When i saw on your website that you were selling copies of your art and even sketches, i searched on youtube and found this video, its a pleasure to also find you in the comments here (:
THANK YOU, oh geez I thought I was the only one who preferred RUclipsrs that posted less, haha. I mean don't get me wrong, there are artists that post super often that I love too, but there are some that only post every 2-3 weeks... and I genuinely look forward to seeing what they've worked on in all that time.
Yes!! When really established creators post all the time and fill up my subscription box it feels like they're just using their following for money and not really caring about the quality of their content. I think the ideal model should always be to do whatever you need to grow to a certain point and then scale back to increase the quality. You can always tell when someone's heart isn't really in it IMO
@@KelseyRodriguez oof yeah I feel that. I think another scenario in which it happens is with people like Jazza? Don't get me wrong, I adore his creativity and ambition (huge inspiration to me). But with the sheer amount of stuff he's been able to pull off (largely with the help of his growing team) spread across his multiple channels... sometimes I feel too overwhelmed with the amount of stuff I have to watch so I put it off until later 😅 (his Tabletop Time team's stuff has been really cool lately though. Each thing feels a lot more "complete" than his art channel videos ngl haha)
Thank you for your comment, @CopperCoinStories. I am just getting started with launching my channel, and have been contemplating how often I’d like to commit to posting. Some of my favorite channels post weekly, but like you, I also prefer the bimonthly posters, and find myself looking forward to those even more. Those bimonthly videos tend to be a bit longer too - maybe 10-15 minutes - which allows to to take a mini-break and enjoy. I helped a dear friend of mine get some music out recently, by posting a video of him playing and singing a couple of coverslip before I was ready to begin sharing my own videos, but quite a few people have seen that one, and a couple of them have commented on it, so I’ve decided to leave it up there, and I’ll just add my own content as soon as I finish editing my first video - a Tri Glide Ride through Red Rock Canyon - inspiration for lots of additional content and art projects. Again, thank you for confirming that “a couple of times per month” is OK and can even be preferable.
@@KelseyRodriguez I agree! There are some long-form content creators who take months to finish their work, but once they’re finished, I’m more than willing to push everything else aside to watch their videos. Some of those videos can be up to three hours long, and I love every minute! Lol
"Art is not content". This was exactly what I needed to hear today. Couldn't agree more. I'm currently struggling a bit with keeping up with my schedule and have too many projects I want to do. And however much it pains me that I can't clone myself or work faster and more efficiently, I think I need to slow down my pace a bit and - like you mentioned - focus on quality over quantity. Man... patience is not my strength. 😂 But this video gave me some encouragement. Thank you. 🙏🏻
"Your goal is to launch your art career, not be a content creator" is probably one of the most concise and profound ways to put it. Posting once or twice a day to feed the algorithm sounds more like you're working for it than trying to establish your own career. So glad I heard this today.
"The goal here is to launch your art career, not to become a content creator." Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! You speak so much truth Kelsey. I needed to hear this. It is so easy to lose focus when there is so much advice about on youtube. All the best ❤ P.S. I'm loving the notion downloads/workbook in your shop. So helpful. Thank you
I'm a disabled artist, and I know what I want, but I've been struggling with getting there. I can't do something everyday. And social media thrives on that consistency. Watching you explain that I don't have to post daily _forever_ was the advice I needed to hear today. Thank you so much for that.
Here to let you know you're not alone 🤗 even with every resource and all the time in other's eyes, it's harder to achieve the things you are trying to manifest when most of your energy goes to defense in your mind/body fighting you. We just have to remember that only makes our work more valuable and others, the right ones, will wait to get to appreciate it. 🙏 Keep healing and creating 🌱
Same here. I’m probably gonna spend the next couple months just prepping content so I can post everyday without actually having to *do* everyday, might be worth a shot?
@@beans9288 I tried doing that for clients as an SM manager! Planning and creating content tho takes much more time than people think… but a key thing is to set that up and then focus on growth strategies to build engagement (aka following a bunch of people first in your niche until a good chunk follow you back). Then be sure to reply to comments sometimes to encourage reach ✨
As a 33 year old who finally admitted to herself that she is an artist. Thank you for this. You have added some structure into my long term planning and I am eternally grateful! Wishing you so much success and happiness!
Ahh thank you SO so much for the super thanks!! I genuinely love reading messages like this from people, so glad I could help. Please don't hesitate to let me know if there's anything I should cover in more detail!
36 here and finally getting started building my art career after already building a completely different, unsatisfying career in engineering. For years I've been telling myself I'm going to make a change, and now I'm really doing it. I've recently made a few sales and it's encouraged me to keep going (and paid for some supplies!)
Thank you Kelsey, I am 24. Finally admitted that I a wanna do art for a living, I have tons to learn but creators like you make me realize I was just scared of being an artist without money and I was just trying to lie to myself to fit in a career where I wasn't happy ♥️
I’m turning 30 and I’m just deciding to take my art as a career after being one of the best from a 6 years divisional art competitive program. I relate to the comment
Thank you so much for this. "Art is not content" is something I really needed to hear. I do realistic colour pencil drawings but I'm very slow because I prefer quality over quantity. It takes me 2 - 3 months (or 60 - 90h of actual drawing time) and I feel this constant pressure to produce more and that I'm never going to succeed if I don't. This video has helped and reassured me so much ❤
It takes me 50-60 hours to make a single painting too, I keep thinking that I need to paint faster but honestly the pieces I’ve spent the most time on sell the best and perform the best on social media. Quantity over quality ftw. Although learning to be more efficient is always possible
@@Ebony.B EXACTLY. It's so exhausting!! I'm also planning to leave Instagram and wanna start a RUclips channel although I don't have enough money, time and space to dedicate myself fully to RUclips (at the moment) but I hope I can start my art channel someday:)
I think you're the first person I've ever watched to say that the career/passion you're pursuing isn't the content, and that you're not trying to be a "content creator", there's a difference. I think a lot of people get lost in the process of staring/strategy that that investment overshadows what they were doing in the first place. Thanks for the advice!
Love this. I get super hype about thinking about my art career, but I always get burnt out. WAY too easily. I know mental health shouldn't be an excuse, but it just destroys me. But I just have to keep going.
@heyfella5217 - I can really relate to this. The exhaustion, and having to keep going. Being stoic….. I recognised this in myself about 10 years ago. When I start something, I’m like a bull at a gate, and get very single minded and focussed in on it. Sometimes I’ve been so excited, I had to work through the night, and then go to work the next day, though not so much these days. Other times, I’ll push myself, and push too far, then need to have days of doing nothing. I’ve realised that sometimes when this happens, my eyes are suffering, and they just want to be closed…. I think it’s ‘eye strain’ and it feels sickening. - A result of being stoic, having to keep going, no matter what. I’ve learnt over the years, to pace myself. I’m starting to recognise stoicism in myself (finally, at age 67!) and it shocks me. My personal motto is ‘paint with Joy!’ ……. When I get eye strain, or am pushing myself, I’m not painting with Joy, I’m being stoic. Not good! I have had the experience of painting with absolute joy, jumping out of bed as soon as I wake up and straight into it, and not being able to stop myself. Painting for about 4 hours, all the time my piano would be calling me, so I’d jump on it and usually play for about 4 hours, then back into my painting for another 4 hours - It’s an absolute pleasure and so exciting to live like this. Chilled and unhurried…. It feels so luxurious. It’s soul food…. Having experienced both this and stoicism is like chalk and cheese. The comparison in the artwork produced by from these two points of view, is also chalk and cheese…. Which artwork will sell better? How will each make the viewer feel? - Another great question to ask ourselves. Also questioning ourselves - clocking in and asking the questions: Do I need more self care? Always, am I painting with Joy? Also, pacing ourselves and breaking things down into baby steps helps prevent overwhelm. Sometimes it needs to be baby, baby steps! I’ve recently read a suggestion that starting the day with a meditation on self confidence and one on financial security, gives a very solid grounding for the day. Also, a grounding scent (I love sandalwood), and to use these as an automatic ritual/habit before starting my day. Although most days I don’t go anywhere (by choice), putting makeup on after my shower, sandalwood, then doing these meditations, puts me in a totally different space compared to ‘pushing myself’ or resenting whatever it is I’m painting. I feel, look and smell luxurious, by doing this ritual before I start the day. And it’s making a huge difference. I notice some artists on RUclips do yoga, and/or water their potplants as part of their morning ritual. Music, incense, flowers, a leisurely breakfast, whatever takes your fancy, as part of self care, so you’re feeling luxurious and nourished, is what is coming into focus for me now. So my well is full, and I can create with Joy.
