Why Professional Artists HATE Social Media in 2024 

2015-2020 was the peak era for instagram art i swear.

I feel like this isn’t just an artist issue anymore. I feel like technology is ruining the workplace everywhere. Work that used to feel meaningful and fulfilling now feels like it’s all about constantly crunching numbers, maximizing everything, the soul of people is being crushed in all departments by technology, my husband was frustrated recently because he found out that he couldn’t find a job because employers are searching with AI technology so now he needs to use AI to make his resume and he confessed he felt demoralized by this. It’s awful. I want to travel back in time. I feel like work has lost its purpose. Why bother? When there is a machine that can do it better than me? idk

It takes me around 1-2 months to concept and create new, original, oil paintings. This means I only create around 6 new pieces a year. I have received pressure online to create more, but when I’ve made the mistake of bullying my creativity I quickly descend into a bad relationship with myself. Art is like nature, it needs time to slowly grow and bloom when it’s ready!

I feel seen. Im a fashion designer and i have an anxiety attack every time i try to film CoNteNt omfg i hate that word!! I cant focus on my work, im too concerned on lihjtint and angles and how my hair looks how my face looks body outfit how does my living room look oh crap forgot to do the dishes have to organize make everything AESTHETIC and for what?? An algorithm to decide if what u did was even worthy of being seen?? Im sooo sick of it i feel like a circus animal

As an introvert artist, I do not feel the need to engage and post everyday but social media wants you to get more content out there and less time to do more work. What a burn out 😢

I have adhd. It's hard for me to focus on doing what I should, even what I love. So a long daily "to do" list to get a few likes on social media was always a titanic task that I kept trying and failing over and over again, when all I wanted to do was draw. Mix that with anxiety and depression, and I started having trouble completing and turning in commissions. It got to the point where I started having panic attacks when I saw my art supplies or had to go on social media (nowadays I only use RU-vid and consume art channels in moderation). I had to quit for my own good, because it all led me to hate something I loved.

Me personally, I was struggling with instagram and TikTok for a loooong time, trying to come up with something that will please algorithm, following trendy reels and audios, drawing not what I like but something “eye catching” etc. and not too long ago I was like “screw it” and now I’m drawing what I like, post whenever I like, and I feel so refreshed, I understand that if you’re not an influencer and you aren’t giving all your time to social media you won’t have a large following, but yet I found my people who like my art and supports me regardless of if it’s “trendy” or not, I may not make millions out of social media, but at least I feel great, healthy and actually enjoy making art again

I hate seeing how everyone is able to relate to this video. It's so sad😢 Art doesn't feel like a hobby with how social media platforms and their inconsistent algorithms are shoving us into a box. The need to show our faces is discouraging. >:[ Reels especially are annoying and take the fun out of the process. And then having to make your art ✨aesthetic✨ instead of true to yourself. Don't even get me started on A.I 😑 Social media is against artists.

Yep this video has been cathartic. I started my YT channel a few months ago and only recently started to get picked up. People look at a video of a few min in length and don't realize how much time goes behind each shot. Cleaning the room, setting up the camera, having to write a script about the art, recording voiceover, develop a relatable persona, showing my face...all these time could've been spent doing actual art. Doing this line of work is less about being an artist, more about being an entertainer.

That’s how I feel right now. Hell, at this point I don’t even bother posting anything. I have to remain consistent for pennies, deal with art theft, bots and ai, as well as chronically online people and other artist who are more tech savvy than me. Why should I bother at this point? I tried to stay consistent and nothing happened and even tho I am taking another crack at it, it ain’t gonna be easy and most likely fail.

I completely agree. Two years ago I was doing all I can to churn out art on a weekly basis for social media for the sake of getting noticed by studios (I wanted a character design job). Took some time for me to realize that art no longer felt like a hobby; it felt like an obligation. It was no longer fun, which is the whole reason I started drawing in the first place. So I took an unofficial break from it, and am now looking for a non-drawing related job (production instead of design). It was a huge weight lifted off my shoulders, and I'm finally back to drawing and posting because I want to, not because I feel like I have to. I even finally started my own channel this year (Got 6 views so far. I'm living the dream lol) and since I'm no longer creating for the sake of finding a job, I'm actually enjoying creating again.

Thanks so much for making this video, social media can be discouraging for artists.

