Social media mistakes to AVOID as an artist in 2025

(With curated trend prediction information specifically for visual artists because I care about your mental health and I just want the best for you xo)

Jan 03, 2025

It’s that time of year. All you ACTUALLY want to do is hibernate and go back to eating baked camembert and Quality Street. On top of that, everyone and their uncle has been rounding up 2024 and telling you that they’re going to exercise more in 2025. The good news is that some of those roundups were useful. I’ve flicked through 9, (wait, is it 19?) of the social media reports which have summarised 2024 and laid down their predictions for 2025. On top of that, before Christmas I went to two talks and listened to (probably too many) webinars and podcasts. I’ve got you. I’ve distilled it into the top ten takeaways and things to do if you are an artist, or creative in 2025.

As artists, we're no strangers to the complexities (read: frustrations) of social media. Between posting too much or too little, seeing someone else’s reel go viral when yours has 6 views, replying to comments, and staying on top of trends, it can feel like a full-time job… when you already have a full time job. You might feel like packing it all in and deleting those blasted apps, and maybe you already have! Fair enough. You do you. Your mental health comes first, always. However, if your brain can take it, and if done with intention, social media can be one of the most rewarding ways to connect with new audiences, tell stories, and find fresh sources of £££.

As always, the caveat is to watch your screentime, keep it balanced, and as Daisy Morris says, “check yourself before your notifications.” (And in fact, I’ll be sharing my top tips for reducing your screentime in 2025, if that’s a goal for this year, at some point next week!) Right, let’s get into it.

The digital landscape is running at PACE, and it’s super helpful to try and stay updated (which you can do by following some handy accounts and mailing lists like Pretty Little Marketer, Grace Andrews, HubSpot, Social Media Today or by just being thoughtful and analytical of what you’re consuming… you’ll often find that you spot the trends yourself.) Considering where we are at now, and the predictions coming in for 2025, here’s how you can avoid some of the common mistakes artists make on social media—and make the most out of your online presence, backed by insights and industry predictions.

Mistake #1: Just posting static images.

If your feed is purely a gallery of static images, you may be missing out. The big beasts like Instagram and TikTok have been increasingly prioritising highly engaging, interactive, and immersive content. According to a recent report by Social Media Today on 2025 trends, short-form videos will continue to be highly favoured by algorithms – think Reels and Stories.

Top Tip: Use video and interactive features on Stories to create a sense of immersion. Think of it as bringing us into your world, even if it's just for a few seconds. Lean into Reels and short form video. Remember that as a creative you only need to post 3 types of content (like, ever). Your inspiration, your process, your outcomes. And drop me a DM if you need help…

Mistake #2: Ignoring the Impact of AI and Automation Tools

AI isn’t just a buzzword; it's transforming how people manage social media (and… life?). From generating captions and content ideas to automating post-scheduling, AI-powered tools are becoming extremellyyy accessible and efficient. And if you don’t think you’re using AI, think again—the search results you see on Google are powered by AI to collate those answers at the top of the screen.

According to Hootsuite’s 2025 Social Media Trends Report, AI is helping more and more creators streamline repetitive tasks, giving them more time for all that fun, creative work.

While embracing AI can undoubtedly speed up your workflow, it’s also essential to consider its environmental impact. The energy consumption of large AI systems is significant (read: distressing), so it’s worth reflecting on how to use these tools responsibly. Personally, I haven’t yet found an energy-efficient equivalent to Chat GPT or similar tools, so I’ve chosen not to adopt that kind of AI at this time. However, my mistake would be a) thinking that AI isn't already part of my life, when, like Google, it’s quickly saturating all technology, and b) ignoring the fact that almost everyone else is using it.

Most people you know are leveraging AI for all those routine tasks—drafting newsletters from bullet points, replying to emails, generating content ideas, creating captions, tax calculations, email pitches, proofreading statements, or handling literally any tasks you’d typically hand over to an assistant.

It’s important to recognise this when the inevitable “I just don’t know how they do it—do they have more hours than me?!” pops up. Sure, they might be superhuman, but they might also just be using AI. So be kinder to yourself this year. And if you do decide to use AI, do your research—the capabilities are mind-blowing. You might be surprised by what it can do beyond just spitting out historical facts (just ask the guy next to me in the café—he had a niche video editing question and walked away with an entire instruction manual).

Top Tip: Don’t be totally scared of AI but use it mindfully. Consider the environmental footprint and do your due diligence. And be kind to yourself when everyone else is doing more all of a sudden.

