You Can Stop Focusing on Your Follower Count on Instagram
Try This Instead
By Thea Fiore-Bloom, PhD
Do you want to promote your art on Instagram today, about as much as you want a case of Shingles?
Me either.
But how about if I sat you down in a big, overstuffed chair in my office, handed you a warm cup of cocoa, looked into your eyes, and gently said:
“You’re making good art, I swear.
And you already have enough followers- you don’t need even 1 more.”
Would you exhale a big sigh of relief?
Or maybe you’d cock a wary eyebrow at me?
Both reactions are legit.
But while I’m at it, I’m going to tell you I also believe you don’t have to:
- Make reels upon reels.
- Compete with other artists.
- Give yourself a lobotomy over hashtags.
- Feverishly research keywords.
- Post at some mythical time to beat the bots.
- Give yourself agida following people you don’t respect.
- Or compete, did I mention you don’t have to compete?
“Competition is the thief of joy.” – Benjamin Franklin
However, to make your time on Instagram worthwhile, here are four radically simple things you could try.
Will you come with me to find out what those four things are?
Good.
Here we go.
Step 4 is the wildest one, don’t miss it.
Step One: For Heart-Centered Artists Who Want to Flourish on Instagram
1. Slow Down
Fellow artists…
Exit the fast track to nowhere laid out for us by art biz gurus.
(Most of whom are professional marketers, not artists.)
And take … your … own…damn… time.
Slowing down will allow you to remember who you are and why you got up to join the dance of art in the first place.
It’ll also help you embrace step two.
Step Two: For Heart-Centered Artists Who Want to Flourish on Instagram
2. Switch Your Focus
Try to take your focus off finding new people (“better people”, “more people”, “different people”) to buy your art.
Instead, focus on building quality, individual relationships with the people you already have.
I bet switching your focus in this manner will up your serotonin level.
It will help you remember the world still contains magic.
Many artists who switch focus are shocked and elated to find that they sell heaps more art and have saved, not lost, time.
In fact, Harvard Business Review says:
“[…] Acquiring a new customer is anywhere from five to 25 times more expensive than retaining an existing one.”
But how the heck can you focus on the people you already have?
I’ll help you with that now in Step 3.
Step 3: For Artists Who Want to Flourish on Instagram
3. Respond In Detail to (Almost) Everyone
Look, you dont need to be on Instagram to thrive as an artist or writer. I’m not.
(And if I can thrive without social media, you can too.)
But if you are on it, and somebody reaches out to you and says, “I like your art,” and you dont respond?
You might as well delete your account.
Just giddily give it up and hurl your laptop in a lake.
Have a great summer.
But if you do choose to be on Instagram – for God’s sake – interact.
And no, you don’t have to interact with whack jobs.
If your spidey sense goes off when a certain somebody says, “I like your art” – block ’em.
(See my post How Can I Set Boundaries as an Artist? Seven Red Flags From Art Buyers, Clients, and Students You Shouldn’t Ignore.)
However, if you’re rolling your eyes every time someone who’s not an axe murderer says, “I like your paintings, they look like a photograph!” try one of these four responses.
Imaginative Instagram Response #1 to “I like your art!”
1. Ask a Question Back
Just ask a question back!
Try writing, “Thanks! Do you make art?”
Or, “Do you make art? What kind?”
Both questions can lead to rivers of possible further interaction.
So does this next one.
Imaginative Instagram Response #2 to ‘I like your art!”
2. Find Out Why
Some kind soul on Instagram tells you, “I like your art.”
You can say, “Really? Thanks. What about this piece did you like? Did you like the Cyclops cheerleaders in the lower right-hand corner?”
Or were they too weird for you?”
“What do you think of the stack of past-due notices the mermaid is on?”
“Did you understand those were past-due notices?”
By doing this, you honor the commenter.
You let them be part of what they see as your exotic art-making process.
But maybe you’re shy?
Try this.
Imaginative Instagram Response #3 to “I like your art!”
3. Famous Painters Question
If you’re shy, you needn’t talk about your art.
Find contemporary or famous artists you and a commenter happen to love.
For example, if an Instagrammer comments, “I like your art!” Try responding with, “Thanks. Oh, tell me, who’s your favorite artist?”
Or if you’re a writer on Instagram, ask, “Who’s your favorite writer lately?”
Try, “Do you write?”
Or, “What was your favorite book as a kid?”
Simple questions are key to getting better responses on IG and will also help you get more comments on your art blog.
