Canva, or Applying The Lipstick!
I said I needed to work out how to improve my Banner skills, I needed to kill that pig ugly blue box, and I think I have found the answer,Canva templates!
Canva
Canva Goodies!
Templates: Canva offers a wide range of templates for different types of content, including social media posts, flyers, business cards, and more. These templates are customizable, allowing users to adjust layouts, images, fonts, and colors to suit their needs.
YES! Just what I needed
Drag-and-Drop Interface: The platform’s simplicity is highlighted by its drag-and-drop interface, making it easy for users to create designs without needing advanced graphic design skills.
YES! Easy works for me
Photo and Element Libraries: Canva provides access to a vast library of photos, icons, and graphic elements. Some of these resources are free, while others are available through Canva Pro, a subscription-based service.
Yes! No more hunting for pics or fonts, I can just adapt what is there
My process
First
I watched a few tutorials on Facebook, but then, as luck would have it, an email about a Canva Training Course arrived (Yes email marketing does work),
The course was about using Canva to earn online, which is of interest to me anyway, but more importantly, it spoke about how to use Canva to create my graphics ( If you want to check out the course, you can find details here FortyShort.com/CANVA )
So I skipped through the course to the creation tutorials.
Next
I scrolled through the templates and worked on one that caught my eye- Bold Bright Yellow.
I worked on that to create a final design I was happy with… but…
It turns out I was not happy with it after all…
So I found a different design to work on and was happy with that, so I swapped out the yellow banner with the blue one….. but
It turns out I was not quite, totally happy with that one either
So I changed the button colour to make it stand out and told myself
Good enough is good enough, stop mucking about and publish the banner!!
And the result is there to see!
How do you create your graphics? Let me know in the comments below
Canva is awesome. My next (of several) challenges is to migrate my photos from the blog into the media section of Affiliate System. So many times I fear messing everything up but am getting braver by the day!
Your progress is amazing! Keep up the good work!
Canva makes life so easy. I pay for adobe photoshop and use it for many things, BUT I still use Canva, because it’s so easy – all the templates and resources that are already there speed up the workflow considerably.
Tony,
Canva is a great piece of software to use for graphics. It looks like you are on your way to making good use of it.
It’s image gallery and templates are a big help, especially when starting out.
I’ll have to stop back and see how your banner images are coming along.
P.S. How’s the house coming along?
CJ
Thanks, the house is looking good, though it may have just got more expensive!! See my last post for details The yellow Book and The Red-line
Hi Tony,
I’ve been using Canva for almost a year now, and it’s a great tool. I have the paid version, which offers many additional options. The best thing about Canva is that it keeps adding new features, so it’s always up-to-date, particularly now with AI. I believe you can even create videos with AI voices. It’s definitely one of the best tools for creating graphics.
You created some great banners there. Personally, I like the first one with the bold colours, but it’s all a matter of preference.
Have a good day. Tom
Thanks Tom, I will check the video functionality, as that sounds useful
Yes, Canva is great. In fact, I have a paid subscription for it because it offers a lot more options and templates.
Are you currently using the free or paid version of Canva?
Hi Tony,
I had a quick look at Canva and decided I would investigate it further another time. As I wanted to get a banner set up quickly in my blog, I decided to go it alone. After mucking about with One Note and Paint, I came up with something that will do for now. When I get time I will definitely check out the course on your blog. Many thanks for giving us that! Take care.
Andy
Hi Tony!
Great post, and I really like your creation!
I actually watched a Canva YouTube tutorial recently. It seems like an amazing visual tool to learn and use. I’m just learning about the ins and outs of the free version. I started doing a bit of homework for using Canva for my business. I recently posted this video that may be helpful for your readers:
https://www.facebook.com/milissa.neirotti.Neirotti.MarketingLLC/posts/122107665140190192
I enjoy reading your posts and look forward to coming back for more!
All the best!
Milissa Neirotti
Hi Tony,
Great post! I also use Canva, I have for a few years with other projects. It’s such a great tool and I use it to create social media images or even just modify a pictures. I used to use pic monkey about a decade ago but I find Canva is better. The banner you made looks great! Excellent work!
Look forward to your next post!
Denny
Tony, I think your logo banner looks really really good. I like the colours it’s a nice layout and it’s simple. Canva can be very useful for a lot of things but it’s also unfortunately got lots of rubbish on it as well. It’s great you now have got a banner that you can use and are happy with. Good job. Atif
Sorry, but I don’t see the need for Canva. Life is too complicated as it is. I paid someone on Fiverr $15 for a headline banner and a logo. For images, I simply type a keyword followed by “images” into Google and up pops many images. I use “snipping tool” to turn the image I think is the most appropriate into a png file and insert it into my post. Everybody to his or her own, I suppose. Good luck using canva in the future
Phil, thanks for the comment, and yes we each have our own way of doing things, and I have used Fiverr for specific things, such as turning my photo into a super hero cartoon.
