Repeat after me, an algorithm is not the boss of YOU.
Trying to navigate an algorithm is as fulfilling as being on a hamster wheel - it's frustrating and gets you nowhere. Believe me, I understand the frustration. Instagram has changed dramatically since I joined in 2012. Growth and engagement, in particular, have become more challenging.
Recently, I decided to shift my perspective on social media so that I could use it more positively and beneficially.
I began with something very simple. Every time I post to Instagram I choose to hide the like count. IF you don’t know how to do this, it’s easy. Select the three dots in the top right corner of a post that you made. A pop-up window appears and you can select “hide like count” from it. You can still see stats on your post under “view insights”. Likes shouldn't be the focus. Instead, find a better reason for being on that platform so you can quit trying to maintain the 24-hour All You Can Eat Algorithm.
Like many people, Instagram had me feeling pretty disheartened. I would post and have little engagement, even when asking questions to begin a conversation. It seems that folks aren't always social on social media. Yes, we can attribute some blame to the villainous algorithm limiting the number of people who see our posts (paid boosts aside) but what about the ones who do see them? Why is engagement so low and how can we connect better?
NOT SO FUN FACT: Microsoft found that since 2000 the average attention span has dropped from 12 seconds to eight. Scientists now believe we have a shorter attention span than goldfish.
"You know what the happiest animal in the world is? It's a goldfish. It's got a 10-second memory. Be a goldfish" - Ted Lasso
We need to be a goldfish when it comes to algorithms. We can't control what computers are tabulating but we can control our perspective on it. Let go of the vanity behind "likes" and discover a better reason to be on the platform. Maybe you want to share inspiration, provide helpful information, teach, or build community… just pick a reason that goes beyond ego.
Your creative worth is not tied to social media. I love making art, but I can't do that if I'm focused on "beating an algorithm" or wallowing in comparison syndrome. Getting lost in a haze of expectations about social media is exhausting. What moves the needle forward is simply creating consistent work. Often, it’s personal work that resonates most. That is the art that comes from the heart and has the emotions and life experiences that are intricately part of it. Show up and share work in an honest and reliable way - and a more authentic audience (not those pesky bots) will ultimately find you.
My big lightbulb moment came while listening to a creative vlog. The artist was talking about how she posted to social media daily for a year to improve her drawing skills. Good or bad, finished or not, she put it on Instagram every day. (Anyone who completes a 365-day challenge is someone to be admired in my book). She not only greatly improved her drawing skills, but she formed a creative habit and found a supportive audience in the process. She made Instagram her accountability partner, instead of an insatiable boss - in the most effective way. She didn't obsess over the algorithm because she was too focused on her daily practice. No ego, no excuses, just time spent every day dedicated to her craft.
***Download this gentle reminder to print and hang in your creative workspace or studio.***
Some days it can be hard to show up and make stuff - but that becomes does become easier with an established habit. I set aside an hour each morning to create anything I wanted. Using Instagram as my own accountability partner, I made it part of this habit to post progress (doodle, warmup sketch, or WIP photo) during the work week (Monday-Friday). My outlook on social media changed when I decided to flip my mindset and honestly, pushed my ego aside. I became more committed to a playful creative practice. As a freelance illustrator, if I don’t stay motivated, enthused, and productive as an illustrator how would my business survive?
Remember that social media should be a helpful tool in your creative toolbox. Don't lose your well-being over an algorithm. If you feel bad each time you go on Instagram, take a break from social media and seek out things that will help you feel rejuvenated. Then you can return with a fresh perspective and a happier mindset.
"If you want your art to breathe, you've got to give it life. And the only place you're going to find that life is your own."
- Andy J Pizza