You made some great points here. The algorithm is unpredictable now, and trying to keep up with its whims is really frustrating. As a musician, I decided to mentally set some ground rules in my relationship with Instagram. I used to devote extra time to creating content and sharing my progress, only to get a couple hundred views at best. Now, I use it mostly as a billboard for gig announcements and to promote my own releases. I say what I have to say, and then sign off. There's also the comparison factor (for me at least). Unlike RUclips, where you can choose what to play, Instagram throws content in your face, so it became almost inevitable to start comparing myself to the artists showing up relentlessly on the screen. That's extremely draining for me, so setting those boundaries has been super helpful. Thanks for sharing. You've got this.
Thanks! I'm glad you found a way to use the platform to your advantage without being too draining. That's a good point about the comparison factor as well - I hadn't thought about that, but it is so true.
I'm a hobbyist, I originally made an Instagram account just so that I could have somewhere to dump art. I try to avoid going on there too often (unless it's to check up on artists I like) because I didn't want to develop a habit of comparing myself. Lately though, I've been thinking about building a following in case I start a side gig or larger project someday. Your video helped me realize that I should diversify the platforms I use. Relying on only Instagram, especially how its algorithm already works against new and small artists, is asking for disappointment. Thank you for the insight!
Hi Christina! Thank you for sharing your valuable insights! I can’t agree with you more that personal connections with the creative community and the collectors win over social media presence.
Great video. I really like hearing your opinions on the business side of having an art career. I think a big problem with Instagram is how artists perceive and use it. Many artists seem to think of it as their website, when really it should be seen as a business card to direct people to your website. I would bet that a common part of the conversation you have when meeting new people in a art related event, is you telling them about your IG account and giving them the address. That is basically giving out a business card. A handy way to direct them to your IG account, is to make a QR code for your IG account and tape it to the back of your phone. No more typing and searching.
That's a great way to think about it, as a business card. It also reduces the pressure to be making content all of the time, which works for some artists but is just totally unreasonable for others.
Agree! It's odd when people say they just can't deal with all the changes IG is making and it's not working for them anymore. It's a FREE app, it's not a marketing service that you're paying for. Instagram didn't set out to promote artists so that they can make a living, it just happened to be a great way to do so but they aren't obligated to keep things perfectly so users can make money. I'm very happy that they do and I've found so many artists that I adore but it's weird when people think IG owes them something or should work they way they want it to work.
Totally agree. Not considering that posting something nowadays, just to check your insights later, and see that only 5 non followers have seen it is disheartening.
I have 5 followers on Instagram. Approximately 2 people a *month* (both of them followers) see my posts according to my analytics unless I post reels. It's absolutely ridiculous these days.
Thank you so much for this precise and to the point... point you made :) I've been wondering about why everyone wants followers for a while (while also feeling I could never be a successful artist like all those big and well selling accounts that already made it). It's so motivating to hear about other ways to achieve our goals, and I wish you all the best on your journey!! ❤
Hey Christina I agree with you. I think Instagram is extremely draining and no matter how much I post it never seems to create traction. I've been experimenting with posting more frequently, as well as the type of content I share. But to no avail. Although our artistic styles are completely opposite, I still appreciate your content and use it to work on my own work. Thank you.
I’ve found in person events to be so much more fulfilling, better connections, better overall! You never know who you’re going to meet or how that relationship can develop. ❤
Way too many artist colleagues I know keep attached to Instagram as they would to a toxic, violent relationship - because they fear they’ll lose their clients and followers otherwise. Maybe I should just send them this video.
I never wanted to build a brand on IG, too accessible. Art markets and galleries along with paint parties will be my go to. Yes, build your email list.
I found you from instagram! However, I havent seen your posts come up on my IG feed since following you. I feel like I can only see your work on RUclips.
Have found that too!! Once you follow to an artist Instagram 'clears them out' of your feed so they have more space to 'churn' similar artists for you to follow. It's not about you collecting your preferences, it's about the algorithm collecting them so that Instagram can target appropriate advertisers to your feed.....our preferences are the 'product' for sale.
