In the age of Canva and drag-and-drop tools, it’s tempting to DIY your social media posts to save on cost. And while that can seem like a smart move upfront, inconsistent or cluttered graphics may silently chip away at your brand’s credibility.

As creatives, we understand the need to stretch every dollar. But we also believe in making each post count. So if you’re set on doing your own social media graphics, here’s a guide to avoid common mistakes—and some practical tips to make your visuals more scroll-stopping (instead of scroll-past).

What NOT to Do in Your Social Media Graphics

1. Overload of Text
   • Packing your design with long paragraphs or too many text elements overwhelms the eye.
   • Tip: If it takes more than 3 seconds to understand your message, it’s too much. Focus on one core idea per graphic.
2. No Clear Visual Hierarchy
   • Using the same font size, weight, or color for every line makes it hard for users to know what to read first.
   • Tip: Use font size, boldness, and color to guide the eye: headline > subheadline > body text.
3. Low-Resolution Images
   • Blurry or pixelated photos instantly lower your brand’s perceived quality.
   • Tip: Always use high-resolution visuals, preferably lifestyle or branded imagery.
4. Clashing Colors or Fonts
   • Mixing more than 2–3 fonts or colors that don’t align with your brand palette creates visual confusion.
   • Tip: Stick to your brand colors and 1–2 clean, readable fonts. Simplicity is consistency.
5. Logos & Contact Info Overload
   • Trying to squeeze your logo, phone number, address, promo code, website, and 5 hashtags into a single post? That’s a one-way ticket to visual overwhelm.
   • Tip: Prioritize clarity over clutter. If the goal is sales, make your Call-To-Action (CTA) clear and visible—but not lost in a sea of text. If the goal is engagement or brand awareness, sometimes less is more. Design each post with one purpose, and match your content accordingly.

What Attracts Users to Stop and Read

1. Strong, Clean Visual Hierarchy
   • Make your headline pop (big, bold, concise), support it with a smaller subhead, and tuck body info in neatly.
   • Your eye should flow from top to bottom, left to right—just like reading a book.
2. Whitespace is Your Friend
   • Don’t feel the need to fill every corner. Empty space gives your content room to breathe and enhances focus.
3. Consistency in Style
   • When your posts look like they belong to the same brand, your audience starts recognizing and trusting you more.
4. Emotionally Relatable Visuals
   • Use photos or graphics that connect with the lifestyle, feelings, or aspirations of your audience—not just what you’re selling.
5. Clear Purpose Per Post
   • Before designing, ask: Is this post to inform? Entertain? Convert? Let your design reflect that singular purpose.

If you’re DIY-ing to save cost, we respect that. But don’t let cost-saving come at the expense of brand consistency. A good post isn’t just a pretty picture—it’s an experience that reflects how your audience feels about your brand.

If you’re ever unsure, keep it simple and stick to your brand’s core look and feel. And if you need help aligning your graphics with your branding, we’re always here to guide you (get help from us!).

👉🏻 Look out for the latest Marketing & related Tips @lepakcreator Telegram Channel!