Hey my demon 👋
Welcome to the edition #28 of the Art Missive! We are 3,880 😈 in this newsletter. Whether you have been here from the beginning or you have just arrived, thank you so much for reading ❤.
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In this Art Missive
⌛ Reading time : 5 minutes
🥊 Actionnability: immediately actionable
💪 Goals:
Grow your art community
Start an Instagram account
Feel more confident about your art
Introduction
90 days. This is all it took me to gather over 11,000 followers on my new Instagram account.
Obviously, it wasn’t a fresh start: many little demons from my main account decided to hop on board and gave me a great starting momentum. However!
Growing a new account in 2023 taught me a lot about how the platform works these days. And the biggest lesson I learned is this:
There's no better time than NOW to launch an artist account on IG.
Even if you don't feel fully prepared.
Even if you're starting from scratch.
To celebrate reaching +10,000 artists on The Growth Artist Project, this edition 28 of the Art Missive gives you a pure shot of motivation and insider tips to start growing your art community today!
No better time to start
Starting an Instagram account can feel intimidating. You see hundreds of artists posting their content every day, and you wonder what more you can bring to the table.
You question whether the art niche on Instagram is overcrowded… You doubt if anyone will take an interest in your art, and you assume Instagram won't give you a boost.
Let me stop you right there.
If you want to showcase your work to a wider audience and receive feedback and support…
If you're looking to connect with like-minded artists and share your passion…
Or even if you want to turn your passion into a profession and find an audience that will support your artistic projects...
Then there's no better time to start an Instagram art account than now.
The sooner, the better
I see you there, contemplating whether to start your account or not. Or maybe you've already started posting, but you're not fully committed to it yet.
Let me tell you, you're wasting precious time.
The earlier you dive into building your art community, the sooner you'll see the rewards.
Here's the deal: at the beginning, you'll make mistakes and need to experiment. So why not start now? That way, when you need the most support for your art, your community will already be there, cheering you on.
The sooner, the better.
Especially because Instagram is currently ideal for new artist creators. If you wait, you'll miss your chance…
IG currently loves new artists
In recent years, many artists criticized Instagram for not being artist-friendly anymore and trying to copy TikTok. But things have changed. Today, Instagram is more welcoming to new artists than ever before.
The thing is, Instagram has realized that people want to connect with authentic creators. That's why the app now boosts smaller communities and values engagement. Right now, it values real interactions and original content.
This is perfect for you! You no longer need to gather hundreds of thousands of followers for your art to be commented on, appreciated, or even purchased. 🪄
With Instagram's new focus, you can finally receive the support you've been hoping for. But be careful!
Those who have already navigated the platform know that Instagram constantly changes its algorithms, making it challenging to predict if this new focus will last.
That's why I say, "Just go for it!" Start your account now while Instagram is in this awesome state. This newsletter is the sign you've been waiting for to start growing your own art community.
And guess what? You don't have to feel completely ready or think you're "legitimized" to do it!
Stop doubting your art!
There is nothing wrong with constantly wanting to improve your art. Actually, this is a requirement to become a great artist… But when it comes to growing an art community, overly focusing on your art is the thing that holds artists back from taking actual actions.
Let me tell you a little secret: If you're waiting to feel completely proud and confident about your art before you start growing your community, you may never take that first step. The truth is, most of us artists will never feel like our art is "perfect" or "good enough." And you know what? That's okay!
As someone who has gathered over 100,000 supporters for my own art, let me assure you of something:
You don't need to be the best artist in the world to start building an art community.
In fact, people often feel more connected to artists who are still on their journey of improvement. They love witnessing progress over time and seeing the real and relatable side of you.
Allowing others to witness your artistic journey, including the mistakes and insecurities, is incredibly valuable—to them and to yourself. So, here's the deal: Don't wait for your art to be perfect before you seek more visibility!
Give yourself a big hug, cheer up, and start sharing your art with the world if that's what you truly desire. Don't let insecurities hold you back from connecting with a supportive and inspiring community.
Getting started on the right foot
If this email has got you fired up to build your art community on Instagram, I've got some awesome tips for you:
👉 TIP 1: Start small, but keep going. Building a community doesn't happen overnight. Start with a simple bio and a simple content and take it one step at a time. Things might not be perfect at the beginning, but go for it anyway and improve as you go along.
👉 TIP 2: Plan like a pro. From the get-go, make it a habit to plan your IG tasks. It's the best way to stay consistent. Plus, planning will help you draw more and level up your art skills.
👉 TIP 3: Steal like an artist. Check out what's going viral in your niche and put your own spin on it! That's how you'll learn to wow your audience with your photos and videos.
👉 TIP 4: Get clever with your creations. Think outside the box and find ways to squeeze multiple pieces of content out of a single artwork. It's like a creative magic trick!
👉 TIP 5: Keep it real. The era of faking it is over. Today, Instagram and your audience crave authenticity. Be yourself, spark genuine conversations, and share both your wins and failures. Remember, nobody's perfect, and your future fans want the real deal.
👉 TIP 6: Make a commitment. If you're serious about growing your art community, fully dedicate yourself to it. Share your goals with your loved ones or announce them on your new account. It has worked wonders for many artists. For instance, some artists include their goals in their bio. Others create Reel series like "Drawing Every Day Until I Can Buy a House for My Parents" or "Drawing Every Day Until I Reach 1,000 Followers." These tangible commitments can keep you motivated and inspire others to follow you along the way. Remember, every step counts on your journey to success!
My secret
Wow, that was intense! If you’re still here, it means you’re really motivated and I like that! So, let me share what I would do if I had to start an art account from scratch in 2023.
First and foremost, I wouldn't obsess over drawing fanarts, posting frequently, following trends, or using the perfect hashtags ❌. Nope, that's not where the real magic happens.
Instead, I would focus on:
1️⃣ Creating content that resonates with my audience and sticking to this strategy.
2️⃣ Elevating the quality of my artistic content by implementing proven strategies, like starting with a powerful hook.
3️⃣ Embracing consistency and continuing to post even during moments of doubt or artist's block.
I know, it may sound challenging, but here's the exciting part:
I've prepared a FREE masterclass to get you started properly! 🔥
In this class, you'll discover how to gather genuine fans for your art and kickstart the growth of your art community on Instagram.
👉 Reserve your free seat, simply register here.
And that's it for now! I hope you enjoyed this Missive. Catch you next week.
Léa, Mama demon for those in the know