Pinterest is a gem for finding ideas, tips, products, and inspiration. It’s a visual social media platform that offers its users the opportunity to build a profile and save these (re)sources in an organized fashion by creating boards and pinning these (re)sources to them. Other users can view and pin them to their Pinterest boards. Their followers can do the same. And so on!
In addition to finding these sources of inspiration, it’s a visual promotional tool that bloggers can use to promote our content and extend our reach.
In this tutorial, we’ll create an Animated Pinterest Pin in Canva. We can easily do this with a free Canva account or even trial Canva Pro free for 30 days (cancel anytime). ♥
If you’re new to Pinterest, I really encourage you to stop by my blog post ~ How to Create a Pinterest “Pin It” Button on Images in WordPress! In that post, I cover:
- Pinterest Profile
- Adding the Pinterest Share Option to Blog Posts
- Custom “Pin It” Button for Blog Images ~ What is it?
- Create and add a “Pin It” Button on Blog Images in WordPress
When I think of Pinterest, I feel energized by its use and the potential it holds for its users.
Animated Pinterest Pins
These are resources I personally use and value highly. So much so, I became an Affiliate member. As an Affiliate, I endorse the products and services I use and love. If you see the value in these products and choose to purchase via my referral links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. ♥
How to Create an Animated Pinterest Pin in Canva
In the image below you can see the graphic I designed for my Pinterest Pin Image using Canva. I used a number of elements for the background, custom colours, a framed image, various shapes, and titled text. I can easily download this as a JPEG image file. But, let’s take it a step further and create an Animated Video.
Canva and Canva Pro have made the process an easy one!
First, let’s click on the background layer or anywhere outside of our graphic. This step is critical. If we’re in a text layer, image, or element layer, we won’t see the Animate option.
In my graphic below, the background is white. We’ll know when we have the background layer selected because we’ll see the colour grid and Animate in the top left corner, as displayed in the image below.
If we click outside the graphic, we’ll see Animate.
Let’s click on Animate.
We’ll see various animation options to choose from. When we click on the option, we’ll see the animation in action.
Once you selected your Animated Style, let’s download the video.
To do this, we just click on the DOWNLOAD arrow in the top right corner. Once we do that, we’ll see options: Download, Share link, Present, etc.
For this tutorial, we’ll click on DOWNLOAD.
We’ll see FILE TYPE > VIDEO (Beta) with the DOWNLOAD button.
Click on DOWNLOAD.
We’ll see the message Preparing your design…
Easy Peasy! You’ll find the video in your downloads folder.
I love using Animated Videos for my Pinterest Pins! They are typically 4-5 seconds in length.
The process of uploading an Animated Video is the same process as using an image when creating a Pinterest Pin.
Create a Pinterest Pin ~ Uploading an Animated Video
Optimize Pinterest Pin
I really encourage you to optimize your Pinterest Pin with a Title and detailed description using keywords. Be sure to add your destination link. The final step is to Select a Board to Pin it and then click on Publish/Save.
And we’re done!
If you haven’t been using Pinterest, I hope this post encourages you to jump on board. It’s a fantastic marketing tool and one we can easily put to use!
Have a tip you’d like to share? Please feel free to share in the comments below.
If you’re using Pinterest and would like to connect, please do share a link to your profile in the comments below. Let’s connect!
Until next time … happy sharing, my friends! ♥
Start a Blog
If you’re looking to start a blog/website, please feel free to stop by my blog post How to Start a Blog ~ A Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Build a Website! and it will take you through the entire process. ♥
Blogging to Success
The Blogging to Success with WordPress Series is a free eight-part series meant to guide you through the entire website setup process, ultimately leading to a successful blogging journey. ♥
Resource Library
Video Tutorials and free design graphics, templates, and blogging resources to help build your blog, business, and fuel your creative side. Free for Commercial use. Let’s get creative! ♥
Thanks for the tutorial, Natalie! I use Canva for most of my Intragram posts and some Twitter ads, but I’m embarrassed to admit I’ve neglected my Pinterest page for about 3 years now. I should probably change that, lol.
