Canva tips | The Worlds of RG Newhouse

Let’s talk about the not so glamorous side of being an author in the digital age: building your online presence.

A warmly lit writer’s desk at twilight with an open journal, a steaming mug of tea, a flickering candle, colored pencils, and a fluffy cat lounging beside a soft blanket. A peaceful, creative atmosphere near a glowing window. — _{The dream: a cozy desk, a warm drink, and a cat who doesn’t sit on the keyboard. Every author’s happy place. Generated by Midjourney}

You’d think setting up social media would be easy, right? Just pick a profile photo, write a snappy bio, toss in a few links… and poof! You’re branded.

Except… not really.

What photo says “writer” without looking like a stock image?

Is your bio too stiff? Too quirky? Is it weird to mention your cats and tea addiction? And don’t even get me started on banner graphics. Designing those things is a minor existential crisis every time.

Still, this stuff matters. Readers want a glimpse of the person behind the page. A warm corner of the internet that says, Hi, I’m real. I write stories. I’d love for you to join the journey.

So if you’re an author wrestling with Canva layouts at 2 AM or rewriting your Twitter bio for the tenth time today… you’re not alone. I’m right there with you.

A woman sits at a cluttered desk with two computer monitors, both displaying colorful graphics and social media content. An open journal, mugs, pens, sticky notes, and scattered books surround her. Warm lighting and cozy chaos fill the space, capturing the feeling of deep creative work. — _{This girl? This is me in my dreams, back when I was young, optimistic, and still believed I’d pick the perfect author bio photo on the first try. Generated by Midjourney}

A Few Quick Tips to Get You Started:

Use the same profile photo across platforms so readers recognize you instantly.
Keep your bio simple—mention what you write, a little about who you are, and let your personality peek through.
Design one banner in Canva and then resize it using platform specific templates. Saves time and sanity.
Don’t try to do it all at once. Pick one or two platforms you’ll enjoy using and start there.
Pin a post (like your latest release or a short intro) to make your profile welcoming at first glance.

We’ll get it figured out. One awkwardly cropped banner at a time.

Got a favorite trick for picking the perfect profile photo? Share it… I could use the help.