6 months to a 100 subscribers and a year and a half to a 1000 is really so important for creators to hear I think, just to know that even if growth is slow, it's still real growth and can eventually start becoming exponential growth
saying an artist should be different from regular content creators and not be afraid to post irregular was so important!! thank you for all your amazing advice
What up Kelsey! Here's a note for those starting out - it never gets easier. Mo money mo problems and all of that. Be ready to reinvent yourself and start all over again every few years.
yeah, ur probly gonna have to do that if your making stuff like you make. Your brand has to carry you, and if your brand is pretty bad then your going to have to follow the algorythm
So what all this is telling me that artist cannot he successful. It’s chasing a few bucks here and there. Don’t you have to also know tax and business stuff? It seems like an impossible career for artist.
So what all this is telling me that artist cannot he successful. It’s chasing a few bucks here and there. Don’t you have to also know tax and business stuff? It seems like an impossible career for artist.
This is an amazing video and I highly recommend it for any artist! Not long ago I was in a phase of “re-evaluating my art career “ and you basically hit the nail on everything that I realised. Social media should always be a tool for artist! A lot of us fail to remember that being an artist does not always mean being an online content creator. I hope anyone watching this that was once in a similar place as I was ( confused with the direction of their art career) can see that there are so many possibilities beyond just having a large following on socials media. Once again this is an amazing video!!! 💖💖💖
I’m currently in that phase ...not knowing what to post ,thinking am I too late and don’t get me started on the reels ,what audio to use,is this good enough to be posted,what’s my niche ,it’s all so confusing so I’m watching this to help me ...because I really need to push my art career
that was my biggest takeaway too! as someone who's been hustling on social media for probably a decade on and off it's such a huge relief to realize eventually and even now you can come up with your own posting schedule that works for you and let your art, brand, and consistency do the work
@@Abenihilary - Hi. I’ve just written a rant on a post above, about this…. I so know what you’re saying! She’s made a such a valid, and commonsense point. - It’s given us permission to be artists again!……. The part missing for me, and I see in lots of other artists here, is the lack of realisation that we need self care. - Always pushing…. We need to fill our own well, so we’re not giving our all to our craft, and feeling exhausted, empty and confused. I’ve recently read about doing a morning ritual before starting my painting day. I’ve seen RUclipsrs tending to their potplants as part of their morning ritual, to focus on starting their day, which is a lovely way to start. I read doing a meditation on financial security, and another one on self confidence, and wearing a grounding scent (I use sandalwood) can ground us and change our perspective. So I’ve been starting my day with a shower, facial, makeup, sandalwood and these two meditations and boy - does it make a difference!!! I feel so luxurious after it all! - Very grounded, satisfied, and without a worry in the world, ready to cruise through my painting! For me, this small new morning ritual is totally life changing, on many levels. I feel grounded, confident, not worried about lack of money (think the law of attraction here), I’m actually looking forward to painting a painting I’ve been struggling with for 2 years, and I’m dressed and ready for the day, so I can drive to the shops and buy food! - Up til now, I’d just drag on my painting clothes and eat whatever is in the pantry, putting off shopping every day, because it’s too much effort to get dressed and look decent, on top of struggling with this painting! - Living in overwhelm! The difference is like chalk and cheese. So obvious, yet so simple and life changing.
Thank you so much for acknowledging that art takes time to create and therefore artists can’t be expected to keep up with a social media schedule in the way that other content creators do. That’s so liberating to hear. I feel like I now have permission to take my time with my work to share quality over quantity x
Ich denke du beschreibst eins meiner inneren Situationen, dabei verdiene ich kein Geld mit meinen Kreationen. Ich habe definitiv viele Jahre lang vergessen auch einfach mal nur spass zu haben und einfach zu machen und dadurch aufgehört überhaupt erst anzufangen. Gleichzeitig hatte ich dad Gefühl noch nicht genug gelernt zu haben. Ebenso das Gefühl das ich zwingend einen Kunstabschluss benötige um überhaupt Künstler sein zu dürfen. Danke fur deine Worte. 😊
Thank you for making these videos. I studied art in my 20s but ended up in science. I never forgot my passion for art though. All my life people told me I couldn't make money doing what I love, and I'm glad I found your videos. Now I can take notes and make a strategy.
Your comment saying Art isn't content, was extremely impactful to me. There was a period of time where I spent nearly 6 months posting 3 videos a day to TikTok, daily posting on instagram, etc. And while I was seeing growth, I was unhappy with a majority of what I was making because I wasn't focusing on quality. And that level of posting wasn't sustainable, and caused me to spent the last year completely burnt out from making art in general. I;ve finally been wanting to get back into things and now, Looking at it from the perspective you shared, has made me more empowered to jump back into making videos on TikTok and here on RUclips. This time with my focus on quality, thank you for taking time to make this video!!
Love the thought of "Make your art an event" and not stressing about posting irregularly. As a RUclipsr and creator and artist I really connected with that advice. Great video!
"It takes time to make what we make, and we should give that the respect that it deserves." As someone who launched back in 2017 and hit a hard burnout last year, I am here to refresh my brand and re-launch again. Thank you for all of this, Kelsey. I admit I did consider myself a content creator for the majority of the time I was creating in those 5-6 years. Pumping out content, running myself to the ground and not getting the financial stability I wanted from my art. It's difficult. And it doesn't really get easier. But we artists never really credit ourselves how much we grow. How much we grow stronger- with skills, strategy and business savvy. That takes time. That takes strength and launching-attempting- takes so much courage. I'm proud of you! I'm proud of us! Please keep going!
This was absolutely incredible. Especially how you outlined the significant difference between being an artist and NOT a content creator. I have social media platforms that I rarely use, because I look at content creators and get anxiety. I do not want to be that intense about social media, but I LOVE creating art and learning and growing there. THANK YOU
Seriously thank you! I'm always so stressed to post on social media because I feel like I can't provide content regularly. But your video really helped me gain confidence! I'm not lost anymore!
A very fantastic video! When it comes to "comparative advantage" I really love the idea of doing videos documenting my art journey. The way you share the career aspects of the art journey, I'd love to just show my practice. There's so many tutorials out there from experts, but I think it'd be very rewarding to see people who are learning with the viewer! They're always my favorite kind of videos!
This is exactly the approach I was thinking to take when I start my channel. I'm not an expert. And like you said there are already plenty of tutorials available. I think an artist's journey type of approach would be different but also inspiring.
OH MY GOD, KELSEY. OH. MY. GOD. I feel so blessed to have found your channel because this content is literally GOLD. I've seen A LOT of videos on how to build an art career, but all of those were from the content creator pov and it made no sense for me. "Art is not content" resonated deeply with me. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us 🖤
Girl you are GOLD. Thank you so much for this video. I started getting back at art last year and I'm using RUclips as my journal to improve my skills. Since I didn't draw in years ( sometimes I start and stop or I'm not inspired...) my skill level is back to square one. But honestly, I'm having fun drawing again. Thank you again for this great video. You gave so much good information.
