Have you ever stared at your phone wondering what to post on Instagram? The key to success with social media as a creative entrepreneur is creating engaging social media posts that tell a story about who you are as an artist. I know that it can be challenging to know exactly what to post, so I created this guide full of my favorite content ideas that you can use to start growing your Instagram presence.

I have worked hard to organically grow my Instagram account over the years, and it has become the number one spot for me to connect with my audience. There are eight different types of content that perform best for me as an artist.

But before I dive into the different types of content, let's take a step back and quickly touch on the strategy behind your content.

Your content is the backbone of your social media presence, so it's important to be intentional with the photos, videos, and captions you create.

Your content should do three main things:

Encourage engagement
You want to make sure that your content is actively encouraging your audience to engage. Engagement (likes, shares, comments, saves, etc.) is what helps you grow on Instagram, so this should be a core part of your content strategy.
Showcase your work in the best possible way
You want to make sure that the content you're producing is exceptional. It should elevate you and your brand and showcase your work at its most aspirational. This will keep your audience hooked and wondering what's coming next.
Provide value
People will follow you and continue to stick around if you're consistently providing them value. Ask yourself why your audience follows you, and make sure that what you're posting resonates with your audience.

There is a lot that goes into creating a social media strategy. If you want a more in-depth look at how to craft an effective strategy and grow on Instagram check out my class, Growing Your Creative Business Through Instagram. You can enroll in the class for free when you sign up for a free trial with Skillshare.

Now let's dive into the 8 different content ideas for your creative Instagram account!

1) Final Pieces

The first content idea is to post a fully edited final version of your work. This type of content is the majority of what I post on Instagram. It allows you to showcase your best work in its most professional light, but it's also super simple to post. All you need is a flattened jpg of your work! If you're ever feeling stuck wondering what to post, this can be your go-to post type. As artists, we have so much visual content so you should have no shortage of final pieces to post to your Instagram feed.

2) Final Pieces in a Lifestyle Setting

This is similar to the previous type, but instead of sharing an image of only your artwork, you'll share it in a lifestyle setting like in a frame on a wall or on a product.

This can really help people visualize what your art will look like in their home or on a particular product. And the best part? You don't actually have to take a physical photo of your art in the lifestyle setting. 99% of the lifestyle photos I use on my Instagram are actually product mockups. All I have to do is drop my art into the mockup in photoshop and with a few clicks, I have a beautiful photo of my art in a lifestyle setting.

3) Process Shots

Don't be afraid to show your process on your Instagram! People love to see how a sketch turns into a final polished piece, which means that this type of content generates great engagement. This helps your audience learn more about what you do and gain more appreciation for your work.

And pro tip! If you don't want to ruin the aesthetics of your feed by putting a sketch front and center, you can tuck the sketch into a carousel post so that the final version is the first thing people see.

4) Studio Shots

Show your followers your workspace! The strategy here is that it helps your followers connect more deeply with you. Tidy up your space, snap a picture, and you have an easy piece of content! I'm usually on the road working from a coworking space or coffee shop so my workspace shots tend to look a little something like this.

5) Time-Lapse Video

Time-lapse videos are one of the most popular types of content for visual creatives. People love to watch this kind of content. It draws the viewer and keeps them around because they want to see what the end result will look like. Plus, Instagram highly favors video content in its algorithm, so posting video content is a great way to get your post in front of more eyes! To create these videos, I either take a time-lapse video with my phone on a tripod overhead while I'm painting, or use the time-lapse feature in Procreate.

6) Voting Between Images

Asking your audience for their opinion is a surefire way to increase engagement because people want to tell you what they think! Plus it's a great way to do market research since your Instagram audience is very likely the audience who will actually be purchasing your artwork. I love to create my art in multiple different color palettes, so my favorite way to engage my audience is by sharing my art in multiple palettes and asking them which one they prefer!

7) Show Your Artwork in a Creative Way

Showcasing your artwork alongside some props in a creative flat lay can be a fun and unexpected way to share your art. Take a picture of your art and include styled props that tell a story of who you are. Even just sharing your art alongside the materials you used can be a great way to show your art in a new way.

Part of my signature style is showcasing my art in front of lush greenery. This is a unique way for me to share my art in great lighting with a fun background, but also to share my life as a digital nomad. Traveling is part of my brand, so this is a way for me to tie that into the art I create.

8) Show Yourself

The last content idea is to show yourself! I know that this can feel a little daunting sometimes, but it is so helpful for your audience to see the person behind the art. This allows them to feel a more personal connection to you, the artist, in addition to your work. Make sure to take a photo of yourself in a setting that showcases who you are as an artist. Being surrounded by your materials and workspace will be much more compelling than a random selfie.

And there you have it! Eight content ideas for your next Instagram post!

Instagram is a fantastic platform for sharing your art, but it can be a little complicated to figure out. I've spent years cultivating and growing an Instagram account that I'm proud of, and I've learned a lot along the way.

That's why I created a class to help you do the same! In my class, Growing Your Creative Business Through Instagram, you'll learn even more in-depth strategies for Instagram growth. And you can enroll for free when you sign up for a free trial with Skillshare!

Here's what you'll get out of the Instagram class:

Strategies for driving sales
Tips for photographing your work
Content and caption brainstorming ideas
How to optimize your account for engagement
Advice for growing followers
Insights on how to look professional
A toolkit to help you strengthen your branding

Enroll now!

Social Media for Artists: Eight Content Ideas for Your Instagram