It’s 2023, Thoughts on Social Media for Artists:
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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
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@Jean-Watson thanks guys! Um, I think it was like 4-5 years.
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@Jeremy-Ross i just saw a post from a fellow artist last week, and she said that Instagram has just updated its algorithm to give equal favor to to reels and
Pictures alike! This is good news if it's true. Photos are way easier to post frequently in my opinion!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kirsten.mcgonigal.art/
Portfolio Site: www.kirstenmcgonigalart.com -
I wish I could get my instagram account to grow, even just a little bit. I've made hundreds of posts over the years, showing my progress in developing my art skills. But my work doesn't show up in anyone's feed anymore. I've been stuck at 200 followers and really could use some help figuring out how to do better. Kinda like a portfolio critique, I guess? My account is @kayleenartlover
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Hi @kirsten-mcg, yep! Saw that too from @carlianne , which is awesome! I’m doing the shotgun approach, Reels, Carousels, Stories and Posts.
Given I just started with IG, with zero social media experience, I offered to be the SVS Guinea Pig about social media from the recent 3PP podcast episode.
I’m about 10 days in on IG with 47 followers (most probably from this group), and posting daily, preferably Reels.
Few thoughts so far:
- I like making reels. Really. I prefer making art, but I don’t mind adding some music to my art and doing micro-animations and Timelapse videos.
- The only post with 900 views was the one Carlianne re-posted (thank you Carlianne). I’m consistently getting 20 views on the others.
- I finally get to see what my favorite author/illustrators/artists are up to and socializing, so to speak. Pretty cool! In the past, I would just see the books at the store, lol.
- I’m getting faster at posting, but I dislike hashtags and feel a little bad for promoting my designs, even though I know it’s necessary. Shameless self promotion feels weird, but I have to eat.
- I have skipped a few (okay all) workouts to post on IG; therefore, my health can deteriorate quickly if I choose IG over Exercise. I do not intend on this, but so far - exercise has taken a back seat. Not sustainable, I know. The algorithm is cruel.
- I’m a family man, husband, work full time job in construction, and only have a small fraction of time to do art. Recently, I joined IG and have added just another thing to do to get my art in the world. This makes me want to pull out whatever hair I have left. Why is it so hard for artists?
- I’m learning what it takes to gain a reputable, organic following, and frankly - it feels exhausting. I might be repeating #6 again.
- I’m trying to enjoy this, but I can see how burnout is real for artists. I can spend hours on an illustration and get a few likes , but someone posts a picture of their bellybutton and gets like 100,000 likes. Where’s the logic?
- Sometimes I feel too old to be doing this. I’m 44!
- Most of you know from SVS that i’m persistent. I don’t give up. I never won a single critique arena, but I entered most.
I did say a few thoughts, whoops.
Anyway, thanks for reading and would love to know if anyone else feels like me?
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@Jeremy-Ross Hi Jeremey, so relatable!! Im nowhere near thinking of building up followers. I hardly find time to draw too though and im still having to learn so much before I will take any next steps. When you have so little time these lists of stuff to do, like posting, besides what you want to do are so draining. It swallows the little time there is. My exercise also went out of the window lately with too many things on my to do list. Im not on IG even as a viewer, it will suck away too much time, but I don't think there is any logic to why stupid stuff gets soo many likes. When I see what my students like or what gets shared in app groups, it's often just brainless entertainment. I don't think you're ever to old. But im 37 and I don't really get the way it works either. All I can say is keep at it. The long game wins it. But if you feel IG is getting too much, choose sanity over success. Getting burned out is never worth it. Hang in there!!!
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@Jeremy, I completely agree with what the others said about not letting IG distract you from building your portfolio.
I got my first book deal back in 2019 when I had 200-something followers.
Using social media to promote artists' work is always a bit mysterious to me. I understand artists using the platform to sell art prints and custom-made art products, etc. But I never felt it was the biggest drive to get book deals in the traditional publishing industry, at least that is not in my experience.
I think it might be good to have a social media presence, but do not let it take over your focus. Now I am seeing the in-person kidlit conferences, bookfairs are opening up again. I started to consider traveling for in person events next year.
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@Jeremy-Ross We are starting portfolio reviews on March 1st. We have 6 different instructors to choose from. : ) Stay tuned!