Thanks for the video! I use Instagram only as a gallery. I don't understand how someone sells with it :) Did you consider Reddit like a showcase platform?
I like the idea of using Instagram as a gallery, it doesn't require too much effort, and it gives a clean presentation of your work. I also have tried posting to Reddit in the past, but didn't get much traction. Have you had any luck with it?
@@christinakentart Yes, there is quite an active audience with real people. Some of my work there even became almost viral. There are a lot of groups, and it’s better to post to those that are less connected with art, because art groups contain mostly artists :) But there is high self-censorship of the audience and you have to be tactful :)
@@kznsq77 That is a great point! May I ask you? How or what do you post in other non art related groups? I did saw some people saying that. But I can't seems get it. I mean I paint landscapes, and I have no idea how to tell about my work if it's not a promotion.
@@ts3015 You shouldn't tell much about it, just show. Never write about prices, selling, or post a link to your shop in the post/comments if don't want to be banned ) You can add your links to your profile, interested people will find them. The post must be relevant to the group, for example, if you painted the NY street, you could post it in the New York dedicated subreddit and it will be fine. But it depends, of course. Be humble and feel the overall mood and the reaction of the audience and moderators. Also, there are such subs as "somethingimade", "raining", "BeAmazed" and so on. But, again, you have to be careful )
All great points. However you might consider how covid affected the original art market. I sold a lot of art during the lockdown through IG and then it tailed off as everyone left their houses and used their cash for holidays and new bicycles. Also can you please clip that little branch on the houseplant behind you ?
Yes, I noticed a similar phenomenon. I am still selling regularly, but I sell much more often through in-person events rather than online. Lol yes, I didn't notice it until now haha
@@christinakentart That's all you are going to see now! Also re the selling original art during covid, i might be wrong about that. My usual work as a concept artist switched off so I started painting for fun- i was a 'real' paint comic artist in the 90s, it was nice to go back to that for a while. I put the results on IG and my website and they sold very quickly. However...there might have been a small dedicated market of fans that bought the art and once they all had some art then they weren't buying anymore. OR it might have been that they had nothing to do with their cash so could afford it. Or a bit of both. I dunno. it's interesting to figure out and as you can hear I haven't figured it out yet. All I know is there isn't much of a market right now ..but then i'm not pushing it. And the darn IG algorithm..took me two years to get to 20k then another 2 years to add 3k to that. And like you I paid to promote the posts but it didn't do very much. Then I tried short clips that didn't do much but took forever to prepare. I like teaching so I just post them to my RUclips channel. So not a total waste of time -there is about twelve people over there that like them ;)
As a non instagram/facebook user, instagram has gatekept a lot of art from my eyes. I don't know why any artist would choose a platform that restricts who can look at their art on such a blanketed arbitrary level, and if this represents a trend away from the gram, I'm all for it.
I just use Instagram as my online portfolio. Takes to much time and i don’t really enjoy being there.
That's a great way to use it!
You made some great points here. The algorithm is unpredictable now, and trying to keep up with its whims is really frustrating. As a musician, I decided to mentally set some ground rules in my relationship with Instagram. I used to devote extra time to creating content and sharing my progress, only to get a couple hundred views at best. Now, I use it mostly as a billboard for gig announcements and to promote my own releases. I say what I have to say, and then sign off.
There's also the comparison factor (for me at least). Unlike RUclips, where you can choose what to play, Instagram throws content in your face, so it became almost inevitable to start comparing myself to the artists showing up relentlessly on the screen. That's extremely draining for me, so setting those boundaries has been super helpful.
Thanks for sharing. You've got this.
Thanks! I'm glad you found a way to use the platform to your advantage without being too draining. That's a good point about the comparison factor as well - I hadn't thought about that, but it is so true.