Man,, you’re so right. I really hate how much social media has devolved, it used to be a fun space for us artists but it isn’t any longer. Yeah, it totally sucks feeling like a sellout, as an introvert it feels so unnatural xD I do feel like as artists, we don’t necessarily have to show our faces though, there’s lots of different ways to go about that, and I don’t think it’s required to drive engagement necessarily :3

It’s truly mind numbing. I just wanna draw and post and be left alone. Kinda makes me wish I got back into art earlier but I’m still glad I did all the same

As someone who’s not conventionally attractive and/or confident enough to show themselves online, I’ve pretty much given up on building any online presence lmao 😭 I just keep to myself now and will probably just start looking for a regular job instead

Thanks, Mew. It can get exhausting. My family and friends don't understand why I have basically stopped doing projects. It's just a ton of pressure. TRYING to get back into it, though!

Sis Michelle! I couldn't agree more. Been a freelancer for nearly two decades, I've used social media since the myspace days (i'm in my mid 40's). I try to be consistent w/ self promo and new techniques but I too def feel burnt out some days. I juggle multiple incomes to stay afloat but you made me reflect on the fact that most of us not only don't want to post all the time-we are not being paid enough for our labor. Not enough to combat the rising costs of food, education, bills, housing, etc. I think that is why we've seen so many other workers across industries strike for better pay, wages, and benefits. Thx for sharing your thoughts on this because you're damn good at social media, but I appreciate the honesty.

These are some really great points! It def feels like these days there practically isn't a choice but to participate in the social media game- including to just having another avenue of potential revenue. It's super tough and can be frustrating, but Im glad you have such a self-reflective attitude towards it and I think that's great!

Painter here. Artists by nature do not enjoy being in the limelight, let alone detailing our lives for the world to see. Those who collect and appreciate art instinctively know they get to know an artist through their work. They understand it is how artists communicate best. Artists tend to prefer standing in the sidelines at their own exhibits which is why agents / representatives were in high demand before social media was born. With regard to prompts colliding with brushes, I look at it as moving toward the future. Change isn't always easy, but if we greet with an open mind we may stumble upon opportunities we would have never known.

To be honest. It’s the expression for me added with your points. Making art and posting it online for people to view in your own style and customisation that’s fun to look at. Call it the art with your page was fun. Older artist and their websites and services did that. Social media now just made the looks generic. It’s like looking at a bunch of artists and all their pages look the same thanks to the restrictions in customisation. 😅 PS: as a consumer I get more hooked to artist’s website than their social media page for how pretty they make it.

In 2024 I made the conscious decision to take my art more seriously and try to 'get somewhere' with it. I am barely even using social media. I have an Instagram where I basically just post images and then leave (Insta is quite boring for me, I never engage on the platform), but outside of that RU-vid and my website will be the primary places people will find me online. I want to focus more on the IRL/actual human element of selling art and being known as an artist. People forget that the internet is very new, and it is 100% possible to become a professional artist without relying so heavily on it.

Watching this video seriously made me second guess starting my own art chanel. I don't want to spend 40-60 hours a week just to make an art video.

I started posting my art on instagram and I’m posting rendered art posts and reels everyday but no one’s really seeing. I’m interacting with others keeping consistent I know I probably have to be patient but it still hurts to put in so much effort and see little return. I believe that I was meant for early devivant art days😔

4:40 Omagodd that's me on the right hand corner!!! Thank you for sharing your experience once again, this was very helpful as a fellow artist / youtuber / social media person 🥹💓

Its nice to hear us artists aren't alone in these frustrations ): Best of luck to all the artists out there

seeing you point out all the parts that artists need to create for social media as a list, really puts it into perspective. It's hard to explain just how much content needs to be made nowadays and just how long that takes until seeing it like that ❤❤

Oh I'd love to hear your thoughts on how we refer to our art as "posts" more generally now! I've had the thought that it was odd, but never heard another artist just outright say it! I love these casual style videos from you. You seem super chill and personable. 💚

You have been a major influence on me. I found your RU-vid channel in my sophomore year of attending art school and following you you have helped let me know that it’s important to promote my work and I feel less bad about not immediately finding work. I am still lookin either for internships or a job but also juggling work till I can find that goal job and my health and other adult stuff. This gives me motivation for when I get out of the hospital.