Remember, it’s totally legal to take the focus off your work and put it on building friendships.
Contrary to what art biz gurus say, it’s good to focus on creating relationships, not sales.
Because ironically, when you focus on relationships (as opposed to sales), you’ll have way more sales.
Before I wrap this up with the final tip, let’s give you a helpful example of a longer Instagram interaction.
“Your customer is not your target but your muse.” – Bernadette Jiwa (Marketing: A Love Story)
Real Life Instagram Example
Let’s say Leigh Buchanan put this painting ( I purchased from her) on her Instagram page today.
It’s a still life in oil featuring a special lemon.
Have you ever seen this species before?
It’s an exotic citron with these odd, finger-like appendages that sprout from its core.
And these lemony fingers sometimes seemingly form mudras (sacred symbolic hand gestures).
That’s why these fruits are known as Buddha Hand Lemons.
So she puts it up on IG and somebody says, “Oh, my God, Lee, that’s so cool. I love this painting.”
Leigh could write back, “Oh, thanks! Have you ever seen a Buddha’s Hand Lemon in person?
They say, “Yes! I recognized it right away.”
But Leigh needn’t stop there.
She could go on to say, “Cool! Do you remember where you saw your first Buddha Hand Lemon?”
And the person might excitedly write back:
“Yes! In a cool, neglected Japanese garden. In the middle of Topanga Canyon. There was a kooky Hansel and Gretel-type house for sale. It had ramshackle pagodas in the back garden with all these wild-looking lemon trees in blossom, with Buddha lemons! The smell was divine.”
See how Leigh has easily begun a meaningful exchange on Instagram?
If this were your lemon painting, wouldn’t it be easy to respond to this pagoda story with sincere curiosity and love?
And love brings us to our final step for artists.
Step Four: For Heart-Centered Artists Who Want to Prosper on Instagram
4. It’s Okay to Come from Love
In “Financial Freedom from the Inside Out,” Steve Chandler and Michael Neil pose provocative questions to entrepreneurs like you and me.
Questions like:
- What if you come from love?
- What if you dared experiment with communicating with fans and potential buyers the way you interact with a precious niece or nephew?
When you come from love (and even imperfection) in your business, you communicate like a human being, not a bot.
And you know what?
I’ve found that nice folks find that strangely comforting.
And they stick around and climb up the steps of your magical vardo to see what you’re painting or writing up there.
I don’t say this from on high.
I learned to drop my agenda the hard way.
The “face-down-gravel-drag way” of learning to stop trying to come off as someone who knows everything about art or the art world.
I certainly don’t know everything.
And you don’t have to either.
You don’t.
You can drop all the armor with me.
Let it embarrassingly but beautifully clank to the ground.
There are no mythical pearl-wearing pursed-lipped, Sotheby’s auction house buyers perched in this star chamber, keeping a judgmental scorecard on you.
The people who want to know more about you, the people who want to buy your art, are just like you.
They are you.
So when you are interacting on Instagram, remember that for me, ok?
Let’s end this with something you won’t hear on most art blogs.
You Have All You Need
I want you to remember that you’re whole.
I want you to remember that you don’t need one more collector.
You don’t need one more buyer.
You’re perfectly beautiful and contributing to the world right this very minute, no matter how many Instagram followers you have.
What’s important is you: your health, your meaningful paintings and writings, and your precious sense of peace, calm, and wholeness.
What’s important is remembering that you can be yourself and that radical action can be the golden key that opens your door to your prosperity.
“You already have whatever you need inside you to be content, your real work is to do whatever it takes to realize that.” – Geneen Roth (Feeding the Hungry Heart)
What do you think?
Have you used DMs on Instagram?
Did you ever enjoy Instagram? When was that?
Let me know in the comments below.
I answer everyone.
You might like these other Charmed Studio posts:
How Do Artists’ Accounts Get Hacked On Instagram? Plus 5 Minute Fix To Stay Safer
How Do I Drive Traffic to My Art Website? 9 Authentic Ways (That Don’t Involve Social Media)
2 Best Laptops for Artists On a Budget: Skyrocket Your Self-Esteem With the Right Computer
Do I Need Facebook As an Artist? Hell No. How Artists Can Succeed Without Social Media
This post may contain Amazon affiliate links. This means if you buy books or stuff via my blog I may receive a tiny commission and do a happy dance. There is no extra fee for you. I only link to items I personally use and love; products that I think help heart-centered artists.
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Always delivering quality content. … One of my favs is listening to the audio on my walks.
