How to Use Canva: Free Online Graphic Design Tool

Today I'm joining you to talk about my favorite new online photo editing tool - Canva! Seriously, I'm really obsessed with this photo editing option. Not only does it allow you to create some really sweet pictures and documents, but it is FREE. I love me some free!

Canva allows you to create Facebook posts, Instagram posts, Facebook banners, Infographs, Brochures, PDF's, Collages and much more.

You can also create custom sizes as well, which is very helpful for website banners and other custom pieces. The program allows you save the completed file as a jpg, png or pdf - talk about options. Ok, now lets talk about the fun stuff!

I've included some images below that were created in Canva. All of these images are free, they do offer ones you can pay for and the price is only $1, but I've found with a little creativity you can create some really eye-catching pieces for nothing.

Canva will walk you through the design process in the beginning, but I'm going to share some of my favorite little tweaks.

1) Modify Colors - You can modify the colors to meet your specific brand colors. Simply click the little color square and then select the +, then simply add in your custom number. You can modify the color of text, elements and background colors. 

2) Use Your Own Photos - I absolutely love this feature because you can upload photos to use as a background. Simply uploaded as many photos as you desire to the Uploads section. Make sure the design you chose (which is most) has an image as the background. Then simply drag your photo until you see it cover the whole background - Voila!

3) Add Shapes - Canva has a great database of elements to add, but my favorite hands down are the shapes. You can add something as simple as a circle or add a photo into the form of a shape, as seen below. Simply choose Elements in the side panel and click Shapes. The white, gray and colored shapes can be modified for transparency or color. In order to change the photo thats in the shape, scroll down until you see the shape with a vibrant landscape in it - that is the one you want. Simply drag a photo into the shape and there you have it.

4) Modifying Text - This option is also very easy and can be customized to fit your brand. There are multiple typography design options under the Text option on the side panel. You can work with some of those, although it takes a lot of testing the waters because sometimes space is limited. Often times I will just select the Add Heading option and take it from there. In the piece below I've included a few images to show how I add text, modify color, as well change the  size and spacing between letters. 

Modifying Color

Changing Font Style

Modify Typography

What started out as the image on the left, has now been modified to fit my brand the feeling I wish to evoke. Pretty sweet!

There are multiple small tweaks you can do to modify the images as well. These include sending a shape or text to the front or back of an image. Making an image transparent as to show a text overlay. Cropping images is a great tool as well. It really is a completely customizable experience for the user without having to deal with some more complex programs like Photoshop or InDesign. Once the image is to your liking, just save and upload.

I've included some generic images from Canva below so you can see that the possibilities are endless.

I hope you find this tool useful while branding your business. Remember the first place to start is an inspiration board. After that is created you can modify the images to match your brand colors, text and the overall feeling you want your brand to evoke. Stay consistent on all platforms! 

*Remember - social media posts with an image associated produce more impressions!

Be Merry!

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Regain Momentum

Hello!

Welcome back loves. Today’s blog post, comes from a question in my Facebook group.

The questions was asked:

"What would you suggest to someone who is trying to get their business up and running after a slow month and is feeling discouraged?"

I think we can all agree that we have been there. Like I’ve said in previous posts, let’s all make overwhelm a non-negotiable, we don’t need that kind of feeling in our lives. But I do understand that sometimes it feels as though we are losing momentum, whether that be in sales, your launch, keeping up on your blog, etc...

I have included three of my top tips for you if you relate to the question above. I’ve also taken into account that most of you are working your 9 to 5 jobs and/or have families, and don’t have a whole day to dedicate to, well, anything. I understand so I hope you will find these three, short, effective tips useful for regaining momentum in your business.

1.  Vision Board

If you don’t already have a vision board I recommend you go home TONIGHT and create one. This can be a physical board in your office or room (I totally have four), your desktop wallpaper, a Post-it in your car, whatever it is your vision board should include your desires. I recommend having a mix of short-term desires and long-term. For me I have a short-term goal of hiring someone to clean my house. Cleaning is totally not my jam these days, as I would rather spend time with my family and on my business. A long-term goal is to make $100,000 in my business by December 31st. Whatever your desires may be put them on paper, write them, type them, make a cute image, whatever needs to be done do it.

I’m not kidding when I tell you this totally works. At the end of May I FINALLY added a few items to my vision board, one of which was an image of a high-level coach I dreamed of working with and the other pictures cities in Europe we hoped to visit. On June 1, I woke up to an email regarding an amazing sale to Europe in October so I booked the flights. I also had a call with my dream coach and booked her the following week. Don't hold back!

