagram posts. The customization options merge with the user-friendly basis of the app to help you go further in your designing.
What is the best time to post on Instagram?
This may be controversial, but there isn’t a great time to post on Instagram. I encourage you to find a posting schedule that works for you! I think it’s also important to remember that it isn’t necessarily when you’re posting your content – it’s what you’re posting. If your audience doesn’t resonate with your content, you’re going to know. Because no one will engage with it! Create content that serves your audience and focus on that first. Timing your social media content may not impact your business as much as you think it does.
Other Canva Features
Canva also offers a mobile app. Whether you’re working on the mobile app or on a desktop, you are able to upload your own images to create your Canva designs.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a way to schedule your social media content to your social media pages from Canva. However, there are scheduling systems built into many social media platforms that will allow you to schedule your content for free. There are also other services that require a monthly payment. Use what works best for your needs and your business.
Need other tools to get started?
This camera is an upgraded version of the camera I use. Learning to use a camera is an incredible tool to add to your tool belt!
An external hard drive will help you store all of your graphics and raw images.
A tripod is a great investment, especially if you’re creating all of your own content!
How do you use Canva?
I am a big fan of Canva, simply because I feel like it can turn anyone into a graphic designer. I love how I can create premium images for my social media sites and blog posts!
But I want to know – how do you use Canva? Comment on this blog post and let me know!
To see how I use Canva for social media images, follow me on Instagram!
Other great blog posts
For examples of how I have used Canva in the past, check out my FREE social media graphic downloads. For more marketing info, check out these other great blog posts.
How to Market Your Business as a Stay-At-Home-Mom
Be Still and Know That I Am God Free Downloads
Free Fall Social Media Downloads
Pin this post for later!
Leave a Reply