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TikTok is Banned: How Do I Sell My Art Now?

Rachel Christopoulos
TikTok is banned, what does that mean for artists?

Sunday, January 19th 2025, TikTok removed itself from the social media scene in the US. *Cue a panic*


Now I will say as of right now (2:55pm 1/19/25) TikTok was restored... whatever that means.


But I think we still need to explore what the loss of any social space or platform means for the artist: What are you, as a creative, supposed to do when your selling space (TikTok) is taken away?


In the past, Instagram users have experienced disruptions in accessing the platform, even Google has had it's problems (however short lived). It makes you realize that while we take internet access for granted, we are all at the mercy of those with the monopolies.


What a happy start to 2025 amiright?


I'm not going to get into the TikTok Ban.

At least, not really. If you want to know why it was banned, that's for the news outlets to explain. What I do want to get into is the reliance we artists have built up on our social apps and the resistance we have when it comes to putting in effort in other ways.


Okay, I'll say it: We can be lazy.


I know, I know, you have seen someone jump onto the influencer wagon because it looks easy to make a buck shaking your butt and slapping on #ad or #affiliate to everything. Regardless of where you land with your opinion of influencers (aren't we all kind of an influencer these days?) I do think the idea that creating content is simple, devalues a lot of the hard work that goes into being a creator and/or staying relevant online. Unfortunately at this point, all of us have to yell to be heard above the sponsored content.


And art, something that can be so deeply impacting is shoved to the bottom of the feed.

So when you as an artist plan all your goals and sales around this one avenue, this one way to be seen, your reliance is what screws you over. It is the same thing that happens when an artist gets into a local art fair previously and expects acceptance, despite there being a different jury and the possibility of a no. You need to constantly be looking for ways to help yourself succeed. If you are only banking on the one account, the one show, or the one customer, you're in for a cruel awakening.


Social media is borrowed space (how many times have you heard that one over the years?). You have to work harder and be funnier and prettier than ever before and guess what? You still might not succeed.


So what's the alternative?

I saw a lot of people panic and open a substack this weekend.


  • Instagram: Best for visual storytelling and community engagement.

  • Facebook: Offers marketplace options and groups for local selling.

  • Pinterest: Ideal for driving traffic to a personal website or store.

  • YouTube: Opportunities to showcase art processes and build a following.

  • Substack: Great for aspiring writers

  • Spotify: Who doesn't have a podcast these days?

  • X: You're better off without this one.


My Personal Goal is to remove myself from internet reliance all together. At the moment, it's not possible so I suffer on Instagram. But this works out for me, most of my audience is made up of Millennials. They have a bit of money now. They're willing to follow me at in-person events. They occasionally like my stuff.


But I'm not growing my Instagram and I don't know if I'll be able to because of how I prefer to use it now. I'm not trendy. I struggle with video content. I find following people detrimental to my creativity. Because of all that, I started blogging for organic SEO. I started using my Pinterest to link photos of my recent work or sketchbook pages to my site. I put my podcast on Spotify rather than hiding it on Patreon.


Mostly I stopped charging money for every little piece of content because I'm sick of marketing all facets of my creativity.


You have to put yourself out there to be seen, but you don't have to chain yourself to one platform to be successful. Ask yourself what you want to accomplish and who you want to connect with. Brainstorm multiple ways to get your work in front of them. Be open to being uncomfortable and doing something that has a learning curve.


And if we're being honest, 10 seconds of dancing is probably not the best way to get someone to purchase a two thousand dollar painting.

Why don't you have a website yet?

How many people told you to have your own site and mailing list? I usually see the question, "If your followers were gone tomorrow, how would they get in touch with you?" And this is followed by a 10 slide post about getting emails for your list so you have a direct line to them.

You know what you really need? A website. Basic hosting of a site you own. You control the content and you have a spot where individuals can contact you outside of your social media pages.


Now the best part of my website is that people can Google me and find my work. But not only that, I've linked my website and information to so many art stores and wholesalers and retailers, that you can find it in multiple places. Interested buyers are not finding my Instagram profile, they're finding art that's for sale.


Your website can become a beacon for your art and ideas. It can be the place for people to truly learn more about you and why you make art, but you have get on with it. You have to put in the effort to make it. To update it. To send people to it.


P.S. I use WIX for hosting if you're wondering where to get started.


Stop thinking so big.

Picture This: You, inside your studio. You have all the supplies you need, large windows facing the sun. Private viewings of work scheduled through next week. A call with a gallery director. A grant for 50k so you can focus on your work this year. Hot coffee in your mug. Gentle music on in the background. Maybe some rain sounds?

I love a daydream. They keep you going on really terrible days, like tax day. 💀 But they also keep you from creating a realistic roadmap for yourself.


In my last Art Crisis episode, I talked about how artists are prone to thinking on such a large scale, usually one that has us thinking we need global relevance. We have no shortage of ideas and dreams to bring about and a lot of them exist near what I would call the "finish line" of creating art. They're reliant on recognition, funds, and a developed style that has been attributed to you.


Basically, the majority of artists' dreams require time and persistent pursuit but we just gloss over that imagining that the outcome we want is only about a year out.


Defining your vision and creating a doable plan for your year, is going to be key when it comes to figuring out how to accomplish your goals. The vision you craft for your art needs to have concrete destinations paired with a flexible timeline and approach. If you want five thousand in sales this year, you need to also identify the different ways you can do that.


Picturing yourself in that dream studio with orders flying in left and right, and no end to your collectors, is possible, but you don't know when it's possible.

Everyone's artistic journey is full of ups and downs. Planning your steps out in big and small ways with a reminder to be like water, fluid as you take action, is how you succeed.


Put yourself out there, even if you're uncomfortable.

Don't put your eggs in the basket that feels safe or comfortable. Offer as many avenues to yourself as you can manage and allow yourself to grow into them. Art fairs, art licensing, art wholesale. Direct art sales. Organic sales. Social media sales. Email marketing sales. Random, "where did that come from?" sales. I use all of these and platforms like Pinterest and Instagram and Spotify and I see where each path takes me.


And you know what my secret is? I am open to opportunity as it comes in whatever form it comes in. Even when I feel unsure about my abilities or my work, I trust that I can learn how to execute in a way I am proud of. Or I ask for help. I allow myself to do things imperfectly. I put myself out there and do things like shows even though they are so much work.


But it's not just possible art sales I am open to. I started volunteering to help with artist organizations. I talk about my ideas with other business owners, even if what we do has no obvious connection. I share my voice and ideas as much as possible because you never know who will help you create magic and bring about the future you want.


I ask for what I need. If I'm looking for something, you can bet someone else is too.

And I remind myself over and over again, not to be scared of failure but to be scared of remaining silent.

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