Yes, I noticed this game of encouraging you to stay on the social network through TikTok. When I would go weeks without posting and then I would post, my reach was good, but in the following videos it would decline, making me continue posting to get the result of the first video. It's crazy and tiring.
Having said that, I think it's sad for us artists that we are to blame all the time. We are just drawing, why are we being punished by algorithms by it? I tried TikTok from some drawing process and some daily vlogs on events, but I stopped because I can't be consistent on that. I tried Twitter but I didn't get traction on my art tweets (my political views did!) and Tumblr is a bit unstable in terms of engagement. My main focus has always been Instagram but even there I can't be consistent because of lack of time and also, to be honest, I just didn't feel like "creating content". I spend some hours editing my video, another couple of hours drawing and recording? And what for? Just 10 likes and that's that? I don't want my art to be a burden to me.
What has always worked for me was being out there in local events, comic cons and art fairs that suit my style. I get a bunch of new followers and consistent audience to speak to, real connections that helped me push onwards.
As of now I am trying Substack and Bluesky, completely disregarding Instagram but posting whenever I feel like. Let's just see how it goes. (Sorry for the long comment!)
Thank you for the post recommendation 💚, and don't be sorry for the long comment, it's fine 🙂.
It's challenging to grow on social media nowadays, it's a bit of luck, consistency, and content you share.
That's really nice that you go to events. Do you have a table on these events or do you go to visit and there you make connections? I follow an illustrator that his most income comes from events he goes to, this is his YT channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Inkwell
Yes! 99% of the occasions I go to events, I have a table there. If the event lasts more than one day it can get challenging lol but the experience is really rewarding.
I'll check out his channel, see if there are any tips I can use!
I was thinking about going to events and having a table there. But first, I need to decide which type of products I should make and what illustration theme I would like to draw.
It depends on different factors: where you want your career to move forwards to, what kind of events are available where you live, which products you like and would think you are able to reproduce. But what I would say it's that the one product you can never go wrong is prints!
In my first art event I took mostly prints of some illustrations I had done at that point, and same small postcards.
Probably work with what whichever art you have at first and get that first event experience, then build from there. Send me a message if you need some help :)
Honestly? The less I'm on social media the more I realize how bad it is for my motivation and mental health. I have an Instagram profile - with the main purpose to get people to my substack, if someone does stumble over it. But it's a new account and I'm truly not interested in growing a new account from scratch. 😅 I'm focusing on substack now, solely because it makes me feel so much better! And I genuinely enjoy writing regularly for it - constantly creating content for Instagram feels like a chore.
I see you. I'm using Instagram less, and that gives me time to reflect on what I'm doing. Also, creating content for Instagram is exhausting for me, so I've been posting very little there.
It's great that you've found a platform that you feel comfortable with. I also really like Substack, and I also like YouTube.
Instagram, Bluesky, and social media apps like those I see as just a way to network rather than gain an audience. Newsletter/blog stuff like with Substack or making long-format youtube videos is definitely more potential for growing an audience/support. So I’ll continue to update my art journey on Instagram (and try to remember to repost art on Bluesky) and if I have an itch to make a short animation those will go on insta/tiktok/youtube. But I’m really hoping to GROW through substack.
This is a good way to look at social media. I'm getting back into posting on Instagram, but without putting too much pressure on myself. And I'm trying to establish a routine of posting on YouTube and here on Substack. The only thing I don't enjoy so much is editing videos, but that's part of the game :)
Instagram was my main platform for so long, and I have some good friends I made there, but overall, it's not serving me anymore. I have over 2,000 followers, and I'm lucky if 100 of my followers actually see my posts. Reels did ok to get new followers, but I'd be lucky if they saw it again, and yeah, overall, people are commenting a lot less. I don't post on IG anymore, but I do keep up with threads because I find people much more engaged there than even Bluesky at times. But I've pivoted my focus to here and Bluesky mainly. As I have more time, I hope to get back into making YouTube videos.
Thank you for sharing your experience. Well, I think that in the end we need to understand which platform we like the most and focus on that. Trying to produce for many doesn't work, because it takes a lot of time.
I have a dual feeling about Instagram, I like it and I don't like it at the same time. I tried to go back to making content for there, but I don't know if it will last long. In the meantime, I've gone back to making videos for YouTube too.
