How To Use Instagram To Become A Successful Artist (8 Proven Strategies for Art World Success)
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- Опубліковано 29 кві 2024
- Consult the complete article here: www.contemporaryartissue.com/...
Instagram is still the go-to social media platform of the art world. However, Instagram has changed a lot over the years as several questions and challenges arise. Is Instagram still the best social media platform for artists today? And how can we grow our online audience so it actually results in sales, exhibitions, and thus a prosperous career as an artist? In this article, we are pleased to present an up-to-date take on using Instagram to achieve results beyond hashtags, likes, and followers and into the real (art) world.
🌟 Overview: Career Advice for Artists
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👨 About the host Julien Delagrange:
Julien Delagrange is an art historian, contemporary artist, and the founder and director of CAI. Delagrange studied Science of Arts at Ghent University, Belgium, and worked for the Centre for Fine Arts (BOZAR) in Brussels, the Jan Vercruysse Foundation, the Ghent University Library, and has contributed to the international contemporary art scene as an art critic, lecturer, curator, gallery director, consultant, advisor, and as an artist. As an artist, he is represented by Galerie Sabine Bayasli in Paris, France, and Gallery Space60 in Antwerp, Belgium.
🎯 The mission of the CAI UA-cam channel:
→ To empower artists by providing adequate and industry-approved advice for artists for long-term success in the highest realms of the art world, sharing inside information and proven strategies based on real-life experiences in the art world.
→ To contribute to the online canonization of recent art history, having its finger at the pulse of contemporary art.
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Table of contents:
00:00 - Introduction
01:23 - The Current State of Instagram for Artists
04:25 - Instagram & Career Paths: Artist versus Influencer
06:53 - 8 Instagram Strategies for Success as an Artist
16:31 - Outro
The problem with Instagram (or tiktok) artists is that gradually they become bloggers, and they work not on art, but on content, because Instagram itself promotes this more, and in most cases it becomes just tasteless chewing gum for the brain
That's true. That's why artist should aim to be active IN the physical art world and then post it online if they want. Make the real world matter more and online secondary.
@user-vt6zy1ms3s I believe you're absolutely right. Instagram promotes content creation to ensure we use the platform as much and as long as possible-a cascade of thousands of short impressions, scrolling, and scrolling, shortening our attention span further. I still prefer to watch a 15-minute film instead of a 15-second one, especially when it's about art.
Social networks are a totally waste of time. Reading stupidity doesn't help me at all. The best is going to weekend artisans fairs, get a booth and display your work.
@@miguelsuarez8010 that takes courage )))))
A bit long and boring.
I appreciate most when artists use hashtags to describe medium. For example.... #watercolor #ink #crowsquill #goldleaf #coldpressedboard #handmade #traditional #computerfree.
It is a great way to communicate technique and tools without clogging up any accompanying text that may accompany a post. I really wish that artists did this as a matter of courtesy to other artists....not to mention, as a useful distinction in the increasingly AI saturated world.
I never do trends and no personal life posts on art page. And my life is peaceful and I enjoy creating my art.
I can’t express in words how grateful I am have found your channel. Every video I have watched so far has been mesmerizing in its honesty and by the brilliant insights and ideas you share effortlessly. I wish you had taught a class at me Alma mater( SMFA) before I graduated. It would have saved me years of frustration and disappointment. So grateful please don’t stop posting your fabulous content
I think instagram artists are a niche in themselves. Dressing overly sexy and posing in front of works is not for everyone...
And looking pretty silly doing so.
It’s not for all of us, we shouldn’t feel forced to be someone we are not. In the end, it is about the art and there is a place where it is about the art in the first place. Wishing you all the best!
Yeah ugh.
As much as I try I can’t get over how much I hate the platform. Every time I open either facebook or Instagram I physically feel ill, and go away with a heavy depression. From what I’ve seen the people with the most consistent and profitable art careers either work within some religious or cultural group that they grew up in. Up and coming artists would be better off making stuff for their local communities first before focusing on a following. Ai puts the final nail in the Social Media art world for me. It will all end up being robots making Ai art for robot accounts to like and comment on. Live art at music festivals or other events has been my favorite venue for showcasing my art. People love to see the process.
