How to Maximize Your Earnings as an Artist on Instagram

Ladies Who Design
6 min readMay 24, 2024

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Instagram has transformed the art market, offering artists a powerful platform to showcase their work and connect with buyers worldwide. Artists like Ashley Longshore and Chris Austin have demonstrated that Instagram can be a goldmine for artistic success and financial gain. To help you harness the full potential of Instagram, here are seven essential strategies to optimize your account and attract a massive following of engaged art enthusiasts. By implementing these tactics, you can turn your Instagram feed into a lucrative revenue stream that propels your artistic career to new heights.

Post High-Quality Images: The Cornerstone of Success

Capturing and sharing your artwork on Instagram should reflect the same level of meticulousness you invest in creating your masterpieces. Blurry, poorly-lit images not only fail to do justice to your art but also give off an unprofessional impression. Your Instagram account acts as an extension of your artistic identity and serves as a window into your creative world.

To capture captivating images, opt for a clean background and utilize natural lighting whenever possible. Position your artwork near a window to ensure optimal lighting conditions, and tap your phone screen to focus, resulting in crisp and visually appealing images.

If you’re shooting video for Instagram Reels, make sure your settings are high definition. For example, 4K at 30fps on iPhone. You can also use your Mirrorless camera or DSLR camera and shoot footage vertically.

Photo by Tetiana SHYSHKINA on Unsplash

Embrace the Power of Branding

Branding provides an instant understanding of your artistic style and personality to your followers. Consistency is key when establishing a memorable brand on Instagram. Adopt a unified visual aesthetic and writing style across your posts to create a cohesive and recognizable presence. Take inspiration from artists like Sue Rapley, whose light, colorful, and inviting feed instantly conveys the essence of her art. Establishing a signature filter, using target-specific hashtags, or incorporating a unique language can contribute to forming a distinct brand that sets you apart.

Sue Rapley creates an inviting and consisted feed to show off her art.

Fuel Your Instagram Presence with Creative Content

In a world driven by visual stimulation, captivating content is essential for Instagram success. Artist Ross Symons, who dedicated a year to daily origami creations shared on Instagram, amassed over 100,000 followers in just 18 months. Consistently posting interesting and innovative content can lead to a viral effect that expands your reach and opens doors to new financial opportunities.

Ross Symons 365-day project caught a lot of attention on Instagram and grew his following.

Craft Captivating Captions: Tell Your Artistic Story

A well-crafted caption adds depth, emotion, and context to your artwork. Instead of merely stating the price, create a narrative that offers glimpses into your inspiration, artistic process, and personal story behind each piece. By inviting viewers into your artistic journey, you forge an emotional connection that can transform a casual observer into a passionate buyer. Ensure that every caption tells a compelling story that resonates with your audience.

Master the Art of Effective Hashtags

Hashtags are powerful navigational tools guiding art enthusiasts to discover your creations in the vast ocean of Instagram content. By leveraging the right hashtags, you can significantly expand your fanbase and attract a dedicated following.

Use Instagram’s search feature to explore keywords that resonate with your art. Study successful artists’ hashtag strategies and keep a curated list of relevant hashtags to draw from when crafting your posts. A well-researched and targeted hashtag strategy will boost your discoverability and increase engagement.

Optimize Your Bio: A Gateway to Your Artistic Universe

Your Instagram bio carries immense weight in converting casual observers into devoted fans and customers. It serves as the sole clickable link on your profile and acts as a gateway to your artwork. Include a link to your website where visitors can explore more of your creations and make purchases. Craft a concise and enticing description that showcases your artistic personality and leaves a lasting impression. Here’s some examples below to help you optimize your bio.

Additional Considerations for Instagram Success

Post Regularly: Stay Fresh in People’s Minds

Consistency is crucial to maintaining a prominent presence in the minds of your followers. According to social media experts, posting once or twice a day strikes the perfect balance. Develop a consistent posting schedule aligned with your audience’s behavior and set a frequency that is sustainable for you.

Foster Connections: Embrace the Social Aspect

Connecting with fellow artists and influencers can immensely boost your exposure and following. Engage with their posts and provide meaningful comments. By supporting others, you create a reciprocal environment where they might share your work with their followers, exposing you to new audiences. Invite friends, acquaintances, and existing customers to join your artistic journey on Instagram.

Harness Sponsored Posts: Deposit Extra Income in Your Pocket

As your follower count grows, companies may approach you with opportunities to promote their products through sponsored posts. Embrace these collaborations selectively, ensuring that the endorsed products align with your artistic values and resonate with your audience. By genuinely endorsing high-quality art supplies, tools, or materials, you can generate additional income while nurturing your relationship with followers.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How often should I post on Instagram as an artist?
Aim to post once or twice a day. Find a schedule that aligns with your audience’s behavior and is sustainable for you.

2. Can hashtags really boost my Instagram following?
Absolutely! Using targeted and relevant hashtags increases your discoverability and attracts a dedicated following that appreciates your art. Instagram allows you to use 30 hashtags, but some people get more traction with 5 targeted hashtags. Experiment and see what drives more engagement for you.

3. Should my Instagram bio be engaging?
Yes, your bio is the gateway to your artistic universe. Craft a concise and enticing description that showcases your personality and leaves a lasting impression.

4. Is it important to connect with other artists on Instagram?
Yes, connecting with fellow artists and influencers can boost your exposure. Engage with their posts and create a reciprocal environment. You can use our hashtag #ladieswhodesign on Instagram to share your work with our community.

5. How can sponsored posts help me earn extra income?
As your follower count grows, companies may approach you with sponsorship opportunities. Embrace collaborations selectively and endorse products that align with your artistic values and resonate with your audience while generating additional income.

Conclusion

Instagram’s artistic abundance and global reach hold enormous potential for artists seeking to monetize their craft. By embracing the strategies described above and consistently enhancing your Instagram presence, you can transform this platform into a lucrative revenue stream for your art business. As your follower count soars and sales increase, consider leveraging tools to organize and manage your growing success effectively.

Remember, the greater your Instagram fan base, the more fervently buyers will vie for your remarkable artwork. Implement these proven tactics to cultivate a thriving Instagram following, propel your art business forward, and unlock unlimited opportunities for financial and artistic success.

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Ladies Who Design

We strive to build a strong community of female designers and creators through mentoring, collaborations and support. Follow us on IG @ladieswhodesign