Artists on Instagram: Don't Make This Mistake

Summary

Brooke Cormier reflects on her complex relationship with Instagram as an artist. She shares her experience of striving for 250,000 followers in 2022, only to find that reaching her goal didn’t lead to meaningful changes in her life. Brooke emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the quality of one's work over the quantity of posts and followers. She also discusses the significance of attracting the right audience who genuinely values her art. Ultimately, Brooke encourages artists to focus on their craft and well-being rather than getting caught up in social media metrics, while sharing her shift to YouTube for more authentic engagement.

Takeaways

• 😀 Instagram can be both beneficial and frustrating for artists. While it helps grow visibility, it also has downsides like affecting self-esteem.
• 😀 Setting follower goals, like aiming for 250,000 followers, may not lead to personal or financial growth as expected.
• 😀 Reaching follower goals doesn't necessarily result in more money, improved art, or a better life overall.
• 😀 The obsession with follower numbers can negatively impact mental health, especially when numbers fluctuate.
• 😀 Quality of content is more important than quantity, both in the work itself and in the audience it attracts.
• 😀 Creating content consistently can be exhausting, especially when it feels like a full-time job and takes time away from actual art creation.
• 😀 Focusing on creating meaningful work rather than constantly posting for the sake of numbers can lead to more personal satisfaction and artistic growth.
• 😀 Popularity does not always equate to financial success, as followers may not be interested in the artist's actual work.
• 😀 Attracting the wrong audience, such as people who follow for reasons unrelated to art, can undermine the value of an artist’s platform.
• 😀 The artist values genuine support from followers who appreciate their work, either by purchasing art or offering encouraging feedback.
• 😀 Instagram has become more challenging for organic growth, making it harder for artists to gain visibility compared to the earlier days of the platform.

Q & A

What was Brooke's goal regarding her Instagram followers in 2022?

Brooke set a goal to reach 250,000 followers on Instagram in 2022, starting from around 215,000 followers.

What strategies did Brooke use to try to achieve her Instagram goal?

She researched ways to grow her audience, followed strategies like posting four times a day, making numerous reels, and even creating her own rules to boost engagement.

Did Brooke's life change after reaching her Instagram follower goal?

No, despite reaching the 250,000 follower mark, Brooke found that her life didn't change in any meaningful way. She didn't make more money, her art didn't improve, and her self-esteem was affected.

What lesson did Brooke learn about social media presence?

Brooke learned the importance of quality over quantity when it comes to social media. She realized that focusing too much on growing her follower count and posting frequently took a toll on her art and mental health.

How did Brooke feel about the followers she gained through viral content?

While gaining viral followers was exciting, Brooke felt that many of them were not genuinely interested in her art, but rather in relatable content or superficial aspects like her appearance.

What does Brooke value more in her audience?

Brooke values an audience that genuinely supports her art, either by purchasing her work or by offering encouraging comments, rather than followers who are attracted by superficial content.

How did Brooke feel about Instagram's algorithm and its impact on engagement?

Brooke feels that the Instagram algorithm has made it harder for creators to grow organically. Even with a large following, she noticed that many of her followers weren't seeing her posts.

Why did Brooke shift her focus from Instagram to YouTube?

Brooke shifted to YouTube because it offers the opportunity to earn money from content and fosters a more genuine connection with her audience, as people are more likely to engage with longer, meaningful videos.

How successful has Brooke been on YouTube so far?

Brooke recently got monetized on YouTube, earning a small amount—3.38 cents—but she values the opportunity for a deeper connection with her audience over just the money.

What advice does Brooke give to aspiring artists regarding social media?

Brooke advises aspiring artists to focus on the quality of their work rather than obsessing over social media metrics. She emphasizes that true success comes from developing as an artist, not from chasing numbers on a platform.