Yes, you read my title correct that you can make a blog hero image for FREE.
All you need to do is sign up with Canva, which is online design app that is used over 8 million people all over the globe.
I am not going to lie, I was hesitant about trying Canva out in the past and am a professed PicMonkey and PhotoShop user.
So, what changed my mind?
I kept hearing so many good reviews on Canva, especially through an online course I took with Social Fabric Network.
So, when in Rome, I decided to do as the Romans would and give Canva a try.
Honestly, I am so happy I did as they are truly one of the best online graphic sites that I could recommend to help design the professional and stunning graphics for FREE!
How can you go wrong with that price tag?
As a blogger, the power of good content and even better headlines help to get more readers. But stunning images are also a huge part of the blogging experience.
But still why would you want a blog hero image for your blog articles?
- Are aesthetically pleasing for all on the internet
- Can help spruce up the appearance of a blog article
- Build depth for blog articles
- To Gain More Eyes Through Social Shares (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram)
So how can you do this?
5 Easy Steps to Create the Best Blog Hero with Canva…
1. Sign up for Canva using either your Facebook or G+ account or with just your email account.
2. Once signed up, you will want to begin creating. (For this tutorial, I will walk you through how I created the above Pinterest Hero Image for this article.) See below that you will first see options to create a design…
Click the PLUS SIGN (more) box to open up more options, including Social Media Posts. Under Social Media Posts, we will be selecting the “Pinterest Graphic” option.
3. Now you can choose a Layout that will work for you on the lefthand side menu, as well as upload your own image(s) there, as well. (I choose the Oatmeal Cookie Recipe Layout.) *Side note, I used a Pixabay image for the above, which allows for free downloads of stock photos.
4. Now, that we chose a layout and also had uploaded images, we can begin to work on the actual design. Here is where you will add, your image to the design layout, edit the text copy (Oatmeal Cookie Recipe in this case) and even play with the text color and even background color of the text section, too. Also, if you don’t have your own image, you can even search through Canva’s image gallery for whatever topic you are working on. But beware, this might cost you, but most images are no more than $1 each, but still there is indeed a charge here if you choose one of their images versus your own.
5. Last but not least, you can save your newly created blog hero image to Canva, which allows you to come back and edit if need to be and/or also download to your own computer, too.
* Look above, you can see my finished blog hero graphic that I created from using this layout through Canva.
Seriously, it is just that easy and have to admit I am definitely a Canva convert for Blog Hero Images and more now. Also, please note, I wasn’t compensated at all for sharing about Canva here today as all of the above is truly from my own experiences with Canva, which I was very happy to pass along to my readers here today.
Hope this helps you with all your Blog Hero Image needs, but if you do have any further questions or need more help, please feel free to comment below or CONTACT ME.
Seana turner says
I like Canva and Pixabay. I could probably do more with my images… it is one of those “not enough time” things. It is a wonderful tool, though. When I think back to my childhood and how we cut and pasted – like paper with glue!
Seana turner recently posted…A Corpse in the Living Room?
J9 Designs says
I agree and exactly like paper and glue by all means. Truly the two do go together perfectly for blog images in my estimation, Seana 🙂
Meredith Spidel says
Smart how-to! I love Canva!
J9 Designs says
Thanks Meredith and I couldn’t agree more about Canva, too! 🙂
Julie S says
I love Canva! I have about completely switched over from PicMonkey. The best part is it saves my work, so I can open it up and swap the graphic, and the text font and logo stuff remains. Easy peasy.
J9 Designs says
I agree about Canva allowing you to change the image if you decide you weren’t happy with it, which you most definitely can’t do in PicMonkey. 😉
Diane Roark says
Janine,
About a month ago I checked out Canva and made a picture. I was comfortable using it. I take all my own pictures, so I am trying to figure out how to incorporate it into my blog posts. I love the way you wrote on top of your pictures to explain things. Does Canva do that? It would be awesome!
Thanks for sharing more about Canva.
Blessings,
Diane
J9 Designs says
Yes, Diane, you can totally use Canva to write on top of the photo images to describe what the picture shows. And if you need any help, just let me know and can totally show you how 🙂
Nicole says
I’m definitely pinning this! Not a design hero here. At all. I’ve used Canva in the past, but I think with your guidance I can actually use it and create nice images.
Thanks so much for sharing!
J9 Designs says
Nicole, my absolute pleasure and thank you so much for pinning, too!! 😉
Candace says
Canva is definitely great! I found it recommended on another blog site and love how easy and functional it is. I was using Picasa since I have a lot of my images on my Google drive and I’m a huge Google fan, but I love the use of the grids and frame for sizing and fitting in my pictures. you can do it in Picasa, but it’s not as easy as Canva. thanks for sharing – great blog hero.
J9 Designs says
Thanks Candace and can honestly say I never used Picasa, but then again I am a WordPress girl for the most part. But still happy, I could help you 😉
Jennifer Kelly says
Hey there! I found you on Sunday’s Best Linkup party and I am so glad I have! This post is so awesome and I can’t wait to try Canva for my blog now! Thanks for the info!
J9 Designs says
So happy to share and glad you found me through Sunday’s Best Linkup Party. Enjoy Canva and if you need any help, please feel free to contact me further still 🙂
Nora says
I have to disagree, I hate creating images. I’m really not that good at it and Canva still a pain. Sometimes you can search hours for the right font or add-on. I’m just not into it. Enter ImageFoo (http://imagefoo.com)- They do it all for me, and fast. No matter how many times I try Canva or Picmonkey, I just can’t do it better than Imagefoo.
J9 Designs says
Thank you Nora and to be honest I have never used Image Foo, but you gave me a new project to explore nonetheless! 😉
Nora says
For those of us with family obligations, it’s worth a try, right? I saw at one point they were offering samples. Maybe they still are 😉
J9 Designs says
Definitely worth a try and thank you so much again, Nora!! 🙂