Welcome to my article “Canva + Instagram = $2000/Month Here is How People Are Doing It”.
If someone told you that you could earn $2000 a month just by using Canva and Instagram, you’d probably think it’s one of those “click this link and become rich overnight” schemes. But hold on—this one’s actually legit. People across the world (including India) are combining a free graphic design tool with a free social media app and turning it into a full-blown side hustle. No fancy degree, no coding, not even a camera is required. Just some creativity, consistency, and a little bit of marketing gyaan.
The best part? Most of these people started with zero design background. In fact, if you know how to drag and drop, you’re already overqualified. In this article, we’ll break down exactly how people are making money with this simple combo, what steps you can take today to get started, and how to avoid rookie mistakes that waste time and effort. If you’ve been scrolling Instagram for hours, it’s time to start posting with purpose.
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Why Canva and Instagram Are the Perfect Combo for Making Money Online
Let’s be honest—most people use Instagram for scrolling, stalking, and saving motivational quotes they’ll never revisit. But what if you could turn that screen time into income? That’s exactly what people are doing by combining Instagram with Canva—a free (and addictive) design tool that makes you feel like a pro graphic designer, even if you last drew something in 4th standard.
Here’s why this combo works so well:
Instagram is a visual platform. People scroll to see something that looks good—whether it’s an aesthetic quote, a carousel with tips, or a clean infographic. Canva lets you create all of that without needing Photoshop, Illustrator, or a degree in rocket science. Templates are ready, fonts are stylish, and colours are just a click away. Honestly, even a chai break takes longer than designing a post on Canva.
Now pair that with Instagram’s massive reach—1 billion+ users worldwide, with a growing Indian creator base. You don’t need a huge following to earn. If your content hits the right niche (like finance, productivity, self-care, or even memes), it can grow organically. And once you have attention, you can monetize it—by selling digital products, offering services, or even doing affiliate marketing.
To top it off, both Canva and Instagram are free to start with. That means your investment is basically your time, creativity, and maybe $1 worth of electricity if your Wi-Fi is acting up. No wonder more and more people are jumping on this trend—because it’s simple, scalable, and actually doable.
3 Ways People Are Earning $2K/Month with Canva + Instagram
Now that you know Canva and Instagram are like chai and biscuit—better together—let’s get to the juicy part: how are people actually making $2000 or more per month with them? No, they’re not influencers doing product reviews in front of ring lights. Most of them are regular folks using smart strategies that you can copy (legally and ethically).
1. Selling Pre-made Canva Templates
This one is the hot favourite. People are creating templates on Canva—like Instagram post bundles, business planners, e-book designs, Pinterest pins—and selling them on platforms like Etsy, Gumroad, or their own websites. The beauty is: you create once and sell unlimited times. It’s like making biryani once but feeding the entire neighbourhood on repeat. And trust me, people do buy. Business coaches, creators, and even small brands are always looking for ready-to-use designs.
2. Offering Instagram Design Services
If you’re slightly better than average at Canva, congratulations—you can start charging people to design their Instagram pages. We’re talking full brand kits, carousel posts, story templates, and highlight covers. Many creators, coaches, and small business owners (especially in the US and UK) are looking for affordable design help, and Indians are capitalising on this by charging $100 to $500 per client. And yes, some folks do this without even showing their face or getting on calls. Just DM, deliver, and done.
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3. Running Theme Pages for Monetization
This is the sneakiest but most scalable way. Start a niche theme page (for example, travel quotes, financial tips, or self-care routines), use Canva to create content, and grow your followers. Once you have a decent following, you can earn from affiliate marketing, brand shoutouts, and even selling your own digital products. Some pages are faceless, nameless, and still making more than what a full-time job offers—minus the Monday meetings.
Step-by-Step Guide to Start This Side Hustle
Alright, so now you are convinced this Canva + Instagram thing isn’t just internet fluff. But where do you start? Do you need to buy some $600 coaching program? Nope. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you get this side hustle rolling—minus the overwhelm.
Step 1: Pick a Niche That Actually Sells
Don’t overthink this like choosing a Netflix series. Just pick a niche where people spend money. Some high-demand ones include business, productivity, self-care, fitness, money tips, or even aesthetic quotes. Go through Instagram and Etsy to see what types of pages and products are trending. The goal isn’t to reinvent the wheel—it’s to make your version of it look cooler.
Step 2: Set Up a Clean Instagram Business Account
Use a clear username (not “@cool_dude_123”) and write a crisp bio that tells people what your page is about. Add a profile pic, set up highlights, and—very important—add a link in your bio. You can use free tools like Linktree, Stan Store, or even Notion to collect leads or sell products.
Step 3: Design, Don’t Panic – Use Canva Smartly
Start by using ready-made Canva templates. You don’t need to design from scratch unless you really enjoy stress. Modify colours, fonts, and elements to match your niche. Keep it consistent so your feed looks professional—even if you’re just designing in your pyjamas at 11pm.
Step 4: Post Consistently + Add Value
Start posting carousels, reels, and stories around your niche. Make your content helpful or entertaining—ideally both. Use relevant hashtags, write captions that talk like a human (not a robot), and always include a call-to-action: “Save this,” “DM me,” or “Link in bio.” You’re not just creating content, you’re building trust.
