While there are too way too many cardinal sins of social media, here are a few picks for this week.

1. Thou Shalt Not Use Excessive Hashtags 

For social media marketing, hashtags are essential and engage the audience at a massive level. However, overusing them puts off the reader at times.

Another SMM DON’T is tagging a large number of people which is considered to be bothersome because some people don’t like to be notified about posts that are irrelevant to them.

Death by hashtags #InstaDeath #BadImpression #Dont #Do #I

2. Thou Shalt Not Upload Irrelevant and Untimely Posts

Nothing bores a social media user than seeing bland posts in their newsfeed. As a social media marketer, an important consideration is to be careful about the timing of the posts. Moreover, don’t upload posts that have the same content or are off-topic.

Source:1911addicts.com

Pluto re-emerged in 2015… Get your hands on our newest deals… How do I run for president?!

3.Thou Shalt Not Pay for Fake Followers 

The concept of millions of likes on Facebook and Instagram pages sounds fascinating and grand. Some apps have been introduced recently that boost the number of likes or followers which are not genuine. A social media manager must realize that such shortcuts are not fruitful and they end up paying more for bogus followers.

Source: tumblr.com

Don’t let your imaginary friends fool you

4.Thou Shalt Not Use Inappropriate Captions and Descriptions

Being moderate is the key to success on social media. Having too many images, texts, and tags ruin a post. The trick is to sell your product by using minimal words yet attempting to convince the audience. Additionally, giving appropriate captions to photos enhances the message being put forward. Words are as important as images and they need a balance in between.

Remember the ABC’s of content writing: accuracy, brevity and clarity. Bingo!

5. Thou Shalt Not Use Stock Images

Research tells that visual information is more retainable than textual. Therefore, it’s better to update pictures along with text so that the user can comprehend the message easily.

Moreover, don’t use stock pictures as they give a very unprofessional image. Your brand is your identity, therefore value it and use original photos and content for the page. Make your posts valuable in the eyes of the user. Another notable consideration is to use your logo company name as the display picture.

Remember: Belle fell for the Beast because of who he was

6. Thou Shalt Have Uniformity in the Content

Often at times, the social media team members of an enterprise lack communication and end up posting either too much information or irrelevant material. One bad mistake can make the user abandon your brand forever. It is important for all the team members to discuss the content before posting so that every individual is on the same page.

Source:metro.co.uk

7. Thou Shalt Not Publish Without Proofreading 

Since your posts are representing your brand, it is crucial to check and recheck before publishing online. The digital media audience believes in credibility and tends to lose their trust with one single mistake. Hence, it is mandatory for the team to collectively participate in proofreading before it goes on board.

You probably didn’t think it through when you decided to become a Graphic Designer but as soon as you stepped into the practical world, the reality hit you like a truck. Being a graphic designer is all fun and games with fancy laptops and cool gadgets but it comes with a price of annoying clients and their unproductive feedbacks. Here are some struggles one faces as a designer:

1. When people ask you to rush a design:

The creative process can’t be rushed nor can a design be forced. If you expect a good design, you will have to give ample time to the designer to brainstorm and design it. Creativity is not something that can be turned on and off. A designer can’t just develop a concept out of thin air in a jiffy, it takes time and a lot of brainstorming and you need to be in a certain zone to come up with a good design.

Source: tenor.com

2. When someone tells you how to do your job:

It can be genuinely annoying when clients or your bosses who have absolutely no background of design tell you how to do your job. They don’t ask for your creative input, instead ask you to exactly as they say which is, in most cases, extremely bizarre. Like no, I cannot move this icon here, it disturbs the balance of the design nor can I change the colour, it doesn’t go with the theme. Just.. let me do your job and you do yours.

Source: giphy.com

3. When the client asks for work files:

Just.. no. This is something non-designers just don’t understand; asking for work files is wrong on so many levels. Just like you don’t ask a software developer for the source code when you get some software developed, you don’t ask a designer for their work files.

Source: https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/degrassi/images/3/3c/Kurt_How_About_NO.gif

4. When people tell you their requirements after you have designed it:

Nothing is more frustrating than the client telling you their requirements AFTER you have designed something. They wouldn’t say a word about what they want in the design in the beginning but once you have already made something, all the requirements would start coming in. I mean, if you needed a specific color scheme or certain logos incorporated, why didn’t you say so before?

Source: giphy.com

5. When you are forced to use bizarre typefaces:

Sometimes the hardest part of this job is when you are forced to use bizarre, curly fonts because the client finds them appealing. It isn’t necessary to use a different typeface for every sentence is something non-designers will never understand.

Source: http://i3.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/001/018/871/d19.gif

6. Clients are well, clients:

Clients are, after all, the ones paying for the services so it’s understandable if they want to be involved but it can be overwhelming sometimes and can affect the creative process of the designer. All designers ask for is for you to understand and give them space and time so they can work their magic.

Source: https://media1.tenor.com/images/0be836a0055305a26edc227f07c701c0/tenor.gif?itemid=5696710