Every artist loves and hates social media. My journey started when facebook was an “invite only” thing. I even developed games for facebook. So how do I feel about it now? Le't’s talk about it.
Things I learned from making facebook games
Yes I got paid to make facebook games. I graduated right when the games industry discovered facebook games can make a lot of momey. This is before mobile games were a thing. Everyone was trying to figure out how to promote the game. Everything was experimental. We analyzed player data. When do they play the game? For how long? When do they want to pay?
Sounds farmiliar?
Yep, it’s what social media guru tells us to do right now. Look at your data. Post when your audience is watching the feed. Use this sound to boost your visibility. Edit your posts this way to get more likes.
Ugh you’re already overwhelmed… I agree. So how do I avoid getting overwhelmed? And still love social media?
Here’s 3 ways I found how to use social media wihtout feeling toxic. Don’t worry I won’t say “set up a timer for your social media“ :)
Step 1 : Figure out WHO you’re talking to
This might be children’s book illustrator specific but we often struggle with figuring out WHO the audience is. I can see your social media geared towards
Editors and art directors
Educators and librarians
Parents and kids
Art fans
And these are all valid. But I realized the more you’re specific about your audience, the better chance you reach your target audience. Let me explain.
Targetting editors and art diectors
The artist that does this well is instagram.com/andenwilderillustration and instagram.com/mollymendoza.art
If you look at their instagram it has posts about
Finished illustrations in full size and zoomed in
In progress sketches and art experiments
Few posts about their books
This is effective because editors and art directors are either intrigued to see their portfolio OR they came from their portfolio and they want more. They are showing things that lets the audience understand their personality and interests without crowding their portfolio. Anden and Molly knows what part of their illustrations are worth zooming in too. They are so good at highlighting their strength.
Targetting educators and librarians
The artist that does this well is instagram.com/megosphere/ and https://www.patriciamnewman.com/blog-4/
If you look at their social media it has things about
Photos and posts specific to their interest (in their case, NATURE)
Meg is great at sharing her experiences that influenced writing her book which makes it easy for educators to imagine what her school visit might be
Patricia’s blog has tons of recouses that educators can use in their classroom
Both of them has tons of resouces on their list of links
This is effective bacause educators and librarians are always looking for resources. You don’t have to give everything away for free. But to have your social media set up to look professional, trustworthy and approachable makes it easier for them to trust and contact you.
Targetting parents and kids
The artist that does this well is instagram.com/mattforsythe/ and https://www.mikasongdraws.com/
If you look at their social media it has things like
Merch and resouces based on their very successful books
Matt has lots prints, mugs, pins that the fans can purchase. His books are successful that the kids want to have his merch at home.
Mika shares her book process on her substack. She has printables on her website. Even extra comic strips using characters from her famous squirrels! She is so good at providing materials for kids who wants more.
Matt uses instagram’s STORY feature to share his personal stuff
He travels often. I know this because he mentioned this in his talk. I bet parents who hear about this loves following his travel story posts.
This is effective because parents and kids are already a fan and they want more! Engaging with parents and kids by providing more is a great way to retain audience and let them look forward to more books.
Targetting artists
The artist that does this well is instagram.com/anooshadraws/ and instagram.com/hellomrforrest/
If you look at their social media they are good at
Videos about how to become a successful artist
Videos about their real life artist struggles and successes
Links to their youtube
This is effective because artists of all levels are looking for these kinds of content! Artists are often working alone. We need ways to connect and/or find recources to get better. They are creating material + building a community. Their comment section is often a great place for a sense of community.
I’m not saying you need to pick only one type of audiences. Artist mentioned above has overlapping audiences. But by knowing who you want to engage with first will help you figure out what kind of content you want to create.
Step 2 : Figure out WHERE you talk to WHO
Use your social media feature and change how you commuicate to your audience. Take my Instagram for example. I separate my audience into three levels.
Level 1 - posts
This is the audience that might be children’s book intrustry people and soon to be followers. They are the people who don’t know me yet. So I try to create posts that will get them interested in me and what I do. I post
Who I am
Sketches and art experiments
Book events (my community)
What I do
Finished illustrations and wood art
Book release info
This is the hardest thing to do. It’s semi-permanent. I used to care about what my grid looked like. But I quickly abandoned it because I prefer things to be in the moment. I dont’ know if I have the right posts. But I at least pin my books and my studio to showcase who I am and what I do.
Level 2 - stories
This is the audience that might be my friends and family, industry professionals and already a follower. The are the people who know me already. So I try to create engaging posts like
My travels (I travel locally and globally often)
My interests (music, book, movies, family)
My book related events
I try to update as often as possible. If my audience is invested enough to check out my stories often, I want to give back. I also try to end each story update with something positive. That way they know my story post is about to end + hopefully go on with their day with some hope.
Level 3 - DMs
This is the audience that wants personal relationships. I always say my DM is open during my book events (I learned this from Matt Forsythe!). And I’m loving the experience so far. I get DMs like
Encouragements and fan mails about my books
Advice and comments about my post or stories
Questions about being a children’s book artist
Invites to book events and art shows
Chats with friends, family and artist friends
This feeds my SOUL. I absolutely adore people who wants to engage me in this level. And this goes both ways! I’m pretty shy about sending DMs but when I do, everyone is so nice.
Step 3 : Take it offline, take it online
So what happens when you put this much effort into social media? Take it offline. A lot of the relationships I continue is by going to book events. Go to art shows. Go on a coffee date. I don’t mean to do this with every person you engage with. make sure you’re setting your boundaries. But if you admire their work, why not invite them for a coffee talk? If you have a book event, take extra time with people you met on social media. Then when you get home, share your positive experience with them on social media. Tell them in person and online that you care about them <3
Oh wow that was a lot of typing! I hope it wasn’t too much to read. If you have any questions, my DMs are always open :) Here’s where I’m active.
Thank you so much for reading. See you next month <3
Love and timid feelings, Shiho