So interesting! Thank you. Arh social media, so overwhelming and time consuming! I recently started using Substack more, which I like a lot because of the community and meaningful conversations, but it takes even more time as there is more to read! But at least it's interesting and there's (almost) no doom scrolling.
I also use Instagram (I don't have time or energy for more than that). But a year ago, I better defined the things that represent me online as an illustrator, and since then it is much easier and more interesting to use it.
I put it like this:
My website is like a giant, complex business card. A publisher, agent or whoever can see a lot of my latest illustrations, some sketches and find out about my biography (what I studied for example). It is proof that I take this work seriously and professionally.
On Instagram, on the other hand, they will see that I am alive and active, that I am drawing all the time, they will see more sketches, which is important as it shows how I compose scenes, the energy of the line, and so on. (Sometimes I have to remind myself that Instagram is NOT the portfolio and that I can be more spontaneous. But I do at least 10 pages of sketches every day, if I posted more I'm afraid I'd dilute the Instagram content too much and the finished illustrations would disappear.)
So if the website is a business card, Instagram is like looking at what's under a business card.
That's all. It doesn't matter how many people follow me and how many likes I get - don't get me wrong I love having them but that's not the purpose of my presence on Instagram. I don't create and post to attract an audience. Since I set these premises for myself, everything has become very easy!
I believe it's important to define the purpose of each platform. Lately, I've become more conscious about it and have been working on clarifying it for myself as well. For me, Instagram serves a similar purpose as it does for you: it's a place to share my sketches and, occasionally, my finished illustrations. I also use it to promote my newsletter by sharing editions in a carousel format.
I recently learned that you can share the same content across all your social media platforms, which simplifies our lives since we don't have to create new content or illustrations for each one.
Furthermore, having our own website is the best option because it is ours. We can choose what to share without the pressure of conforming to the rules of other platforms.
Btw, I loved your illustrations, and your website is very organized :)
I agree with you; working on a website is an endless task.
Currently, I'm using the following approach to share the same content:
- I focus on creating a new edition of the newsletter.
- Then, I use Canva to create a carousel using content from the newsletter, and I share it on Instagram, Pinterest, and Threads.
- Occasionally, I also share a piece in text format from the newsletter on Threads and Notes here on Substack.
I'm testing this method, and I can already see the benefits. It helps me maintain my online presence on social media while avoiding the fatigue of constantly creating new content.
I have had an awful relationship with social media. It stresses me out! I have gotten to the point where I post what I want when I want and trying to focus more and art shows and solo shows for this year. I feel I have better engagement in person. I am tired of playing the algorithm game. I redid my instagram and using it as a portfolio for now .
I know that some artists focus more on events where they can sell their art and less on social media, and it works. So, I think it's worth testing this out and seeing if it works for you.
Last week I watched a video of artists talking about not using Instagram as a portfolio, but as a sketchbook, and having the portfolio somewhere else, like Behance, a website, or another portfolio platform. I think the idea is interesting, and it gives us more freedom to post on Instagram and leave perfectionism aside.
You put into words exactly how I feel about social media. I used to make videos on color theory, and now I share posts about my ND brain and struggles, but none of it seems to help with growth. I also forget to film parts of my drawings—and sometimes, I don’t even want to, because why should I? Right now, I’m struggling with social media and trying to look at it from a different perspective.
I see. It's challenging to find a way to enjoy what you are doing and grow simultaneously. I think when you enjoy what you are doing it is simple to keep consistency, another important thing for social media. I hope you discover a way to create content that you enjoy and grow your social media 💚
if I struck gold and gained 1,000 new followers on social media, I’d be extremely lucky if my next post reached 100 of them (just 10%).
Or I could just focus on finding 100 new email subscribers and reach all of them with each email haha
Social media platforms are optimized to keep people on social media platforms. A game I see more people get tired of playing.
Yes, I noticed this game of encouraging you to stay on the social network through TikTok. When I would go weeks without posting and then I would post, my reach was good, but in the following videos it would decline, making me continue posting to get the result of the first video. It's crazy and tiring.
The casino has to pay out every now and again, otherwise people stop coming to the casino!
