If it seems like AI is everywhere these days…that’s because it IS! AI infrastructure (like the one powering ChatGPT) is being integrated into almost every other software out there. From Photoshop, to Microsoft Word, to scheduling tools, to search engines, to intranets, etc. – almost every technology that small business owners use to do business is getting an AI upgrade. Today, we’re going to focus on one of my all-time favorite tools and its AI capabilities – CANVA!
If you’ve followed me for any length of time, then you already know I LOVE Canva. And I’m all about a good Canva hack to help me and my clients get our work done faster and easier. There are 3 AI-powered Canva tools that I’ve found incredibly helpful: Magic Write, Magic Design, and Text to Image.
Magic Write is similar to ChatGPT: you give the AI a prompt, and it will go to work. You can use it to brainstorm or create content, whatever you need. Here’s how it works in Canva:
In your design, go to the bottom right corner and click the Canva Assistant button. You can also just type “/” and it will appear.
Next, choose Magic Write
Then type in your prompt and click “Generate” or hit command enter on your keyboard.
Then your text will appear! If you want Magic Write to summarize, expand, edit, or rewrite the text, select the text box and click on the Canva Assistant button again. When I clicked “Rewrite” on this, the text reappeared as a bulleted list instead of a paragraph.
Canva has partnered with OpenAI for this feature, so all the same rules for ChatGPT still apply. But it’s great to be able to access it in Canva if you’re already working there! Canva Free users have 25 lifetime uses of Magic Write, and Canva Pro users get 250 uses per billing month.
Magic Design will create an entire presentation for you – text AND design – in seconds. Obviously editing is absolutely necessary, but to have something to edit is hands down MUCH easier than creating an entire thing from scratch. Here’s how it works:
In your Presentation file, click the Canva Assistant button and choose Magic Design.
Then describe your presentation in 5 or more words and press enter.
Magic Design will then produce multiple design options for you. There are general template options, but it also produces options with your style – using your brand toolkit colors and fonts if you have it set up. HOW COOL IS THAT?!
Once you choose a style you like, select it and click “Create my presentation”. The entire design – photos, text, everything – will appear in your Canva file.
I HIGHLY recommend you go through it with a fine-toothed comb and edit it according to your needs, for 2 reasons: first, the feature is still in Beta testing. And second, because it’s AI and you ALWAYS want to edit what it spits out. But how much time does it save you to have the design already started? So cool!
This last feature is similar to DALL-E, where you give the AI a text prompt and it produces 4 images for you based on your prompt. And since it’s on Canva, you don’t have to go through the extra download step or purchase additional credits through OpenAI. You can create up to 100 images daily on a 24 hour rolling basis. Here’s how it works:
On your left side panel, go to Apps and find Text to Image.
Next, type in your prompt. I would recommend using the same tips I gave you last week for DALL-E prompts. What’s cool about Canva Text to Image is that you can choose a style from their presets (instead of having to type it into your prompt), and you can also choose your aspect ratio. Select those under your prompt and click “Create your image”.
Add image
Now watch the magic happen! From there you can tweak your prompt and click “Create again” or you can click on the image you want to use and add it to your design! Once you click on an image, it actually gets added to your uploads folder in case you lose it or want to use it again.
I’ll admit, it’s far from perfect. And if you can find what you’re looking for in their existing photo library, that’s probably best. But how cool is it that you can create something if you can’t find it?! I’m a fan. And I’m grateful for Canva giving us these tools to use! All in all, it’s just more tools in your toolbelt when it comes to marketing for your small business.
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With over 15 years of experience, I've worked with countless small businesses just like yours. I can provide you with the tools and resources that will help make marketing less overwhelming.