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 ”.
I know exactly the feeling. 😌 Both the relief of ditching IG, and the dread when reading all those articles about "how to beat the algorithm" or talking about how you "MUST be on social media or else your business will fail, you will have no friends and will die alone". 😂
I think social media is one of those things that can work for you IF you really enjoy it and are willing to do the work (i.e. sacrifice a lot of time, energy, and/or money). But pressuring everyone to use it, especially those of us for whom it just doesn't work and doesn't feel fun, is not fair.
Someone close to me is one of those outliers. He's developed a thriving jewelry business on TikTok. After putting some effort into Instagram and TikTok myself, I've come to the conclusion it's simply not for me. I'm not good at it. It denigrates my mental health and creativity. I've decided to focus on Substack and use Twitter as my means of sharing with the world at large. If I never hear the word "content" again, it would be too soon.
You're right. It's simply not for everyone. If it works for some people - great. I'm grateful for the multitude of ways we can express and market ourselves today.
But no one should be made to feel inadequate, less-than, or like a bad business person for chosing not to use some particular app or platform. I'm happy to hear you listened to your body/heart and made your own decision.
Ugh, yeah, I can't stand the word "content" either. 😂
After reading your comments, I just wanted you to know that I, in no way, intended my piece to "pressure" you into using TikTok, or to make you feel "inadequate, less-than, or like a bad business person" for not using it. In fact, that is the exact opposite of how I intended my piece to be read!!!!! I only meant to show the benefits of platforms, and the detriments, with the hope that all artists can choose the platforms that best work for them (as I did.) I deeply apologize if I missed my mark there!!!
I absolutely don't think you meant it that way. Wasn't referring to you there, just to the culture in general. I appreciate the nuance in your article, and I think you arrived at a great conclusion. We can't just make art, we need to show it too. All platforms have their pros and cons, and it's amazing that we have so many to choose from. Especially now, when the tides are turning and better options than Instagram and Twitter are coming. (Like Substack, yaaay!) I didn't mean to judge you, or anyone, for liking TikTok. I'm the same way with YouTube, and has been with Instagram in the past. No harm in enjoying a platform, as long as it feels inspiring and fun. 😌
Thank you for taking the time to further clarify your thoughts here. 🙏🏻
I apologize my piece made you feel like TikTok is mandatory! That is absolutely not how I feel. I only meant to convey how social media has benefitted artists, before diving into how it has harmed artists. TikTok is still fun for me, and that's the only reason I'm dabbling. But it is in no way my platform of choice. Substack is! And I believe all artists should choose the platform that is best for them 🥰
Oh that’s quite okay, truly, but thank you for taking the time to clarify, that was very nice of you to do ❤️! I absolutely agree with you that all artists and creatives should use the platform that is best for them. I think it’s fantastic you’re enjoying Tik Tok (and Substack) as nothing makes me happier than seeing fellow creatives find comfortable places to share their work 👏
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!
I guess it's not a black and white issue. I'm the same. As much as I chafe against the demands of SEO, social media, promotion, I know it's important - my blog & social media has gotten me radio interviews, professional connections, jobs and freelance work, after all, so something is working! The question, I suppose is to get a balance ... which is hard.
That will be my blog. Only, I am getting super tired of writing SEO-optimised content 😅 Hence my migration to Substack. However, I will continue blogging at a much slower rate.
Yeah I love that seo doesn’t matter as much here. It’s more about whether the writing is good and thus develops a following. Maybe you won’t need to blog as much here?
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!
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.
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.
Exactly. It's the same when big Youtubers review books. It creates a snowball effect that gets these books a LOT of (more or less deserved) attention. I've read a lot of them simply out of curiosity and been quite disappointed. So it's not even a good indicator that the books are good, just that they're hyped.
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 ”.
I know exactly the feeling. 😌 Both the relief of ditching IG, and the dread when reading all those articles about "how to beat the algorithm" or talking about how you "MUST be on social media or else your business will fail, you will have no friends and will die alone". 😂
I think social media is one of those things that can work for you IF you really enjoy it and are willing to do the work (i.e. sacrifice a lot of time, energy, and/or money). But pressuring everyone to use it, especially those of us for whom it just doesn't work and doesn't feel fun, is not fair.
Someone close to me is one of those outliers. He's developed a thriving jewelry business on TikTok. After putting some effort into Instagram and TikTok myself, I've come to the conclusion it's simply not for me. I'm not good at it. It denigrates my mental health and creativity. I've decided to focus on Substack and use Twitter as my means of sharing with the world at large. If I never hear the word "content" again, it would be too soon.
You're right. It's simply not for everyone. If it works for some people - great. I'm grateful for the multitude of ways we can express and market ourselves today.
But no one should be made to feel inadequate, less-than, or like a bad business person for chosing not to use some particular app or platform. I'm happy to hear you listened to your body/heart and made your own decision.
Ugh, yeah, I can't stand the word "content" either. 😂
After reading your comments, I just wanted you to know that I, in no way, intended my piece to "pressure" you into using TikTok, or to make you feel "inadequate, less-than, or like a bad business person" for not using it. In fact, that is the exact opposite of how I intended my piece to be read!!!!! I only meant to show the benefits of platforms, and the detriments, with the hope that all artists can choose the platforms that best work for them (as I did.) I deeply apologize if I missed my mark there!!!
Hi Elle. 😊
I absolutely don't think you meant it that way. Wasn't referring to you there, just to the culture in general. I appreciate the nuance in your article, and I think you arrived at a great conclusion. We can't just make art, we need to show it too. All platforms have their pros and cons, and it's amazing that we have so many to choose from. Especially now, when the tides are turning and better options than Instagram and Twitter are coming. (Like Substack, yaaay!) I didn't mean to judge you, or anyone, for liking TikTok. I'm the same way with YouTube, and has been with Instagram in the past. No harm in enjoying a platform, as long as it feels inspiring and fun. 😌
Thank you for taking the time to further clarify your thoughts here. 🙏🏻
I apologize my piece made you feel like TikTok is mandatory! That is absolutely not how I feel. I only meant to convey how social media has benefitted artists, before diving into how it has harmed artists. TikTok is still fun for me, and that's the only reason I'm dabbling. But it is in no way my platform of choice. Substack is! And I believe all artists should choose the platform that is best for them 🥰
Oh that’s quite okay, truly, but thank you for taking the time to clarify, that was very nice of you to do ❤️! I absolutely agree with you that all artists and creatives should use the platform that is best for them. I think it’s fantastic you’re enjoying Tik Tok (and Substack) as nothing makes me happier than seeing fellow creatives find comfortable places to share their work 👏
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!
I guess it's not a black and white issue. I'm the same. As much as I chafe against the demands of SEO, social media, promotion, I know it's important - my blog & social media has gotten me radio interviews, professional connections, jobs and freelance work, after all, so something is working! The question, I suppose is to get a balance ... which is hard.
Totally, having a platform is important, but we don’t need *all* the platforms 🤓
Deciding which one is a challenge lol.
Which is the one that’s getting you all the radio interviews and freelance opportunities? That one sounds like a winner!
That will be my blog. Only, I am getting super tired of writing SEO-optimised content 😅 Hence my migration to Substack. However, I will continue blogging at a much slower rate.
Yeah I love that seo doesn’t matter as much here. It’s more about whether the writing is good and thus develops a following. Maybe you won’t need to blog as much here?
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!
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.
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.
Exactly. It's the same when big Youtubers review books. It creates a snowball effect that gets these books a LOT of (more or less deserved) attention. I've read a lot of them simply out of curiosity and been quite disappointed. So it's not even a good indicator that the books are good, just that they're hyped.