
Growing a social media following is essential for all artists. Building an engaged audience doesn’t happen quickly, but with the right strategies, you can create a supportive and growing community that appreciates your artwork. Here are eight effective ways I used to build my social media following:
1. Decide on Your Brand: Clearly define what you want your art to represent. Consistency in your messaging, visual style, and voice helps create a cohesive brand. This brand should be reflected in everything, from your business card to your website, price tags, and shopping bags. This brand will be with you throughout your business’s life, so take your time to find a branding, color scheme, logo, etc., that suits you for the long term.
2. Create Quality Content: Invest energy in producing content that is visually appealing and valuable to your community. High-quality content is more likely to be shared. I made the mistake of not using good lighting when I started my Instagram account, which affected my numbers because my posts weren’t as polished and pleasant to view. If you’ve made similar mistakes, consider them lessons learned. Look at other artists' accounts to see how they photograph their crisp and clean artwork and analyze their posts and hashtags.
3. Connect with Your Audience: Respectfully respond to comments, emails, and messages. Value your followers' thoughts and feedback. Building genuine connections creates loyalty, demonstrates character, and encourages meaningful exchanges. Explore various ways to connect, such as daily postings on Instagram and Facebook, TikTok videos, or local markets and art shows. Don’t forget to bring postcards or business cards with your social media handles to distribute. Remember, growth usually comes organically and there are no shortcuts.
4. Post Consistently: Establish a schedule and stick to it. Consistent posting keeps your content visible. Also, use hashtags—platform algorithms favor frequent posters and will often push and recommend your posts more.
5. Work with Others: Collaborate with other artists and creators in your niche. Mutual support and encouragement through partnerships help uplift everyone involved. I like to meet up with artist friends in my area. We exchange advice, recommend shows, and support each other’s work. Artists should avoid working in isolation.
6. Use Your Analytics: Utilize analytics tools to understand what type of content performs best and use this information to your advantage. For instance, if posting on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons doubles your followers, use that knowledge for future posts.
7. Establish Giveaways: Organize giveaways to engage with both current and new followers. Giveaways are fun and effective! I usually offer mystery bags, which supporters love.
8. Utilize Multiple Platforms: Cross-promote your social media on various platforms to reach a broader audience. Initially, I was skeptical about managing multiple platforms, but now I use tools that link them. For example, Instagram Reels is connected to Facebook, so posting on one platform automatically shares it on the other with minimal effort.
Developing a strong social media following is an adventurous journey that requires patience, determination, and flexibility. By implementing these strategies, you can build a community that not only supports you but also actively engages with and promotes your artwork. Keep striving for excellence, and good things will follow.
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