Most of the artists that I know are on Instagram and they care about their online presence on this platform. Some insist that in particular for illustrators and surface designers, Instagram is a must because that’s where many art directors like looking for new talent.
We could of course have another article just about whether you really need to be on Instagram - the voices are quite divided and especially during the pandemic time, many creatives abandoned IG frustrated with the changing algorithm. However, let’s assume that you want to develop your Instagram following, and perhaps you’re also hoping to attract the attention of potential clients.
So today’s insights article is about Instagram handles. Why? In a nutshell, because I recently hosted a Draw This in Your Style challenge on IG, and as I wanted to share some of the participants’ work, I often got stuck at processing their IG handles, aka their account names.
This is by no means my attempt to shame anyone for having a “bad” IG handle! I would really want to underline that. I wanted to give my insights and tips from the business/marketing side of being an artist who is looking for exposure and perhaps for possible new projects and collaborations.
Your work deserves to be seen and shared, and I don’t want anyone to be left out just because their account handle is hard to read :)
Your Instagram handle is your brand!
Ideally, you IG account name should be your name, with optional keywords that are relevant to your industry, such as Art, Illustration, Drawing etc. (in case that name is taken). It should be kept simple and easy to read in seconds. What is more, it should also be easy to write for others - in case they want to tag you and they need to write your handle manually.
By using your name, you create a direct connection between your IG identity and your real-world self. This not only adds a genuine touch to your profile but also aids in building a recognizable and relatable brand. For illustrators, I found that my own name is my best brand. In the end, this will be in the contract between me and the client - my own name. And when people in the industry talk about me, I want them very well to know my name.
So in the past I really tested out “fantasy names” for my artistic brand. My best shot at it was my website and my IG account “Moon and Brush” :) Yeah, that was my “yoga phase” hi hi. But guess what, I really can’t do anything with that brand anymore… It’s just not me right now where I am. I used to create a ton of lunar illustrations, published mindfulness meditations on my YouTube - that was a long time ago. And yeah, I bought the domain moonandbrush.com, I paid for it, I invested my time for it… and then I needed to shut it down. And eventually I switched to my-own-name website domain and I continued to build my own personal brand around my own name. And that was the best decision ever.
And finally, when I found agency representation, my name could shine. And what is more, I was able to seamlessly enter with my own name more professional platforms, such as Linkedin (where you naturally register by your name).
Avoid these in your Instagram handle
A few more tips for your IG handles, and remember, there is always time to change your IG account name if you think it will benefit your artistic brand!
avoid numbers in your handle, such as artist85, illustrator12345678
avoid too many special characters, such as _*illustrator*_, *_*artist
stay professional - avoid childish expressions
choose a “fantasy name” if you feel you will buy it as your website domain and this name will “stick”
keep it short - long handles may put your audience off
avoid excessive abbreviations - opt for clarity
MEET THE ARTIST
I’m Weronika, but everyone calls me Wera. I’m a freelance illustrator, surface pattern designer and online educator based in Germany, originally from Poland.
I help other grow their creative business - artists, illustrators, designers. You can read me here on Substack, follow me on Instagram, or watchmy free videos on YouTube. Perhaps you’ll join my Portfolio Club on Patreon?
Happy creating! :)
Hi! I’m Weronika Salach, a freelance illustrator specializing in children’s books, toy design and surface pattern design. Internationally I’m represented by Advocate Art. Over 35,000 happy students have taken my digital illustration courses and watched my YouTube videos. Let’s connect :)
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