I'm a hobbyist, I originally made an Instagram account just so that I could have somewhere to dump art. I try to avoid going on there too often (unless it's to check up on artists I like) because I didn't want to develop a habit of comparing myself. Lately though, I've been thinking about building a following in case I start a side gig or larger project someday.
Your video helped me realize that I should diversify the platforms I use. Relying on only Instagram, especially how its algorithm already works against new and small artists, is asking for disappointment.
Thank you for the insight!
Awesome, glad you found it helpful!
Hi Christina! Thank you for sharing your valuable insights! I can’t agree with you more that personal connections with the creative community and the collectors win over social media presence.
Thanks, glad it resonated! :)
Great video. I really like hearing your opinions on the business side of having an art career.
I think a big problem with Instagram is how artists perceive and use it. Many artists seem to think of it as their website, when really it should be seen as a business card to direct people to your website.
I would bet that a common part of the conversation you have when meeting new people in a art related event, is you telling them about your IG account and giving them the address. That is basically giving out a business card. A handy way to direct them to your IG account, is to make a QR code for your IG account and tape it to the back of your phone. No more typing and searching.
That's a great way to think about it, as a business card. It also reduces the pressure to be making content all of the time, which works for some artists but is just totally unreasonable for others.
@@christinakentart People forget that social media is just a tool.
Agree! It's odd when people say they just can't deal with all the changes IG is making and it's not working for them anymore. It's a FREE app, it's not a marketing service that you're paying for. Instagram didn't set out to promote artists so that they can make a living, it just happened to be a great way to do so but they aren't obligated to keep things perfectly so users can make money. I'm very happy that they do and I've found so many artists that I adore but it's weird when people think IG owes them something or should work they way they want it to work.
Totally agree. Not considering that posting something nowadays, just to check your insights later, and see that only 5 non followers have seen it is disheartening.
I have 5 followers on Instagram. Approximately 2 people a *month* (both of them followers) see my posts according to my analytics unless I post reels. It's absolutely ridiculous these days.
Ugh yes, I know the feeling :(
Don’t forget collecting people’s emails for newsletters. You control that more than social media.
Great point! That is one of the few digital strategies I still have faith in haha
I feel just the same way. I am not leaving IG but I will out my focus in other medias and try other ways to connect with people ❤
Thank you so much for this precise and to the point... point you made :)
I've been wondering about why everyone wants followers for a while (while also feeling I could never be a successful artist like all those big and well selling accounts that already made it). It's so motivating to hear about other ways to achieve our goals, and I wish you all the best on your journey!! ❤
Thank you, so glad you found it helpful! Best of luck to you as well ❤️
Well said ,I feel the same way !
Hey Christina I agree with you. I think Instagram is extremely draining and no matter how much I post it never seems to create traction. I've been experimenting with posting more frequently, as well as the type of content I share. But to no avail. Although our artistic styles are completely opposite, I still appreciate your content and use it to work on my own work. Thank you.
I feel you. I hope us artists can find a better option!
adding text with some explanation/story helps, and the hashtags
I’ve found in person events to be so much more fulfilling, better connections, better overall! You never know who you’re going to meet or how that relationship can develop. ❤
Exactly, I completely agree!
this makes a lot of sense! thanks for sharing
For sure! Glad it resonated :)
Way too many artist colleagues I know keep attached to Instagram as they would to a toxic, violent relationship - because they fear they’ll lose their clients and followers otherwise. Maybe I should just send them this video.
Yes, and I'm still on of those artists :( But I'm gradually figuring out how to be less dependent on it. I hope your friends find the video helpful!
Fabulous insight - thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Great video! Thank you for sharing :)
Thanks! Glad you liked it :)
Instagram is my art diary and where I connect with ppl I like.
I like that way of thinking about it :)
@@christinakentart I agree with u 100% in everything you said. But we been trough this for many years now, haha
I never wanted to build a brand on IG, too accessible. Art markets and galleries along with paint parties will be my go to. Yes, build your email list.
