Worst and Most Damaging Advice You Could Give to Artists About Their Online Presence

Many artists feel pressured to establish an online presence quickly in today's fast-paced digital world. However, this rush often leads to bad decisions and misguided strategies. Below, we will explore some of the worst advice circulating among artists about their online presence and why it can be detrimental.

Some advice and examples may sound repetitive, but I've tried to explore them from different angles.

Misconceptions About Establishing Social Presence

Social Presence Needs Time

- Bad Advice: "You can build your online presence in a few weeks if you follow the right strategy."

- Reality: Establishing a meaningful social presence takes time. Even with a solid strategy, it typically requires at least three months to see significant results. Patience and consistent effort are crucial.

Bet on One Platform

- Bad Advice: "Pick one social media platform and put all your efforts there."

- Reality: It's risky to rely solely on one Platform before confirming it will work for you long-term. Diversify your presence to safeguard against platform changes or failures.

The Dangers of Following Bad Advice

Switching Platforms Too Soon

- Bad Advice: "Leave your current platform and join this new one immediately!"

- Reality: New platforms may not have a guaranteed future. Leaving established platforms can lead to losing the audience and progress you've already built. Such advice is particularly harmful to young or inexperienced artists who might not recover from the setback.

Confusing Young Artists

- Bad Advice: "Follow the latest trend without question."

- Reality: Young artists are already navigating the complexities of AI and other technologies. Misleading them with poor advice adds to their confusion and can hinder their growth and development.

Losing Established Presence

- Bad Advice: "Abandon some of your social media accounts."

- Reality: If you've spent time building a presence on a platform, abandoning it can erase your efforts and disconnect you from your audience. Maintaining consistency across platforms ensures that your work remains visible.

Understanding Social Networks and Audience Reach

Restricting to One Network

- Bad Advice: "Stick to one social network to build a dedicated following."

- Reality: Restricting yourself to one Platform limits your audience reach. Each social network attracts different demographics, and expanding your presence helps you reach a broader audience.

Targeting Only Artistic Communities

- Bad Advice: "Only post your work on artist-specific social networks."

- Reality: While these platforms are valuable, they often cater to the same audience. To grow, you need exposure to a larger, more diverse audience, including potential clients, collaborators, and recruiters.

Job Seeking Strategies

- Bad Advice: "Post your portfolio only on art-focused job boards."

- Reality: Recruiters and studios use a variety of platforms to find talent. By limiting your job search to niche networks, you miss opportunities that exist on broader, more general job platforms. ( some artists don't even post on linkedin where most of the recruiters are )

The Public Nature of Your Posts ( More a basic Reminder )

Remember, What You Say is Public

- Bad Advice: "Express all your thoughts and feelings openly on social media."

-Reality: Many people still don't realize that most social networks make their posts public. Posting strong opinions or negative comments can harm your reputation. Future recruiters and clients might see your posts and form a negative impression of your mindset. Being mindful of your public persona and how your posts reflect on you professionally is essential.

Avoiding Negativity

- Bad Advice: "It's okay to vent your frustrations frequently on social media."

- Reality: Constantly complaining or posting harmful content can create a negative perception. Recruiters and clients look for positive, solution-oriented individuals. Negative posts might lead them to question your attitude and professionalism.

Establishing an online presence as an artist requires thoughtful strategy and patience. Avoiding the pitfalls of bad advice can help you build a sustainable and impactful digital presence. Remember, diversification, consistency, and understanding your audience are key to long-term success in the digital realm.

Succeeding on social networks necessitates time and strategy. If you're serious about this, consider dedicating at least half a week to planning your content and another half day to creating it. If you're not prepared to invest this time, avoid the frustration of saying, "I post there, but it doesn't work." It's not about quantity but consistency. It's better to start by planning one or two posts per week and maintaining that rhythm than to post daily and then run out of content for weeks. Consistent, well-thought-out posts will help you build a loyal and engaged audience over time.

By avoiding the damaging advice outlined above and committing to a consistent, strategic approach, artists can navigate the online landscape more effectively and achieve their professional goals.