Serving a complete meal instead of snacks is the most perfect articulation of my feelings, too. I'm so sick of seeing regurgitated, low-quality, attention-hungry content. Desperate for fame, likes and numbers. I've had enough, as well. Thanks for sharing (I know this post is older -- but rings very true today in 2025)
I've just found your post since Substack suggested it to me (wow, two years later I guess) and I couldn't relate more.
I am struggling to get to 2000 followers and it's kind of telling that even at your level (having more than 100k followers), the same sentiment it's still there. I want to delete my Instagram account as well, since it's poisoning my way of doing art: I think of things in the format of Instagram post, I try to adapt whatever I drew to the post feed, I think of uploading art in threes that make senses... it's just so tiring. But at the same time, most of my audience consume Instagram on a daily basis so they will look for something new there instead of a website.
I wonder what has changed for you in these 2 years and what place does Instagram take place in your career now.
If IG is disrupting your art, or is leading you astray from what you want to be making, I'd say: step away from the app :) I think the best art is honest art, that's made with the soul.
I wrote this post a little over a year ago, but my feelings about IG haven't changed that much. I still believe it's not ideal for my work but it is still one of the best ways for me to reach people. Unfortunately, I'd add. I don't use IG that much anymore and I do see it reflected in the reach, but to be honest: I don't give a shit :) I've already made up my mind that I'd rather quit freelancing and get a job somewhere than to sell myself short and the work I make, in order to be 'popular' on social media.
Really good read! It's funny I find myself hypocritically thinking I need to stop using social media...but everyone else needs to use it and follow all my stuff I post.
Exceedingly relatable. I’ve just given myself permission to not post on Instagram and for that to be ok, it can sit there waiting to be found with links to my Substack.
The apps are deleted from my phone, I’ve recovered so much of my time it’s a welcome relief.
Not that I had a massive IG following, I’m definitely more popular here 🤣
I think it's understanding what fits you best, as a maker/artist. For years, IG was the place for me, but the fact that I'm getting older and appreciate a slower, more mindful pace and the fact that IG has changed massively in the last few months has made me reconsider what would suit me best. I think it's long form content over quick snacks.
I came across your post and this is a subject that interests me. Although I am in a phase of rethinking my relationship with IG, I recognize that it has already brought me some work and so I don't plan on abandoning it. I'm thinking about changing the way I use it. It's like you say, I want a complete meal and not an appetizer. Things done under pressure to keep the account active and so that no one forgets about us don't make me happy. Thank you.
I never considered how expressing a fondness for something an artist did in the past could potentially tie them to work that doesn't line up with where they are headed. Thanks for the post and best wishes with or without Instagram!
Great relatable post. I’m a very sporadic poster on IG so it’s never bothered me but I’ve seen lots of other artists looking for the holy grail of social media such as Threads and Blue Sky which are all the same if you ask me. I’ve already deleted X and my account and am considering maybe returning to a traditional website. For you I think sticking to your plan of finding an agent is a great idea. I think it’s time to go back to the drawing board and maybe come back to IG later, it will all still be there.
Just found your substack via notes and then this post. We were literally on the same wavelength back in December. One of my goals for this year was Quality over Quantity. https://bridgettemeinhold.substack.com/p/new-year-new-me
Hi there Marloes, I stumbled across your post and clicked because I’ve been hearing more and more artists considering the same thing. I’m curious to know how to market without social media?
I’ve been illustrating as a hobby for years but never used IG as a marketing platform. So when I decided to become an illustrator I felt that it was too late. The market is saturated, AI artwork, and my inability to land a first client has made things rather difficult for things to get started. So I’m here on Substack to see where it takes me. Hoping to meet more illustrators like you, and hopefully build community.
Hi Lindsey! I've been working on a follow up. In short, I think Instagram is still one of the best ways for artists to get eyeballs on their work. I'll work further on the follow up, which will take a few more weeks I think.