It seems that artistic social media can draw attention to beautyful single artworks but these artwork maybe used in a more complete composition and as it is posted before the completion of said composition element of novelty is removed for the viewers.
Girl this is beyond helpful, thank you so much for doing what you’re doing ❤️ I’m just starting to make decent money from my art and I’m looking at how to move forward into phase 2. The way you lay it out makes a lot of sense. I’ll definitely be watching more of your videos 😊
You are an absolute sweetheart, I hope you have an amazing career, especially because you're willing to share beyond the ones who don't or won't. Steve Jobs would agree w me, you're the special one💜 to share your knowledge for others to grow, sincerely Deedie
THANK YOU. the confirmnation ab "making art an event" is SO nice to hear. you're so right. the audience that i want- i want them to be patient, and to honestly like my work
This is SO FREAKING GOOD!!! So many things I've been thinking of in scaling my art business you mentioned in this video, like having an email list and building as an artist on social media (but not treating it the same as a fashion blogger who posts 2x a day on IG). SO MANY GREAT TIPS HERE. 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖
This is great! Very informative, especially for people over 40 who finally have the courage to pursue their art careers. I have been putting this off for over 10 years now and your channel and others like yours have advocated to start no matter where you are in life. That is both uplifting and inspiring. Would also love to hear tips on how to start it while one has a full-time job. Thanks Kelsey! No matter what others say, what you do is very valuable to a lot of people!
I find it fascinating how many people talk about email lists, when I barely use my email and have changed primary emails at least as often as social media.
Your philosophy of building a following and then stepping back made me so much more excited to post on social media. I HATE social media, and the idea of being a content creator makes me wanna never do art again if that’s what I have to be. But yeah, I can totally commit to a year or two of social media-ing if that’s what it takes to get my name out there!
I would also like to add, keep learning and adapt to new skills, techniques and (digital) tools. Stay on top and try to be current and be open to learning the latest software, drawing tools and apps that become available. Otherwise you're going to get left behind and you will not be as marketable as you were a year ago.
Competing with the AI art that is flooding all social platforms, bots that repost my work, people that resell my 3d models is making life as an artist more difficult than ever before. You will see your art on t shirts, print stores, merch stores etc etc and there is NOTHING you can do about it because 10 more will pop up after the one is FINALLY taken down. So bloody exhausting...
Finding your channel has really inspired me to start launching my art career. It always felt like to big of a task for me to accomplish, but the way you break it down makes me believe in myself, and know that I can do it! Thank you Kelsey, you are amazing!
Thanks for your work Kelsey, I've just made my list on my flaws as an artist, and I am sure to say that it was your passion, enthusiasm and genuineness to kickstart the process. Big hug
I’ve watched so many videos with the same intentions but yours has been the only one to have genuine advice instead of 90% waffle. “You want to be an artist not a content creator” thank you so much !!!
i’m so glad i came across this video, it’s like you took all of the things i’ve been worried and lost about and you broke it down into separate and manageable chunks 😭
Okay… now that I’ve actually watched the video through, I have decided you are now my Coach. Everything you said, especially your perspective and vision for the future, is the most realistic and honest and just idk appropriate thing I’ve ever heard someone espouse concisely and effectively. Thanks Coach, I’ll be back. Our working relationship may be one-sided right now, but you’ll see one day that I am your apprentice, your trainee.
I am so impressed by what you are creating! I only found you this year but I'm so glad I did because a lot of what you talk about actually applies to what I do as well. You are absolutely crushing it and I can't wait to see where this journey takes you!
rewatching this because I rewatch this (and a lot of Kelsey's videos tbh) regularly -- the email list thing is actually SO true -- the twitter/X fiascos AND the recent Unity thing have made a lot of artists and small studios not post much anymore, but the ones that have email lists make it so I'm not worried about missing some of their work (which is the whole reason I use sns honestly! i love to look at art!!!)
This video has made more sense to me than any other "how to grow as an artist on social media" video I've ever seen. Been recovering from art business/social media burnout and trying to get my stuff together now and this video feels like a very important part in my journey. Thank you so very much!
As a long time procrastinating artist since 2017 in highschool, today I start my Art journey again for therapy, career and fun ,I'm inscribing this here as a reminder to self that it is the best decision I ever made in my life.
Thank you for the tips! I am trying to post consistent content on RUclips but got stuck a bit lately. I am making coloring books on Amazon KDP, and am considering making either a comic/manga or a visual novel game based on one of my stories I have written and characters I have created. I have many ideas but it's hard to focus and make consistent work.
Love this video! Thank you for sharing it with us. Totally agree that an artist is not a content creator. Posting art works or the process online is about creating an event and an experience. It requires much more effort and a certain level of self-restraint.
i very much admire your passion for youtube and art and progressing your career as an artist. As a self taught very amateur artist in Art School who has recently decided I want to pursue art full time and quit school because I dont feel like its giving what I know I already have (if that makes sense) and sometimes I feel like my ambitions are too high or like itll never be enough but looking at others and feeling their passion always reminds me that those who have the lives they want, wanted it so bad that they did anything and everything to make it happen no matter what others thought. Just thank you because you're being very helpful and I very much appreciate your existence even though you probably wont see this
Thank you for this priceless advice. You're absolutely right. I've been sooo worried about social media when I really need to focus on my art and turning it into what I want it to be and what makes me happy, and a career, like I really want. And all I have to do is record my journey. Thank you sooo much. 💖 You honestly have no idea how much I truly needed to hear this. 🥹🥰 I thank God for sending this message/epiphany through you! Hallelujah! 🙌🏾 💝 ✨ be abundantly blessed and may you be in health and prosper even as your soul prospers. 🙏🏾 💕 ✨
As someone who got back into art and started posting on instagram and tiktok.. thank you so much for these videos! I'm glad you're so transparent, because I watch so many of your videos to help me figure out how to make content, and what types of things I should be focusing on if I really want to try and pursue my art full time! You voice is so conversational and easy to listen to, your tips are amazing, oh - and I love your art!! :D
Thank you! I use to post a few years back and got a bit of a subscriber count but I had a falling off because recording so much was tiring. I’ve been binging your videos thinking about restarting my art career. Also I love your top! It’s super cute :)
I feel like I wanted to just give you a standing ovation at the end of this video, wow I could literally just see your plan/strategy unfold. I am so glad you found and followed your niche I feel like you are going to go so far with it. Thank you for this, it was incredibly inspiring!
Thanks for this! I'm in my last year of secondary school and working really hard on strategising/mapping out a successful path in art afterwards😣 This is really scary and unconventional, especially in my country and resources like this are such a big help! They make me feel like the sky is just the beginning in pursuing my passion. By God's grace, I'll reach my goals. Thanks again and keep going, youre awesome❤
Pausing the video to comment - you are SO helpful! I am in my mid 30's and finally making a go at this - your insight is invaluable. Last night I was thinking, I should go back and start at the beginning of your videos, but now I know that is exactly what I need to do! Thank you so much!
Seriously blown away by this video. I’ve been getting deep into e-commerce, profiting from my art, etc. and this is exactly what I needed (and many others as well!) thank you for all of the effort you put into your content. Absolutely love everything you make! Wishing you continuous and endless success!
Hey thank you for such a lovely video! Ive been a diesel mechanic for 5 years and im just unhappy in my career. But recently ive been taking film photos more and more and I've got a good handful of people that say theyd buy my art. So i wanna plug into the local small buisness culture and start printing and selling my photos. We have consistent events and shows over here to where if I even sell one or TWO pieces then I'd make more than I do in ten hours of wrenching. Im nervous but excited 😁😊
I'm not even an artist but you came across my home page and gave solid advice! Good job at captivating the attention of someone outside your niche. Now I feel like making a poster for the hell of it !
what are you still doing here? seriously you have so much work to do. Quite right!!! Excellent video, really well done Kelsey. And Thank you so much to your sponsor!! Koji is absolutely awesome, beyond anything I could ever imagine!!
