My journey as a generalist

My thoughts and advice if you are a creative person working across multiple mediums and struggling with how to present yourself online

Hi there! I'm Flygohr, a digital artist here to help you thrive in the creative world.

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As an artist exploring various mediums, I know how tricky it can be to show off all your talents online.

Being a multi-disciplinary artist makes marketing yourself a bit of a puzzle. You might excel in photography and enjoy other art forms like music or crafts too.

The challenge lies in presenting everything cohesively without limiting yourself or losing audience engagement.

In this article, we'll chat about the hurdles multi-talented artists face and share some friendly advice on showcasing your skills without holding back or sacrificing creativity. While focusing on Instagram profiles, these thoughts apply to other social media platforms as well – keeping things...generalist!

Pros and cons of a generalist profile

As a multi-disciplinary artist, having a generalist profile has its perks. You get the freedom to experiment with different mediums and styles. This keeps your creativity flowing and opens up new opportunities. Plus, showcasing diverse skills attracts a wider audience, creating an all-rounded online presence.

But there are challenges too. Branding yourself effectively can be tough when you work across multiple mediums. It's hard to pinpoint your target audience, which may cause confusion for others about what you specialize in.

This lack of clarity might affect your online image negatively. Also, finding a cohesive style or aesthetic for your profile isn't easy – impacting how well you present your work overall.

Starting fresh VS switching later

Starting as a multi-disciplinary artist has perks. You can freely experiment and market yourself, showcasing all your talents without limitations. Building a brand reflecting diverse interests is easier when you just start without overthinking.

Switching to a generalist approach after establishing an audience for one aspect of your work can be challenging. To make the transition smoother, assure followers that you'll continue creating what they love while exploring new styles and mediums.

Transition slowly and steadily, minimizing confusion or follower loss. Don't hesitate – embrace change gradually instead of making drastic profile changes overnight (like from visual artist to musician).

Considering multiple profiles

It's essential to weigh the pros and cons of having multiple online identities. If you're starting, I recommend focusing on one identity instead of juggling multiple profiles. As your work evolves and you understand your audience better, different platforms may suit various aspects of your art.

For instance, you could have one profile for traditional art and another for sharing educational content. Separating identities lets you tailor content to each platform, ensuring audiences see the best representation of your work.

Twitter might be great for educational content while Instagram suits showcasing traditional art and promoting a shop. By evaluating each platform's strengths and weaknesses, create an effective presence that engages viewers.

Remember that as your work evolves, so will online identities – don't hesitate to adjust profiles accordingly! However, if starting from scratch today with less than a few thousand followers, I'd stick with just one profile using my username flygohr across all platforms but utilizing them differently based on their strengths.

Actionable tips

Starting as an artist can be overwhelming, but remember, you don't need everything figured out from the start. Here are some tips to build your online presence:

1. Consistent username: Use a consistent username across platforms to strengthen your brand and make it easy for people to find you. Avoid multiple accounts on one platform when starting.

2. Visual Identity: Choose a visual theme for your feed – color scheme, art presentation style, or cohesive posting method. This helps you stand out and makes your feed more appealing.

3. Don't overthink and overplan: It's better to post something and learn than not post at all! Experiment fearlessly; refine your approach as you gain experience and adapt accordingly.

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Shoutouts

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Thanks for reading! I hope these tips help you tackle the digital art industry's challenges. Feel free to reach out with questions or share your experiences.

If you found this helpful, please consider sharing the article with others who might benefit from it.

Stay tuned for future updates and insights. Your support means a lot!

Cheers,
Flygohr