Stop Scrolling and Start Connecting

How to use social media as a tool for community, not a measure of your worth—plus the technical stuff that actually matters

Let's be honest—social media can feel overwhelming. One day you're posting a studio shot that gets three likes, the next you're spiraling because everyone else seems to have it figured out. I get it. I've been there. We've all been there.

But here's what I've learned after years of watching artists struggle (myself included): social media isn't about perfection. It's about connection. And connection? That's something we artists know how to do.

Why This Matters (And Why It Feels So Hard)

If people don't know you exist, unfortunately, you don't. Harsh? Yes. True? Also yes.

Social media offers us something unprecedented: direct access to people who might love our work, buy our art, invite us to show, or simply remind us we're not alone in this weird, beautiful practice of making things.

But here's the thing that no one talks about—social media success for artists isn't about going viral or having millions of followers. It's about building genuine relationships with people who actually care about what you're doing. Quality over quantity. Always.

Setting Goals That Actually Matter

Before you post another photo, stop. (I'm serious. Stop scrolling and think about this.)

What do you actually want from social media?

Your goals need to be:

• Specific ("I want more followers" vs. "I want to connect with 50 local collectors")

• Measurable (actual numbers, actual dates)

• Honest (what do YOU want, not what you think you should want)

Sample goals that work:

• Increase email newsletter subscribers by 100 in six months

• Book three studio visits through social media connections this year

• Sell five pieces directly through Instagram DMs

• Connect with ten galleries that show work like mine

Write yours down. Put them somewhere you'll see them. These aren't just numbers—they're your roadmap.