Instagram is only showing 3 people my stuff
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I have been posting my art journey since junior year in high school. 542 posts later, my artwork is only getting seen by 3 people. I want to leave the platform but I’ve heard too many people say they use instagram to find illustrators, so I have to keep posting. I am working on improving my art so I don’t have anything worth reposting right now, and reels only worked for me once a year ago. On top of all that, instagram has gotten rid of being able to see hashtag posts organized by recent. It only has top posts now from who-knows-when. I just don’t know what to do at this point.
If anyone wants to see what my account is and have any tips on how to get my art seen instead of sucked into the void, my instagram is @KayleenArtLover
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@kayleenartlover The new Instagram wants to just be TikTok, so if you post still photos and pics of your artwork, you aren’t likely to get the engagement you want from it.
I think if you wanted to get anywhere now with Insta, you would have to get use reels constantly, and in a way that is creative or sets you apart from others.
Good luck, I hope it works out for you if that’s really the direction you want to go. -
@kayleenartlover says you are followed by almost 300 on Instagram, although 3 on this forum. You have some great work though, but as someone mentioned everything seems to move into a tiktok direction which I don't yet understand
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@Gary-Wilkinson I’ve only been on the Forum for a couple years. I like to think I make good art but (on instagram) when time and time again the results don’t change, it kinda makes you feel inadequate, like there’s no improvement in the artwork.
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@kayleenartlover I would equate Instagram likes or follows to how good your art is. A lot depends on tags, timing, paid promotion etc. There is so much out there and most of it just gets lost in the crowd
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I assume you meant wouldn't equate, right?
@kayleenartlover In my personal opinion, Instagram is a dying art platform. It's not dead yet, but it's wheezing. Although a lot of people say they seek illustrators on Instagram, across the board I hear artists contradict that saying it doesn't actually amount to anything--even successful ones. Lee White mentioned in the current 3PP Podcast that even though the influencer person he teamed up with to do his recent Tarot deck had a million followers, it didn't matter. He still lost money on the project. Even with reach, it doesn't mean anything there.
I'm just not sure Instagram is useful for reaching people anymore. It's more of a repository on the off chance some Art Director has free time and doesn't mind scrolling through ads. The ADs that have come to speak at my SCBWI region's events have said they generally avoid it.
Conversely, I've heard it can be more useful for Agents to use, as the primary gatekeepers to traditional publishing now. But even then, they're inundated with thousands more query emails nowadays than they used to get even 5 years ago, and instead simply follow the provided links to portfolio websites instead. If your website address seems skeezy (ala dangerous spam, somehow) they might choose to glance at your instagram instead if the link is provided. But that's just the folks that have spoken at my region's events. It may be different for other agents.
To be honest, I get more engagement on smaller platforms than Instagram. Since April 2022, I have 794 followers on Mastodon.art, while on Instagram I've struggled to get 827 since 2017. And none of them are bots on Mastodon.art. Plus vids have a 40mb limit so there aren't many of those, either.
But I'm not looking for work or connections there. I'm looking for an audience I can share with. I feel like I can do that there, whereas Big Social is far far too big.
Children's Illustration Portfolio: https://www.coreyartusillustration.com
Art Portfolio: https://www.coreyartusimagery.com
Mastodon: https://mindly.social/@Coreyartus
Pixelfed: https://pixelfed.social/Coreyartus -
You probably already know this but to add to what @Coreyartus posted, i feel it’s best to start look at being an illustrator as being an entrepreneur. I feel it’s best to create an overall digital strategy across channels/platforms (insta, website, etc.) since each platform has its own audience and plusses/minuses.
For instance, definitely get your own website as you have full control over it. It also acts as your home base on the web where you can include your portfolio, a blog if you like, a list of media interviews, whatever. And each social network you use will also have its own strategy. Maybe Insta can be simply a place to post your art just in case an art director were to pass by (maybe a long shot but it’s better than nothing). Or perhaps you can use Instagram to communicate with art directors (those that have their own accounts). Remember, social media works best when you’re social, not the other way around now where most people are trying to become “influencers”.
You can also start an email newsletter if you like (and have the time) to engage with your fans. Only those interested in your art will sign up.
Just a few ideas from the top of my head as social media networks continue to become a place to automatically post tiktok videos (let’s face it, that’s probably all that is happening. Someone posts to tiktok then uses the same video to post across all the other platforms).
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I used to get 50 likes an image 2 years ago then during Mermay something happened, now get 10 or 20 per post. IG is more like an online record and sketchbook of my work. If people engage it is a cool bonus.
Website http://www.judyelizabethwilson.com/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/judyelizabethart/
Sharing positivity through art.
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@Judy-Elizabeth-Wilson it's still early in your art journey. Keep going. It took me 12 years of making art every day before anyone recognized anything I was doing. I've made about 4000 posts on Instagram, but I had made about 2500 before any of them got over 30 likes.
Don't let it bother you. You're definitely growing/getting better. Love those cat pirates. -
@kylebeaudette thanks, I’m actually finally editing that piece using the critiques as references for what changes to make
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@kylebeaudette Thanks Kyle. Yeah, really lovely what you said here. Thanks for the support, means so much. I am definately here long term.
I just got my first project with a publisher in NY! A four book deal creating the art for four sensory board books. Looking forward to share when they are out!!! I have been with SVS since the start when it was Will's Illustrating Children's Book course so getting there!
