22 Comments
Aug 17, 2022Liked by Louise Stigell

This was so nice to read.

Even since I stopped posting on Instagram in July it’s been such a relief for my mind and focus, so coming across articles and videos like Elle’s always make me feel a sense of dread (for a lack of better, less dramatic words). I do of course completely respect her own choice to be on platforms like TikTok and I’m happy it works for her, but I agree with you that it shouldn’t be made to feel mandatory.

In my case, Instagram felt like I was working like crazy to create tons of art just to dump off a dock into the ocean with the hopes that one might rise back up on bubbles of “viral success ”.

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I should clarify: I don't think artists need to be on TikTok. I think artists need a platform for their work.

What I did with my piece was share, in the first part, all the benefits of social media (using TikTok as an example because what it has done to the publishing industry is insane). Then in the second part, I share all the detriments of social media (using Twitter and Instagram as an example because they have been personally harmful to me). My intention was to say: there are major pros to social media and major cons to social media—I chose a platform where I can share my work that feels good to me (Substack) and I wanted those reading my piece to feel empowered to do the same!

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As a librarian, I agree with a lot of your points about TikTok/BookTok. It's entertaining, but I don't think it should be what determines publishing decisions entirely. The books that get popular on social media are only really popular because it's what gets shown in the algorithm, not because they're actually being read. There are so many other books besides Colleen Hoover's (an author in particular that I take issue with, but I digress) that young adults could and should be reading. What goes viral doesn't show the whole picture.

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Nov 27, 2022·edited Nov 27, 2022Liked by Louise Stigell

I'd quit social media in a heartbeat since I strongly dislike like, especially now where reels dominate the IG landscape and twitter is a disaster (and much less art-focused). However, I don't know any other way for people to stumble upon my digital abstract art.

What little exposure I've had was through social media. Even though I have a website, no one would discover it on their own (SEO is a losing game). All of my traffic has come from social media.

The irony is that this has never been a better time to create art. That said, the big issue is that there are billions of creators all vying for nanoseconds of attention.

Assuming a decent amount of talent and compelling content, I fear that it's still a matter of luck; of being in the right place at the right time. A few strike it big. Many do ok. Others struggle and/or are forced to give up because they need solid ways to pay the bills.

All of that said, I love your newsletter and enjoy the content you create here, on your site, and on YouTube. I'm a fan!

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Aug 22, 2022Liked by Louise Stigell

Thank you! I work in the fitness/movement fields. I know a person that has a million followers on IG. She started a t-shirt business and sold 20 shirts. 20. I'll stick with less...but better.

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Personally, I don't think there's a black and white yes no answer to this.

I know people who barely update their blog but still get work via word of mouth. I know some who get work purely on their social media presence. I'm a mix of both, but I have to admit many of my work opportunities have come through my activities on social media. The question is - how much should I do? I try not to overextend myself too much or to force myself to do social media things I hate or to engage in SEO practices that render me into a writing robot (hence I'm here on Substack).

That said, I pretty much share your hatred for TikTok, especially since I found out about their shady data mining practices and the possible consequences of it. I hate how it takes my attention captive and make me waste time consuming when I could be creating. And I hate the impact it has on my mental health.

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