I agree.
Thank you for the work you do! Content creators like you are a huge reason why I can be self taught and still be navigating the business side of the art world. 😊
That's great to hear. Don't be intimated, inform yourself, and just go for it! Wishing you all the best!
Thanks for the video.
Thank you for talking about focus and professionalism, and quality aspirations.
The pleasure is all mine!
Thank you so much for making these videos and telling it like it is. Before watching your videos, I wasn't aware of the two paths of the artist's career development. It has cleared up alot of confusion for me.
Congratulations for your videos. Some of the best tutorials about the art world. Very analytical explanations but still crystal clear. Great work
absolutely brilliant and stellar advice. I resonated with literally everything. thank you.
Great job preparing this information. A professional and focused use of social media is a great tool for a business, such as being an artist. Your presentation summarizes many key points and reminders to make a successful useful use of it. I’m looking forward to your next videos. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your most kind words. The pleasure is all mine!
Thank you for these videos! So level-headed and encouraging, with a blend of insight on institutional and emerging trends in fine art. Subscribed.
Another useful and informative video. Thanks so much for the good work, it honestly is of great help and fills an enormous information gap for all aspiring artists. Oh and thumbs up for the "Everything for art" book too, thanks for drawing my attention to it!
Thank you so much for your most kind words-I appreciate them greatly! Glad to hear you enjoyed the recommended publication as well. I believe it is the best publication out there at the moment with art world advice for artists. Have a great day!
@@contemporaryartissue 😊 You too!
this is fantastic advice. i’m seeing that i make many of the mistakes you listed here, the primary one being appearing too tiktok-ish and having too much personality. my challenge is that i also make music i would like to put out into the world, so it’s seeming like the best bet for me is to make another instagram account. bc i can either do the music artist/influencer/personality thing or i can be an art-world approved artist, but not both. it’s a bit frustrating, i wish it wasn’t so pretentious and took the art for its merit alone, but i also accept this. you have given excellent information here
Thank you for the advice- your videos really help a lot! Since you talked about the traditional vs influencer model, I would love to get your thoughts on digital art/ NFTs as an artists career path. Especially since institutions like Christie’s also move towards this space.
Interesting. I don't always comment but always find your videos interesting and informative. Thanks.
Thank you for tuning in and for the kind comment. The pleasure is all mine!
I am so grateful that this channel exists! I have a question. As I am returning to the art world (went to The Slade) after many years in street dance, at the moment I am in the stage of experimentation and making a portfolio. What do I show on my Insta feed? As my mediums are video art and performance, is it ok to just show clips of experiments(work in process) and unfinished video works? Any examples I can look at? thank you
A very informative video once again. Thankyou. 👍 appreciated
Waw! Enorm veel bijgeleerd van deze video. Dit is waardevol professioneel advies. Bedankt daarvoor.
Awww, what a lovely little new assistant director, congratulations!! I wish you all lots of happiness and a wonderful year 2024! 🎉🎉🎉
I love u man. this channel is the best thing ever.
Thank you for providing this fascinating content!
The pleasure is all mine! Thank you for tuning in
Thank you for your video, I've found it very useful 😊
Thanks for all the information you share, it’s really useful!
Could you make a video on the topic of ‘youtube for artists’?
I remember you said that youtube is frowned upon by the art industry, but couldn’t it be used in a way to attract more people to your instagram and webpage without following the influencer route?
I’m not interested in becoming an influencer in the least. But, would showing the time-lapsed process of making art with some background music affect my art career negatively in the art world?
Once again thanks for all your videos 👍
You are doing artists a great service.