This was a fab read, thank you. I still enjoy Instagram, but mainly that's because I interact with people in stories. I also only follow accounts I'm really interested in so when I scroll I generally see cool things. That said, recently found myself looking at how many people were shown my work, something I never used to care about. I don't want to be that person, talking about or pandering to the algorithm....but it is starting to feel like it's not a good use of my time and energy. I like it here so far - it's taking a while to figure out but it feels good. Wishing you a happy year ahead :)
I feel the same way. I hate that social media is an expectation now and how many amazing, talented artists don't get book deals or jobs because their following isn't large enough. A large following doesn't dictate your worth.
I'm on Instagram less and less but I still enjoy looking at what other artists are posting and what my local galleries are showing. It's a conundrum isn't it? I feel the same about being tied to a particular type of artwork but that's an issue on and off Instagram - galleries like consistency, urgh! I'm thinking of cleaning up my feed, deleting a lot of older work, and just keeping Insta like an online portfolio of works that are available for exhibition or sale. For me, most of my Substack subscribers still come from Instagram, so I'll use it as marketing tool for my writing. I love Substack and it's great to see more visual artists moving over here, but if we all keep our posts behind paywalls, I don't see how we are going to attract buyers to our work, unless Notes really takes off and becomes an alternative to Instagram for readers. An interesting read, thank you.
I've cleaned up my IG feed and it feels so much more aligned with the work I do now. I also limit access to the app so when I'm on there, I'm more purposefully using it.
Since then, I've found IG a much lovelier place, much more intentional.
I agree completely with Substack: it's a wonderful place to elaborate on your work, but finding new people on there is so much harder. You find people who's work you like on social media (like IG) and then you go a layer deeper on Substack or newsletters. At least, that's how I feel at the moment.
Serving a complete meal instead of snacks is the most perfect articulation of my feelings, too. I'm so sick of seeing regurgitated, low-quality, attention-hungry content. Desperate for fame, likes and numbers. I've had enough, as well. Thanks for sharing (I know this post is older -- but rings very true today in 2025)
I've just found your post since Substack suggested it to me (wow, two years later I guess) and I couldn't relate more.
I am struggling to get to 2000 followers and it's kind of telling that even at your level (having more than 100k followers), the same sentiment it's still there. I want to delete my Instagram account as well, since it's poisoning my way of doing art: I think of things in the format of Instagram post, I try to adapt whatever I drew to the post feed, I think of uploading art in threes that make senses... it's just so tiring. But at the same time, most of my audience consume Instagram on a daily basis so they will look for something new there instead of a website.
I wonder what has changed for you in these 2 years and what place does Instagram take place in your career now.
Wishing you the best!
If IG is disrupting your art, or is leading you astray from what you want to be making, I'd say: step away from the app :) I think the best art is honest art, that's made with the soul.
I wrote this post a little over a year ago, but my feelings about IG haven't changed that much. I still believe it's not ideal for my work but it is still one of the best ways for me to reach people. Unfortunately, I'd add. I don't use IG that much anymore and I do see it reflected in the reach, but to be honest: I don't give a shit :) I've already made up my mind that I'd rather quit freelancing and get a job somewhere than to sell myself short and the work I make, in order to be 'popular' on social media.
Really good read! It's funny I find myself hypocritically thinking I need to stop using social media...but everyone else needs to use it and follow all my stuff I post.
300% understand!
Exceedingly relatable. I’ve just given myself permission to not post on Instagram and for that to be ok, it can sit there waiting to be found with links to my Substack.
The apps are deleted from my phone, I’ve recovered so much of my time it’s a welcome relief.
Not that I had a massive IG following, I’m definitely more popular here 🤣
I think it's understanding what fits you best, as a maker/artist. For years, IG was the place for me, but the fact that I'm getting older and appreciate a slower, more mindful pace and the fact that IG has changed massively in the last few months has made me reconsider what would suit me best. I think it's long form content over quick snacks.