2.  Mindset Work

I talk about this a lot in the community, in other groups, on Periscope, etc.. and there is a reason so many successful coaches and thought leaders, aka Oprah, practice mindset work. It works! Anytime I’m feeling discouraged in my business, or in life, and need a recheck I go back to my mindset work. Now, mindset work can come in different forms. For me personally it is a brief 10 minute meditation, visualization and listening to mindful books. A fun little tip for us 9 to 5ers with a commute, Audiobooks is my jam and allows you to complete mindset work to and from work.

Whatever form of mindset work you choose it is important to dedicate at least 15 minutes a day. When you are going through a slump or lack of motivation I would recommend 15 minutes morning and night, for a total of 30. In the morning take time to set the tone for the day, turn to what inspires you whether that is a book or webinar, check in with yourself and what you are feeling and look at that vision board. In the evening take some time to check in on yourself. Mindset work can help you uncover the blocks that are keeping you stuck and discouraged. Remind yourself WHY you are doing what you are doing!

3.  Make a Plan

Ok, so your desires are in place and you feel very clear on what is blocking you and inspired to move forward - now let’s make a plan. I’m a list girl, I truly am, there is nothing better than crossing something off the list, but this is an action plan.

Write down how you are going to reach those desires, what shifts you need in your business, what you need to outsource so you can focus more on bringing in income and then put a date/deadline on it. It’s amazing how our whole outlook shifts when we have deadlines in place. Next to the deadline write how you are going to celebrate. This last step makes it real, it allows you to visualize your success! Now every time you are feeling discouraged check in on that plan and take it one day at a time.

I hope these three tips were helpful for you. If you are looking for support and a safe place to answer any questions feel free to request access to our exclusive Facebook group, Authentic Brand Builders. Every week I will be answering questions in a Facebook Live stream exclusively for the group.

Be Merry!

Free Tools for 9 to 5ers!

TIMe management tools for 9 to 5ers

This week has been very exciting. I'm continuing the #30DayMindGrind and journaling daily to really narrow in on my mindset work. I also just started working with my own high-level coach and I am loving the development that has happened already. 

Today I wanted to talk more about tips for 9 to 5ers. As you know I am currently working 9 to 5 while pursuing the entrepreneur lifestyle and building our business. While working 9 to 5 it's so important to utilize your time well. Quick Note: I want to make it clear that I feel we have endless amounts of time. If you need more convincing I encourage you to check out The Science of Getting Rich. It is completely old school and I probably recommend listening to it rather than reading, but you should check it out. He goes into detail that we get done in a day what we need to get done in a day. That’s it and I love it!

Ok - back to the topic at hand. I have put together a simple list, with links, to some of these free management tools I use. I hope you find them helpful. I would love to hear some tools you use in the comments below.

Buffer: This is my social scheduler of choice. There is a free option and a pro option. The free option allows two accounts, which might work perfectly for you. It is a great tool to schedule all our social media posts at one time. I personally use it for our Twitter account and Facebook page, but you can also connect a Facebook group if you have one as well. They also offer a tool in Google Chrome that allows you to schedule as your browse online. This is especially helpful when exploring social media and you come across something you want to share with your community.

Evernote - Love it! Evernote is a great tool for your business, but also for your personal life, if you value organization like I do. Evernote, also has an extension for Google Chrome that allows you to save websites, files, notes, etc… as you explore. You can organize in separate folders and come back to it later. I personally have a folder for our private Facebook group, where I collect articles I would love to share. I also keep notes from my coaching and notes for my business in there as well. Also Free!

TimeTune - I am absolutely loving this app. Even though I know there is endless time in a day, as entrepreneurs it is important to really utilize every minute. I read an article the other day from Entrepreneur Magazine that I loved called 14 Things Ridiculously Successful People Do. The following quote really stood out to me, “To this day, I keep a schedule that is almost minute by minute. You must master your minutes to master your life." I have tried to utilize this skill in my day to day. This app is only available for Android, sorry iPhone people, but it allows you to schedule tasks to the minute and provides you with a notification when it is time for the next task.

Disclaimer: I did not receive compensation for any of these products - I just really like them

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Michelle Knight is a Branding and Business coach for female entrepreneurs who are struggling to gain visibility and traction to take their business to the next level. She works with her clients to dive deep into their story so they can create a brand and message that positions them as an expert and allows them to create their desired income to free up time in their schedule for what matters most. Learn more >>