The pleasure is all mine! Thank you for tuning in 🙏
@@contemporaryartissue I know you are very busy, but if you have 15 minutes here is a retro-spective of my art: ua-cam.com/video/6kN3RCs4bYc/v-deo.html I have not had an exhibition in 12 years---criticism welcome
I am afraid I am not able to review your art here is this is something I am asked multiple times per day and I have to treat all requests equally. If I accepted them all, I wouldn't be able to get any work done 😅 So thank you for your kind understanding. I do offer a service for personal advice on contemporaryartissue.com @@tekannon7803
@@contemporaryartissue GGGGGGGGreat to hear from you. I understand completely. Please feel free to pass on my video to others you may know who like to see other artist’s work. Someone did this for me without me knowing it and I am over the moon, because I have never seen so much of my art in one video and I have other work that was not chosen so I am going to do another one that is more inclusive. It is an international exhibition that covers the world. Best of all, it has revived my fledgling career and people that know me are surprised because they have only seen a painting here, a drawing there and I can see they thought I was not prolific. Moreover, I am hoping to get recognized on the international stage---but the fates know better about that than I ever will. Excellent holidays and an artistic new year 2024!
thank you so much, this is very useful
The pleasure is all mine, thank you for tuning in!
absolutely wonderful
What is the best caption format when we post a artwork that is part of a series that we are making? Like to put the artwork name and the series name...
Great advice, thanks
My pleasure! Thanks for watching
Each day i feel more like into going into the curator/gallerist route, although i create preety much every day.
Can you make a video on tips to land some curatorial jobs?
Thank you very much for your channel
Sounds like an exciting alternative route. It can be very enjoyable! Perhaps this is a great topic for a future video. I have written the topic down for further research. Have a great and wishing you all the best!
Thank you dear ❤❤❤
My pleasure! 🙌❤
I'd rather be painting than spending my valuable time on self-promotion. Creating art should be its own reward and it's OK to be unsuccessful. Thank you for these posting, the Squarespace set up video was the most helpful.
best advice channel .
CAI… do you have references for best practices in terms of signing works… paintings, paper… as well as guidelines for photography… quality… settings on camera… views… etc. please? Also about making a publication for early, beginning, emerging artists for like… open studio day showing… or an artist organized exhibit like you mention in one of the other videos. Thank you for your consideration and contributions.
Wow, a lot of great video topic suggestions! I will do my very best to cover all these topics in the foreseeable future. Feel free to stay tuned 😁🙌
super validating. these facts are hurting my soul
Thank you for tuning in!
This is great thanks so much!!!! Just confirming what I’ve been trying to do the last few months since Instagram went weird..
I have a question regarding posts: you mention something about showing works that aren’t out yet….I will have an exhibition in April and all works that I am working on now are potentially part of that exhibition. Is it ok to post photos of those works, or is it not good to post works that will be in an exhibition?
If it’s not good, I won’t have anything to post though….what are your thoughts on this? (When I post these new works I don’t have them for sale, I don’t sell anything through Instagram)
Thanks !!!
I think it's fine to post works in progress, but the aim should be to create a buzz before the exhibition. Give people a behind the scenes look at what you're up to; get them excited to see the work in person. Rather than posting a perfectly cropped finished work, post a nearly-finished work still on the easel. Give people an inside peek into your studio and your process. Some of the bigger artists I follow on insta post quite a few reels before their shows, everything from close-ups of certain techniques, to a pet cat enjoying the sun in the studio.
You mentioned on your Squarespace tutorial video that you would offer advice on posting multiple collections of images Can you please create a video on this subject. Thanks
Hi, thank you for clearing things up for us! It's very helpful, now I "see" my professional account inside the one I already have. I have set up a new account and I'm wondering if it's ok to repost/regram the "good" stuff from my old account because it's faster, or would that be considered unprofessional?
Good question! Make sure to redirect your previous followers to the new account! You could also stick to the old account and remove the "bad" posts instead? Or is it a personal account and not art-only? Reposting is definitely okay.