As a creative person, an entrepreneurial mindset doesn't come easy. I'm repulsed by the thought of digging through other people's work/"content" and aping what they've done. That said, if you want to make a living as a visual artist, some of these steps are likely necessary. If you already have an entrepreneurial spirit, then... count your blessings, because the rest of us are in a civil war with our conscience. Thanks for the very helpful video!
ABSOLUTELY, YES!!! I've been thinking on getting everything started and together and this is basically everything I've recollected so far, so seeing it all together here is literally a lifesaver! Just had to thank you for taking the time to do this so leaving a comment and like it's the very least I am able to do to support atm ❤
I've often struggled with creating videos about my art because of a few reasons... sure, I've been on RUclips a long time (Since 2006... literally before some huge RUclipsrs were even BORN), and I've created/been part of several channels, as well a very successful collab channel (youtube deleted it long ago), but one thing noone ever really says is just how much time making videos eats up. Planning, writing, filming, editing, uploading... while also creating art (which is the main focus of my channel as of late) takes so long that the whole process of making the video of me making the art really wears me down and I lose the passion to make the art and I dread the process of having to make the video. Also, so many artists on here have a team of people who do all of that for them... If you can't afford the lights and camera and time, the quality of your video seriously falls short of other channels, which is not appealing to viewers. The other thing noone ever really seems to talk about is the countless hours required each day to go out and find your followers... they don't just appear out of nowhere. I honestly don't know how many youtubers have time to do art at all. And then ALSO maintaining a dozen or more various other social media accounts, services, platforms... I'm genuinely baffled at where people find the time. I barely have time to even just do art, and occasionally post to FB/IG, update my website, etc... and this is even with getting up at 4am every day. The only way I can think is that most of these people live at home and have no expenses and don't have jobs, so they literally have 24 hours each day. I only have like, 3-5, and that's barely time enough to do the few things I mentioned above. Anyway... just my two cents and perspective on this topic. It's 10x harder than any youtuber will tell you. I don't mean this to be a negative comment, I just really struggle with this, and I'd love to know how other people get past this hurdle. I don't even bother making videos because I just don't have the time or decent equipment. RUclips is so very different now than it was 15 years ago.
My gf and i have had an art business now for 7 years and we're getting pretty successful. But the last year our engagement and online sales have decreased to almost nothing. We still do great at conventions and in person events. But on social media our reach just seemed to stop abruptly. Its happened to a lot of fellow artists i know but then i see some that just started who have had just huge growth. Im not sure what we're doing wrong.
I’m just beginning to start an Art business and I like the steps you are describing to me and other artist to expand more in their art career, Gid bless you 🙏🏾😊
I appreciate the enthusiasm and the advice you give Kelsey! I’ve been on Instagram for years and have gotten tired of the low engagement, not to mention I feel artistically restricted there, so I’m trying to dip my toes into the RUclips pool lol
YOU ARE AN ICON! I am a full time artist struggling a bit with social media. It's a challenge but I am fully at and embracing the coherent marketing strategy plan now!
I like your videos. It may be because of your dynamic way of talking, I find myself engaged watching your content. Not a second has been skipped. It may also be because of your beauty 🤔, but probably both. In either case, I'll consider the tips and informations you shared in this video, and see how it goes. The biggest step is, we all know it, prepare to getting started. For now, I'll get back to drawing my Hermit and hermit Shells. These little fellas are pretty difficult to draw when considering the details of the bodies.
Just found your page a few days ago... I am 30 and always told myself that art isn't a career, that I can't do it, that no one would want my art. I listened to others when they told me to just do art as a hobby or that I would fail. I struggled with school, community college, trade schools, odd jobs etc. I kept saying I'll try later, to wait until I have a little bit of money or to just give up the dream of being an artist all together. I have been trying to give up that itch or put it on the back burner for over 15 years. Guess what, I still want to be an artist and the urge to create has NEVER gone away. I love your encouragement, honest and transparency... I'm taking notes and trying to allow myself to JUST CREATE.
This was super informative; thank you so much for taking the time to share all this! It really helps to put everything else into perspective and allowing ourselves to take a step back to figure out exactly what we need to do. Awesome!
I just found your channel recently and I already love it! I've been thinking of starting an online shop for my embroidery and these tips are amazing. This really inspired me and I know I'll continue to come back to this video for what you've said. What hit me also was that art was not content! This is something I really needed to hear and I was becoming stressed by the amount of social media I'd probably have to do for this. thank you!!!
My biggest issue is always getting started and the fear that I'm starting too late to really build my career. I hope this video is what will give me the kick I need to just get started and create.
As a professionnal content creator for years who started with art (cosplay) this video is super helpful and explains very well all the steps. It's pretty difficult to find content that cover the end part, most of the content (even paid one) is about beginning. I'm loving this, you definitely got a new subscriber ! ♥
I'm still not quite confident in my paintings to start selling but its definitely a goal of mine within a few months!! Love how simple but motivating you made this video :)
Just stumbled upon your channel tonight. Love you and your message! I have always been a creator, dabbling in many different areas: songwriting, clay sculpting, digital art, etc.. It took me a long time to fully accept the term 'artist' for myself. But, now that I have, I've started on this road to do something with my art that not only brings me a bit of side income, but also keeps me creating. Your videos are a great help. Thank you for doing what you do :)
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As a veteran artist... I think what you're doing is wonderful. I love your passion and that you're sharing with others. Bravo. ♥
Hey Scott, good day. I love your work.
@@maheshchoubisa6775 Hi. Thank you! ♥
Omggg hiii Scott how are youu!?
When i saw on your website that you were selling copies of your art and even sketches, i searched on youtube and found this video, its a pleasure to also find you in the comments here (:
OMGGG YOU ARE MY FAVOURITE ARTIST🥺🥺🤩🤩
THANK YOU, oh geez I thought I was the only one who preferred RUclipsrs that posted less, haha. I mean don't get me wrong, there are artists that post super often that I love too, but there are some that only post every 2-3 weeks... and I genuinely look forward to seeing what they've worked on in all that time.
Yes!! When really established creators post all the time and fill up my subscription box it feels like they're just using their following for money and not really caring about the quality of their content. I think the ideal model should always be to do whatever you need to grow to a certain point and then scale back to increase the quality. You can always tell when someone's heart isn't really in it IMO
@@KelseyRodriguez oof yeah I feel that. I think another scenario in which it happens is with people like Jazza? Don't get me wrong, I adore his creativity and ambition (huge inspiration to me). But with the sheer amount of stuff he's been able to pull off (largely with the help of his growing team) spread across his multiple channels... sometimes I feel too overwhelmed with the amount of stuff I have to watch so I put it off until later 😅 (his Tabletop Time team's stuff has been really cool lately though. Each thing feels a lot more "complete" than his art channel videos ngl haha)
Thank you for your comment, @CopperCoinStories. I am just getting started with launching my channel, and have been contemplating how often I’d like to commit to posting. Some of my favorite channels post weekly, but like you, I also prefer the bimonthly posters, and find myself looking forward to those even more. Those bimonthly videos tend to be a bit longer too - maybe 10-15 minutes - which allows to to take a mini-break and enjoy. I helped a dear friend of mine get some music out recently, by posting a video of him playing and singing a couple of coverslip before I was ready to begin sharing my own videos, but quite a few people have seen that one, and a couple of them have commented on it, so I’ve decided to leave it up there, and I’ll just add my own content as soon as I finish editing my first video - a Tri Glide Ride through Red Rock Canyon - inspiration for lots of additional content and art projects. Again, thank you for confirming that “a couple of times per month” is OK and can even be preferable.
Oooh! this Hawkins timetravelers party 🥳 for force users. . .
