Selling Canva Templates and Building a Personal Brand | Roger Coles

TL;DR

Roger Coles shares his journey as a successful content creator and entrepreneur in the Canva template business, providing insights on running a business, creating templates, being a content creator, and building a personal brand.

Transcript

yeah I think it's also about like where are your people you know like I knew that Instagram at that time there were so many social media managers and DIY business owners who were on Instagram and that's like exactly the kind of people that I want to reach because those are the ones who are looking to use canva to create templates either for their c... Read More

Key Insights

• ❓ Finding your audience and creating content pillars that resonate with them is crucial for success as a content creator.
• 💡 Constantly curating content and ideas, while using tools to streamline the creative process, can help maintain productivity and efficiency.
• ❓ Leveraging different platforms can expand the reach and monetization opportunities for Canva templates.
• 💪 Building a personal brand and injecting one's personality into content can create a strong connection with the audience and attract brand partnerships.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Roger transition from being a freelance graphic designer to creating Canva templates?

Roger started using Photoshop while working as a pastor to create designs for his church. Eventually, he expanded into website design and freelancing. When his church closed, he turned to graphic design as his main source of income and began creating Canva templates after seeing the potential in the market.

Q: How does Roger stay productive with his various roles as a template creator, content creator, and branding expert?

Roger uses time-lapse videos to stay focused, co-working apps for accountability, and post-it notes for prioritizing tasks. He also focuses on finding motivation in his personal life, such as supporting his family and building a personal brand.

Q: How does Roger leverage his Canva templates on other platforms?

While Roger currently focuses on submitting his templates exclusively to the Canva Creator program, he suggests that creators consider selling template packs on platforms like Creative Market or Etsy. This allows creators to reach different audiences and monetize their templates beyond the Canva library.

Q: What mistakes has Roger made as a template designer, and how can others avoid them?

Roger advises others to label and organize their templates properly to avoid confusion and wasted time. He also emphasizes the importance of not overthinking and spending too much time on a single template. Lastly, he warns against comparing oneself to other designers, as this can hinder creativity and confidence.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Roger Coles started as a freelance graphic designer and transitioned into creating Canva templates for social media. He joined the Canva Creator program in 2020, which opened up many opportunities for partnerships and collaborations.

• His business evolved over time, focusing on social media designs, particularly for podcasters. He found success in creating Canva templates as more people were working from home and starting podcasts.

• Roger shares his productivity hacks, such as using time-lapse videos to stay focused, using co-working apps for accountability, and utilizing post-it notes for prioritizing tasks.

• He emphasizes the importance of finding your audience and creating content pillars that align with their interests. He also suggests curating content and ideas constantly and using tools that facilitate efficiency in content creation.