@@contemporaryartissue Thanks! It's not personal, just complicated :D Because my situation is, I am also an award-winning director and photographer, but my artistic background is in performance art. I used to do those really physically exhausting performances Marina Abramovic type, and at the venue where she used to perform in Belgrade, until its director was replaced and this new emerging performance art scene was just killed off. So I learned photography and my education is - textile design :D Let's say it took a while before I could see a coherent style emerging from all of that. Since I live in a small town in the "Deep South" of Serbia and have exhibitions in Belgrade or Berlin my target audience is very eclectic, because I want to work with the people from my town and you can't reach out to them if your account is this professional, you have to communicate more and act like an influencer, entertain them. At the same time, I need the curators and galleries to get my work out there. I even tried to get advice from ChatGPT4 and it could not come up with a clear solution how to market all of that on Instagram, but now I see it's a really simple solution - I actually need to try less. Thanks for making things easier for me!
…this sounds an interesting show theme. The Future of SM…artists often can have a conscious and subconscious insight into what is coming in the world here.
Absolutely! Thank you for tuning in
Totally off topic but - great jacket!
Big thanks! I love a good blazer jacket. Have a great day!
Hi! Thank you for the video, very precise. I wanted to know your thoughts on IG Highlight Stories and Threads. Have a good one!
The pleasure is all mine! Concerning the IG Highlight Stories, it is an easy way to pin your best stories to make an additional good impression if they click through to them. Concerning Threads, for now, it is not being used by any individuals from the high-end art world. Wishing you all the best!
@@contemporaryartissue Thank you very much for your reply! I'll keep that in mind
Thank you
Would you consider doing a video about online galleries and exhibitions? I haven't participated in any, and the idea seems a little bit questionable to me, but I see some online galleries with large followings, and even some high-profile followers. It's not clear to me how they are perceived in the high-end art space. Are some of them worth it?
Interesting topic! Definitely deserving of a complete video. To help/answer you in the short term, most of them are not in the high-end art space unless they are part of a physical art gallery, or when they are an industry-leading online marketplace for instance Artsy. Many platforms will call themselves an online art gallery, but if they don't organize online exhibitions, they are, in essence, an online marketplace and not an online gallery. We have talked a number of times about online marketplaces and most often it is better to avoid them of they are not working via renowned dealers. Hope this might help!
I agree. I have had my online store for a few years now and even though I sell well at our gallery, online sales have been light and they require a lot of investment in SEO which I have done and a large social media following which I do not have. I am at a crossroads with the whole thing. @@contemporaryartissue If you want a guinea pig about the matter I've got lots of free advice. 😂
One concern I have is. Should we make from time to time a post an advertisement, to get some more exposure? Or would that be to commercial?
That is a very good question; the answer is a bit more complicated. Instagram ads can really boost your following or even result in clients if you're directly referring them to an online webshop (if you have one-depending on your career goal/path). Simultaneously, it is also a form of self-promotion we wouldn't see established artists doing. I think it is all right to do it early in your career, but as soon as you see some results, I would avoid overdoing it unless it is an integral part of your art business model (e.g., advertising --> webshop --> online sales only). Wishing you all the best!
you talked about posts but not about 'stories' on instagram. whay kind of content should be post as story? whats the difference between a story and a post ? which one should stay as a story?
What happens if I don't want to be on social media at all but I have my own website with my portfolio updated?
Because I've heard many times that galleries prefer artists with an online presence with lots of followers. I'm sure there are artists out there that don't do social media and are in galleries, right?
Great question; yes, it is possible to find gallery representation without having any socials. However, in this case, we would have to focus on other career strategies, such as open calls and networking in real life. I would always recommend having an Instagram simply because it is easy, efficient, and convenient, but I can understand why it is not for everyone. Wishing you all the best!
Your thoughts about NFT, I being approach many times and decline the purchase
I am so grateful for your content. It calms me down when I feel overwhelmed by the enormous task of starting an art business. Thanks for the valuable information and for your authentic presence.
I have really been enjoying your content. This video is about in part, looking professional. This is complex on a lot of levels, so I'm not being a hater by saying this: please upgrade your audio. Between the acoustics in your large room and the distance from the microphone, it is really hard to understand you. One of the things we all have to deal with isn't it? Always needing to upgrade. I have to get a new phone because my videos look awful. So, I'm with you, 100%. Keep up the good work.
