Rethinking Instagram (again)
Is chasing numbers even worth it?
Instagram has changed so much. It used to feel more like an online diary. I set up my first Instagram account around 2012 (yup, I'm this ancient).
I used to just share art and little life moments without worrying about algorithms or engagement hacks. I really miss that.
But lately, I’ve been rethinking how I use the platform and what I actually want to post there.
Animated reels with quotes
I’ve been experimenting with something new: simple stop-motion-style animations (actually drawn frame by frame) paired with quotes I personally find comforting. I started with this one, and… well, let’s just say it didn’t exactly take off 😅.
Still, I really like making them, so I’m going to keep exploring the idea. This is what I'm working on next:
The only thing I feel weird about is using these kinds of quotes. They feel a little… cheesy? Pinterest-y? But at the same time, I do want to grow my following so I can promote my work. And that’s where I feel conflicted.
Is leaning into what works just “playing the game,” or does it dilute what I actually want to be sharing? I don’t know. Fellow illustrators, do you ever feel this way about Instagram?
Carousels: surprisingly effective
On the flip side, I also started posting carousels with tips from my blog turning them into little infographics.
And these have actually done well. Like, really well.
The first one I posted, 6 Tips How To Draw Children’s Book Illustration, ended up being my most successful post to date. It brought in almost 1,500 new followers. Which… what?? That’s wild to me.
Which is a confirmation that Instagram (at least for now) seems to reward posts that are educational or easily shareable.
Is the “numbers game” worth it?
And that brings me to my last question: Is chasing numbers even worth it?
Part of me wants to ignore all of this and just post my art. But another part knows that having a larger audience would mean more eyes on my work, which could lead to actual opportunities. Mostly because I would love to open a little shop with my prints and stickers. So… I feel stuck between wanting to be strategic and not wanting to turn Instagram into something that feels insincere.
How do you all approach this? Do you actively try to grow your following, or do you just post what feels right and hope for the best? Would love to hear your thoughts!
Chat soon,
It’s so lovely to read such a transparent review of your recent experiences with Instagram Milena. I’ve started to treat the all as just a part of my social media presence. While I can post a little differently on each app depending on the kind of community I’m engaging with, the content I post is consistent across the platforms, with tweaks for necessary style differences.
Instagram is still important but I feel such a betrayal of trust and disconnect from any long term ownership of my audience that giving the app lots of time for unique content feels like a lost cause. However seeing how you present it, you’ve given me food for thought.
The thing is though, I’ve long wanted to make more video content for Instagram and maybe move to YouTube as well with more specialist content but since finding and recently launching my Substack I’ve realised this is one social media space I am happy to write and create very specialised content for because the audience I grow is something I own and the community here is undoubtedly so much more connected, enriching and engaging.
All in all, thank you. I can’t wait to read more of your posts!
Super relatable! I personally have given up on the idea of growing an audience there and just look at having it as a necessary evil... a sort of unwritten agreement as an illustrator because people expect you to have an account on a major platform. I will say, I do feel like insta still keeps me accountable in some ways to show up and make the work. And one thing that keeps me coming back there is the story feature. I like posting stories of a project over days, weeks, months and then compiling it into one highlight and see how the project progressed over time. But I totally emphasize with everything you said in this post ❤️