So, did you do it?  Is your social media platform up and running?  If you said yes, FANTASTIC.  I’m so proud of you for taking the first step toward putting yourself out there.  (If you said no, go back and read last week’s post – I promise, you. can. do. this.  Send me a message if you need an extra boost of encouragement!)

Now that you’ve gone and made a space for yourself on the internet, I want to spend some time talking about how you can really make the most of that presence.   Today I’m going to share a few simple and effective tips to help make your account work for you.

1. CONSISTENCY IS KEY. 

The saying is as true for social media as it is for anything else.  The more you post, the more people will see you and your work, which will help them get a better sense of who you are. This will help your followers feel like they know you and help you build a sense of trust within the community you create.

Whichever platform you’ve chosen, know that they all favor creators who post consistently. Try to get into the habit of posting at least three times a week.  More is even better.  Take time to establish your aesthetic, your tone, and your image and make sure they are consistent across your posts.  It’s important that YOU shine through in each one.  Every so often, make a point to share an introductory post for new followers so they don’t miss out on getting to know you.

If the option is available on your platform, consider making your account a business one.  Business accounts keep track of your insights, which will help you learn more about your account.  They include things like the number of people who are interacting with and sharing your posts and demographics of your following, including when they’re the most active, (aka the best time for you to put something new out). You have the platform and the content. You can use all the marketing strategies and tools in the world but remember that the real key is being Bravely Original.

2. ENGAGE WITH YOUR COMMUNITY. 

As an artist, I’m sure you’ve been told that “networking is key.” And through years of putting myself out there, I can confirm that it’s true. It’s important to build connections with the people who support you because they are going to be the ones buying your art or attending your performances.

You can have a million followers, but if you don’t get to know them, you may as well not have any.  It’s awesome to watch the number of people following you grow, but it’s a lot more fun when you are interacting with them.

Engage with as many people as possible.  Build connections with other creatives and support their accounts. Reply to the people who comment on your posts. Share another creators’ work. Get to know people in similar artistic fields or people who are on similar paths in life. You never know who you’re going to meet and how you’ll be inspired along the way.

3. BE BRAVELY ORIGINAL. 

Last but definitely not least, never forget to be authentically YOU. You should never feel pressured to show up a certain way. Put yourself out there in a way that makes you feel the most comfortable. Everyone has different comfort levels when it comes to putting their art and themselves on display and that is okay! Doing so in a way that makes you comfortable is the only way to ensure the best results.

And not only that, but other people naturally gravitate towards and respond to authenticity. Trusting your gut and putting yourself out there in a way that makes you happy is the key to social media engagement. There is so much content out there and the only way to stand out is to be yourself.

Pretty straightforward, right?  If you can be consistent with your content, be engaged with your community and be committed to keeping yourself positive regardless of what the Critical Karens out there might have to say, you will absolutely ROCK your online presence.  It can be overwhelming at first, so I’m going to leave you with 3 more tips:

–   If you’re not sure what to say or when, give content planning a try.  Set time aside each week to plan what you’re going to post for an upcoming period of time.  Take and edit any photos or videos.  Draft your captions.  Get ready.  You’ll feel more prepared if you’re ready ahead of time.

–   It’s easy to get sucked into engagement if you have a really supportive community, so try setting a timer and spending only that amount of time responding to comments and direct messages and as well as reaching out to engage with fellow artists on their accounts.  Once the timer goes off, you’re done for the day! (Unless you have more time later and you want to check back in.)-   Think about what you would say to a friend who had someone troll them online.  How would you lift them up and help them remember how great they are?  Take some time to capture that in a way you can revisit if you ever find yourself in need of the same pep talk.  It will keep you from spinning out from negative feedback.

Now let me know in the comments – what are you most excited about for your account?  What makes you the most nervous?  Let’s work through it together!