Sigh… I’m eventually going to have to post on Instagram, aren’t I?

I had a marketing discussion tonight about my site. I’ve put out a couple of posts on Reddit, Bluesky, and Deviant Art. Those are really the only social media/networking sites I am on. I know… I know that all of this in the beginning is just about driving traffic. This is what I hate about marketing and social networking. It’s so unauthentic.

I’m not stupid. I know how marketing and media influences people to buy and like stuff. It’s all a bit of a game. A game I do really hate. I wish it could be simply, here’s this drawing I’ve done. I want to share it with you for a couple bucks. I want to share it with a lot of you to the point that I could just be drawing for my work. Instead of doing what feels like semi-transparent work for an employer that, as pleasant as they are, is not really interested in my success in life. They just want to make money for themselves and be able to pay the people who make it for them. I am part of a great team, yet I have always wanted to pursue my creativity. That’s not really an option.

So I’m turning to an online market. I was just told that I’m doing it wrong. My art is too complex for people who color. Unfortunately, it’s not sophisticated enough for the high-end art market. So I’m stuck having no audience either way. The problem is my product. That’s an understatement for my life. Because I’ve been avoiding selling me. Now it’s what I have to do.

I’m not saying I don’t like meeting customer expectations, but I always really want to share the thought, feeling, and fun I have when let loose in my creative world. I’m finding there’s a lot more I can do that what I always thought I was able to do. Like I said before, I’m not my biggest fan, but I’m discovering there’s a whole range of stuff I can make that I didn’t think was possible for me.

The hardest part of arguing that my product wasn’t priced right or I’m aiming at the wrong market is that I’m not really competing against those crazy talented content creators pumping out product and getting the right influencers to tell everyone it’s gold. I’m basically competing against your caramel soy latte that you might have once a month. I’m not asking for enough, so people don’t consider it worth anything. There’s always my tip jar if you think you didn’t give me enough money. As you can see, I’m not out here trying to take it from you with some promise of how cool you are for liking my stuff.

Sigh. I know. It’s just been such a discouraging path when it comes to the making money side of things. I know eventually I’ll have to branch into the social feeds. Yes, some influencer needs to find my work and spread the good word.

Hey, if that influencer is you, can you please do me a favor? Don’t make my work out to be a way to make more money. As much as I need it, I don’t make my art for the purpose of being rich. I make it because I love creating. I’ve got stories. I’ve got pictures in my mind/heart/soul that I need to come out. And please future influencer, whatever you do, don’t try and get people to figure out what their favorite work of mine is. Again, that’s not the point.

I hope everyone else out there is having a good night. Mine was kinda crummy. Luckily, I’m still building. Still getting this boulder rolling down the hill. Insert additional metaphor here. Take care everyone.