The Do's and Don'ts of Social Media for Art

The Do's and Don'ts of Social Media for Art

There is no denying it, social media has become a crucial marketing channel for creatives of all kinds. From traditional painters, sculptors, and sketch artists such as Banksy, Beth Cavener, and Fawn Veerasunthor, to contemporary and digital graphics artists like Ross Tran and Loish, you can find everyone online. 

But just like traditional marketing strategies, there are certain do’s and don’ts in the world of social media for art.  

Do Use Reels or Video

In 2018 up to 85% of internet users in the US watched online video content. In fact, reels and videos are 1200% more likely to be shared than text and image content combined. Additionally,  64% of consumers make a purchase after watching branded video content on social media. 

With the rapid growth and onslaught of platforms like TikTok, creating a quick video of your artistic process can go a long way in helping you build your brand. With over a billion active monthly users on TikTok and even more on Instagram, there is huge potential to secure new followers and sell your artwork, which makes producing video content instrumental in achieving your goals. 

Don’t Be Afraid to Post the Same Work More Than Once

Of course, space it out. No one gets excited by seeing the same thing every day. But the likelihood that all of your followers have seen everything you’ve posted is very slim. And what about new followers? Don’t be afraid to recycle some of your best work so that you can remind people what you're all about and showcase your skills and talents. 

Think of this as an opportunity to let your audience get to know just how multi-layered artistic processes can be— does this particular artwork mean multiple things to you? Don’t forget to talk about the different aspects of the project if you post it more than once.

Do Share More Than Art

When building your brand and network, it’s more than just work–it’s about you! So don’t be afraid to post pictures with friends or your kid walking. People love having someone to connect with behind the art, and posting personal moments can help people relate to you more easily. 

In addition, consider posting behind-the-scenes (BTS) of your art. What does your studio look like? People are intrigued by the whole process, not just the finished product. Genuineness and transparency are valuable on social media.

Don’t Offer Feedback Unless Asked For

Social media, like art forums, is a community. And you want to keep your reputation stellar. Don’t be a troll. While being open and communicative with your community can lead to great things, try not to overstep that line. Bottom line: avoid being the source of negativity online. 

Instead, when you do offer solicited feedback, be kind, supportive, and encouraging. Remember, you were new once too!

Do Post Consistently

Not great at keeping up with social media? Then use tools like Buffer or Hootsuite to schedule posts. Until you reach stardom, gaining and maintaining a following is all about consistency, so be sure to post regularly so you can build your reputation and amass a following. 

People need engagement and if you’re not offering it to them, they will quickly find it elsewhere! 

Try to find that sweet balance: a rate of posting that you can keep up with that also doesn’t spam your following. And remember, on social media, posting can mean sharing more informal content, like stories.

Don’t Share Someone Elses (or Copywrited) Material

Not only can this get you in serious legal trouble, but sharing material that is not your own makes your entire brand look bad. As an artist, your brand relies on you being seen as a creator. And if you're seen to be copying or taking credit for other artists' work, your reputation can quickly be tarnished. 

So as a general rule, if you do want to master a technique from copying which can be a great learning tool, only use stock photos or old and popular classics. And remember, it's best to avoid blatantly posting other people’s work on your social media pages to avoid any confusion or conflict.

Do Tag Platforms When Posting

With billions of users across Instagram, TikTok, Youtube, Snapchat, and others, acknowledging the reach of each and every platform has its benefits. For example, if your TikTok video gets reposted on someone's Instagram feed, its reach has not only increased, but your TikTok account is now reaching another market with millions of potential followers who weren’t previously aware of your TikTok page. 

Marketing is also as much about who you know as it is what you do! We’ve all seen those viral posts of companies with funny posts and engaging with celebrities on Twitter. These are great marketing moments for everyone involved. Equally, forums are no different, with many art-centric websites such as Cubebrush, each community acts as a space for growing your brand.

Don’t Miss Out on Business

Posting your art on social media is more than just networking, it can also be a great opportunity to sell your art and establish a truly loyal following. Whether it's a giant sculptor of a dog or 3D assets, your artwork has the potential to become a source of income for you. All you need to do is back it up with a solid platform where you can feature your products. That's where Cubebrush comes in. 

On Cubebrush, you can set up a digital store in minutes. With links to all your social accounts, a bio section, and images, Cubebrush enables you to customize your offerings. Even better, you can input your list of current followers and email them about sales or discounts directly from the platform. 

Whether you’re selling tutorials, brushes, environments, or models, Cubebrush is the place to do it. And with marketing tools for outreach, artists forums, and a freebies section, Cubebrush creates a holistic experience for all artists whether you’re a novice or an expert.

Make Money from Your Art