I've read a post in a similar vein to yours (which I recommend, here it is: https://open.substack.com/pub/marloesdevries/p/is-instagram-holding-me-back?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=23ng5d) and both articles are in my mind since I am questioning my relation to social media as an illustrator. It's important to note that I do not live from my art and I have a 9 to 5 job that pays the bills, so my available time for illustration is shorter.
Having said that, I think it's sad for us artists that we are to blame all the time. We are just drawing, why are we being punished by algorithms by it? I tried TikTok from some drawing process and some daily vlogs on events, but I stopped because I can't be consistent on that. I tried Twitter but I didn't get traction on my art tweets (my political views did!) and Tumblr is a bit unstable in terms of engagement. My main focus has always been Instagram but even there I can't be consistent because of lack of time and also, to be honest, I just didn't feel like "creating content". I spend some hours editing my video, another couple of hours drawing and recording? And what for? Just 10 likes and that's that? I don't want my art to be a burden to me.
What has always worked for me was being out there in local events, comic cons and art fairs that suit my style. I get a bunch of new followers and consistent audience to speak to, real connections that helped me push onwards.
As of now I am trying Substack and Bluesky, completely disregarding Instagram but posting whenever I feel like. Let's just see how it goes. (Sorry for the long comment!)
Thank you for the post recommendation 💚, and don't be sorry for the long comment, it's fine 🙂.
It's challenging to grow on social media nowadays, it's a bit of luck, consistency, and content you share.
That's really nice that you go to events. Do you have a table on these events or do you go to visit and there you make connections? I follow an illustrator that his most income comes from events he goes to, this is his YT channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Inkwell
I hope Substack and Bluesky work for you 💚
Yes! 99% of the occasions I go to events, I have a table there. If the event lasts more than one day it can get challenging lol but the experience is really rewarding.
I'll check out his channel, see if there are any tips I can use!
Thank you and I wish you the best as well <3
I was thinking about going to events and having a table there. But first, I need to decide which type of products I should make and what illustration theme I would like to draw.
Hope you can get tips from the channel.
Thank you too 💚
It depends on different factors: where you want your career to move forwards to, what kind of events are available where you live, which products you like and would think you are able to reproduce. But what I would say it's that the one product you can never go wrong is prints!
In my first art event I took mostly prints of some illustrations I had done at that point, and same small postcards.
Probably work with what whichever art you have at first and get that first event experience, then build from there. Send me a message if you need some help :)
Thank you for sharing these tips, and for offering me help if I need it! 💚
Using social media as an artist can also be completely distracting. I find myself scrolling and looking at who likes me instead of creating stuff.
I honestly don’t have a solution. Can I just be an artist without being a content creator?
Honestly? The less I'm on social media the more I realize how bad it is for my motivation and mental health. I have an Instagram profile - with the main purpose to get people to my substack, if someone does stumble over it. But it's a new account and I'm truly not interested in growing a new account from scratch. 😅 I'm focusing on substack now, solely because it makes me feel so much better! And I genuinely enjoy writing regularly for it - constantly creating content for Instagram feels like a chore.
I see you. I'm using Instagram less, and that gives me time to reflect on what I'm doing. Also, creating content for Instagram is exhausting for me, so I've been posting very little there.
It's great that you've found a platform that you feel comfortable with. I also really like Substack, and I also like YouTube.
Instagram, Bluesky, and social media apps like those I see as just a way to network rather than gain an audience. Newsletter/blog stuff like with Substack or making long-format youtube videos is definitely more potential for growing an audience/support. So I’ll continue to update my art journey on Instagram (and try to remember to repost art on Bluesky) and if I have an itch to make a short animation those will go on insta/tiktok/youtube. But I’m really hoping to GROW through substack.
This is a good way to look at social media. I'm getting back into posting on Instagram, but without putting too much pressure on myself. And I'm trying to establish a routine of posting on YouTube and here on Substack. The only thing I don't enjoy so much is editing videos, but that's part of the game :)
Instagram was my main platform for so long, and I have some good friends I made there, but overall, it's not serving me anymore. I have over 2,000 followers, and I'm lucky if 100 of my followers actually see my posts. Reels did ok to get new followers, but I'd be lucky if they saw it again, and yeah, overall, people are commenting a lot less. I don't post on IG anymore, but I do keep up with threads because I find people much more engaged there than even Bluesky at times. But I've pivoted my focus to here and Bluesky mainly. As I have more time, I hope to get back into making YouTube videos.
