Also, use a scheduler and write your posts out ahead of time. That way you can just swoop in, post and get out of there before the emotional fatigue sets in.
Yes!! I'm still learning the ropes and what works best for my lifestyle, and my writing craft, and I've really loved the journey! I feel like figuring out content to post and how much to "optimize" it can come into play too. How much will it (content creation for social media) take away from keeping a commitment to your weekly newsletter? Your other art? Your life obligations and such?
I did social media as a living up until recently, and if you lose sight of your goals, it can become a full-time job! Figure out what you’re trying to accomplish and what your vision is, and start from there.
Plan out ahead of time what you want you post based on your current projects. You can even write them out from there and just assemble them when they are ready to go.
I agree 100% with your answer. Some illustrators around me find social media really difficult. Their main issue is that they questioned how people can post new artwork as often (when do they find the time) and they were struggling with the time consuming. I realize recently they find it difficult because they were there "because they had too". They were seing social media almost only as a way to get new gigs rather than a way to connect. They were just thinking about posting daily rather than what to post and what to offer. When I first began using social media, I was obsessing about posting regularly and get seen. Recently, I stopped worrying about this and began to have fun connecting with fellow illustrators.
It’s great that you feel this way! - When I started getting work, I could not keep up with a regular posting schedule, I can’t show a lot of what I am doing… it was stressful. These days, as long as i post once a month, I’m fine. I much rather write a newsletter to people who want to get it….
Social is a great opportunity though, it’s just good to have the right context for it.
My perception about social media changed when I was not admiring the outcomes of instagram comic artist with 250k followers, but rather admiring the outcomes of Tom Gauld, how maybe had 15k at the time, and new Yorker covers, regular magazine and newspaper work, and books…
Great advice! Adam do you also have a blog? If not, why did you chose a newsletter? What is the biggest difference when it comes to reach and creating value between a blog and a newsletter? I am not there yet, but I am thinking a lot about it…
Substack is kind of both a blog and a newsletter. The real benefit of a newsletter is that I can reach you and you can reach me, that direct connection is valuable, to both of us.
The fact that you can unsubscribe anytime, makes me take everything I send out very seriously, so the audience is the quality control.
A newsletter doesn’t give you reach, social media does, the newsletter converts that reach into a relationship.
Andy J pizza has a skillshare course on socialmedia , that you could checkout about all this :)
I just started my newsletter and I love how intimate it feels. I'm still re-learning how to show up for myself and my writing like I used to over half a decade ago but I appreciate the advice of looking at it like part of a project rather than something new you're taking on, on top of your work.
(Also, your last piece of advice? *chef kiss* Love being tucked away for the most part!
Also, use a scheduler and write your posts out ahead of time. That way you can just swoop in, post and get out of there before the emotional fatigue sets in.
Yes!! I'm still learning the ropes and what works best for my lifestyle, and my writing craft, and I've really loved the journey! I feel like figuring out content to post and how much to "optimize" it can come into play too. How much will it (content creation for social media) take away from keeping a commitment to your weekly newsletter? Your other art? Your life obligations and such?
LOVE scheduling though!
I did social media as a living up until recently, and if you lose sight of your goals, it can become a full-time job! Figure out what you’re trying to accomplish and what your vision is, and start from there.
Plan out ahead of time what you want you post based on your current projects. You can even write them out from there and just assemble them when they are ready to go.
Love this tip, thank you! Definitely working to optimize my days and that can include making social media work for me rather than against me.
I agree 100% with your answer. Some illustrators around me find social media really difficult. Their main issue is that they questioned how people can post new artwork as often (when do they find the time) and they were struggling with the time consuming. I realize recently they find it difficult because they were there "because they had too". They were seing social media almost only as a way to get new gigs rather than a way to connect. They were just thinking about posting daily rather than what to post and what to offer. When I first began using social media, I was obsessing about posting regularly and get seen. Recently, I stopped worrying about this and began to have fun connecting with fellow illustrators.
It’s great that you feel this way! - When I started getting work, I could not keep up with a regular posting schedule, I can’t show a lot of what I am doing… it was stressful. These days, as long as i post once a month, I’m fine. I much rather write a newsletter to people who want to get it….
Social is a great opportunity though, it’s just good to have the right context for it.
My perception about social media changed when I was not admiring the outcomes of instagram comic artist with 250k followers, but rather admiring the outcomes of Tom Gauld, how maybe had 15k at the time, and new Yorker covers, regular magazine and newspaper work, and books…
I modelled what he did outside of social media.
Hey, There are many reasons to cope with social media and the anxiety but one of them is https://halloweensquishmallows.shop/products/jack-the-black-cat-squishmallow in the serach of relaxed mind but there are not such as relaxation.
Great advice! Adam do you also have a blog? If not, why did you chose a newsletter? What is the biggest difference when it comes to reach and creating value between a blog and a newsletter? I am not there yet, but I am thinking a lot about it…
Substack is kind of both a blog and a newsletter. The real benefit of a newsletter is that I can reach you and you can reach me, that direct connection is valuable, to both of us.
The fact that you can unsubscribe anytime, makes me take everything I send out very seriously, so the audience is the quality control.
A newsletter doesn’t give you reach, social media does, the newsletter converts that reach into a relationship.
Andy J pizza has a skillshare course on socialmedia , that you could checkout about all this :)
Ps: email me if you have a specific question :)
I just started my newsletter and I love how intimate it feels. I'm still re-learning how to show up for myself and my writing like I used to over half a decade ago but I appreciate the advice of looking at it like part of a project rather than something new you're taking on, on top of your work.
(Also, your last piece of advice? *chef kiss* Love being tucked away for the most part!
Such wise guidance!
Well said!