Content Marketing – Ignite Search

How to Make a Blog Header in Canva 2.0

By: Cheech Foo
Posted on 19/11/201819/10/2021

There are countless tools available for designing a blog post header for your site, from complex software such as Adobe Suite to much simpler online tools such as Canva. While software such as Adobe Suite is fantastic at providing endless design opportunities with it’s extensive range of capabilities, it is extremely difficult to learn! Even graphic design pros can struggle with Adobe Suite and search for different tools that make a simple process such as designing a blog header, quick and easy.

Now we’ve discussed the amazing-ness of Canva before in our previous blog post Introducing Canva 2.0: The Best Graphic Design Tool, sharing that no matter who you are (and what your graphic design capabilities are!) Canva allows you to create an aesthetically pleasing blog header within minutes. Seriously minutes. In contrast to spending a few minutes with Canva, doing the exact same process on Adobe Suite could take hours (especially for the untrained eye!). In this blog post we’ll take you through the steps of creating an aesthetically pleasing blog header through Canva.

Let’s get started – Finding a Suitable Format

First of all, presuming that you have created a Canva account and are now logged in, you want to pick a format that is the correct size and shape for your blog.

Using the search function you can enter ‘blog’ to which the formats ‘blog banner’ and ‘blog graphic’ will appear. Hover of these formats and their size will appear. Pick the format which is the correct size for your blog, if neither of these formats suit, you can search for other formats such as ‘YouTube thumbnail’.

Picking a Template

Now that you’ve decided on your format, you will be presented with a blank canvas. If you know what you want already and are ready to start creating, fantastic, we can go ahead with creating your blog header. However, if you would like some inspiration or assistance, you can start off with a premade template. While these templates are fantastic for inspiration, remember that following the template exactly will not make your blog post unique. You want to be able to customise your blog header so that it is unique, and suitable for your branding.

There’s no point in using a pink floral header if your blog post is for your plumbing business!

Let’s Get Creating – Designing Your Header

First up you will need to pick your background. Do you want an interesting pattern, a simple colour or an image as your background? The decision is up to you. Click on backgrounds and you will be presented with a range of different backgrounded available to you for free by Canva. These templates consist of a range of different colours, patterns and images, just pick whichever suits your blog post. If you wish to have a solid colour as your background click the text in the top right corner that says ‘+solid color’.

If you wish to have your own image as the background you can do so by clicking ‘uploads’, uploading your image and dragging it onto your header. Once the image is on your header, adjust the size of the image to fill the header.

Sourcing Images

While some individuals/businesses have a stash of fantastic images, we recognise that many don’t have that luxury! If you aren’t one of the lucky few who have an abundance of images, never fear, as discussed in our previous blog post Where to Find Free High Quality Images for Commercial Use: Top 4 Stock Websites there are millions of stock images that are available to you.

A few of our favourites are:

Alternatively, Canva does have their own stock images that you can use. You can find these under the ‘elements’ tab. Some of these images are free and some are available to you for a small fee.

Back to Designing Your Header – Additional Elements & Text

Once you have decided on your background you can move onto adding additional elements into your header. Position any additional elements in a way that fits and doesn’t make your header look over crowded. You want to keep your header pretty simple and to the point. save any intricate graphics for the actual blog post.

Remember to keep your branding in mind while creating the header, select fonts and colours that align with your brand and that make sense to the blog topic. You can drag and resize all elements of your graphic until you’ve created a header that you are happy with.

Finalising Your Design

Canva automatically saves your files as you go. However, when you have finished your design make sure that you do manually save it otherwise it will export your file prior to the last few changes you made. To save your design select file then save your header as either a JPG or PNG, these are the best formats for you to save your header as. If you save your header as a PDF it won’t embed into your blog properly and will just show up as a file name.

There you have it! Congratulations, you have successfully created your own blog header. How easy was that? In no time you’ll be shooting our blog posts within minutes, saving you hours of time that would have been spent trying to navigate through Adobe Suite.

Copywriting Vs Content Writing: What’s the Difference?

By: Cheech Foo
Posted on 12/11/201819/10/2021

By Lydia Barley

Content writing and copywriting, do you know the difference? Content writing and copywriting are two terms that are frequently used interchangeably. While there are some similarities between them, there are also some clear differences between the two. In this blog post we define both copywriting and content writing and share 3 of the differences that distinguish the two from one another.

What is Copywriting?

A copywriter is a professional who specializes in producing compelling copy that drives people to take desirable action towards the business. In simpler terms, copywriting is the act of writing content that is focused on selling people on an idea or brand.

What is Content Writing?

In simple terms, a content writer is a writer who produces content, primarily for the use in a marketing campaign. Unlike a copywriter, a content writer is not focused on advertising for a company but is focused on creating content that informs, educates, entertain or instructs readers. Focusing more on engaging with a business’s audience, rather than persuading them to take the business’s desired action.

1. Purpose

The greatest distinction between a content writer and a copy writer is the purpose of their writing. While we touched on this briefly within the definitions of each, we touch on this again to emphasise the difference between the two.

The purpose of the content written by a content writer is primarily to strengthen the relationship between the reader and the brand. In contrast to this the purpose of content written by a copywriter is to convince readers to take a desired action, whether that’s buying a product, requesting a service or downloading a report.

Ultimately, the goal of copywriting is to sell an idea, pitch a brand and generate action. The goal of content writing is not to sell but is to help the audience connect with the brand and generate interest towards to brand.

2. Content format

Another distinction between the two is the types of content that they produce. Simply put, a copywriter writes marketing material while a content writer writes content.