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💎Thanks Thea
Ah Gill, you made me blush over here. Thank you kind friend.
ZERO followers on social media. Yes, that’s right, I have no followers at all. Simply because I’m not on any social media at all.
A few years ago, my nephew tried very hard to convince me to join Insta to ‘sell’ more art. He went on and created an account and I told him “It wasn’t for me”. I’ve never used it and have no intention of doing so. He couldn’t understand and still can’t when I said “I don’t sell my art, I ‘share’ my art with ‘like-minded people’”. Some may like to obtain it and pay me for it.
How do people find out about my artwork? The same way before the invention of the social media world. I hope we haven’t all forgotten how people met before social media!
This is another wonderful blog, Thea. I think it highlights a lot more about social media and its effects on our social lives. But, like everything else, nothing is permanent in life except change. And AI technology is the next big change it’s bringing into our lives.
I really like your point about ‘you have all you need’. That’s how I feel about my life without social media. I’m not missing anything, well at least that’s what I think, just doing things differently. My art feels more real this way and I enjoy the connections I make. It might not work for everyone, but it works for me. Sometimes having less technology actually gives you more peace, if that makes sense.
Thank you so much for a great article I started my morning with on a beautiful sunny day here in the UK, for a change!
To wrap up my comment, dare I say, I DON’T even have a mobile phone, never had one and have no plans of getting one.
Thanks so much for writing and sharing this. I love your philosophy! I was smiling reading about your conversation with your shocked nephew. I had a similar conversation with a wonderfully smart 20-something-year-old marketing specialist who had come over to help me with a website glitch. He just thought I was an alien species when I wouldn’t take his suggestions to do an aggressive ad campaign on Instagram or even BE on Instagram. hahaha
I’m especially excited about this line of yours:
“I hope we haven’t all forgotten how people met before social media!”
Can you remind those of us who have sped up (myself included) of what you are speaking of?
How do people find you and how do you “share your art” with them?
And what is your favorite thing about NOT having a cell phone?
Another beautiful sunny day here in the UK. Started my morning with a cup of coffee sitting in the garden. Love it.
Thank you so much Thea for your thoughtful comment and questions. I’m not sure if anybody would be interested in my “old-fashioned” approach to life, but here we go.
How people met and socialised before social media?
The short answer: in person, mainly. Before social media, people connected at community gatherings and shared spaces. For example, local events, hobby groups, markets and neighbourhood meetups were where friendships formed. Family gatherings often introduced new connections too. You had to show up in person, it took more effort, but the connections felt real because you were actually there together.
How do people find you and how do you “share your art” with them?
It starts with giving before taking. My wife and I have been involved in lots of art-related charity work over the years. These charity events are not just for good causes, they’re fantastic opportunities for meeting people and sharing almost anything.
Quality, trust, reputation and word of mouth do the rest. I’m not trying to reach thousands, just my tribe of like-minded people who connect with what I create.
What is your favourite thing about NOT having a cell phone?
Less anxiety and stress. I enjoy deeper, more meaningful relationships without the constant interruptions. Don’t get me wrong, mobile phones and the internet are amazing technologies, but I choose what works for me. Though I certainly don’t judge anyone who chooses differently.
My abstract art actually tries to help reduce those modern-day stresses. Well, that’s what I think. The focus is on expressing basic human emotions.
I’m not interested in counting likes or views. I see people as individuals, not numbers. And I’m happy with what I have.
Thanks again for your questions. Hope my answers make sense. I know they are dated if not completely gone. But they still work for me.
Yes. Totally makes sense. In you are an artist and own your own art-based business, “Giving before taking” ironically allows us MORE, not less time, for ourselves.
You remind me of a subscriber in Alaska who told me her story of going off line for a summer and venturing out into her community. What happened to her, and what happened for her art business was miraculous to her.
Enjoy the garden. Thanks very much for your time Suhail.
PS If any of you reading this, happen to be a really shy or introverted artist, you might get some help from the post I wrote about her adventure.It is right here.It is a reminder of how to do what Suhail is talking about. I need to do this again myself!
How Can I Market My Art If I’m an Introvert? A Great Way To Sell More of Your Work and Celebrate Your Authentic Self Without Social Media
Thank you for this brilliant article, Thea.
I dabble on Insta, mainly because, as an aspiring writer, I need to build my platform and that’s the hot one, right?
Plus, I like to see what other creatives are sharing, just for the pleasure of it – like strolling through a virtual gallery.