Hi there; thank you for tuning in and for your valuable feedback! I recently upgraded my entire setup, including a new rode microphone, but I am-as you rightfully point out-not entirely satisfied with the current audio. The search for the perfect setup continues! Wishing you all the best!
You're declining all possibilities and ideas for artists hoping it will work. I wish you luck!
Great advice for insta😊☺️😌🤯🤯🤯but you can make a great living selling art, prints and merch without galleries!!!
let me know if you want a critque of your insta!
It’s @willstephensart
@@WillStephensArt I gave your instagram about 5 minutes, which is a generous amount of time that someone might give it. In that time it is obvious you are more on the commercial side of things, selling is upfront and for domestic spaces. It is unclear about your exhibition history - that might not be your focus. I enjoy in your art journey your attention to colour and as someone who might want to collect your work would be the interesting bit. You are doing portraits which is very oversaturated in the art world so I would be looking for something a bit more / or decent prices. Lots of hashtags which could be dropped. Network more than hashtags at this point. I can tell you are just starting out and there is probably a long journey ahead. Depending on your direction, if you want more exhibitions and collectors... then colour is your hook. I don't see risk and would hope you can chat with more peers in your local area too. Good luck
😊❤
❤😁🙌
I appreciate your video. Because of the rise of short-form content in promoting our artists, I started making long form documentaries about producing the shows, the artists work, and the opening parties. Our opening parties here in Los Angeles are known for being very fun and a hotbed of underground art culture. Would love to know what you think
👍
😊👍
Am I the only one who cringes a bit with those turnaround reveal posts?
I am pretty sure you're not the only one 😅
No, you're not!!
Does "successful" mean being able to live of your art? Because that would be an amazing feat for 99% of artists, for starters...
Absolutely! We expand on this topic in a different video discussing how much artists actually earn. Feel free to give it a watch next. Have a great day!
@@contemporaryartissue Parfait merci :-)
Instagram is NOT good for artists:
1. The algorithm
2. I want to create for more than likes, hearts and comments
3. It feels like an art competition with no real reward
4. Posts are paid to be viewed
5. My art is meant to be looked at for more than 2 seconds
6. Its lost that "workshop feel"
7. It drains creativity
The end.
Not necessarily, just do the opposite
No Facebook. Does anyone here know if only having a personal account will greatly affect the information presented by Julian here please? I don't have Facebook. Its not possible for me. In order to have a business account...it requires a Facebook account...I just found out. Thank you very much...since I have commented 4 times here.
I believe it is perfectly possible to implement everything we mentioned in the video with a personal account. The business account gives you more analytics and advertising options but these are in essence not necessary for the strategies we mentioned. So don't worry!
Artist, stop focusing on getting into galleries or fairs, focus on SELLING! Stop going to the middleman they are just there to cut in on your profit. Stop giving up your power to the industry. Power back to the artist!
Every artist needs to make this decision for themselves. Do what you enjoy the most without decrying others. Art is a feast! I have tremendous respect and admiration for artists who represent themselves, I wouldn’t do a great job at it. Yet I do want to mention the drawbacks of self-representation or depending on an algorithm. Make an informed decision based on facts and in-field experiences and don’t go along with a lot of the knee-jerk reactions about galleries-they do tremendous work for so many artists taking all the risks. That middleman might ask 50% but might be able to sell your works four times the price and build your name to make the demand organic. I talk about this more thoroughly in the mentioned video about career paths. Feel free to give it a watch. Nevertheless, thank you for tuning and wishing you all the best!
@contemporaryartissue Hey Artist don't listen to these sales jargons. Remember these are just sales people, and their primary objective is to create anxiety in you, stand firm. Create your own collectors.
We could also have a normal discussion despite having a different opinion about this-something I try to foster as much as possible with the channel. Of course, it takes two to tango. Creating anxiety is the last thing I would want to do. I care about creative individuals, hence providing as much information as possible totally free of charge. Nevertheless, I respect your opinion and thoughts. Have a nice day!
@contemporaryartissue Artist, they are very good with words, that is their stock and trade. Make art that sells themselves!