@@KelseyRodriguez I agree! There are some long-form content creators who take months to finish their work, but once they’re finished, I’m more than willing to push everything else aside to watch their videos. Some of those videos can be up to three hours long, and I love every minute! Lol
"Art is not content". This was exactly what I needed to hear today. Couldn't agree more. I'm currently struggling a bit with keeping up with my schedule and have too many projects I want to do. And however much it pains me that I can't clone myself or work faster and more efficiently, I think I need to slow down my pace a bit and - like you mentioned - focus on quality over quantity. Man... patience is not my strength. 😂
But this video gave me some encouragement. Thank you. 🙏🏻
I FELT this.
Quality is everything
♥️💯♥️
"Your goal is to launch your art career, not be a content creator" is probably one of the most concise and profound ways to put it. Posting once or twice a day to feed the algorithm sounds more like you're working for it than trying to establish your own career. So glad I heard this today.
"The goal here is to launch your art career, not to become a content creator." Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! You speak so much truth Kelsey. I needed to hear this. It is so easy to lose focus when there is so much advice about on youtube. All the best ❤
P.S. I'm loving the notion downloads/workbook in your shop. So helpful. Thank you
IKR?!!
I'm a disabled artist, and I know what I want, but I've been struggling with getting there.
I can't do something everyday. And social media thrives on that consistency. Watching you explain that I don't have to post daily _forever_ was the advice I needed to hear today. Thank you so much for that.
Here to let you know you're not alone 🤗 even with every resource and all the time in other's eyes, it's harder to achieve the things you are trying to manifest when most of your energy goes to defense in your mind/body fighting you. We just have to remember that only makes our work more valuable and others, the right ones, will wait to get to appreciate it. 🙏 Keep healing and creating 🌱
ill enable you dw
Same here. I’m probably gonna spend the next couple months just prepping content so I can post everyday without actually having to *do* everyday, might be worth a shot?
Same
@@beans9288 I tried doing that for clients as an SM manager! Planning and creating content tho takes much more time than people think… but a key thing is to set that up and then focus on growth strategies to build engagement (aka following a bunch of people first in your niche until a good chunk follow you back). Then be sure to reply to comments sometimes to encourage reach ✨
As a 33 year old who finally admitted to herself that she is an artist. Thank you for this. You have added some structure into my long term planning and I am eternally grateful!
Wishing you so much success and happiness!
Ahh thank you SO so much for the super thanks!! I genuinely love reading messages like this from people, so glad I could help. Please don't hesitate to let me know if there's anything I should cover in more detail!
33 here too who had my coming out as an artist party earlier this year! It was TERRIFYING and SO EMPOWERING… now to keep the momentum going!! ❤️🔥
In the same situation :)
36 here and finally getting started building my art career after already building a completely different, unsatisfying career in engineering. For years I've been telling myself I'm going to make a change, and now I'm really doing it. I've recently made a few sales and it's encouraged me to keep going (and paid for some supplies!)
@@DragOmDrasmin omg a party! That's a great idea!
Thank you Kelsey, I am 24. Finally admitted that I a wanna do art for a living, I have tons to learn but creators like you make me realize I was just scared of being an artist without money and I was just trying to lie to myself to fit in a career where I wasn't happy ♥️
i’m in the same boat and wish i had realized sooner
I'm 36, I don't have a career and I wish I had realised this sooner too. Don't worry, you have plenty of time to follow your dream 💜
I'm 24 as well and have come to the same conclusion. I feel its the right choice
I’m turning 30 and I’m just deciding to take my art as a career after being one of the best from a 6 years divisional art competitive program. I relate to the comment
Thank you so much for this. "Art is not content" is something I really needed to hear. I do realistic colour pencil drawings but I'm very slow because I prefer quality over quantity. It takes me 2 - 3 months (or 60 - 90h of actual drawing time) and I feel this constant pressure to produce more and that I'm never going to succeed if I don't. This video has helped and reassured me so much ❤
It takes me 50-60 hours to make a single painting too, I keep thinking that I need to paint faster but honestly the pieces I’ve spent the most time on sell the best and perform the best on social media. Quantity over quality ftw. Although learning to be more efficient is always possible
@@Meraxes6 But then how do you keep up with Instagram algorithm? Because it slow down the user grow if they don't produce much contents
@@makizenin1840 personally, I don’t even use Insta.. their algorithm has become video based
I’m supporting you 🤍 it’s okay you don’t need to pump out content. Your work is gorgeous!
@@Ebony.B EXACTLY. It's so exhausting!! I'm also planning to leave Instagram and wanna start a RUclips channel although I don't have enough money, time and space to dedicate myself fully to RUclips (at the moment) but I hope I can start my art channel someday:)
Procrastinated so hard about when to watch this, its November of 2024 now... WELP BETTER LATE THAN NEVER I SUPPOSE
I think you're the first person I've ever watched to say that the career/passion you're pursuing isn't the content, and that you're not trying to be a "content creator", there's a difference.
I think a lot of people get lost in the process of staring/strategy that that investment overshadows what they were doing in the first place.
Thanks for the advice!
Love this. I get super hype about thinking about my art career, but I always get burnt out. WAY too easily. I know mental health shouldn't be an excuse, but it just destroys me. But I just have to keep going.
mental health is important.
@heyfella5217 - I can really relate to this. The exhaustion, and having to keep going. Being stoic….. I recognised this in myself about 10 years ago. When I start something, I’m like a bull at a gate, and get very single minded and focussed in on it. Sometimes I’ve been so excited, I had to work through the night, and then go to work the next day, though not so much these days. Other times, I’ll push myself, and push too far, then need to have days of doing nothing. I’ve realised that sometimes when this happens, my eyes are suffering, and they just want to be closed…. I think it’s ‘eye strain’ and it feels sickening. - A result of being stoic, having to keep going, no matter what. I’ve learnt over the years, to pace myself.
I’m starting to recognise stoicism in myself (finally, at age 67!) and it shocks me. My personal motto is ‘paint with Joy!’ ……. When I get eye strain, or am pushing myself, I’m not painting with Joy, I’m being stoic. Not good! I have had the experience of painting with absolute joy, jumping out of bed as soon as I wake up and straight into it, and not being able to stop myself. Painting for about 4 hours, all the time my piano would be calling me, so I’d jump on it and usually play for about 4 hours, then back into my painting for another 4 hours - It’s an absolute pleasure and so exciting to live like this. Chilled and unhurried…. It feels so luxurious. It’s soul food…. Having experienced both this and stoicism is like chalk and cheese. The comparison in the artwork produced by from these two points of view, is also chalk and cheese…. Which artwork will sell better? How will each make the viewer feel? - Another great question to ask ourselves.
Also questioning ourselves - clocking in and asking the questions: Do I need more self care? Always, am I painting with Joy? Also, pacing ourselves and breaking things down into baby steps helps prevent overwhelm. Sometimes it needs to be baby, baby steps! I’ve recently read a suggestion that starting the day with a meditation on self confidence and one on financial security, gives a very solid grounding for the day. Also, a grounding scent (I love sandalwood), and to use these as an automatic ritual/habit before starting my day. Although most days I don’t go anywhere (by choice), putting makeup on after my shower, sandalwood, then doing these meditations, puts me in a totally different space compared to ‘pushing myself’ or resenting whatever it is I’m painting. I feel, look and smell luxurious, by doing this ritual before I start the day. And it’s making a huge difference. I notice some artists on RUclips do yoga, and/or water their potplants as part of their morning ritual. Music, incense, flowers, a leisurely breakfast, whatever takes your fancy, as part of self care, so you’re feeling luxurious and nourished, is what is coming into focus for me now. So my well is full, and I can create with Joy.