But not too long ago, I was concerned to see my already very modest numbers abruptly sliding. I signed up for a couple of workshops, both of which made the point that the only sure-fire way to get out of the doldrums is to make reels.
So I tried that, attempting to spiff up my class announcements, weekly blog teasers, etc.
UGH! Way too much fiddly work and none of it moved the needle one bit.
I do much better on Facebook but surprise – it’s because on FB, I have lots and lots of actual conversations: meaningful dialogue, building friendships, and sharing from the heart.
EXACTLY what you are saying.
So thank you for confirming that I don’t have to break my brain cooking up reels, or try to outwit the Almighty Algorithm, when I’d much rather be actually .. you know .. creating what I create.
Dear Beth,
Thanks very much for going to the effort to leave this comment. And thank you for the compliments on this article. It means a great deal to me.
One thing, though:
It is so odd that you refer to yourself in the comment as an “aspiring writer” when in actuality you’re an accomplished, seasoned writer. You’ve been blogging for decades and have a hefty readership. I wonder if spending a lot of time on social media makes us forget what amazing things we already have accomplished in our creative lives?
What do you think?
Here is a funny and good Dear John letter written by Darius Bashar (Artist Morning). In it he breaks up with Instagram. https://artistmorning.substack.com/p/dear-instagram
Lovely to have your newsletter drop into my inbox today.
You write beautifully with uplifting and useful tips. Thank you for making the time. Hugs.
Dawn, so nice to hear from you. Thanks for taking the time away from your silversmith’s bench to make my day. Glad that my work is uplifting to you. I really appreciate the artists who take time out to comment.
xo Thea
💜
Oh my gosh did I ever need to hear all this wisdom!!! I am no longer trying to grow Insta, as I have moved to Bluesky. But the logic is the same. I do always reply to people, but I almost never ask questions – perhaps I am so introverted that I just shy away from too much interaction? Regardless, it won’t hurt to ask questions, and your examples are so helpful! I really want to sound (and feel) natural in these interactions but having somewhere to start gets me over my hesitation.
I cherish my collectors and readers and our connections with each other. I think it lifts me up in my art and writing practice. I WILL be following your advice starting NOW! Yay!
Beginning with this: how did you become so savvy? And when are you going to write a book with all of this in it? Like a manual for creators who want a heart-centered business?
Also, thank you for letting is all know about your podcast schedule. – it is a lovely example of being flexible with our methods and practices and moving them when it feels right to do so. Thanks for all your wisdom!
Lola you are such a gift in my life! I am delighted you have found Bluesky to be a healthier haven than Instagram. I can see from your blog over the years that your readers are so engaged with you and that you all have a caring ecosystem that you created and tend to every week. Your website and blog have always been an example of love and intellectual discourse in action for me.
I have thought of turning a collection of my posts into a book, but then think, “omg it is a great blustery day! what I really want to do is go walk on the ocean right now.” lol!!! And then I do.
Will consider it again, thanks for your kind compliments :).
xo Thea
Oooh gosh thanks much for seeing the little ecosystem that is my website and blog!
And perhaps your book will be called “It is a Great and Blustery Day” ha ha! Xoxoxxo
LOL That is a great title! There was a Winnie the Pooh book I remembered my Dad reading me as a kid that had a title similar to that.
And you have grown a magical ecosystem for artists on your website and blog. I give out your URL to coaching clients when I want them to see an example of someone who has flourished online because they are brave enough to be themself. Hali Karla does this as well. I wonder if you two have ever met? Anyway, thanks for everything Lola.
It is so easy to get hung up on how many followers you have and the number of likes a post will get when using social media platforms like Instagram. After a time, it gets plain exhausting dealing with it. Especially frustrating is getting DM from someone, and you wonder if the person even exists, or if it’s someone in a different country creating a fake account.
I used to enjoy creating a reel and posting it, but with the changing algorithms, it seems a lot of work for little response.
To be honest, I believe I have never sold an art piece directly through social media. I have heard other artists have found success using Instagram to promote a print sale or something like that.
This past year, I dramatically cut back on posting on Instagram and have been using that allotted time reading great art-related books and deepening my art knowledge. I also believe an art-related event is going to happen, with or without using social media.
In other words, the universe became my DM of choice. And I am enjoying this.
I still use Instagram, but mostly to keep up with the galleries and the artists I like to follow and interact with (and I know they are real and not fake).
Thanks, Thea, for writing the blog post. I always enjoy reading them:)
Kevin!
