Is SOCIAL media becoming more about how many followers and less about community?
Hey guys today I just wanted to talk a little bit about art on social media.
For me I have found social media quite a challenging platform for art. They all say not to be perfect with art, but then you’re trying to put it on a platform that’s known to look a certain way to get better engagement and followers. I’ve done courses, read every article on the internet and even tried the made my whole page look the same to be more pleasing to the eye. I left more stressed and the same followers. So, I can tell you now its not about how it looks.
What is it about then?
Well, this is just my opinion, but I believe it to be about community. Really engaging with other likeminded artists, following artwork you truly like to comment and engage with and privately messaging people and getting to know them on a personal level. I try not to focus on the following I have but more about the community I can build. I want to be real with people, if that means less followers then perfect.
For me it is about the art I create and the connection I can make with people thousands of miles away. As I’m writing this, I am smiling, because the people I have made friendships with, always, always support me and my art, and I couldn’t ask for anything more. At the end of the day why would you want a big following if you get to know none of them?
These days, unfortunately there isn’t much support for artists even in families. I’m very lucky and have always had support from everyone around me, but not everyone has that and I think that’s what social media should be for. Not for how many followers you can get, I mean yes, it’s great to be seen and noticed and the more followers the more sales, I get it, but for a lot of artists they would pick community over big followings any day of the week.
I have seen tweets on twitter (from accounts with a lower following) saying; how they appreciate the support so much on the platform because they tried to show their mum or dad some work and they don’t even acknowledge it. I can’t imagine what they must have felt being basically told “I don’t care, it’s not important” when to them it was probably everything! Especially as there is still a lot of people that see art as a hobby and not a full-time job. It must be heart breaking to give so much passion and enthusiasm into a piece of work and it be treated like it’s nothing. But there ok because although they have a small following, almost 50% of them commented giving pure support and encouragement.
Anyway, this was just a quick blog about the real reason I believe social media should be used and if you have a low following, I wanted to let you know not to worry. Focus on building bonds and connections with people and you will always succeed your dreams.
Drop you Instagram, twitter or Facebook page handle here Contact Us and I would love to connect! Have a beautiful day.