Thank you for sharing your experience. Well, I think that in the end we need to understand which platform we like the most and focus on that. Trying to produce for many doesn't work, because it takes a lot of time.
I have a dual feeling about Instagram, I like it and I don't like it at the same time. I tried to go back to making content for there, but I don't know if it will last long. In the meantime, I've gone back to making videos for YouTube too.
So interesting! Thank you. Arh social media, so overwhelming and time consuming! I recently started using Substack more, which I like a lot because of the community and meaningful conversations, but it takes even more time as there is more to read! But at least it's interesting and there's (almost) no doom scrolling.
I also use Instagram (I don't have time or energy for more than that). But a year ago, I better defined the things that represent me online as an illustrator, and since then it is much easier and more interesting to use it.
I put it like this:
My website is like a giant, complex business card. A publisher, agent or whoever can see a lot of my latest illustrations, some sketches and find out about my biography (what I studied for example). It is proof that I take this work seriously and professionally.
On Instagram, on the other hand, they will see that I am alive and active, that I am drawing all the time, they will see more sketches, which is important as it shows how I compose scenes, the energy of the line, and so on. (Sometimes I have to remind myself that Instagram is NOT the portfolio and that I can be more spontaneous. But I do at least 10 pages of sketches every day, if I posted more I'm afraid I'd dilute the Instagram content too much and the finished illustrations would disappear.)
So if the website is a business card, Instagram is like looking at what's under a business card.
That's all. It doesn't matter how many people follow me and how many likes I get - don't get me wrong I love having them but that's not the purpose of my presence on Instagram. I don't create and post to attract an audience. Since I set these premises for myself, everything has become very easy!
I believe it's important to define the purpose of each platform. Lately, I've become more conscious about it and have been working on clarifying it for myself as well. For me, Instagram serves a similar purpose as it does for you: it's a place to share my sketches and, occasionally, my finished illustrations. I also use it to promote my newsletter by sharing editions in a carousel format.
I recently learned that you can share the same content across all your social media platforms, which simplifies our lives since we don't have to create new content or illustrations for each one.
Furthermore, having our own website is the best option because it is ours. We can choose what to share without the pressure of conforming to the rules of other platforms.
Btw, I loved your illustrations, and your website is very organized :)
Thank you so much! I am still working on my website. It is endless thing :-)
What do you use/how you do to share the same content across more social media platforms?
I agree with you; working on a website is an endless task.
Currently, I'm using the following approach to share the same content:
- I focus on creating a new edition of the newsletter.
- Then, I use Canva to create a carousel using content from the newsletter, and I share it on Instagram, Pinterest, and Threads.
- Occasionally, I also share a piece in text format from the newsletter on Threads and Notes here on Substack.
I'm testing this method, and I can already see the benefits. It helps me maintain my online presence on social media while avoiding the fatigue of constantly creating new content.
I have had an awful relationship with social media. It stresses me out! I have gotten to the point where I post what I want when I want and trying to focus more and art shows and solo shows for this year. I feel I have better engagement in person. I am tired of playing the algorithm game. I redid my instagram and using it as a portfolio for now .
I know that some artists focus more on events where they can sell their art and less on social media, and it works. So, I think it's worth testing this out and seeing if it works for you.
Last week I watched a video of artists talking about not using Instagram as a portfolio, but as a sketchbook, and having the portfolio somewhere else, like Behance, a website, or another portfolio platform. I think the idea is interesting, and it gives us more freedom to post on Instagram and leave perfectionism aside.
You put into words exactly how I feel about social media. I used to make videos on color theory, and now I share posts about my ND brain and struggles, but none of it seems to help with growth. I also forget to film parts of my drawings—and sometimes, I don’t even want to, because why should I? Right now, I’m struggling with social media and trying to look at it from a different perspective.
I see. It's challenging to find a way to enjoy what you are doing and grow simultaneously. I think when you enjoy what you are doing it is simple to keep consistency, another important thing for social media. I hope you discover a way to create content that you enjoy and grow your social media 💚