Thank you. Thank you for your kind words but thank you also for your bravery and honesty.
I dont think a lot of artists sell much art at all now (even in galleries!), nevermind selling art on Instagram!
I found stats for a post I am writing on this , it bears this out.
I am going to call the post: “The Big Lie: Everyone But You Is Selling Scads of Art.”
And I love your new self-knowing, self-loving, sanity-inducing actions and philosophy. Would you ever want to write a blog post expounding on what you said here?
“This past year, I dramatically cut back on posting on Instagram and have been using that allotted time reading great art-related books and deepening my art knowledge. I also believe an art-related event is going to happen, with or without using social media.In other words, the universe became my DM of choice. And I am enjoying this.”- Kevin Doberstien
The Charmed Studio is my art happy place! It’s where I go when the marketing/business side of my art practice feels overwhelming—so many social media options, so little time!—and I need some sage advice and perspective. I grab a cup of hot tea, take a deep breath, and read Thea’s posts. They are smart, wise, warm and filled with humor. As I read, I can feel the smile spread across my face, and I get back to feeling like I can do this.
I couldn’t agree more with this post. The growth of my art business—selling art and commission work—is unequivocally due to relationship building. I don’t have a Facebook or Instagram account. I focus on my newsletter, where I share stories about my art journey, poetry or quotes that inspire me (and that I hope will inspire others), and student art tips/information, as well as my art and other studio updates (e.g., workshops). I try to make my newsletter about my readers and what they might enjoy reading about, not just about my art. I have connected with so many people, and the list keeps growing. Might I one day try a social media platform with a larger reach? I can never say never (Bluesky is looking very interesting!). But even with a larger reach, I think the focus still has to be on relationship building.
I wish all of you the best as you continue to navigate the business side of art!
Katie,
Gosh, I am so moved. Thank you for letting me know that the blog helps you keep believing in a different way of being as a professional artist. That is why I write the posts and record the podcasts. In hope that we can find a way to feel alive and well AND sell our art or writing.
Optional questions for you. (and for any creative reading this) You needn’t answer them all (but if you did that would be swell.)
Were you ever on Instagram?
What was that like for you? Was it fun in the beginning?
Why did you decide to leave? Did the platform change or did you?
Hello, Thea:
No, I have never had an Instagram or Facebook account. Initially, the goals I set for making and sharing art focused on relationship building locally and beyond through word-of-mouth, my newsletter, teaching, shows, and joining local painting groups (which has been wonderful for creating camaraderie, building friendships with other artists, and being part of a learning community). At the point that I began to think about a broader reach, my research around various social media options made me re-think about joining Instagram or Facebook. I have artist friends—and have read about artists like Kevin who commented above (and whose wood sculpture is beyond amazing!)—who have concerns about the time commitment, algorithm challenges, and a lot of effort for little return. To boot, there is now the issue of Meta (Instagram and Facebook) using photos of artwork to train its AI models.
I also love Kevin’s comment about how pulling away from or spending less time on Instagram has left him more time to focus on “reading great art-related books and deepening my art knowledge” This is definitely where I am at as well. Any time investment on social media has to be worth it, as it takes time away from creating art, honing my craft and teaching (which I love).
In my initial post, I wrote that I can never say never about trying a social media platform; and that Bluesky is looking interesting. Bluesky—an independent company—offers a decentralized social network which allows users to choose algorithms, customize user experience, and moderate content. Another big plus: Bluesky doesn’t use photos of posted artwork to train AI models. I may give it a go!
But ultimately, even with a successful, larger reach through whatever social media option(s), I believe the focus must be on relationship building. People buy art based on works that resonate with them on a personal level. I think that the connection between the artist and collector is a critical part of this. I recently had a commission inquiry, and through my communication with the potential collector learned about the personality of the person who would be the portrait subject. In turn, the potential collector learned about why I was so excited to paint this person. I can’t wait to get started on this painting!
Katie, so edifying! Thank you. And thanks for what you said about Kevin and his work. He is a great sculptor.And I love when this blog can help us as artists support each other and not see each other as competition. We are stronger together.
So graciously pertinent and inspirational to all of us.
Thank you so much for heart-centeredness Thea!
Leigh you are such a wordsmith. Thank you for commenting and for lighting the way on social media.
I just came across this quote and wanted to leave it for you guys. What do you think?
“You have to stop treating your social media like a billboard. Turn one-way broadcasting into a two-way conversation.” — Jessika Phillips