Useful Tips Category

I once read about a storm in 2020 in the US, which created a “mega-flash” of lightning spanning an area almost 500 miles long and 100 miles wide. It set a new world record. And it lasted for over 15 seconds. In other words, the people in Mississippi who saw that flash didn’t realize it wouldn’t end until it reached Texas.

It’s one of those phenomena that, for it to happen, requires extraordinarily perfect conditions.

Just like a video, a photo, or a text we post on social media, it’s just a spark. But depending on the moment, it can spread — just like that lightning in Mississippi did.

Instagram, for example, is one of the most influential platforms in the digital age, boasting over 1.4 billion active users worldwide. For businesses, influencers, and content creators, reaching the right audience is critical—and timing plays a major role in maximizing engagement. Posting at the right time can mean the difference between your content thriving or disappearing in the sea of posts.

And that’s because Instagram’s algorithm prioritizes content that it believes users will engage with. Factors like likes, comments, shares, and saves influence what content is shown first in users’ feeds. If you post when your audience is most active, the chances of engagement are higher, signaling the algorithm to promote your post further.

Here’s why timing is crucial:

a) Higher Engagement Rates: Posting when your audience is online increases the likelihood of immediate interaction.
b) Boosted Visibility: Early engagement signals Instagram to push your post to more people.
c) Optimized Resource Use: Tailoring your posting schedule ensures you’re putting effort where it matters most.

And what would be the best times to post on Instagram? While optimal posting times can vary depending on your audience and niche, studies have provided general guidelines:

Best Days: Wednesdays and Thursdays are considered the best days to post.
Best Time Slots:
6:00 AM – 8:00 AM. Users often check their phones first thing in the morning.
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Lunchtime browsing is common.
(7:00 PM – 9:00 PM. People unwind and scroll through social media after work.
Avoid: Late-night posts (10:00 PM – 4:00 AM) when engagement tends to be the lowest.

These general patterns serve as a starting point, but you’ll need to dive deeper into your specific audience data for tailored success.

If your followers are global, consider time zones. Use Instagram Insights to see where your audience is located and adjust your schedule. Instagram Insights is a powerful tool that helps to determine when your followers are most active. Here’s how to use it:

a) Switch to a professional account (if you haven’t already).
b) Navigate to the Insights section in your profile.
c) Go to the “Audience” tab and scroll to “Most Active Times” to analyze your audience activity.
d) Review data for the days and hours when your audience is online.
e) Use this information to test and adjust different posting times.
f) Monitor the performance of posts published during peak activity hours.

The best time to post on Instagram isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. However, consistency, high-quality content, and timely posting are the pillars of Instagram’s success. By leveraging these strategies, you’ll increase engagement and build stronger connections with your audience.

Finally, once the spark has been created and the “weather conditions” on the web have been verified, it’s time to see (or not) how far the value of your content can go.

If you’re a solo designer with someone special on your mind 24/7, expressing your feelings can feel intimidating. Sometimes, words simply fall short.

So, why not let your design skills speak for you? With a spark of creativity and a touch of artistic flair, you can create a graphic design masterpiece to confess your good feelings..

1. Every design starts with a big idea.
   Are you aiming for something playful, heartfelt, or dramatic? Your approach will guide your choices. For instance, if your crush loves nature, a design inspired by vibrant florals or lush greenery could subtly suggest how they make your world bloom. If they’re into tech, a pixelated heart could be your starting point. The idea is to personalize your design to resonate with them.

2. Pick the Right Medium
   Graphic design offers countless mediums to communicate. Choose one that’s most natural for your style and the recipient’s taste. For instance:
   Infographic: A funny and clever “statistical breakdown” of why you’re into them.
   Animated GIF: Perfect for conveying playful energy with movement and sparkle.
   Custom Card Design: A classic, heartfelt approach that never goes out of style
   

3. Craft the Perfect Message
   Design is only part of the equation; the words matter too. Whether it’s a witty tagline, a heartfelt confession, or a clever pun, your text needs to complement your visuals.Make sure the typography and color scheme match the tone. A lighthearted message might benefit from bright colors and quirky fonts, while a romantic one might lean on elegant scripts and muted hues. Remember: Keep it short and sweet. Less is more when the design speaks volumes.

4. Design Principles
   While the sentiment is key, good design principles will ensure your message is clear and visually appealing. Here’s how to apply some classic design rules to your love confession:
   Balance: Avoid overwhelming the canvas. Ensure your design has visual harmony, just like you’re hoping your relationship will.
   Contrast: Use contrasting colors and fonts to draw attention to the most important parts—like your confession.
   Hierarchy: Ensure the eye naturally gravitates to your central message. Whether it’s a giant heart or bold text, make the focus obvious.
   Whitespace: Give your design breathing room. Good feelings need space to flourish, and so does your design!