I think one of the issues with the Fiver approach is that you do not have control, for example I notice there is a spelling mistake in your headline banner, are you able to correct that, or do you have to go back to Fiverr fo someone to do it for you. I notice an odd grey number ‘1’ in your logo, if that is not part of the intended design are you able to remove it or will than need you to go back to Fiverr. As someone that stuffs up regularly I like the control Canva gives me.
Hi Tony,
I liked your post! I can relate.
I’m never satisfy with the chosen graphics and always hoping to design something nicer.
I used Canva to make the subscription banner on my blog a few days ago. To make a simple design, it took me much longer than it should. I heard Glenn’s voice saying in my head: “stop looking for perfection” LOL
Hello Tony, Thank you for the Canva hook up I never think to look beyond what is in front of me. Definitely a plus for me as this is what I’m still fussing with. Thanks agian and look forward to your next post.
Hi Toney, thank you for the useful link to Canva instructional videos. I’ve been hearing so much about Canva but I’ve never used it and when I did try to go over there and use it, I was completely lost. So I’m glad to be able to find something that can give me a kind of a tutorial about what to do I watched various Facebook things as well but it didn’t really help me in the way that I hope this will help me. by the way, your site looks so professional well done. Best regards, Steph
Tony! I love this! I am a fellow Canva user as well, and I swear it’s the most underrated/underutilized tool out there. I actually have a designed a great deal of the graphics on my site on Canva. I love, love, LOVE you devoting a special post to just this! Well done!
Thanks, having recently rediscovered this I am amazed at just how much it has grown
Hi Tony, I’m using Canva also for logos, images, banners, etc. I work with the free version but I’m thinking to upgrade soon. I’m limited with the elements and pictures options and looks like it is getting worse as I’m using it. However it’s good stuff and it’s now a classic app for online marketers.
thanks 👍
Martin
Yea, it is like so many things, to get the full benefit you need to pay… the labourer is worth his hire.
Hi Tony, I love Canva. I use it all the time! This is a great post! Your blog looks great, and I love how you added an AI bot for q and a; you are quite technologically savvy! So cool!
Hi Alison, Looking at your blog ( rookietorichesride.com/) I can well believe you are a Canva user, you have great graphics.
Thanks for the encouragement.
Tony,
Great post! Thank you for sharing your steps to creating a great looking banner! I am sure this will be helpful to many of us!
Kelli
Thanks
Hi Tony
I liked all of the ads you had. I might will tap that link and learn more about Canva too.
Thanks for scoop. Can’t wait to see what I can learn from you on your next xt post.a
Thanks Sandy
Hi Sandy, thanks for the positive comment!
Hi Tony,
I have started my blog but have not started adding images. I added a logo using Canva, but don’t think the measurements are right. Great to see your link on Canva Masterclass, may give it a go! I like that you share each step of your journey creating your image. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Eleanor, adding images, even if photos from Pixabay or Pexels is a must I think.
Tony – I’m going to need to try this Canva thing. So many people rave about it. Your results show is is a quality product. Thanks for the confirmation it is worthwhile to consider. And, I am happy to know there are many training resources for its use.
Yea, I am still getting to grips, but it certainly was easy to up the quality of my banner
I’ve just started exploring Canva myself. I did figure one thing out that I didn’t think was obvious: If you’re searching photos there’s a box in the upper left that by default says free & pro. You can change that to free. At first, I didn’t realize that was a filter box.
I applaud you for learning how to use Canva. I’ve been hesitating! Your banner is great. Red, white, and the various blues make a great combo.
Thanks for the encouragement Nakina, and for the Photo tip
I use Canva all the time. Social media has all different requirements for sizing and Canva comes to the rescue every time. Thanks for the note on the templates and I will eventually have a look at that. Does that feature come with a free membership? I would also say you have a good eye for color combos that work in your banner progression. There’s nothing worse than trying to read text with color combos that make it next to impossible to read the text.
Hi, I don’t know if the template and branding comes with free, I opted for the free pro trial whilst I get to terms with it all. Sorry.
Thank you so much for sharing Tony. I will certainly watch the course. I have a canva account but I certainly don’t use it to the extent that I could. Really appreciate the link.
You are making incredible progress and I find your blog posts really helpful.
Hey Tony!
The new banner looks great! I just recently started learning how to use Canva as well – it really is quite a capable tool! One thing I did find frustrating with it tho is that they kind of make it difficult to sort thru free templates or images versus the ones you have to have a paid membership for – but I imagine they set it up that way on purpose! I heard it said once that marketing isn’t a part of the business…it IS THE BUSINESS. So I suppose they’re gonna want to do a good job of convincing you that you need their paid service. 🙂
BTW – I think you have some of the greatest titles for your posts. They are always entertaining!
AK
Thanks so much for your comment on my titles, Acasha, that’s so kind of you to say. And yes I know what you mean about the paid for comment, you see something and think, Pweerfect! then you see that
little crown… its like going into Mc Donalds to ask for ice cream, only to be told the machine is broken.