Be creative with hashtags: Rather than adding 30 tags from #art to #monochrome to
#emerging to every new post (which might statistically lead to more followers but less sympathy),
show your individuality: #nakedmuseeatingabanana is definitely more entertaining.
As an artist, who just graduated and still painting in your parent’s garage,
don’t tag Zwirner, Gagosian, White Cube or Perrotin in every work uploaded.
If you state being a “collector” in your profile, be sure to get masses of artists sending you their collages or watercolors,dealers offering you random works, and ladies asking you for a date (the latter might worry you the least). Think twice, unless you love the continuous correspondence.
Yes, Boomerang videos get a higher engagement. But please help us to decode those silly penguin steps: #happyaboutmyrecentacquisition or #inurgentneedforthefairsrestrooms will be appreciated by your audience.
A still-life image of your couch table filled with a slightly demanding art history lecture is
not a bad idea. You are smart, so show off.
Certainly you can include some “Look whom I met” snapshots in your social media profile, but don’t upload the ones where your hand is desperately trying to touch Murakami or Gagosian, while they are not even looking at you. That seems too desperate.
If you are really daring, kiss you art world celebrity while the image is being taken. Be sure to receive lots of replies (also nasty ones) for that post.
Art fair posts: Try the “funny one” (e.g. you hysterically laughing next to a wooden sausage sculpture), the “Anish Kapoor reflection,” or the “intellectual-dreamy” one (pretend that a third person took it), if you run out of ideas.
If you are big on nude photography, IG might not be the right tool for you, as all female nipples are being censored. Either you add some cherry emojis on every image or you shift to male nudes.
A little glimpse into your private life can’t harm: especially, a handsome boyfriend, adorable puppy, or some amazing vegan buddha bowls might add some extra followers.
Yes, you theoretically can DM an artist whose dealer you know for available works, but if he connects you to the gallery after that approach, don’t expect them to give you a reasonable price.
We all know that engagement is important, but if you are 40+, please avoid “bro, that’s dope,” “hot mama, you are a bomb,” or other teenage phrases to comment on art works.
Emojis are apparently fun – well kind of. Some emojis always lie and we disclose the true meaning: ?? as reply to an artist’s new work: Nice try! You might get there, but definitely not yet. Never give up. ? to your gallerist’s birthday party: I wasn’t invited and therefore am super mad at you, but pretending is everything. ? from one collector to another collector’s new acquisition post: Thanks, prick, for getting the work before I did.
If you follow too many artists who are big on wearing little, be prepared to get recommended to Brazilian pole dance accounts rather soon.
You are a dealer? Sure thing, IG is a tool, that might also help you sell works. But please be straight forward about it e.g. #forsale, #thepriceisnotwritteninstone, #20percentoffifyouorderbytoday, and don’t pretend you have seen that artwork “by chance” in the studio or even tag it as a piece of your own collection.
Artist: Overalls with paint splashed all over; dealer: high end-smart, so at least future clients believe you to do your job well; curator: all black with glasses and red lipstick is a favourite.
Selfie sticks are so yesterday (actually they have never been cool), but time to gear up with some really cool gadgets. How about the selfie drone that directly uploads your studio visit photos on your WeChat.
As a collector, every once in a while you might try going for a little photoshop surprise. E.g. make yourself stand in front of a Basquiat with a nonchalant “Very glad this beauty is mine” comment.
The most fun feeds to learn from are often the ones of critics or writers – they don’t need to show off an (more or less) amazing collection, can make fun of nearly everyone, and don’t need to sell their work #kennethschachter, #jerrysaltz, #dylanbrant.
There is a naked skin to followers ratio: The less followers you have, the more juicy your photos need to be to get more followers. Once they are loyal to your feed, you can slowly get dressed again. And no, this is not only the case for an artist’s social media but also a collectors’ profile can roar when she/he just wears a tight swimming pants, while in Antibes.
This Feature Got Published in TheArtGorgeous Magazine#3 to Download e-version click here
Illustration Roma Manikhin
