Q. I'm an illustrator who is looking for a book illustration contract. What social media platform(s) do you recommend?

Instagram - A natural for illustrators, since its focus is on visual images. I use Instagram mainly for posting art. Use hashtags and participate in community art challenges like Inktober to help increase your audience.

Twitter - Many editors, art directors and agents using Twitter. Twitter is not as potentially intrusive as Facebook (there is no way to turn of FB Messages on FB but on Twitter, you can only send someone a private message if they are following you).

Facebook - I'm still torn about FB (so much I dislike about this platform). HOWEVER, I'm on FB because I have friends and family who are on FB but nowhere else. I suspect this is also why it's one of the most popular social media platforms -- if someone has time for just one social media account, they will likely opt for Facebook because that's where they keep in touch with family members and old college friends.

I know there is so much to say about how to use the above. I'm hoping to eventually create a series of posts which can help. Social media platform features change so frequently, however, that I've been leery to invest too much time (time I should really use to create books) in info that will likely be outdated shortly after I post it. :-) Which is why I strongly advise choosing a platform or platforms you actually ENJOY using. That way you'll become aware of changes as they happen, and be able to get more out of the experience even if you are unsuccessful in finding someone to hire you that way.

Last updated on March 14, 2018 by Debbie Ohi