The AI art is gonna be the biggest challenge for the art community to face. I am hoping there is some sort of digital protection signature that artist can apply to their work for providence. For creators in general I think social media is both your friend and enemy at the same time. I feel sorry for the younger generation growing up in this current digital age because they did not grow up in a time when the art community had other battles to fight besides AI and Social Media.

every IG artist reel nowadays uses the same viral music sometimes dramatic tunes and sync up their drawing process

As a long time subscriber, this video is well made 😊 Congratulations. The editing is on point and smooth. The special effects are elegant. The visual story was so good. Plus the thumbnail definitely felt like an upgrade 😉

Appreciate your videos. Been following your channel since last year

see I'd like to grow my following, maybe make a youtube channel, and actually get more into social media/art and take social media more seriously...but basically everything you've said about how you have to tackle social media nowadays I know to be true but I also know I just physically and mentally CAN'T. I'd have to hire a social media manager of some kind, and I know many do do this or use a subscription service that does similar, and I just can't feasibly afford any option of help. Props to those who can go about all this without help and without having a mental breakdown, but the more are and social 'networking' has become content and social 'media' and cheapened advertising, the higher price barrier there is for entry/sustaining. Not just the idea of having an assistant or app assistant or editor either, but the fact that having to become a pseudo vlogger means having to care about your space and the lighting (which usually means a nicer apartment/living situation, a more manicured look for women, etc) is another added barrier financially for anyone thinking of using something like twitch, youtube, reels/tiktok to have extra income and potentially better their situation. All of these sort of combine to make it that social media as a side hustle strongly favors those who don't actually need the side hustle. It's disappointing - why can't social media be like it was in 2012-15 and just be about the actual ART, and each platform focused on a different thing! (youtube was videos, instagram was images, blogs and other options existed for text and were easily findable on google, now ig is trying to be everything and still images feel dead).

Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I compose for a living and have always been happy to remain behind the scenes. The daily challenge for me is negotiating that fine line between careful restraint in the use of social media and just being lazy. Best wishes to all creatives out there! Liked and subscribed!

It is wild how this all applies to musicians too :o Great video!!

Sister, What are the safe jobs. Is storyboarding and game artist safe career.

Great video! I'm really tired of trying to work with social media. My approach these days is to just post my 2d image and be on with my day.

I have tried showing my face and just got bullied because i'm a heavy set girl and I have a stutter...people are not nice and I have severe social anxiety so it terrifies me to the point where I don't record videos much. sometimes I have a spurt of energy and i will do videos but i wont post them because I know what's gonna come out of it. I'm super shy and hate marketing...so I will probably never be able to make it online and be invisible.

For the past year and a half I've been working on creating a new artist-oriented platform for sharing and discovering art. I'm hoping by staying independent and not raising venture capital money we can ultimately avoid the trap of having to maximize value for investors and instead create a cozy and rewarding space for artists to share their work. There's a big update coming soon that will add community chat and update the layout. I've been working on this almost entirely by myself and I'd love to get more input from artists to help me stay on track. I'm hoping to sponsor or collaborate with some art channels like this one to help spread the word after the next update - mew if you see this let me know if this is something you might want to consider!

it's been a while since i've watched your video hope you are doing fine during these weird times. Also great vid (might watch everything i missed)

I can’t believe I fell for the message notification sound effect again 😫 you’re second person to use them in their videos this week

Look at me, Look at me, now the song is in my head.

This one got a little kick to it In all seriousness, it’s nice to see I’m not alone in my feelings. Specifically the numbers game and the pressure to be better than the last post. It makes me wonder how different my art might be if numbers didn’t affect me.

I will love this video for a long time. I hate making content but i know if i don't i will not have money . you make me feel normal not lazy.

Been posting art on social media for RU-vid posting videos of the art being done or even animation and yet don’t get much views or nothing at all especially if for example an animation.

I feel absolutely the same way!

