Social media for artists is not the end all be all. This article shares some strategies and tips to break free from the chains of social media. A lot of artists can relate to the frustration of using social media to promote their work. So do not feel like you are alone in your struggles. Instead, this article will offer several solutions to make social media less stressful for artists.

But first, it is important to discuss a few things. Mainly, it is imperative for you to not feel bad if social media does not come naturally to you. For example, constant uploads and discussing personal feelings on the internet is not everyone’s thing. In addition, some artists may be too busy or introverted to enjoy social media. As well, some may find it too addictive or too time-consuming. Also, some may not feel tech savvy or hip enough to use it.

Another thing to mention are the downfalls of social media. For instance, it can be hard to understand the algorithms and how to gain subscribers. To grow your reach on social media can take a long time. Not to mention, accounts can get hacked and artists can lose their subscribers overnight. Furthermore, social media platforms are often riddled with controversy, drama, and politics.

However, do not be distressed about social media. There is a healthy balance artists can find when it comes to using it. So continue reading to learn how to spend less time working for social media, and instead have it working for you.

---

Topics

Here is an overview of the tips in this article:

• Balance Time Invested in Social Media Vs Outcome
• Provide Valuable Content Instead of Pointless Updates
• Make Content with Better Reach than Social Media
• Promotional Tactics for Artists Besides Social Media
• Use Other Subscriber Based Systems

---

Balance Time Invested in Social Media Vs Outcome

One reason social media can feel like such a chore for artists is because they invest too much time into it. A valuable lesson artists must learn is how to balance the time they put into social media, compared to the results they are getting.

To avoid spending more time than necessary on social media, there are a few things artists can do. Firstly, try not get distracted or sidetracked while using it. If you really find this is a struggle, you can set a time limit for yourself. Secondly, try using a scheduler like later.com. This website/app allows you to prepare a bunch of posts all at once so you can save time spent on social media. Thirdly, make sure the time you invest in social media is not pointless. Study algorithms and strategies for the platforms you use in order to understand them and maximize your growth.

Additionally, do not spread yourself too thin. Take it from me, you cannot be a master of twenty platforms all at once. Even if you could hire people to run them for you, there would be no point. Your time is better spent growing a few large followings, rather than a whole bunch of tiny followings.

Below is a list of the major social media platforms for artists. It is okay to get your feet wet and try out a bunch of platforms. But once you learn which ones you like, try to devote your time to only a few.

• Instagram, Pinterest
• YouTube, TikTok, Twitch
• Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, Discord
• DeviantArt, Art Station
• Patreon, Ko-fi, Gumroad, Etsy, Red Bubble

---

Provide Valuable Content Instead of Pointless Updates

Another step to making social media less draining is to avoid sharing pointless updates. Instead, focus on mainly sharing valuable content.

A post of your lunch or cat may get some likes. So may posts about your trendy outfit or how cute your kids are. However, these posts can come off as bragging or too off-topic. So, if necessary, make a second account to share these things. Otherwise, people who are interested solely in your art may be turned away.

Additionally, make sure you spend more time creating than time socializing on the internet. If you are not making content you will find yourself wondering what to post. And if you have nothing valuable to promote, then there is not much social media can offer you back. So just make sure you spend more time creating than browsing.

How to Make Valuable Content

To that same point, there are certain tips to keep in mind if you want to create valuable content. For instance, try to make content that a lot of people will search for, and thus, be more likely to organically discover. Also, try passing on some advice by teaching. People love to learn tips and tricks from the artists they follow. Additionally, try to make content that will still be relevant for years to come so that your efforts will be long-lasting. As well, try to stay consistent to your brand. If you suddenly change up your subject matter your existing followers may lose interest.

Furthermore, take into consideration the words of a popular artist, Jake Parker. With much wisdom, he teaches that, “You need a product, not a project.” You can draw pictures of fluffy animals or cute girls all day. But, at the end of the day, those are just pictures. You need meaning or purpose to your art. So take the advice of Jake Parker. Do not just draw random things. Instead, try making a product that people can follow and enjoy. For instance, you can make things like posters, wallpapers, or comics. Whatever you choose, you can offer it for free or for purchase. Either way, having a product will give something for people to rally around and to remember you by.

---

Make Content with Better Reach than Social Media

It is common knowledge that social media posts can end up in the void pretty quickly. Despite all your time invested, your posts may fade from reach faster than you like. Similarly, social media algorithms can be tricky to master. Not to mention, they are constantly changing.

So, next is some advice on how to make content with even better reach than social media. These tips are great for any artists who are looking for alternatives to social media or want to expand their reach even bigger. Even more, they will help you make long lasting content that is discoverable for years to come.

So, how exactly do you make content with better reach than social media? Well, unfortunately, there is no quick and easy answer. But put plainly, the secret is to have your own website. The short answer why this works, is that having a website allows artists to take advantage of two things. Those two things are search engine optimization (SEO) and organic search. Both of these tactics can give your content better and bigger reach than social media.

To learn the details about making content with better reach, read all about why artists should have their own website.

---

Promotional Tactics for Artists Besides Social Media

Another way to rely less on social media is to use alternative promotional tactics.

You can go old school, and use some timeless promotional tactics. For instance, talk about your work in real life and ask people to spread the word. In addition, you can try putting up posters, going to networking events, or having a gallery show. Likewise, you can try giving out business cards, promoting your art through your local library, or getting your work into bookstores through a publisher.

You can also try more modern promotional tactics. For example, start a Patreon, Gumroad, Etsy, Red Bubble, or self-publish through Amazon. Similarly, you can try creating a digital portfolio via Linked In, Art Station, or your own website. And if you are a comic artist like myself, you can try joining comic collectives, comic indexes, Topwebcomics, or Comixology.

It is good not to put all your eggs in one basket. Social media platforms can come and go. So, you will find that by utilizing some of these promotional tactics you will feel less enslaved and reliant on social media – which is something all artists should aim for.

---

Use Other Subscriber Based Systems

Next is one final tip to help artists branch out from social media. This is to set up other subscriber based systems. Social media is great because it is an easy way to notify people when you put out new content. However, there are other ways for artists to achieve this besides social media.

There is no need to waste time manually putting out updates to people who are interested in your work. Instead, artists can auto generate notifications to go out when they put out new content.

For example, people can join my mailing list to get emails whenever I put out a new article or comic page. Likewise, people can follow my rss feed to keep track of my content. Similarly, desktop users can enable browser notifications to get updates when my content comes out.

Offering these methods for people to follow you makes you less dependent on social media, which is always a good feeling.

---

Social Media for Artists Is Not the End All Be All

Those are my tips to break free from the hamster wheel that social media has come to be for so many. While social media is useful for artists, you have now learned many ways to rely on it less. So whether your social media following just is not growing or social media stresses you out too much, I hope these tips provide some relief to those problems.

Leave a comment on which tip from this article you find most helpful. Also, for some practice on breaking free from social media, try sharing this article – but without using any major platform. You can share the link to someone through email, text, or even word of mouth.

Related reading: Productivity for Artists- How to Achieve Your Art Goals

Join my mailing list for more art advice like this.

Read my comic, Kindred Not.