5. Add a Personal Touch
   What sets your design apart is its personal touch. Think of details that only you and the recipient will understand:
   – Incorporate inside jokes or shared experiences.
   – Use their favorite colors, patterns, or imagery.
   – Include a subtle nod to their hobbies or interests. For example, if they’re a book lover, your design might feature a heart made of book spines or a message hidden within a book cover illustration.

6. Don’t Forget Humor (Optional but Powerful)
   A little humor can go a long way, especially if you’re nervous about baring your soul. Humor keeps things lighthearted and reduces the risk of your message feeling too heavy. Maybe you can include quirky illustrations like a stick figure version of yourself presenting them a heart.
   

7. Polish Your Work: Love Deserves Effort
   Before hitting send (or printing), take time to review your design. Double-check your:
   – Spelling and grammar (a typo could be awkward).
   – Alignment, spacing, and proportions.
   – Overall tone: Does it match your intended message?
   – Show your work to a trusted friend for feedback if you’re unsure.

8. Deliver the Design with Confidence and Brace For the Response
   Here’s the thing: no matter how impressive your design is, the response might not be exactly what you hope for. And that’s okay! The effort you put into your creation will show that you’re thoughtful and sincere. Plus, even if the feelings aren’t mutual, you’ll still walk away with a brilliant piece for your portfolio.

Yes, I know: telling someone you like them can be nerve-wracking, but using graphic design adds a creative, memorable twist that sets you apart. By combining thoughtful design principles, a personal touch, and a sprinkle of humor, you can create a confession that’s as unique as your feelings.

I am from the time of Orkut, the Google social network that was a craze in Brazil. Shortly after, Facebook came along. It was there that not only an area to connect friends and share moments emerged, but also an ecosystem for various businesses. Over time, Facebook’s hair started turning gray, and its reign was taken over by Instagram.

Migrating to Instagram became a natural move, no matter what your professional field is. However, there may come a moment when you start to suspect that someone has blocked you from accessing a certain profile.

Blocking is a common feature on Instagram, allowing users to completely restrict another person’s access to their profile and content. However, the platform does not notify you when you’re blocked, which can lead to doubts. Fortunately, there are signs that can clarify the situation. How?

1. Search for the person’s username in the Instagram search bar:

• Open the Instagram app and tap the search icon.
• Type the username of the person you suspect has blocked you.
• If their profile doesn’t appear in the search results, it’s possible you’ve been blocked. However, this could also mean they’ve deactivated their account or changed their username.
• For public profiles, not finding their account can be a strong indicator of being blocked.

2. Check previous conversations in case you’ve already interacted with the person via direct messages:

• Go to your Direct Messages (DMs) and find the chat with the person.
• Tap on the conversation.
• If you can still see the chat history but cannot access their profile by tapping their username, you may have been blocked.
• If their profile picture is missing or replaced with a generic icon, this is another red flag.

3. Attempt to follow them in situations where you can still access their profile (e.g., through tags or shared content):

• Visit their profile and check if there is an option to follow them.
• If you see a button labeled “Follow” but it doesn’t change to “Following” after tapping, this likely indicates you’ve been blocked.
• Alternatively, if the profile says “User Not Found,” it’s either deactivated or blocked.

4. Check their posts and stories

• Look for posts where they’ve been tagged or where mutual friends might have interacted with them.
• If their tagged photos or mentions have disappeared, this can suggest you’ve been blocked.
• If their stories are no longer visible to you while others can still see them, this is a strong sign.

5. Use a secondary account or ask a friend to confirm their profile visibility:

• Log in with a secondary account or create a new one.
• Ask a trusted friend to search for their account.
• If the account is visible to others but not to you, then you’ve likely been blocked.

So you may be wondering: Why am I blocked? Well, understanding why someone blocks you can provide clarity and help you avoid similar situations in the future. Here are common reasons people block others on Instagram:

• Personal Disputes: Arguments or disagreements can lead to blocking as a way to create space.
• Spam-Like Behavior: Excessive tagging, messaging, or commenting can be perceived as intrusive.
• Privacy Concerns: People often block to protect their personal lives from strangers or unwanted followers.
• Content Preferences: If your content doesn’t align with their preferences, they might block to curate their feed.

Being blocked isn’t the end of the world, and there are ways to move forward:

1. Respect Their Decision. Understand that blocking is a personal choice. Respect their boundaries and avoid attempting to bypass the block using fake accounts.

2. Reflect on Your Interactions. Think about your recent interactions with the person. Could there have been misunderstandings or conflicts? Use this as an opportunity to grow.

3. Reach Out Through Alternative Channels (If Appropriate). If the relationship is important to you, consider reaching out respectfully through other platforms to clarify any issues. Avoid confrontation.

4. Focus on Positive Connections. Social media is vast, and there are countless meaningful connections to foster. Focus on those who appreciate your presence and content.