Mistake #3: Shying away from personal branding

2024 was the year of the personal brand, and it’s not going anywhere. In a world craving genuine real life lives over polished up perfection, building a strong personal brand (basically just your reputation, aka what do your socials say about you when you’re not in the room?) is essential. Several reports highlighted the growing value of "microbranding"—the ability to create a distinct online persona that really connects with a niche audience (yay! Niche art audiences unite!). Share snippets of your process, your values, and the ideas that shape your work. Personal branding isn’t about creating a “persona” — it’s about showing up as yourself, consistently.

Takeaway: Lean into storytelling (see mistake #6), sharing highs and lows, the values and vision, and showing up in a way that invites people to connect with you. But—and I can’t stress this enough—do maintain boundaries. Your personal brand does not mean sharing everything, just the parts that resonate with your artistic journey. There’s soooo much online about this, if you’re interested just drop me a DM or reply to this email!!

Mistake #4: Only sticking to the Big 2.

Instagram and TikTok are powerful, but don’t overlook niche platforms (especially with the threat of a TikTok ban). We are seeing a couple of new, art-focused spaces emerging, catering specifically to creatives who want a more curated audience. Forbes reported that niche social platforms dedicated to art, design, and photography communities are seeing increased engagement as people look for more specialised spaces.

Takeaway: Expand beyond the big platforms. Find spaces where art is celebrated, and your work can thrive among a dedicated community. Have a look at Substack or create your own corner of the internet via a blog or YouTube channel.

Mistake #5: Overlooking collaborations with other creators

Collaboration has always been essential, but the digital landscape is really amplifying its reach. Sooo many people have been talking about how co-creation, cross-promotion, and partnerships are now some of the most effective ways to grow audiences. Partnering with other creatives, whether fellow artists, or brands and organisations that you love, can supercharge your reach. Get creative here—and be bold! Fun fact: I landed my current partnership with Art Fund when I tagged them as a collaborator in an Instagram post. They accepted it, got in touch... and the rest is history! A year—and two campaigns—later!

Takeaway: Don’t go it alone. Teaming up with others can elevate your work and expand your reach to find more people to join in with the fun stuff that your’e putting out there! Host joint events, hop on each other's stories, collaborate on Reels and videos.

Mistake #6: Posting without storytelling

Art is personal, but without context, it’s harder for audiences to connect. Sprout Social’s 2025 Trends Report shows that audiences are more responsive to storytelling and behind-the-scenes content that reveals the “why” behind the work. Share the inspirations, challenges, and ideas that shape each piece. People want to connect with the journey just as much as the final product.

Takeaway: Don’t just share the finished product. Invite people into the process and the passion that drives you, through stories, reels, and carousels. Somewhere on my Insta if you scroll down (it’s deleted for me right now) there’s a comprehensive post on the only three types of content artists need to post, ever.

Mistake #7: Forgetting accessibility

Inclusivity matters. As AccessiBe notes, making social media accessible is not only the ethical choice but also broadens your audience reach, I felt really challenged by this because my website is certainly not as inclusive as it should be, I’ll be working through the checklist here . Alt text, captions (which by the way need to prioritise keywords for SEO, and you might as well forget the hashtags), and audio descriptions show that you value everyone’s experience with your work, and it makes your content more inclusive.

Takeaway: Small steps like adding alt text or captions make a huge difference. Accessibility is what we love! I was recently told that I make my text too small on stories, and it’s hard for some people to read. Noted!

Mistake #8: Ignoring algorithm changes, data and analytics, and sleeping on paid ads

Algorithms are constantly evolving, and platforms do now favour paid ads for visibility. Understanding algorithm changes and strategically using paid ads could give you a great boost for maximising reach and engagement. Experiment with small ad budgets, if you can, to boost your posts or target specific people interested in what you’re making. Data is also going to help you up your game in 2025. Analytics are there to offer insights into what resonates with your audience, what they are saving, sharing, and spending more time on. By regularly checking metrics you will understand your audience and their habits better. Use this info to help you tailor your content and schedule for the best chance of it reaching the right people. However, stay experimental, be disruptive, create something new, and don’t let data solely drive you—let it guide you. You’re in control, strike out, gather evidence, and then strike out again.

Takeaway: Consider ads as a visibility tool. They can help ensure your art doesn’t get lost in the noise. And there’s a LOT of noise. And use analytics as a compass to guide your social media strategy. It’ll help you make smarter decisions about how, when, and where you post

Social media in 2025 will continue to be a key ecosystem built for connection, creativity, and storytelling. By avoiding the above easy mistakes, you can keep your social media presence feeling authentic, intentional, and aligned with your values. Embrace the tools that they give us! Lean into storytelling, and don’t take it too seriously. This is ultimately about sharing your art—and the world would love to see it (whether it knows it yet or not!!).

Coming up

How to be your most productive self: The day to day

How to be your most productive self: Weekly and Monthly Reviews

If your goal for 2025 is to reduce your screen time, here are 5 things you need to do

All the Art We Cannot See

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