6 months to a 100 subscribers and a year and a half to a 1000 is really so important for creators to hear I think, just to know that even if growth is slow, it's still real growth and can eventually start becoming exponential growth
My brain watching this video: ⬆️➡️↘️↖️⬅️➡️⬅️↖️↙️⬇️↗️↕️↔️↙️↙️
@@thecoolwhipkid2026 🤣💙
saying an artist should be different from regular content creators and not be afraid to post irregular was so important!! thank you for all your amazing advice
What up Kelsey! Here's a note for those starting out - it never gets easier. Mo money mo problems and all of that. Be ready to reinvent yourself and start all over again every few years.
yeah, ur probly gonna have to do that if your making stuff like you make. Your brand has to carry you, and if your brand is pretty bad then your going to have to follow the algorythm
I don't think you can ever come back too strongly after making *squints* "Spiderman Vs. Jedi Elsa," but I like the optimism
@@amalgamilabs537 as opposed to someone who has done literally nothing?
So what all this is telling me that artist cannot he successful. It’s chasing a few bucks here and there. Don’t you have to also know tax and business stuff? It seems like an impossible career for artist.
So what all this is telling me that artist cannot he successful. It’s chasing a few bucks here and there. Don’t you have to also know tax and business stuff? It seems like an impossible career for artist.
This is an amazing video and I highly recommend it for any artist! Not long ago I was in a phase of “re-evaluating my art career “ and you basically hit the nail on everything that I realised. Social media should always be a tool for artist! A lot of us fail to remember that being an artist does not always mean being an online content creator.
I hope anyone watching this that was once in a similar place as I was ( confused with the direction of their art career) can see that there are so many possibilities beyond just having a large following on socials media.
Once again this is an amazing video!!! 💖💖💖
I’m currently in that phase ...not knowing what to post ,thinking am I too late and don’t get me started on the reels ,what audio to use,is this good enough to be posted,what’s my niche ,it’s all so confusing so I’m watching this to help me ...because I really need to push my art career
Yaaaay a Black artist who is either afab or a Woman, I'm subscribbing
@@Abenihilary I subscribed to you too if you ever post
that was my biggest takeaway too! as someone who's been hustling on social media for probably a decade on and off it's such a huge relief to realize eventually and even now you can come up with your own posting schedule that works for you and let your art, brand, and consistency do the work
@@Abenihilary - Hi. I’ve just written a rant on a post above, about this…. I so know what you’re saying! She’s made a such a valid, and commonsense point. - It’s given us permission to be artists again!……. The part missing for me, and I see in lots of other artists here, is the lack of realisation that we need self care. - Always pushing…. We need to fill our own well, so we’re not giving our all to our craft, and feeling exhausted, empty and confused.
I’ve recently read about doing a morning ritual before starting my painting day. I’ve seen RUclipsrs tending to their potplants as part of their morning ritual, to focus on starting their day, which is a lovely way to start. I read doing a meditation on financial security, and another one on self confidence, and wearing a grounding scent (I use sandalwood) can ground us and change our perspective. So I’ve been starting my day with a shower, facial, makeup, sandalwood and these two meditations and boy - does it make a difference!!! I feel so luxurious after it all! - Very grounded, satisfied, and without a worry in the world, ready to cruise through my painting! For me, this small new morning ritual is totally life changing, on many levels. I feel grounded, confident, not worried about lack of money (think the law of attraction here), I’m actually looking forward to painting a painting I’ve been struggling with for 2 years, and I’m dressed and ready for the day, so I can drive to the shops and buy food! - Up til now, I’d just drag on my painting clothes and eat whatever is in the pantry, putting off shopping every day, because it’s too much effort to get dressed and look decent, on top of struggling with this painting! - Living in overwhelm! The difference is like chalk and cheese. So obvious, yet so simple and life changing.
Thank you so much for acknowledging that art takes time to create and therefore artists can’t be expected to keep up with a social media schedule in the way that other content creators do. That’s so liberating to hear. I feel like I now have permission to take my time with my work to share quality over quantity x
Ich denke du beschreibst eins meiner inneren Situationen, dabei verdiene ich kein Geld mit meinen Kreationen.
Ich habe definitiv viele Jahre lang vergessen auch einfach mal nur spass zu haben und einfach zu machen und dadurch aufgehört überhaupt erst anzufangen.
Gleichzeitig hatte ich dad Gefühl noch nicht genug gelernt zu haben. Ebenso das Gefühl das ich zwingend einen Kunstabschluss benötige um überhaupt Künstler sein zu dürfen.
Danke fur deine Worte. 😊
Thank you for making these videos. I studied art in my 20s but ended up in science. I never forgot my passion for art though. All my life people told me I couldn't make money doing what I love, and I'm glad I found your videos. Now I can take notes and make a strategy.
Same! I've been on the wrong path for half my life I think: my inner child knew that art was my thing!
Your comment saying Art isn't content, was extremely impactful to me. There was a period of time where I spent nearly 6 months posting 3 videos a day to TikTok, daily posting on instagram, etc. And while I was seeing growth, I was unhappy with a majority of what I was making because I wasn't focusing on quality. And that level of posting wasn't sustainable, and caused me to spent the last year completely burnt out from making art in general. I;ve finally been wanting to get back into things and now, Looking at it from the perspective you shared, has made me more empowered to jump back into making videos on TikTok and here on RUclips. This time with my focus on quality, thank you for taking time to make this video!!
Love the thought of "Make your art an event" and not stressing about posting irregularly. As a RUclipsr and creator and artist I really connected with that advice. Great video!
Really REALLY appreciate the differentiation between being a content creator vs. being an artist who shares content as a means to an end. THANK YOU!
"It takes time to make what we make, and we should give that the respect that it deserves."
As someone who launched back in 2017 and hit a hard burnout last year, I am here to refresh my brand and re-launch again.
Thank you for all of this, Kelsey. I admit I did consider myself a content creator for the majority of the time I was creating in those 5-6 years.
Pumping out content, running myself to the ground and not getting the financial stability I wanted from my art. It's difficult. And it doesn't really get easier. But we artists never really credit ourselves how much we grow. How much we grow stronger- with skills, strategy and business savvy. That takes time. That takes strength and launching-attempting- takes so much courage. I'm proud of you! I'm proud of us!
Please keep going!
I want instant success. I’m too impatient for years out. I need millions now.
This was absolutely incredible. Especially how you outlined the significant difference between being an artist and NOT a content creator. I have social media platforms that I rarely use, because I look at content creators and get anxiety. I do not want to be that intense about social media, but I LOVE creating art and learning and growing there. THANK YOU
Seriously thank you! I'm always so stressed to post on social media because I feel like I can't provide content regularly. But your video really helped me gain confidence!
I'm not lost anymore!
I love that your intro resembles a frantic art professor who is late to their own first day of class 🥰🤣 so accurate
you get it
A very fantastic video! When it comes to "comparative advantage" I really love the idea of doing videos documenting my art journey. The way you share the career aspects of the art journey, I'd love to just show my practice. There's so many tutorials out there from experts, but I think it'd be very rewarding to see people who are learning with the viewer! They're always my favorite kind of videos!
This is exactly the approach I was thinking to take when I start my channel. I'm not an expert. And like you said there are already plenty of tutorials available. I think an artist's journey type of approach would be different but also inspiring.
OH MY GOD, KELSEY. OH. MY. GOD.
I feel so blessed to have found your channel because this content is literally GOLD. I've seen A LOT of videos on how to build an art career, but all of those were from the content creator pov and it made no sense for me. "Art is not content" resonated deeply with me.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us 🖤
Where can I watch your art please 🙏🏽
Girl you are GOLD. Thank you so much for this video. I started getting back at art last year and I'm using RUclips as my journal to improve my skills. Since I didn't draw in years ( sometimes I start and stop or I'm not inspired...) my skill level is back to square one. But honestly, I'm having fun drawing again. Thank you again for this great video. You gave so much good information.