Historically, copywriters were limited to ‘traditional advertising’ text such as the creation of slogans, however with the increasing uptake of the internet, the scope of what copywriters write for has extended beyond slogans. Copywriting now consists of writing for a range of different marketing materials, including, but not limited to: online and offline ads, slogans, landing page content, email campaigns, TV or radio commercial advertising scripts, catalogues, billboards, brochures, sales letters, direct mail letters and social media advertising text.

Content writing however consists of content such as: articles, blog posts, newspaper pieces, magazine features, ebooks, books, social media posts, newsletters and podcasts.

3. Content Length

The final distinguishing element between a content writer and a copywriter is not just the type of content they produce, but the length of the content they produce.

This element does vary depending on the type of content that the writer is creating however a content writer primarily writes long form rich content while a copywriter primarily writes short form copy.

In conclusion, while copywriting and content writing have some similarities, there are some distinguishing features between the two. By discussing these differences, we hope we have helped differentiate between the two, once and for all.

Introducing Canva 2.0: The Best Graphic Design Tool

By: Cheech Foo
Posted on 01/10/201819/10/2021

By Lydia Barley

Blogger, influencer, graphic designer, small business owner, content marketer. No matter who you are (or what your title is), Canva is an extremely useful graphic design tool for you. Whether you’re creating a branded email header for your client, an attractive menu for your business, an interesting (and clickable) thumbnail for your latest YouTube video or an aesthetically pleasing blog header for your latest blog post. Canva is a world-renowned tool that is loved by all, no matter it’s application.

Canva is used frequently amongst staff at Ignite Search, so the recent release of Canva 2.0 is something we looked forward to. After playing around with Canva 2.0 ourselves we decided to give you a walkthrough on the features of Canva 2.0 and explain how it’s different to Canva 1.0.

What is Canva 1.0?

Before jumping into Canva 2.0, I think it’s important we first address what Canva is. Canva is an online graphic-design tool website. Now don’t be alarmed by the phrase ‘graphic design’, you don’t have to be a graphic designer to use the site. Canva was actually invented due to difficulty of use of the limited amount of graphic design tools available on the market. Melanie Perkins, Canva founder, taught students how to use programs such as InDesign and Photoshop, programs which everyone found hard to learn and harder to use. From there Melanie Perkins created Canva which is now known as one of the world’s leading graphic design websites; used by individuals and businesses alike.

So, What is Canva 2.0?

Canva 2.0 is a newer version of Canva. Canva 2.0 is basically the same as Canva was previously except that it’s packed with new features. Alongside a sleek new look and feel Canva 2.0 has 20 new ways to publish your designs and has a search function (allowing you to search for templates). Supposedly Canva 2.0 is also faster and more reliable.

Let’s Get Started with Canva 2.0

To find Canva 2.0 login to your Canva account (if you don’t have one yet, go create an account here). Once you are logged in on your desktop the primary navigation menu will be present on the left-hand side of the screen. This menu now includes a button that says ‘Explore Canva 2.0’.

Click on that button and a new window will pop up.

The pop up will share information on the brand-new features that are available in Canva 2.0. Click ‘I’m in! Show me Canva 2.0’ and you’ll be taken to Canva 2.0.

Canva 2.0 – The Search Function

The first thing you’ll notice when you’re transferred to Canva 2.0 is the new search function. This function allows you to search for the design that you are after. If you’re a regular Canva user, it’s likely that you just breathed a sigh of relief. The search function will save time typically spent scrolling through the page of designs to find the design template you desire. And whether you’re a marketing professional, a blogger or a business owner, your time is precious, so any feature that saves time is well received.

Pictured: The new search feature.

Pictured: The old design layout.

Element Organisation

The elements are the same as they were in Canva 1.0, expect that they are now more organised, saving a significant amount of time that would have been spent navigating through the previous layout. Elements are now categorised into; free photos, grids, shapes, charts, illustrations, icons, lines, frames

Present Feature

Canva 2.0 has a ‘present’ feature. Previously this feature was only available for ‘Canva for Work’ users. Now simple Canva users can enjoy this feature. The feature allows users to animate their design, publishing their design as a full screen presentation. With this presentation users can pick their transition style and timing.

Publish Feature

Canva 2.0 also allows users to publish directly to their social media accounts. Click on the publish button and you will see a list of different social media platforms, including the most popular: Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter and WeChat. You can publish your design directly to these social media accounts, all you have to do is set up and connect your social accounts.

Place Print Orders Directly

One of the new features of Canva is the ability to place print orders directly through the site. Click the ‘Publish’ button, scroll down and you will now see printing options; print business card, print flyer, print invitation, print document (A4), print postcard and print poster. Click on the format that you desire and the print details will pop up on the right hand side of the screen. You can select the print size, the paper quality, the print finish, the number of copies you desire, you delivery option (standard or express) and the total price.

If you are happy with these details click continue and Canva will take you through the steps of making your design print ready, including: checking the quality of your images, removing any white edges, checking the danger zone, and reviewing your PDF proof. Once you have gone through these you are required to fill in your shipping details, confirm your order and make your payment and your print materials will be on their way!

Take Me Back to Canva 1.0

With all the new features of Canva 2.0, we’re not sure why you’d want to change back. But if you do click ‘use Canva 1.0’ that is in the main menu on the left-hand side of the screen. A pop up will come up and will ask for your feedback on Canva 2.0. While you don’t have to give them feedback it would be great if you do, then Canva can continually improve the tool to suit your needs and desires. Click submit after entering (or not entering) your feedback. Then you’ll be taken back to the normal Canva 1.0.

Using Canva, whether it be Canva 1.0 or Canva 2.0, is extremely simple. So, if you haven’t already set up a free account, play around with it and create some amazing designs. You’ll thank us for it. Because once you start using Canva, you’ll forget what life was like without it.