Step 5: Offer or Sell Something
Once your page looks active and useful, start offering services (like Instagram design) or selling digital products (like templates). Keep it simple at first—a $5 template pack or a $25 starter service. As you grow, so will your pricing, your confidence, and hopefully, your PayPal balance.
Tools & Tips to Scale Your Earnings Faster
You have started your Canva + Instagram side hustle. You’re designing posts, getting a few likes, maybe even a DM or two. But now comes the fun part—scaling it up. Because let’s be real, ₹500 here and there is nice, but we’re aiming for that consistent $2000/month mark. For that, you’ll need the right tools, systems, and a little strategy (not jugaad).
1. Upgrade to Canva Pro (When You’re Ready)
Yes, the free version of Canva is great. But Canva Pro gives you magic resize, premium templates, background remover, and brand kits that save you hours. Think of it as moving from autorickshaw to scooty—it’s faster, smoother, and gets you there with style. You can start with the free trial and upgrade once the orders start rolling in.
2. Schedule Posts Like a Boss
Posting every day manually? That’s a full-time job. Use free tools like Meta Business Suite (official from Instagram), or apps like Buffer and Later to schedule your posts. Just batch your content once a week, and you’re sorted. Now you can focus on sales instead of staring at your phone, wondering if it’s 6pm yet.
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3. Set Up Easy Payment Methods
Whether you’re selling templates or offering services, don’t make people ask “How do I pay?” Use simple payment gateways like Razorpay (India), PayPal (international), or Stripe (if you’re selling in USD). You can also use platforms like Gumroad or Stan Store to handle payments and product delivery—no coding, no drama.
4. Automate the Boring Stuff
Use tools like Notion or Trello to manage client orders and content ideas. Save your most-used Canva links in Google Sheets. Create template replies for DMs. It may sound “extra,” but trust me, when you start juggling 5 clients and 3 template packs, you’ll thank yourself.
5. Focus on Engagement, Not Just Followers
Don’t chase virality like it’s a lottery ticket. Focus on comments, shares, and DMs—that’s where the money is. People buy from people they trust, not pages that look like stock photo galleries. Be real, be helpful, and always provide value before you pitch.
Mistakes to Avoid + Bonus Growth Hacks
You are almost ready to become the next Canva + Instagram success story. But before you charge ahead, let’s hit pause and talk about the stuff that can mess things up. Because even the best-designed carousel won’t save you from beginner blunders. Learn from others’ mistakes—no need to reinvent the stress wheel.
Mistake #1: Copy-Paste Designing
Yes, Canva has thousands of templates. No, that doesn’t mean you can use them as-is and slap your name on it. If ten other people are using the same pink and beige quote post, guess what? Yours will just blend in. Always customise—change the colours, tweak the layout, add your own flavour. Make it yours, not Ctrl+C Ctrl+V.
Mistake #2: Waiting for Everything to Be “Perfect”
Many people waste weeks overthinking fonts, colours, and logos before posting anything. Newsflash: perfection doesn’t pay—execution does. Your first few posts will be average. Your first product might flop. That’s normal. Start messy, learn fast, improve as you go. Better to launch and learn than to delay and disappear.
Mistake #3: Posting Without a Purpose
Don’t just post because it’s Tuesday. Every post should have a purpose—either to attract, engage, or sell. Add call-to-actions like “Save this,” “DM for details,” or “Grab the template via link in bio.” Don’t assume people know what to do—sometimes you have to literally tell them.
Bonus Growth Hacks (That Actually Work)
- Use Reels to Grow Fast: Even if you’re a “no camera, no dance” kind of person, Canva lets you make animated reels using stock videos or carousel slides. Works like magic when paired with trending audio.
- Leverage Instagram Highlights: Save your testimonials, offers, FAQs—makes your page look pro in one click.
- Collaborate with Micro-Creators: Find pages with 5K–20K followers in your niche and do shoutout swaps or joint giveaways. It’s free marketing with high intent audiences.
- Bundle and Upsell: If you are selling one template for $5, try bundling 5 templates for $50. People love the idea of a “deal” even if they don’t need all 5.
Conclusion
There you have it—Canva + Instagram = a legit $2k/month side hustle if done right. No, it’s not some overnight magic trick. But it’s also not as complicated as building an app or launching a full-blown business. You just need to pick a niche, create useful content, and offer something valuable—whether that’s a $5 template or a $60 design service. And with the tools available today, you don’t need a team, an office, or even pants (if you’re working from home).
The best part? This whole model is scalable. Start as a side hustle while you’re working your 9-to-5 or freelancing. As you grow, it can become your full-time gig. Plenty of creators and digital entrepreneurs have used this exact strategy to quit their jobs, travel the world, or just have more time for chai and sanity.
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Now, will every post go viral? No. Will every idea work? Definitely not. But if you stick with it, keep learning, and keep experimenting, results will follow. Worst case, you’ll end up with better design skills and a more aesthetic Instagram page. Best case? You’ll turn a free Canva account and an Instagram profile into a solid income stream.
So, what are you waiting for? Your $25/day story could literally start with one Canva post and one Instagram caption. Go hit that “New Design” button—and don’t overthink the font.
Thank you for reading my article “Canva + Instagram = $2000/Month Here is How People Are Doing It” till the end. Hope it helped you. See you with another article.
