Beyond Likes: How to Turn Social Media into Professional Opportunities

Hi, I'm Bianca Nazari, an illustrator and expert in creative careers. Today, I'd like to share some insights on the role of social media in our professional journey, especially for those in the creative world.

We often find ourselves immersed in a sea of social media options, each with its unique features. Recently, I undertook an exercise to categorize these platforms into those more focused on personal relationships and those more oriented towards professional realms.

Starting with TikTok and Facebook, I realized these are predominantly relationship-focused spaces. For companies and art professionals, these platforms are not always the most strategic. Then, there's Instagram, a platform that balances personal and professional, offering valuable tools for art-related businesses.

Platforms like Patreon, Padrim, Catarse, and Apoiase, while business-oriented, have a more personal approach to their fan base. YouTube and Twitch, depending on their use, can cater to both relationships and professional growth.

Twitter sits at an intermediate point, providing a mix of personal content but also being a great place for artists to find industry professionals, especially in niches like gaming. Twitter's retweet feature is wonderful for amplifying your art, creating artistic challenges, and connecting with other professionals.

Behance, Artstation, and Dribble are midway between social networks and professional platforms, mainly serving as portfolio hosting sites. However, LinkedIn stands out as the most professional platform, being the most sought-after by companies, including those in the art sector.

Looking at social media analytically can be a valuable guide to understanding where to focus your efforts based on your goals. If your focus is building a fan base, more left-leaning networks like TikTok and Instagram might be ideal. If you're looking for job opportunities in studios, LinkedIn emerges as the corporate creative market's go-to option.

There's no single right approach. Everyone can create their personalized strategy, whether keeping a clear division between personal and professional life or exploring different networks for different purposes.

I invite you to analyze your own strategies on each social network. How do you use them? How often? Is your approach organized or more fluid? Reflect on how you'd like to use these platforms now, in light of these considerations.

Navigating social media can be complex, but with an analytical view, we can turn these platforms into powerful allies in our creative professional journey. Let's explore and make the most of the opportunities these digital spaces have to offer!

Until next time,
Bianca Nazari