"I should be super happy, but I still feel like I'm faking it," said the artist
Let's talk about digital obsessions like social media followers and subscriber count, and how that affects creators.
Hi! 👋
This week, I help you cope with your digital obsessions.
Welcome (back)! 🤗
This is Petra from The Creators' Diary. If this is your first TC’D newsletter, welcome! We’re happy you’ve subscribed!
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Story of the week 🗞️
"I should be super happy, but I still feel like I'm faking it. I've always thought that if I ever made it this big, then I'd have everything figured out, but the truth is far from that... I still question: 'Am I a real artist? Am I good enough?'"
Artist Ana Graça shared these words upon celebrating 30K followers on Instagram. Another artist even added that they felt the same when they reached 100K.
Strange, right? Or is it?
I know that caring about (and sometimes obsessing over) these numbers affects nearly all creators, so here's my take on this.
3 things to remember when you find yourself obsessing about your social media follower and subscriber count 🧠
- Follower and subscriber numbers are constructed by tech companies to exploit your vulnerability, and one of the biggest ones we all have: social approval.
This is an especially heavy thing for highly sensitive people and those in creative fields. But if you know that most of the platforms you use were designed to build on your weaknesses—which are natural to have but not okay for others to exploit—your mindset will change. In a way, those numbers are there to hurt you, so do consider that when all you wish is for them to grow, bearing that evil power over you. If you ask me, I'm still a fan of a considerate, smart, slow growth, which is what I advocate as a marketing expert. - Look for feedback offline, and perhaps even pretend that there's no digital world at all.
If you have the option, look for comments on your work from people in the "real world". Take a step back from obsessing over those social numbers and step outside of the digital world. Show a new work to a friend you actually meet somewhere. Register for an art market as a seller and chat with someone over your booth. Imagine how you would operate as a creator if the internet and social media didn't exist at all.
Imagine someone in real life, interested in your art, but not buying it eventually. You'll forget it in a few days max., or even sooner. What if somebody liked your art online, and they just didn't tap on the follow or like button for some reason in the end? Just like how that person didn't buy from you at the market. The difference? Those low or non-existent social numbers keep staring at your face all the time, don't they? That freaky mirror is always there for you to look into, feeding your obsession. The digital space is sticky like that. Don't let it stain your skin. Let it go like you would that stranger in real life. - Remember that your creator journey (and life) is a learning process, and that's actually exciting!
As the above quote refers to it, you may never reach a state of "everything is okay now". Maybe that shouldn't even be your goal, right? It could feel great for a short time, but then what would motivate you to go ahead? How would your life progress if there were nothing meant to change in it? An artist (or any human) who's done it all might be done for all, you know?
In other news 📰
I launched a new service at The Creators' Diary called Creator Strategy Sessions. You can be one of the first to tap into my knowledge that I've gained over 13 years of working with global brands as a marketing professional, and receive a personalised marketing strategy for your creator business.
Book a call or get in touch with me if you have any questions! 💌
Creator quote of the week 📌
Here's a snippet of Ana's post that inspired this week's newsletter:
See you next week,
Petra
Petra Gönczi
