It’s 2023, Thoughts on Social Media for Artists:
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Social media isn't working for me. None of my posts get seen at all on either twitter or instagram, and I haven't gotten any random new followers in a long time. I get a lot of spam account followers. Sometimes people I follow will return the favor, which I do appreciate. I do have a few art directors and artists that follow me and check out my instagram stories every time I post one. It's one of the things that keeps me posting every week. My art and posts are inconsistent at this point, so I know that doesn't help. I feel like my time is better spent just drawing and making projects right now. I'm also trying to build my email list. I've had success with cold emailing and gotten jobs that way.
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Thanks for sharing @tomparsonsart! Love your work!
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@Jeremy-Ross No problem. Thanks, I love yours as well! I also wanted to mention, I've been scouring magazines and the internet to find emails for CD's and AD's at magazines and publishers, and it's been tough at times. But I've been able to find some folks on LinkedIn and have connected with a few. I send an intro note and a link to my website. When I post art on instagram, I also post on LinkedIn. I feel like it's easier for my connections to see and not get lost in the noise. But who knows? Nothing has materialized yet. I also have a couple of previous clients I keep up with this way.
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Be sure to also interact as well. That is, leave genuine comments and such on other people’s posts. That’s the whole point of social media. Social. Building a relationship with your followers and those you follow. Then eventually, they will start sharing your stuff, telling people about you, etc.
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Thank you @danielerossi, great advice!
I’ve been watching a lot of YouTube videos on the topic, including the one from our very own @NessIllustration, and have decided to give it a shot!
The community here on SVS is technically Social, so I’ve been doing it all along, just differently,
I’m taking the plunge!
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@Jeremy-Ross well let us know where to find you!
But try not to let it distract you from building your portfolio 
Btw I checked out your bedding and licensing art and it's great! I'd love to see you use that style and color palette in an illustration.
Check out my art and tutorials :)
Instagram: www.instagram.com/carliannecreates/
Youtube:
https://youtube.com/c/CarlianneCreatesShop: www.carliannecreates.com
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Thank you @carlianne! Will do!
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Hi @carlianne @danielerossi @Griffin-McPherson @kayleenartlover @kirsten-mcg @Kristen-Lango @ksfabian @Melissa_Bailey @NessIllustration @tomparsonsart
It’s official! I posted my very first Social Media Post, which happens to be a Reel!
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CoTfmsBpzUM/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=
My IG account is in my signature below. Thanks again for all the great advice!
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@Jeremy-Ross Congrats! I’ve followed you and liked your posts . You really got the hang of Instagram very quickly!
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Thank you @danielerossi! I’ve always loved making videos, so I’m having fun with pairing it with my art.
Thank you so much for following me
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@Jeremy-Ross Congrats!
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Others have covered it pretty well, but I'd say social media isn't optional at this point.
My publisher asked me to get my following up by 12 thousand (!!!) when we first talked. I was at 3 thousand, and was soo happy about that. When she said the base number for them to be interested was 15k, my heart sunk. I worked hard at it (two posts a day, reply to or like comments...) And also worked on my drawing ability every day. I draw for at least about an hour daily. People see the improvement and like to follow someone that posts a lot, or the algorithm likes that.I also paid for some boosts and ads, and I think instagram liked that. They worked, anyways!
I made friends with some big artists by talking to them on instagram, and they shared my stuff in a post or a story and that's huge. Also, people seeing that some big artist follows you is a big deal. So, hunt for those white whales!
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Hi @kylebeaudette, thank you for sharing your feedback, that’s pretty much what I’m hearing from others; however, to hear directly from a publisher that 15k is the goal is very transparent.
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@Jeremy-Ross it was a shocking number, and I don't think it's accurate. I've seen people with 800 get deals.
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Congratulations @kylebeaudette for 40,000 Followers!
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@kylebeaudette seems like you are one of those white whales with your 40.000
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@kylebeaudette Love your work - I've noticed it here a few times - so I'm pleased to hear you have plenty who agree! Roughly over what period of time did it take you to get from zero to where you are now?
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Wow 15K when the algorithms are making it harder to be seen! That's wild. I guess I better start posting more
. Is it OK if I have a love hate relationship with social media? Ugh. -
@AngelinaKizz definitely, it drives me crazy these days. It feels we have to post super frequently, use reels, post lots of stories, and have very consistent content and even then the algorithm might just decide it’s not enough. I’ve seen some amazing artists showing how much their reach has decreased in the past year or so and it’s pretty depressing.
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I found this video today and found it super informative. He talks specifically about how to build a social media platform as an artist and quotes this interesting book. I'm still unsure what social media platform is best, but he has a great point, if it's not something you enjoy using, it's probably not best for you. https://youtu.be/HOr1mEmjk0Q
