If you’re just using still graphics for most, if not all, of your social media content…
…then you’re missing out on different ways you can create more engaging visuals for your audience.
And if you haven’t captured their attention just yet, your competitors just might.
Every now and then, publishing moving social media graphics with the right audio will add variety to your business visuals.
And, it will keep your audience interested and engaged with your content.
Thankfully, we live in a day and age where we have access to powerful graphic design tools and sites.
Canva, for instance, has multiple features that will help you turn still designs into more engaging visual experiences for your audience.
So in this post, we’re going to talk about 5 simple Canva tricks to help you skyrocket your social media engagement.
We are by nature visual learners, in fact, 90% of the information we retain is through things we see.
This is why your brand’s digital marketing graphics matter, it serves as your visual aid to your audience.
Still graphics are great for this, being a solid way for visual communication.
But, every now and then adding variety to your social media graphics by introducing movement can easily boost your audience’s visual experience.
And in turn, increase your post’s engagement.
If you’re not sure how to do this, Canva is a great and easy-to-use graphic design website with essentially ALL the tools you need to make impressive graphics.
And, their site also has features to turn still images into engaging motion graphics.
The goal here is to introduce movement which naturally captures our attention.
So without further ado, these are the graphic tricks you can do using your Canva account.
Since we’re dealing with video graphics, be sure that you’re selecting design formats under the Video tab.
This is so that Canva opens your canvas with its video editing timeline.
5 Simple Canva Tricks To Use For Your Brand Visuals
Canva Trick #1: Use the animate function
This simple yet powerful Canva feature lets you turn your existing still designs into fully animated videos or gifs.
So right now we have this still graphic already designed here in Canva, if you saved this now you can save it to png or jpg.
But if you clicked on the Animate button, you’ll have multiple choices of pre-set animations that will apply to your whole design.
This will instantly turn any still graphic you have into an animated one which you can then save to an mp4 file.
You can alternatively click on a specific element and then set an animation for that element separately.
And then, you can have the animation happen either on enter, exit, or both…
…giving you more options for different combinations of still and moving elements in your design.
Canva Trick #2: Use video backgrounds
Canva has a huge library of stock videos you can add to your designs.
Additionally, you also have the option to upload your own videos.
You can add them to your motion graphics and having them play in the background is a visually engaging way to use them.
Just make sure your text is easy to read even with the video background.
You can do this by adding a containing element under your text if needed to help make it easier to read.
And speaking of text, check out this post next to learn more typography design tips.
Canva Trick #3: Use multiple frames
We’re already saving this as an MP4 file anyway, so why stop at one scene?
Adding additional frames to help tell the story of your content will help keep your audience’s attention for longer.
And, it will also communicate more about you and your brand.
To add a new scene to your graphic, simply click on the plus(+) button and design your new page as you like.
Canva Trick #4: Time your video with audio
Accompanying your moving graphics with great audio will help engage your audience as it evokes emotional responses.
The right choice of music will aid in setting the tone of your brand’s personality and strengthen your audience’s connection to it.
Canva also has a huge library for audio but you can also upload your own.
Now, you can further elevate this experience by timing your video with your audio’s beat.
This will help keep your audience engaged and leave them with a better lasting impression of the emotion you wanted to evoke with your choice of music.
You can do this by dragging your audio file into the video editing timeline.
And then, adjust the duration of each scene till it’s in sync with your audio.
Canva Trick #5: Add animated elements
If you want to keep things simple and forgo any of the tricks mentioned before this, simply adding animated elements is a great way to keep the simplicity…
…yet introduce just enough movement to reel your audience’s attention and keep it for them to read through your post.
To do this, go to your Elements tab, and type in the type of element you want to add to your design in the search bar.
Click on the options button on the right side, check the animated checkbox and you’ll have animated elements of what you’re looking for.
Wrapping Up
With the tricks we’ve just mentioned, it’s important to note that using moving graphics with all the bells and whistles for every single post isn’t ideal.
It is best reserved for special posts outside of what you publish regularly.
Use these special graphics for sales posts, announcements, product features, holiday greetings, and the like.
But, be sure you’re still using standard still graphics in between them to keep the variety in your social media visuals.
Now that you have these Canva tricks in the bank, what engaging motion graphic are you planning to make for your business?
If you want to learn more about Canva features or how to use the Canva mobile app for your visuals, then read these posts next.
Don’t forget to check out our graphic design services page too if you’re looking for experts to help you with your business’ graphics!
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- Design Graphics That Sell Your Product
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- How To Plan A Cohesive Instagram Feed For ANY Business
- The future is AI – How to Use AI tools in Canva
- These Canva Tools Will Make Your Social Media Images Better
- How to Make Infographics in Less Than 5 Minutes
- 10 Great Tips for Your Brand’s Social Media Graphics
- Best Graphic Design Ideas to Take Your Brand to the Next Level
- 58 Graphic Design Terms: Learn the Lingo Like a Pro
- How to Make Product Images that Sell