Iris Compiet
The Dutch illustrator on how she got 30,000 Instagram followers
How effective is Instagram?
Since May last year, my Instagram has grown from 1,600 followers to almost 30,000. It’s built awareness about my work and I’ve even got some jobs out of it.
What’s the most you’ve benefited from Instagram?
My Faeries of the Faultlines book was born on Instagram. I began sketching daily mermaid sketches for #mermay and faeries in June for #junefae, and my Instagram exploded. I regularly post work from the project, which is going to be launched on Kickstarter in June. I’ve also just launched www.faeriesofthefaultlines.com.
Which is your most effective social media platform?
Instagram. But my personal Facebook page, too. I’ve got some contacts out of that which have proved very valuable, in terms of knowledge rather than financial gain. I use an app called If This Than That to post directly from Instagram to Twitter, Tumblr and Facebook. If you use the right hashtags or post work consistently around the same time, it does work.
Can you give any tips for getting more from Instagram?
Show you’re the one doing the art – show your hand while sketching. It requires some acrobatics to take a picture, but it makes you a person and less of a ‘perfect artist’ who does magic. Also, I try to engage with people. It’s important to be real.