Dear ADs, I've noticed that a lot of artists I follow help to promote and support each other on social media. I have work that seems to be of a similar style to theirs. How do I get into their group?
For every interest or genre (both in art and everywhere else) there is definitely a core group of movers and shakers that seem to be doing all the talks, writing all the blogs, at or hosting all the events, and generally just seem to be the “cool kids” that everyone wants to get involved with. Their careers always look like they’re flying, they’re posting awesome stuff online, and it seems like everyone wants to be their friends.
As a member of such a “core group” of a few different industries, let me tell you some insider secrets:
—The core people do not think of themselves that way. They are worried about work the same as you are. They are overwhelmed and stressed the same as you are. They doubt themselves and think their work sucks the same as you do. In fact, if you told these people that it looked like everything was awesome and easy from the outside, they’d probably laugh in your face then look for a glass of whisky to shoot. You know that “Stars, They’re Just Like Us” section in celeb magazines? When Hollywood starlets are out walking their dogs in ratty yoga pants? Yea, like that, only with superstar artists worrying if their work sucks, or redrawing a nose 25 times, or having anxiety attacks or bouts of depression.
—With the above in mind, realize that it’s easier to join a community and work your way to the center than it seems because people aren’t trying to keep you out. Usually, it’s just your own worry about looking uncool or fear of not being welcome that keeps you out.
—Then once you believe the above, it’s easy to get to the core of any community. Here’s the secret: Give More Than You Take. When you’re just starting out, this seems impossible—what can you possibly give that anyone wants?—but it’s true. Volunteer. Offer help. Offer encouragement. A sincere note of “that thing you did was awesome, I really appreciated it” to someone who gave their time to do a demo or host an event or class goes a long way. Share work and events and other people’s projects on social media. Trust me, people notice. Every event needs volunteers (even if it’s just helping through the internet). No matter where you are on the career ladder, there are people next to you and below you. Organize events for you and your peers. Sketch nites. Facebook critique groups. Google hangouts. Anything where you are helping people come together. The truth is a lot of the people that tend to be the center of a community are the ones doing more than just their own work for their own career. They help others, and people are drawn to them. You get a nucleus group of a dozen people doing cool things together and bam you have a community. That’s why some areas of art (SciFi Fantasy art, being the best example) is so close-knit and supportive. People supporting others is contagious. Will there be assholes in every scene? Absolutely. Keep an eye out for them, but they’re easy enough to avoid once you see them. For the most part like attracts like, and the positive people will attract positive people to them. And the other secret is, these kinds of positive doers are always doing too much, so they really appreciate help.
Not that I know from experience or anything…
