Why do we, as artists, create all these weird rules for ourselves when it comes to posting on social media? 🤔 It's like we’ve carried over all the structure and rigidity from our old 9-5s and applied it to our creative careers.
We think our social media feeds have to be perfectly planned and executed, like we're still reporting to a boss or sticking to office policies. But guess what? You’re the boss now. You can post what you want, when you want, and in whatever order works for you.
Timing & Scheduling: Stop Stressing About the Clock
Let’s be real—there’s no magic time for posting. And you definitely don’t need to churn out content like you’re on a corporate deadline. Whether you’re posting daily or weekly, the key is to be consistent and show up when it works for you.
I can only post during peak hours, or no one will see my art!
Post whenever works for you. What matters is that you’re showing up regularly. Consistency beats chasing ‘peak hour’ trends every time.
Instead of focusing on the best times to post on Instagram, focus on building engagement by responding to comments and DMs within the first hour after posting. This tells the algorithm your post is worth showing to more people.
I need to post something amazing every day, or people will forget about me.
Post when you can with quality content. Consistency and authenticity matter way more than quantity.
Boost engagement by using interactive features like polls questions in your stories. It’s an easy way to stay connected with your audience between posts without the pressure of daily content.
I have to wait until I have more followers before I start doing video content.
Start now! Even if only a handful of people see it, you’re building a habit and showing up. Waiting won’t make it easier.
hind-the-scenes moments, work-in-progress updates, or day-in-the-life snippets. It’s about letting people into your world, not crafting something overly polished. For more tips on this, check out this article on documenting, not creating, content.
Showing the Process: Share the Mess, Not Just the Masterpiece
Stop worrying about how perfect everything looks. People love to see the journey, the work in progress, and the behind-the-scenes mess. Let your audience connect with you as a human, not just the perfect finished product. Remember those DVD extras we used to love? Same concept.
I need to have a perfectly clean studio space in the background.
Showing the messy parts of your process is what people actually connect with. That studio chaos? It’s part of the magic. Like when we thought low-rise jeans were a good idea.
Don’t hide the chaos—embrace it! Use time-lapses or quick clips of your messy, real-life studio as you create. Pair it with a caption like, "Here’s what my studio really looks like when I’m deep in the creative zone!" It makes you relatable and shows your followers the real side of being an artist. But hey, if you really want to go for it and have a professional video studio, see what this artist did to his office.
I can’t post WIPs (works-in-progress) because they’re not polished enough.
Sharing the process is gold! People love seeing how your pieces come together—it humanizes the work.
Show off your WIPs and ask your followers for feedback or predictions on the final piece. Posing questions like, "What color should I use next?" or "Can you guess what this will turn into?" encourages engagement and makes your audience feel involved in your creative process.
I have to create a new piece of art for every post, or it’s not worth sharing.
Reposting old work, sharing behind-the-scenes, or even sketches is totally fine. Your audience doesn’t need new masterpieces every time—they just want to see your journey.
Don’t be afraid to repost older pieces with fresh insights or updates. Use captions like, "Remember this one? Here’s what inspired me back then…" or "Throwback to one of my favorite pieces. What do you think of it now?" This keeps your feed active and gives new followers a chance to appreciate your previous work.
Overthinking Engagement: Chill Out, It’s Not That Serious
Engagement doesn’t mean being on social media 24/7. Your captions don’t need to be essays, and your lighting doesn’t need to be studio quality. Authenticity and balance matter far more than perfect engagement.
I need perfect lighting or I can’t post a video.
People want to connect with the real you. Remember the harsh disposable camera flash? It didn’t stop us from taking photos! Don’t let imperfect lighting stop you from posting.
Natural light is your friend, but it doesn’t need to be perfect! You can create engaging content with just your phone and everyday lighting. If your lighting isn't ideal, lean into it—mention it in the caption to make it relatable. For example, "Not the best lighting, but here’s what I’m working on today!"
My caption has to be a long, philosophical reflection about my art.
Sometimes a simple caption like, "Today was a struggle, but I’m proud of this," connects more than overthinking it. People love authenticity, not essays. Keep it real.
Short and sweet can be just as powerful! Try adding a quick behind-the-scenes insight, a personal reflection, or a fun fact about your process. Or ask a question to invite engagement, like, "Ever have one of those days where nothing goes as planned? Here’s mine."
I need to reply to every comment immediately, or my engagement will tank.
Engage with your audience, but don’t burn yourself out. Respond when you can, and focus on creating art. Balance is everything.
Set aside specific times during the day to reply to comments instead of feeling pressure to respond instantly. If you’re short on time, “like” comments to acknowledge your followers and follow up later when you have more time for longer responses.
Aesthetics: Stop Obsessing Over the Perfect Feed
Here’s the thing: people are following you because they love your art and your story, not because you’ve mastered some perfectly curated aesthetic. Let your personality and creativity be the theme, and don’t be afraid to share your real self. It’s like wearing mismatched socks—it’s quirky, it’s you, and it’s relatable.
I need to follow a super strict color theme on my feed, or it won’t look professional.
Your personality and creativity are the real theme. No one’s going to mind if every post isn’t perfectly color-coordinated, I promise.
Instead, focus on creating content that reflects your personal style. Use fun or creative captions to tie your posts together. For example, use hashtags or a quirky signature phrase to give your posts a cohesive feel, even if the visuals don’t always match perfectly.
I should only post finished pieces, never personal stuff.
Your audience connects with you just as much as your art. Share your personal wins, struggles, and experiences.
Let your followers see the human behind the art. Share your creative process, challenges, or even what inspired a particular piece. Stories are a great way to share more personal, day-in-the-life content without worrying about it "cluttering" your main feed. Try sharing behind-the-scenes moments, or ask your audience about their own experiences to create deeper connections.
What’s Actually Important: Consistency and Authenticity
At the end of the day, what really matters isn’t following all these weird rules—it’s about consistency and showing up as YOU. Think of it like how we religiously tuned in to Saturday morning cartoons. Your audience wants to see you regularly and authentically, not some curated version of you.
So, let’s ditch the corporate mindset, embrace the messiness, and show up in all our unfiltered glory. 🎨
Break the Rules and Let Your Art Shine
It’s time to stop following the weird rules we’ve imposed on ourselves and start showing up on our own terms. Just like how we’ve left behind those cringey Facebook poke wars, it’s time to leave behind the unnecessary pressure to be perfect. The best thing you can do for your art and business is to be real, be consistent, and let your personality shine through.