Remember, being blocked isn’t always personal, and respecting others’ decisions is key to maintaining healthy digital interactions. Focus on building positive relationships and ensuring your online behavior aligns with your values.

After all, as Richard Branson would say, business opportunities are like buses. There’s always another one coming.

I once heard about a guy who went to a rock concert. When he was leaving, he saw a huge line to pay for parking. Instead of waiting, he approached two big guys who were almost at the front of the line and asked them:

“Can I skip ahead? It´s because I really hate waiting in lines.”

To his surprise, they said yes. The simple fact that he gave a reason, even if it was completely absurd, worked in his favor and let him cut in line.

This highlights a principle that marketing professionals have known for a long time: giving a reason when asking for something can make a big difference.

I often say that the customer isn’t king; the customer is a partner. If they have a problem and you have the solution, it’s a perfect match: they buy your product or service, you get paid, and everyone’s happy.

But sometimes, customers hesitate, delay, or avoid payment altogether. This can be especially tricky when the relationship isn’t contractual.

Take designers, for instance. They often provide services without any formal safeguards, but neither you nor I are a bank.

For two months, I had to keep reminding a client to pay for a small project I had completed and delivered. It wasn’t a large amount, but it was a real hassle to get paid.

Finally, one day, I wrote to her and explained why I was asking for the payment. Miraculously, the money appeared in my account shortly after.

Of course, not everything works out this perfectly every time. But generally speaking, there’s no need to shout or throw a tantrum. Sometimes, all it takes is a brief explanation—no matter how unusual it may seem—to get what we want.

And now, since you’ve read this far, could you please do me a favor? Comment on this post.

It´s because I really hate waiting in lines.

Creativity is something critical for all of us. How many times have I found myself blocked in front of a blank page, not knowing where to begin?

Perhaps you have also encountered that situation where you imagine what you want, to the point of visualizing the finished work. You just don’t know how to get there.

It’s not like that story of Michelangelo, who, when asked how he sculpted his nearly five-meter-high David, simply replied that it was easy, that he spent a good amount of time staring at the block of marble until he saw the man who had slain the giant Goliath in it. Then, all he had to do was pick up his tools and remove everything that wasn’t David. It’s perhaps an artistic case of reverse engineering.

The good news is that we are not Michelangelo. We don’t need to reach that level of hallucination.

But regardless of your profession, at some point, you rely on creativity.

However, ideas don’t fall from the sky or magically appear out of thin air. First and foremost, you need to create an environment for them to flourish and grow.

The fact is that over these years, I’ve realized that intuitively there are ways for us to seek inspiration when it refuses to appear.

Here, I mention eight of them. But, of course, there are many others (by the way, if you know of one, please let me know):

1. Don’t fight with your brain. Creativity is like a tide, it ebbs and flows. It doesn’t announce when it’s going to arrive. It’s not something scheduled. An entrepreneur may expect their employee to perform a task at a certain time of day. But they can’t demand that they have a good idea exactly at 9:12 in the morning. So, stop tormenting yourself and give yourself some time..

2. Go for a walk. Take a walk along the beach, in the park, through the streets for at least half an hour. Taking a breather, changing your environment, even if only for a short time, has a powerful effect on the creative proces.

3. Carry a notepad. Put away your iPhone, your iPad, and other gadgets and have a pencil and paper on hand. Manual sketching, doodling, drawing, jotting down anything that comes to mind, it’s all unique and valuable.

4. Do something similar. We learn by copying others. Copy and replicate the style of an artist or a text from a great writer. See what you can assimilate from there. Starting from what already exists, you can create something new. Few things in this world are truly original.

5. Do something different. If you’re a designer, write a text (I’m providing an example right now). If you’re a writer, a journalist, for instance, create drawings. If you’re a professional in the exact sciences, paint pictures. Explore a less familiar territory in your daily life.

6. Change your environment. Break the monotony of your surroundings by changing the place where you usually work. If it’s at home, try moving to a different room for a while. If your activity is in an office, find another room or desk. Go to a library. Step into a bookstore. Remember, you don’t have to enter a café just to have coffee.

7. Brainstorming. This is already a well-known method for generating ideas. But it works. Just jot down everything that comes to mind, without censorship, without filtering or refining the sketch. Anything goes here. Just knowing that much of what you do will be discarded and thrown away already relieves a lot of pressure to create and produce something final.

8. Keep calm. We live in a world of inputs – there’s so much information entering our heads all the time through WhatsApp, the internet, emails, TV, music, newspapers, advertisements, you name it. It can be overwhelming to find space for creative thinking. That’s why I occasionally disconnect from it all, take a break from the outside world, and meditate in my own inner world. Half an hour of silence is worth its weight in gold.

All of this ends up being actions that, in some way, nourish our brains. Images take shape. We feel inspired. It’s the time when we are finally ready to be brilliant and create something memorable.

The bad news is that we are not Michelangelo.