I've been more of a detatched passive observer of SM, noticing alot of what you said pop up, & am a lil curious about navigating the area more directly! I've found in my niches folks don't always wanna see face so much as they do art & animations at a steady pace depending on the site, though I'm curious what effect leveraging both yields

mewtripled posted!!!!!!

hi meesh! i had a question about the animation industry i was hoping you could answer if you wouldn't mind :) i was wondering how long, from your experience, gigs last, depending on the area of animation you're working in (i. e., storyboarding, concept art, cleanup, etc.)? i've heard it can be anything from months to years, so i'm curious how different areas might affect that as the main reason working in a studio appeals to me is for the relative stability. thank you! :)

I tried to grow on Instagram in 2024. Posted a reel a day (30 till now) and only have 150 followers. I watched some accounts post one random reel and get rival fast. I should feel happy for them but I feel mad cuz the algorithm is so unfair.

Amen to that sister 👍

i deleted ALL my original work and face off every site because of stalkers 😅

Every time I try and post art on instagram I just get likes from two bots 😂 I’ve deleted instagram now.

What do you edit your videos on, final cut?

Honestly social media as a business tools is so useless unless you have the capital! and its seems everyone sell the idea that you need it, The numbers of people who are a entrepreneur and succeed for more than 10 years are so low that is ridiculous, being less that 78% in the states and if you are from any other part of the world, can go as low as less than 98%, people still fall for the trap of "be your own boss", with hard effort you can achieve it, but reality is you are better working in a big company and using social media just to meet and enjoy the company of other artists, than playing the game of competing with the big company's. I think for example hanging out in Live box expo discord its so fun sharing art with others and drawing together than having the depressing feeling of seeing your organic reach as a nobody in a social media like Instagram, which now a days only promotes videos that are "entertaining".

Hey mew3 😊 😹😹😹

Every creative business person I've listened to via podcasts has confirmed, yet and yet again, how a huge following doesn't guarantee sales nor success. It's how you funnel your audience to email lists, products you sell or services you offer etc. There's more intentional effort behind it, and I'm sure Michelle already know this. Just posting this here for people who are being hard on themselves not hitting metrics. Think of why you're doing it in the first place, don't just blindly chase the algorithm.

Social media will be dead for artists. Because it rewards frequent posting. And we can't compete against AI generated art. No way we can create that fast.

influences are the lowest of the low. I don't ever want to wade in the muck that they are in.

Ok understood 🆗

Another reason people want to see who’s making the art is because they will only support certain groups - women, blacks, etc etc - and nobody else. They openly admit to not caring about what the artist makes, they just want to support that group because it’s their agenda. Thats disgusting to me and an insult to all artists. It’s like watching some ticktocker making thousands of bucks just sitting in a chair doing nothing, but another ticktocker will make an actual video with substance and not make a penny. It’s not a compliment, it’s an insult. Buy art that YOU LIKE, not because you’re wanting to support some stupid, bigoted agenda. 🤦‍♂️

Digital artists should go back to the basics and post in new platforms that have a strict TOS in regards to AI theft. Protect your babies.

This is exactly what im feelin!! Ive found myself avoiding posting on instagram lately, which was the platform i started on. Now I can't stand to open the app anymore lol. In 2020 when i first began posting, i used to just take a few pics of my work for the fun of it (and for some exposure), write a lil caption and that was it. Then eventually it became all about reels, how many did i post a week, editing (chopping up 30+ min footage to 10 secs and trying to make it look decent lol) engagement, schedules. Im so tired and im super against showing my face. Im trying so hard not to give up and questioning what im even doing it all for. I miss drawing just to do it, not because its my content and feeling like i HAVE to draw.

And AI just steals everything after all is said and done....

I wanna talk about Raid Shadow Legends 😜

Everytime i post... I get no traction. It really hurt. I overhauled my cartoony style for a more anime one to appease the algorithm. I went from 2 likes a post to 100 likes a post and that shit ain't good either. = _ = dunno how I can get that 1k like.

I used to see these kinda videos and think this is bullshit you have to post stuff and allll but now I'm exhausted like reel? They don't get views at all you have to do alot idk i wanna quit social media specially Instagram i feel like I'm not drawing for myself at all even though i don't make earning but it still is for the so called numbers (followers)

Hey I want to publish my comic book to a publisher like an image comic or Dark Horse can you help me how to do it. I am sending a proposal to them with art ink pages to them, can you help me out

Can't you buy an insta account?

a woman as beautiful as you are should zero problem making big money online.

You give so much value in your videos! Instagram rip. too much the algorithm is pushing nowadays. hopefully, it will improve over time.