Nice! 🙌
I draw in public and people inquire about commissions from me I direct them to my IG but no one responds back 🤷🏽
I found you from instagram! However, I havent seen your posts come up on my IG feed since following you. I feel like I can only see your work on RUclips.
That's so ironic! Well at least you can see me here now :)
Have found that too!! Once you follow to an artist Instagram 'clears them out' of your feed so they have more space to 'churn' similar artists for you to follow. It's not about you collecting your preferences, it's about the algorithm collecting them so that Instagram can target appropriate advertisers to your feed.....our preferences are the 'product' for sale.
Thanks for the video! I use Instagram only as a gallery. I don't understand how someone sells with it :)
Did you consider Reddit like a showcase platform?
I like the idea of using Instagram as a gallery, it doesn't require too much effort, and it gives a clean presentation of your work. I also have tried posting to Reddit in the past, but didn't get much traction. Have you had any luck with it?
@@christinakentart Yes, there is quite an active audience with real people. Some of my work there even became almost viral. There are a lot of groups, and it’s better to post to those that are less connected with art, because art groups contain mostly artists :) But there is high self-censorship of the audience and you have to be tactful :)
@@kznsq77 That is a great point! May I ask you? How or what do you post in other non art related groups? I did saw some people saying that. But I can't seems get it. I mean I paint landscapes, and I have no idea how to tell about my work if it's not a promotion.
@@ts3015 You shouldn't tell much about it, just show. Never write about prices, selling, or post a link to your shop in the post/comments if don't want to be banned ) You can add your links to your profile, interested people will find them. The post must be relevant to the group, for example, if you painted the NY street, you could post it in the New York dedicated subreddit and it will be fine. But it depends, of course. Be humble and feel the overall mood and the reaction of the audience and moderators. Also, there are such subs as "somethingimade", "raining", "BeAmazed" and so on. But, again, you have to be careful )
@@kznsq77 That's great advise!! Thank you!
good points
Thank you!
All great points. However you might consider how covid affected the original art market. I sold a lot of art during the lockdown through IG and then it tailed off as everyone left their houses and used their cash for holidays and new bicycles. Also can you please clip that little branch on the houseplant behind you ?
Yes, I noticed a similar phenomenon. I am still selling regularly, but I sell much more often through in-person events rather than online.
Lol yes, I didn't notice it until now haha
@@christinakentart That's all you are going to see now! Also re the selling original art during covid, i might be wrong about that. My usual work as a concept artist switched off so I started painting for fun- i was a 'real' paint comic artist in the 90s, it was nice to go back to that for a while. I put the results on IG and my website and they sold very quickly. However...there might have been a small dedicated market of fans that bought the art and once they all had some art then they weren't buying anymore. OR it might have been that they had nothing to do with their cash so could afford it. Or a bit of both. I dunno. it's interesting to figure out and as you can hear I haven't figured it out yet. All I know is there isn't much of a market right now ..but then i'm not pushing it. And the darn IG algorithm..took me two years to get to 20k then another 2 years to add 3k to that. And like you I paid to promote the posts but it didn't do very much. Then I tried short clips that didn't do much but took forever to prepare. I like teaching so I just post them to my RUclips channel. So not a total waste of time -there is about twelve people over there that like them ;)
isnt it just because publishers and other people with money take into account that number in particular these days?
Great question! Who actually cares about the follower count? I honestly don't know.
Instagram and their advertisers....definitely!!! YT videos about it. Means more eyeballs on their ads.
As a non instagram/facebook user, instagram has gatekept a lot of art from my eyes. I don't know why any artist would choose a platform that restricts who can look at their art on such a blanketed arbitrary level, and if this represents a trend away from the gram, I'm all for it.
Oh that is a great point! Another reason for artists to move to other methods of sharing their work.
Honest! Real! Love this video! I would love to interview you for my Beginning Drawing Group. Hit me up if you are interested.
Thank you! And I'd love to hear more about it, send me a message here: info@christinakentart.com