So, you’re a realtor. You’re busy. You’re juggling clients, listings, and trying to remember if there are a couple of sips of lukewarm coffee still waiting for you in the travel mug you left in the car. And now, on top of everything, you need to figure out Canva because, apparently, being a great agent requires graphic design skills now, too. 🤯

I get it.

Enter Canva—a tool that’s supposed to make life easier but sometimes feels like it’s just here to remind you how confusing things can be. You log in, you see ALL the things, and suddenly you’re overwhelmed by options you didn’t even know existed. So, what do you do?

Well, if you’ve got 5 minutes (yes, 5 minutes), I’m here to help you go from “ugh not another thing I need to learn” to “holy heck this is LIFE”

The truth is Canva has  A LOT of features but when you’re just starting out 90% are just noise and not needed to create stunning visuals in minutes so today I’m going to focus on what matters most: getting you using Canva without the overwhelm. Ready? Let’s go!

1. Focus on This One Button

The moment you log in to Canva, you’re hit with a homepage full of stuff. Templates, tabs, notifications… it’s enough to make your head spin. But guess what? You don’t need to worry about any of that.

All you need to know is this: “Create a Design.”

Click that magic button, and boom—you’re on your way to creating something awesome without getting lost in the Canva vortex. Just type in what you’re looking for (Instagram post? Flyer? Feature sheet?), and Canva will give you the correct sizing and a head start.

2. Templates Are Your Best Friend

Most of us aren’t out here trying to win design competition prizes by creating masterpieces from scratch in Canva. That’s what Canva’s templates are for. Want something modern and minimal? Type that in. Need something that will spark engagement? Canva’s got you covered.

Once you find a template you like, click on it, and it’ll pop up on your canvas. Now you can start swapping out text, colors, and photos like the design pro you’re about to become.

3. The Left-Hand Toolbar: Your New BFF

Now, don’t freak out. Canva makes it look like there’s a lot going on, but the truth is, all you need to focus on is the left-hand toolbar. That’s where the magic happens. Here’s a breakdown of each tab:

• Design Tab: This is where you’ll find more templates if you’re feeling adventurous.
• Elements Tab: Think icons, shapes, photos, and all the little extras you’ll want to add to your design. Want to toss in a bed icon for your feature sheet? Boom—here’s where you’ll find it.
• Text Tab: Predefined text styles live here. Find something you like and make it yours.
• Uploads Tab: All your listing photos and videos? They go here. Easy access, easy updates.
• Brand Kit (Pro users): Add your brand colors and fonts here, so every design screams “you.”

And that’s it. Don’t let the draw tool or apps tab distract you unless you’re feeling extra fancy. 

4. Click, Edit, Done

Now that you’ve chosen your template and gotten comfy with the toolbar, all that’s left to do is start clicking and editing.

Click on any element in your design—text, shapes, images—and the corresponding toolbar that pops up will give you options to change it up. Want to update the text? Click the text box and change the font, color, or size. Need to swap a photo? Head over to uploads or elements, find a new image, and drag it into the frame. Canva does the rest for you.

5. Download and Share 

Once you’ve finished designing, click “Share” and then “Download.” Make sure you’re saving it as a PNG (trust me, you want the quality), and voila—your design is ready to go.

Need to post it on Instagram? Upload it straight from Canva. Need it on your desktop for later? Easy. Canva has you covered with multiple download options.

Bonus Tip: Want More? Try 5 Days to Canva

Look, if you’re someone who likes to go deep and really get a handle on things (or if you’re still feeling a bit lost), I’ve got something even better than the 5-minute crash course:  5 Days to Canva.

It’s a full guide to everything you could ever need to know about Canva, minus the overwhelm. And yes, you’ll actually feel like a Canva wizard by the end of it.

And don’t worry it’s not 5 full days, think 20-30 minute lessons delivered over 5 days! Everything you need to feel completely confident using Canva for your real estate business.