I came across your post and this is a subject that interests me. Although I am in a phase of rethinking my relationship with IG, I recognize that it has already brought me some work and so I don't plan on abandoning it. I'm thinking about changing the way I use it. It's like you say, I want a complete meal and not an appetizer. Things done under pressure to keep the account active and so that no one forgets about us don't make me happy. Thank you.
Happy it resonated with you!
Now THAT makes me think...
I never considered how expressing a fondness for something an artist did in the past could potentially tie them to work that doesn't line up with where they are headed. Thanks for the post and best wishes with or without Instagram!
Great relatable post. I’m a very sporadic poster on IG so it’s never bothered me but I’ve seen lots of other artists looking for the holy grail of social media such as Threads and Blue Sky which are all the same if you ask me. I’ve already deleted X and my account and am considering maybe returning to a traditional website. For you I think sticking to your plan of finding an agent is a great idea. I think it’s time to go back to the drawing board and maybe come back to IG later, it will all still be there.
I hear you too !
Just found your substack via notes and then this post. We were literally on the same wavelength back in December. One of my goals for this year was Quality over Quantity. https://bridgettemeinhold.substack.com/p/new-year-new-me
Hi there Marloes, I stumbled across your post and clicked because I’ve been hearing more and more artists considering the same thing. I’m curious to know how to market without social media?
I’ve been illustrating as a hobby for years but never used IG as a marketing platform. So when I decided to become an illustrator I felt that it was too late. The market is saturated, AI artwork, and my inability to land a first client has made things rather difficult for things to get started. So I’m here on Substack to see where it takes me. Hoping to meet more illustrators like you, and hopefully build community.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Hi Lindsey! I've been working on a follow up. In short, I think Instagram is still one of the best ways for artists to get eyeballs on their work. I'll work further on the follow up, which will take a few more weeks I think.
I look forward to reading it!
This was a fab read, thank you. I still enjoy Instagram, but mainly that's because I interact with people in stories. I also only follow accounts I'm really interested in so when I scroll I generally see cool things. That said, recently found myself looking at how many people were shown my work, something I never used to care about. I don't want to be that person, talking about or pandering to the algorithm....but it is starting to feel like it's not a good use of my time and energy. I like it here so far - it's taking a while to figure out but it feels good. Wishing you a happy year ahead :)
I feel the same way. I hate that social media is an expectation now and how many amazing, talented artists don't get book deals or jobs because their following isn't large enough. A large following doesn't dictate your worth.
I’ve definitely cut down my IG activity even though my career was not made in there, I’m not sure I ever really loved it, maybe that’s why.
But here is wonderful I’m loving it and if you enjoy bookshops I hope you’re reading Katie Clapham https://katieclapham.substack.com/
I'm on Instagram less and less but I still enjoy looking at what other artists are posting and what my local galleries are showing. It's a conundrum isn't it? I feel the same about being tied to a particular type of artwork but that's an issue on and off Instagram - galleries like consistency, urgh! I'm thinking of cleaning up my feed, deleting a lot of older work, and just keeping Insta like an online portfolio of works that are available for exhibition or sale. For me, most of my Substack subscribers still come from Instagram, so I'll use it as marketing tool for my writing. I love Substack and it's great to see more visual artists moving over here, but if we all keep our posts behind paywalls, I don't see how we are going to attract buyers to our work, unless Notes really takes off and becomes an alternative to Instagram for readers. An interesting read, thank you.
I've cleaned up my IG feed and it feels so much more aligned with the work I do now. I also limit access to the app so when I'm on there, I'm more purposefully using it.
Since then, I've found IG a much lovelier place, much more intentional.
I agree completely with Substack: it's a wonderful place to elaborate on your work, but finding new people on there is so much harder. You find people who's work you like on social media (like IG) and then you go a layer deeper on Substack or newsletters. At least, that's how I feel at the moment.