Since my calendar has filled up with jobs to illustrate books, it has become increasingly difficult to post regularly on social media. Urgent deadlines take priority over the intangible benefits of posting on social media. But ever since I slowed down, I am constantly filled with a nagging feeling like I’m squandering an opportunity. To better understand the opportunity I’m squandering, I’ve listed 7 benefits of posting daily to social media.
Broadened Visibility: The vast user base of social media platforms is an untapped reservoir of potential exposure for creatives. The continual flow of content ensures their work is seen by the widest possible audience, illuminating the artist in the crowded marketplace.
Crafting a Personal Brand: Each post is a thread in the tapestry of an artist's digital persona. Regular social media engagement allows for a consistent narrative that shapes and showcases their work, their unique vision, and even their artistic idiosyncrasies, cultivating a robust personal brand in the process.
Fostering Engagement: The strength of social media lies not only in its broadcasting power but in its capacity for interaction. Each daily post opens a window of opportunity for followers to connect, comment, and share, fostering a sense of community and deepening the relationship between the artist and their audience.
The Power of Feedback: The instant feedback loop that social media offers can be an invaluable resource for creatives. Each like, share, and comment serves as a real-time critique, enabling artists to refine their work, adapt to shifting trends, and meet their audience's evolving expectations.
Networking Potential: Social media's power to connect people across geographical boundaries offers creatives a unique networking opportunity. Regular posts keep artists on the radar of their peers, potential clients, and collaborators, fostering connections that could lead to unexpected collaborations or opportunities.
Career Opportunities Abound: In the digital age, talent scouts are as likely to be found scrolling through Instagram as they are in a traditional gallery. A strong, consistent online portfolio on social media is akin to a constantly updating resume, attracting job offers and professional opportunities right to the artist's digital doorstep.
Establishing Expertise: Regular, insightful posts help establish an artist as an authority in their field. As they share their work and their thoughts about the process, they earn credibility and respect, attracting more followers, clients, and perhaps even job offers, solidifying their standing in their industry.
While the digital age presents its own set of challenges for creative professionals, the potential rewards of a well-managed, consistent social media presence are immense. The key, as always, lies in the balance of quality and consistency, and in creating content that is authentic and engaging. If you can make daily sharing part of your everyday life, it is an undeniable advantage in a field where awareness of your name and work is important.
Are there other benefits that you can think off that I haven’t listed here?
Agree with much of this Adam. I am much less active on social media these days as I'm juggling a day job, a number of business illustration commissions, a children's book that I'm illustrating for a friend that we're self publishing later in the year, as well as having a family and dogs and all the incumbent responsibilities that go along with life in general. I am spending all too much time here on Substack, but I'm having fun so just going with the flow currently. But - I do worry that I'm squandering the opportunity that social media represents to share my work. I've never managed to stay consistent posting daily, it takes too much time to share something insightful (for me) and posting for the sake of doing it never works. The only way I can avoid the brain funk that comes with social media is to NOT view it as a promotional tool, and not worry about consistency, engagement, likes, follows etc and focus ONLY on the friends and inspiration and beautiful connections that I have made and continue to make there.