How I Become a Canva Verified Expert Thanks to YouTube
Hi, I'm Darren, and I was a Canva Verified Expert and a Canva Creator, so let's talk.
It's great that you want to learn how to become a Canva Verified Expert. I first became a Canva Verified Expert in 2022 when Canva launched the program. Before becoming a Canva Verified Expert I was also a Canva Certified Creative (this is an old program that is now closed). The CCC was a different program developed into the Canva Verified Experts program. Canva also has various Canvassador programs, which I discuss below.
What is a Canva Verified Expert?
Canva Verified Experts are normally Small Business Owners who excel in their field of design and teaching design using Canva. They also often share YouTube tutorials or social media posts about graphic design and how to use Canva for better design and content creation. The tutorials can range from new Canva updates to teaching advanced techniques for using the Canva platform. This can either be done using the free plan or Canva Pro.
As well as being content creators and having a presence on social media, Canva Verified Experts will often be expert trainers who run workshops within their local community, for small businesses, or with large global brands who use Canva as a design tool to help improve their design skills.
How Do You Become a Canva Verified Expert?
There isn't a set certification program for becoming a Canva Verified Expert. Who becomes a Canva Verified Expert is decided by a Canva management team who join the program. The team receives regular recommendations that are taken from Canva Community Managers.
Be that in the Canva Design Community, Creators Community or being visible on social media. Someone from Canva is always watching, and if they like what you are creating, you might just get recommended.
One of the best practices that you can do it if you are creating content or are an active member in the Canva Communities (https://www.canva.com/community/) that aligns with *Canva's six values:
Be a Force for Good - Making the world a better place through positive actions, inclusion and diversity.
Be a good human- Value good communication. Be open, honest and constructive with yourself, with your team, with the company, and with the world.
Empower others - Empowering others to achieve their goals, both globally and within Canva.
Make complex things simple - Always aiming for the most simple, pragmatic and effective solution to any problem. Think of the user.
Pursue excellence - Maintain a high bar for ourselves and the people we work with. Continuous growth and development. Lead by example.
Set crazy big goals - Set ambitious goals, prioritise, hustle to execute and celebrate success!
•(Canva September 2023 https://www.canva.com/about/)
When it comes to having the right experience, there is no timeline. Canva says it is not concerned about your years of experience but more about the values you live by.
Hiring a Canva Verified Expert
I’m no longer using or training using Canva, but you can reach out and I can put you in touch with someone that is still working and training using Canva.
Why work with me?
You can still work with me, but I now use and recommend Adobe Express. This is a much more versatile program and one that I feel works best for client work.
Why Become a Canva Verified Expert?
One of the main reasons I was happy to become a Canva Verified expert is that I get early access to Canva product features. This is both exciting and frustrating at times. It's exciting because I get a heads-up and learn about most new features before their main launch.
But it's also frustrating because I can't wait to share the exciting updates and see how everyone in the community will use the new features Canva will launch.
It's also fun to be recognized as someone who helps business owners and content creators who are Canva users and want to create posts for social media graphics or even use Canva for delivering jaw-dropping presentations, so the next time you are in front of a client, you will look the part, even if you are nervous inside.
But I left, as Canva wanted me to be exclusive and wouldn’t allow me to talk about other “competitors,” but at the same time, didn’t want to pay for that exclusivity.
Other Canva Programs
Canva works with community leaders and designers in a few different ways. You can find out about these other options over on Canva's community page here.
https://www.canva.com/community/
These include:
Canva Design Community - Facebook group
Canva Creators - This is a private group for Creators worldwide that creates templates on Canva and can earn from this. You can visit my Canva Creator Profile here.
Education Creators - Similar to Canva Creators, but these individuals create content for fellow teachers and the global education community
Canva Teachers - A global Canva community for teachers
Canva for Non-Profits - A Canva group for Non-Profits who use Canva to communicate their mission and Impact on the world
If you are a Non-Profit or Education, you can apply for a free Canva Pro account on Canva's website
https://www.canva.com/education/
https://www.canva.com/canva-for-nonprofits/
So to Wrap This Up
There is no Canva certification, but if you are one of the many Canva design experts, and Canva likes what you do, and you are good at it and doing it to help live by Canva values, you are probably in good standing. Time will tell.
I chose to leave Canva, because of the exclusivity requirement, but that’s not something that is an issue for some people, I just felt it was limiting, as I use Adobe products in my day to day life and with clients.