Cheers, Teri! Thanks for stopping by. There’s sooooo much to keep up with. You’re doing awesome with IG and Twitter. High five! 🙂
This sounds like a lot of fun, Natalie! I will have to go try this, thanks:)
Delighted to share, Denise. Cheering you on! Thanks a bunch for stopping by today and for sharing, too! 🙂
Thank you, Natalie for the tutorial. I have a Pinterest account but haven’t don’t too much about it. I bookmarked the link for this post and come back to follow the tutorial step by step.
That’s wonderful, Miriam! Happy to help in any way. Cheering you on! 🙂
Thank you, Natalie. Thank you for always being helpful. 🙂
Thanks so much, Natalie – I’d never heard of that before. I love your gorgeous posts. Toni xx
Thank you, Toni! Delighted to share these tips. Wishing you a fabulous day! 🙂
Thank you Natalie, I just learned something new today. I am keeping your post.
Warm welcome, Valentina! Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Delighted to know you found it helpful. Cheers! 🙂
Absolutely, your post opened up many other ideas for me. Thanks again. 😀
Thanks for this, Natalie.
Delighted to share, Robbie! Thanks for stopping by today. Cheers! 🙂
Thank you Natalie. Your posts are always so inspiring.
So kind of you, Brigid. Thank you! Always a joy to share these tips. 🙂
Thanks for the great info, Natalie. I’ve been toying with the idea of creating a Pintrest account, and would like to move into animated graphics.
That’s great, Mark! Happy to help in any way. Best wishes for a wonderful day! 🙂
You too, Natalie.
Oh wow! I’ve never used Canva before. Thanks for this tutorial, Natalie! <3
Vashti, you’ll love it! They have design templates for everything. I use the free version, but you can upgrade to Canva Pro for unlimited access to all elements, etc. Happy to help in any way. Thanks for stopping by today and for sharing, too! Happy Friday! xo
I have used Canva for many projects, but did not know about the animation technique. I just published my first animated Pin and will create more. Thank you, Natalie, for introducing and instructing all of us.
That’s wonderful, Karen! I’ll head over to Pinterest now. 🙂 So delighted to know you found it useful. I love sharing these tips. Thanks so much for stopping by today. Wishing you a lovely week ahead. xo
Fabulous Natalie. Thank you! <3
Thanks, Debby! Always a joy to share. Cheers! xo
Thanks, Natalie. I regularly get newsletters from Canva but don’t always have a chance to check. You’ve made it quite clear, and I do like Pinterest.
That’s wonderful, Olga. I’m delighted to know you found it useful. Thanks for stopping by and for sharing, too. I appreciate it. Happy Sunday! 🙂
Your tutorials are always so informative and easy to follow, Natalie. Thank you. I hope you’re doing well and staying safe and peaceful. <3
Thank you, Diana! I love sharing these tips. 🙂 Sending (((hugs))) and blessings across the miles. xo
Another amazing, easy to follow tutorial from you, Natalie! You’re the best. Thank you so much!
Pinterest is a powerhouse when used correctly for bloggers. Animated pins have the ability of catching the eye even more than traditional pins. As for Canva – isn’t their software amazing? It’s incredibly intuitive to use and allows for some truly creative graphics. I loved it so much that I went Premium about 5 or 6 months ago.
I’ve shared your post on social media. Sending ALL of my very best love your way and prayers that each day for you is more blessed than the one before it. ♥ Take care, dearest Natalie.
Holly, you’re an absolute gem! Thanks so much for your kind words and amazing support. I love sharing these tips, and I’m so grateful when friends share them, too. Sending gratitude (((hugs))) and blessings across the miles.Stay safe. Stay awesome! xo
Well that was easy. I had no problems–great directions. Of course, I tried to load my fancy new animated image to WordPress and it refused. Sigh. You did say Pinterest…