@@contemporaryartissuethank you for doing what you do. It’s helping me with my planning. Not sure which direction I will go, but the information and perspective is vey helpful.
I have countless followers such as galleries Art advisors, foundations, museums, critics, curators etc. Yet they never comment like or reach out to me. I wonder if they even see my content. As a gallery director, do you think this is this the norm for these type of organizations not to like or comment on Instagram.
Interesting, what’s your account name?
@robinroy1
I am an exhibited artist but do not like the arty-farty world, so have decided to leave all my work behind me when I am dead. What will be will be. in my case it will really be 'Art for Arts sake'. Like a cave-painter really, no thought for renumeration.
First you have to gain popularity as a artist and then you can post on these sites. The artist in the past didn't have these sites!
live in USA and buy a lot of Ukraine art off eBay ; I have no idea what eBay charges the artist ( ? )
We know the real star of these videos 😂
I think we all do 🐶😂
I'm not looking for this stuff, but for some reason UA-cam REALLY wants me to watch your vids. Are you still associated with the art advisor Lisa Schiff?
If I ever focus on a trend - kill me.
doge is setting up to do a reveal post 😅
Perrier is throwing a tantrum, no treats for today
that dog is like feck that instagram it's not worth my attention 😂
I don’t watch instagram reels. They make my eyes hurt.
hello Julien,
my concern is that the art market is really overloaded with tons of art. can you still speak of real art? about 80% of it is thrown in the trash, if that's true? there are many artists who are not. they make pictures quickly for supposedly a lot of money with bad materials. that messes up the art market immensely,
what can we do or make?
thank you for your time.
Frank
There was no Instagram when Vincent Van Gogh was alive and producing art. His agent, Theo, could not sell Vincent's art. Vincent only sold one painting in his life and that was to another artist. It's next to impossible to be a brilliant artist and marketing and sales person all at the same time. Obviously. Stick to what you know you do well.
To imply that the professional art world would REJECT an online artist influencer with 60k followers must be a joke. They want marketing, too. I haven’t seen that be the case. Many of the big artist influencers I watch exhibit in huge galleries around the world. These artists do those “TikTok ish reels”. Where have you seen this? What makes you say there is some dichotomy there?
Instagram isn’t for artists… algorytm is blind and deaf to art, art and artist need silence, this is not circus show…
Forget and don’t use Meta products. Ever.
I just made a comment and you instantly deleted it. May I ask why.
Hi there, that's very strange! I never delete comments and your comment is from 9 hours ago when it was 1 AM here in Belgium-so I wasn't operating on UA-cam. Perhaps your comment wasn't posted successfully or something else went wrong? Feel free to comment again of course!
Mine too
Dude, Insta is dead dead dead.
99% of the people who will watch this video in hopes of their instagram account rebounding, are not gallery/industry artists. They're home illustrators. And they don't want to do "serious" art that is sold to collectors, but pop culture art (not necessarily manga, but something like cottagecore). For these kinds of artists, this advice doesn't work.
for any kinda artist id say, it seems success is all based on luck
Instagram doesn’t care about quality content,as much as they reward people for playing Simon says, steering us around like circus monkeys.
INTERNET....WORST THING FOR AN ARTIST. .instead of painting you are wasting your time and reading this !! get offline now !
jokes on you i’m doing painting exercises with this video playing in the background
You want to be successful in anything rule one is don't take advice from anyone that doesn't take their own advice. This joker says shooting UA-cam videos is a death warrant for your art career.... then produces 100's of you tube video. The gallery business model is dead and if I want advice I won't be getting it from this dope
This is the 2nd video of yours I have watched. I find your methods and advice very sad . The world is erupting with passion to end the old fogey constraints on art and voices, and here are telling people to put there head down and bear the burden of trying to please the same old fogey industry. For god’s sake, don’t even follow anyone but old fogeys, don’t do it, you won’t look professional! Ugh.
I'm finding them a good counterweight to the "makes $$$$ with print on demand!!" type videos. Also a bit sad, but the creative world is bigger than it seems...
I guess you can pretend you're an Artist - and might get lucky !