I just launched my first ART PRINT collection on my online shop! Check it out!! :) www.kelseyrodriguez.com/shop
It seems that artistic social media can draw attention to beautyful single artworks but these artwork maybe used in a more complete composition and as it is posted before the completion of said composition element of novelty is removed for the viewers.
Girl this is beyond helpful, thank you so much for doing what you’re doing ❤️ I’m just starting to make decent money from my art and I’m looking at how to move forward into phase 2. The way you lay it out makes a lot of sense. I’ll definitely be watching more of your videos 😊
Taking all the notes! 💛
You are an absolute sweetheart, I hope you have an amazing career, especially because you're willing to share beyond the ones who don't or won't. Steve Jobs would agree w me, you're the special one💜 to share your knowledge for others to grow, sincerely Deedie
I literally took notes!!!
I like how you casually flip us off at 3:26
THANK YOU. the confirmnation ab "making art an event" is SO nice to hear. you're so right. the audience that i want- i want them to be patient, and to honestly like my work
This is SO FREAKING GOOD!!! So many things I've been thinking of in scaling my art business you mentioned in this video, like having an email list and building as an artist on social media (but not treating it the same as a fashion blogger who posts 2x a day on IG). SO MANY GREAT TIPS HERE. 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖
I subscribed to you 🤎
This is great! Very informative, especially for people over 40 who finally have the courage to pursue their art careers. I have been putting this off for over 10 years now and your channel and others like yours have advocated to start no matter where you are in life. That is both uplifting and inspiring. Would also love to hear tips on how to start it while one has a full-time job. Thanks Kelsey! No matter what others say, what you do is very valuable to a lot of people!
I find it fascinating how many people talk about email lists, when I barely use my email and have changed primary emails at least as often as social media.
tbh that sounds terrifying to me, switching all your accounts over to a new email must be such a hassle??
Your philosophy of building a following and then stepping back made me so much more excited to post on social media. I HATE social media, and the idea of being a content creator makes me wanna never do art again if that’s what I have to be. But yeah, I can totally commit to a year or two of social media-ing if that’s what it takes to get my name out there!
I would also like to add, keep learning and adapt to new skills, techniques and (digital) tools. Stay on top and try to be current and be open to learning the latest software, drawing tools and apps that become available. Otherwise you're going to get left behind and you will not be as marketable as you were a year ago.
Competing with the AI art that is flooding all social platforms, bots that repost my work, people that resell my 3d models is making life as an artist more difficult than ever before. You will see your art on t shirts, print stores, merch stores etc etc and there is NOTHING you can do about it because 10 more will pop up after the one is FINALLY taken down. So bloody exhausting...
Finding your channel has really inspired me to start launching my art career.
It always felt like to big of a task for me to accomplish, but the way you break it down makes me believe in myself, and know that I can do it!
Thank you Kelsey, you are amazing!
Thanks for your work Kelsey, I've just made my list on my flaws as an artist, and I am sure to say that it was your passion, enthusiasm and genuineness to kickstart the process. Big hug
I’ve watched so many videos with the same intentions but yours has been the only one to have genuine advice instead of 90% waffle. “You want to be an artist not a content creator” thank you so much !!!
i’m so glad i came across this video, it’s like you took all of the things i’ve been worried and lost about and you broke it down into separate and manageable chunks 😭
When Kelsey said "Art is not content" I fell tf OUT! THANK YOU! I'm new to your good graces and I'm so glad you have decided to share with us.
Okay… now that I’ve actually watched the video through, I have decided you are now my Coach. Everything you said, especially your perspective and vision for the future, is the most realistic and honest and just idk appropriate thing I’ve ever heard someone espouse concisely and effectively.
Thanks Coach, I’ll be back. Our working relationship may be one-sided right now, but you’ll see one day that I am your apprentice, your trainee.
I am so impressed by what you are creating! I only found you this year but I'm so glad I did because a lot of what you talk about actually applies to what I do as well. You are absolutely crushing it and I can't wait to see where this journey takes you!
You’re one of the few artists who gives social media advice that is relevant to artists. Thnx !
rewatching this because I rewatch this (and a lot of Kelsey's videos tbh) regularly -- the email list thing is actually SO true -- the twitter/X fiascos AND the recent Unity thing have made a lot of artists and small studios not post much anymore, but the ones that have email lists make it so I'm not worried about missing some of their work (which is the whole reason I use sns honestly! i love to look at art!!!)
This video has made more sense to me than any other "how to grow as an artist on social media" video I've ever seen. Been recovering from art business/social media burnout and trying to get my stuff together now and this video feels like a very important part in my journey. Thank you so very much!
As a long time procrastinating artist since 2017 in highschool, today I start my Art journey again for therapy, career and fun ,I'm inscribing this here as a reminder to self that it is the best decision I ever made in my life.
Thank you for the tips! I am trying to post consistent content on RUclips but got stuck a bit lately. I am making coloring books on Amazon KDP, and am considering making either a comic/manga or a visual novel game based on one of my stories I have written and characters I have created. I have many ideas but it's hard to focus and make consistent work.
Love this video! Thank you for sharing it with us. Totally agree that an artist is not a content creator. Posting art works or the process online is about creating an event and an experience. It requires much more effort and a certain level of self-restraint.
i very much admire your passion for youtube and art and progressing your career as an artist. As a self taught very amateur artist in Art School who has recently decided I want to pursue art full time and quit school because I dont feel like its giving what I know I already have (if that makes sense) and sometimes I feel like my ambitions are too high or like itll never be enough but looking at others and feeling their passion always reminds me that those who have the lives they want, wanted it so bad that they did anything and everything to make it happen no matter what others thought. Just thank you because you're being very helpful and I very much appreciate your existence even though you probably wont see this
this is truley inspiring i will hopefully make u proud bc your words are art itself thank u
The burnout I went through definitely halted my progress but I’m glad I took that break so I could focus on my art and the direction I want to go!✨
Omg, you’re brilliant! I’ve been an artist for decades and your enthusiasm is exactly what we all need! Thank you💫♥️💫
Thank you for this priceless advice. You're absolutely right. I've been sooo worried about social media when I really need to focus on my art and turning it into what I want it to be and what makes me happy, and a career, like I really want. And all I have to do is record my journey. Thank you sooo much. 💖 You honestly have no idea how much I truly needed to hear this. 🥹🥰 I thank God for sending this message/epiphany through you! Hallelujah! 🙌🏾 💝 ✨ be abundantly blessed and may you be in health and prosper even as your soul prospers. 🙏🏾 💕 ✨
I liked the play off of Ferris Bueller's Day Off at the end!
You don’t realise just how much helpful this is, thank you 😭😭😭
As someone who got back into art and started posting on instagram and tiktok.. thank you so much for these videos! I'm glad you're so transparent, because I watch so many of your videos to help me figure out how to make content, and what types of things I should be focusing on if I really want to try and pursue my art full time! You voice is so conversational and easy to listen to, your tips are amazing, oh - and I love your art!! :D
Thank you! I use to post a few years back and got a bit of a subscriber count but I had a falling off because recording so much was tiring. I’ve been binging your videos thinking about restarting my art career.
Also I love your top! It’s super cute :)
aw thank you! It's from Big Bud Press, I loveeee their stuff! Ethically made in LA
I feel like I wanted to just give you a standing ovation at the end of this video, wow I could literally just see your plan/strategy unfold. I am so glad you found and followed your niche I feel like you are going to go so far with it. Thank you for this, it was incredibly inspiring!
Thanks for this! I'm in my last year of secondary school and working really hard on strategising/mapping out a successful path in art afterwards😣 This is really scary and unconventional, especially in my country and resources like this are such a big help! They make me feel like the sky is just the beginning in pursuing my passion. By God's grace, I'll reach my goals. Thanks again and keep going, youre awesome❤
Pausing the video to comment - you are SO helpful! I am in my mid 30's and finally making a go at this - your insight is invaluable. Last night I was thinking, I should go back and start at the beginning of your videos, but now I know that is exactly what I need to do! Thank you so much!
the last part of phase 3 got to me very intensely. thank you, seriously. it's something i needed to hear
Seriously blown away by this video. I’ve been getting deep into e-commerce, profiting from my art, etc. and this is exactly what I needed (and many others as well!) thank you for all of the effort you put into your content. Absolutely love everything you make! Wishing you continuous and endless success!
This was very encouraging and it really was interesting what you mentioned @9:54 ! Thanks!
I LOVE your thumbnail and intro 😂 The tone was nailed, you’re a killer.
Hey thank you for such a lovely video! Ive been a diesel mechanic for 5 years and im just unhappy in my career. But recently ive been taking film photos more and more and I've got a good handful of people that say theyd buy my art. So i wanna plug into the local small buisness culture and start printing and selling my photos. We have consistent events and shows over here to where if I even sell one or TWO pieces then I'd make more than I do in ten hours of wrenching. Im nervous but excited 😁😊
I'm not even an artist but you came across my home page and gave solid advice! Good job at captivating the attention of someone outside your niche. Now I feel like making a poster for the hell of it !
what are you still doing here? seriously you have so much work to do.
Quite right!!!
Excellent video, really well done Kelsey.
And Thank you so much to your sponsor!! Koji is absolutely awesome, beyond anything I could ever imagine!!
As a creative person, an entrepreneurial mindset doesn't come easy. I'm repulsed by the thought of digging through other people's work/"content" and aping what they've done. That said, if you want to make a living as a visual artist, some of these steps are likely necessary. If you already have an entrepreneurial spirit, then... count your blessings, because the rest of us are in a civil war with our conscience.
Thanks for the very helpful video!
thank you so much, I'm currently struggling with my art career and your positivity and energy really serve me well, love from Spain :)
ABSOLUTELY, YES!!! I've been thinking on getting everything started and together and this is basically everything I've recollected so far, so seeing it all together here is literally a lifesaver! Just had to thank you for taking the time to do this so leaving a comment and like it's the very least I am able to do to support atm ❤
I like the fact that you differentiated "content creator" vs "art career."
I've often struggled with creating videos about my art because of a few reasons... sure, I've been on RUclips a long time (Since 2006... literally before some huge RUclipsrs were even BORN), and I've created/been part of several channels, as well a very successful collab channel (youtube deleted it long ago), but one thing noone ever really says is just how much time making videos eats up. Planning, writing, filming, editing, uploading... while also creating art (which is the main focus of my channel as of late) takes so long that the whole process of making the video of me making the art really wears me down and I lose the passion to make the art and I dread the process of having to make the video. Also, so many artists on here have a team of people who do all of that for them... If you can't afford the lights and camera and time, the quality of your video seriously falls short of other channels, which is not appealing to viewers. The other thing noone ever really seems to talk about is the countless hours required each day to go out and find your followers... they don't just appear out of nowhere. I honestly don't know how many youtubers have time to do art at all. And then ALSO maintaining a dozen or more various other social media accounts, services, platforms... I'm genuinely baffled at where people find the time. I barely have time to even just do art, and occasionally post to FB/IG, update my website, etc... and this is even with getting up at 4am every day. The only way I can think is that most of these people live at home and have no expenses and don't have jobs, so they literally have 24 hours each day. I only have like, 3-5, and that's barely time enough to do the few things I mentioned above. Anyway... just my two cents and perspective on this topic. It's 10x harder than any youtuber will tell you. I don't mean this to be a negative comment, I just really struggle with this, and I'd love to know how other people get past this hurdle. I don't even bother making videos because I just don't have the time or decent equipment. RUclips is so very different now than it was 15 years ago.
My gf and i have had an art business now for 7 years and we're getting pretty successful. But the last year our engagement and online sales have decreased to almost nothing. We still do great at conventions and in person events. But on social media our reach just seemed to stop abruptly. Its happened to a lot of fellow artists i know but then i see some that just started who have had just huge growth. Im not sure what we're doing wrong.
I mean this sincerely, God bless you woman, you are EVERYTHING, your channel is what I have needed in my life 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
I’m just beginning to start an Art business and I like the steps you are describing to me and other artist to expand more in their art career, Gid bless you 🙏🏾😊
As a small artist, your videos are so helpful 😭❤
I appreciate the enthusiasm and the advice you give Kelsey! I’ve been on Instagram for years and have gotten tired of the low engagement, not to mention I feel artistically restricted there, so I’m trying to dip my toes into the RUclips pool lol
Subscribed
YOU ARE AN ICON! I am a full time artist struggling a bit with social media. It's a challenge but I am fully at and embracing the coherent marketing strategy plan now!
I like your videos. It may be because of your dynamic way of talking, I find myself engaged watching your content. Not a second has been skipped. It may also be because of your beauty 🤔, but probably both. In either case, I'll consider the tips and informations you shared in this video, and see how it goes. The biggest step is, we all know it, prepare to getting started.
For now, I'll get back to drawing my Hermit and hermit Shells. These little fellas are pretty difficult to draw when considering the details of the bodies.
You were the one who inspired me to make a youtube channel and dont rely on instagram anymore. I hope i will get there with time :D I am still new
Just found your page a few days ago... I am 30 and always told myself that art isn't a career, that I can't do it, that no one would want my art. I listened to others when they told me to just do art as a hobby or that I would fail. I struggled with school, community college, trade schools, odd jobs etc. I kept saying I'll try later, to wait until I have a little bit of money or to just give up the dream of being an artist all together. I have been trying to give up that itch or put it on the back burner for over 15 years. Guess what, I still want to be an artist and the urge to create has NEVER gone away. I love your encouragement, honest and transparency... I'm taking notes and trying to allow myself to JUST CREATE.
Wow I’ve watched you a long time, this is so transparent I appreciated your information.
This was super informative; thank you so much for taking the time to share all this! It really helps to put everything else into perspective and allowing ourselves to take a step back to figure out exactly what we need to do. Awesome!
I would definitely be interested in a video about setting up a Koji profile!
I just found your channel recently and I already love it! I've been thinking of starting an online shop for my embroidery and these tips are amazing. This really inspired me and I know I'll continue to come back to this video for what you've said. What hit me also was that art was not content! This is something I really needed to hear and I was becoming stressed by the amount of social media I'd probably have to do for this. thank you!!!
I wish I hadn't relied on traditional methods for so long. I'm excited to be apart of this community ❤
Thanks, I actually needed to hear someone reaffirming my commitment to my personal goals.
You're enthusiasm is incredibly infectious! I will be coming back here if I ever feel like giving up
"It's an event when they do something" (9:33) Kelsey and sad-ist came to mind, both artists' content makes my day
YOU, my dear, are GOLD. Thank you for helping this old lady out! 😘😘
I LOVED this THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. Ive been looking for a guide like this forever.
My biggest issue is always getting started and the fear that I'm starting too late to really build my career. I hope this video is what will give me the kick I need to just get started and create.
Appreciate the helpful, no BS style of video! Learned a lot as an aspiring self employed illustrator 🙏🏻
As a professionnal content creator for years who started with art (cosplay) this video is super helpful and explains very well all the steps. It's pretty difficult to find content that cover the end part, most of the content (even paid one) is about beginning. I'm loving this, you definitely got a new subscriber ! ♥
I'm still not quite confident in my paintings to start selling but its definitely a goal of mine within a few months!! Love how simple but motivating you made this video :)
Just stumbled upon your channel tonight. Love you and your message! I have always been a creator, dabbling in many different areas: songwriting, clay sculpting, digital art, etc.. It took me a long time to fully accept the term 'artist' for myself. But, now that I have, I've started on this road to do something with my art that not only brings me a bit of side income, but also keeps me creating. Your videos are a great help. Thank you for doing what you do :)