how to grow on IG & TikTok as an ARTIST (ft.

Marlene Vega has managed to take her art business part time with just her phone through the power of short form video content. Posting Instagram reels and short videos on TikTok has enabled her to take her passion into a profitable small business (!!!)
And the craziest thing? she manages to do all of this while working a regular 9 to 5. In this interview, we chat about time management, Instagram vs. TikTok vs. KZbin Shorts, how to get in the habit of filming, and so much more. Generally just everything related to social media strategy for artists :)
Short form video content is something a lot of artists have been resistant to incorporating into their marketing strategy, but it has the potential to take your business to the next level.
💕 MARLENE'S SOCIALS
‪@MarleneVega‬
/ notmarlenevega
/ notmarlenevega
💬 JOIN OUR FREE DISCORD SERVER: / discord
🍿 WATCH NEXT:
How to Launch Your Art Career: • How To Launch Your Art...
How Brooke Cormier made $80k selling on Instagram: • How she made $80k sell...
How I Plan My Videos: • How I post my art on s...
⏰ TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Marlene’s Growth on Instagram and her Journey
10:40 Converting on TikTok vs Instagram
13:20 Crossposting and Reusing Content
18:31 Adding a Personal Touch to Content
20:36 Creating Content in a more Comfortable Way
22:07 Marlene’s First Viral Video on KZbin
27:38 Time Management and Productivity
33:03 UGC Content and Future Business Plans
44:28 Funding the Creative Process, Full-Time vs Part-Time
47:24 Tips for Growing Social Media
50:55 Getting used to Filming and Creating Short Form Content
58:10 How Kelsey Manages her KZbin Schedule
1:03:04 Hiring an Editor and the Application Process
📖 RESOURCES FOR ARTISTS
✏️ New Master's Art Academy* (this is how I'm learning art online, and is an affiliate link that helps support the channel): www.nma.art/?ref=137
📚 My art book collection: bookshop.org/lists/my-art-boo...
🎨 How I plan my paintings: milanote.com/kelseyrodriguez
⚙️ GEAR & FURNITURE ⚙️ referral / affiliate links
○ Desk & Chair From Fully: bit.ly/3U8xJXt
○ My monitor stand and fave desk accessories: bit.ly/3fr5e8A
○ Main Camera - Sony FX30: amzn.to/3ZxxKYH
○ My lens filter: www.moment.8ocm68.net/RyZ9P9
○ Where I get my music from: www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
Email for business inquiries ONLY: [e-mail]
* Referral or affiliate links in this description allow me to gain a small commission off of any purchases you make through the link, at no extra cost to you. It's a great way to support the channel :)

[@emmamariamakes]

Really wholesome, I think her desk aesthetic helps too for her reels to be so popular.

[@MarleneVega]

Thank you so much for having me on Kelsey, such an honor 🥹🫶🏽 I was a bit nervous (public speaking makes me a little anxious), but if this is able to help at least 1 person with their art journey, then it was all worth it 🥰

[@duvarthaiti]

It was all worth it Marlene. I have been following you on Instagram for a while now and I am inspired by your growth. You and Kelsey are doing us, upcoming artists, a favor. Thanks a lot.

[@spin_ani]

you did super well, i loved the chat and thank you for sharing!

[@FelixGalvanArt]

I That one person might be me : ) all jokes aside, I appreciate what you do as an artist and draw much inspiration from your reels on IG

[@AslansAngel1]

Marlene, you were very well spoken and knowledgeable. I totally understand the insecurity. As an artist, and "old" person, I'm finding this vlog thing very daunting. I started my KZbin channel but it's very weak. My instagram is all finished products. I need to film some "in the works" but I honestly always think about it afterwards. Need to amp up my game, and step into the year 2023. Kelsey, I am a huge fan, and I'm astounded at the amount of wisdom you have. Super impressed. I've been in the business of art since 1988, and feeling much like a dinosaur. Thank you for teaching an old dog new tricks.

[@dlazofamily]

I am more inspired to get back to art. Something that truly makes me sane(other then music) despite of the chaos in this world. 🎉 Thank you guys!

[@molly-uh1qm]

Loving this content Kelsey!! If you wanted to start releasing these interviews as podcasts to Spotify etc that would be amazing!

[@KelseyRodriguez]

Definitely thinking about it!! 💗💗

[@elpinchetti]

Reinas latinas apreciando la seguridad economica, amo

[@alfonzoworldleader]

it’s crazy because i’ve dismiss short form a ton because i was like i’m tired of putting so much effort for nothing in return but i mean this is interesting tryna see how this goes out

[@KelseyRodriguez]

Once you let go of the idea that every short form video has to be unique and let yourself build up a library of footage you can recycle I definitely think it gets a lot easier! Def try it out

[@LostInParadise8706]

@@KelseyRodriguez That is great advice. I have been Very trapped in the “everything must be unique” mindset

[@disneyrita]

Please keep doing these! I love the long format and listening to other artists’ journeys while I do art or other tasks 😊

[@dianehinsch]

44:50 this spoke to me so much! There’s no shame in finding different ways to fund your creative process ✨

[@threnoidia]

This was such a helpful video for me! I love how approachable you both made social media feel. I've followed Marlene in awe of her immaculate reels aesthetic for a while, so to hear the thought process behind it was wonderful.

[@MintyMido]

This was so awesome!! I love that Marlene has a more chill approach to the short form videos - I tend to overthink and overplan my videos and artwork so the thought of adding tiktok and instagram onto that is so draining - but it's nice to know that theres a way to do it that seems way less stressful than how I've pictured it.

[@nhlakaaa7048]

It can also be helpful to just leave marketing to someone else if it's available to you. I don't know alot of people who are marketers who are creatives but there is this KZbin channel called Benoit Blanc that offers consulting sessions to artists so that they don't have to think too much about marketing but rather spend more time thinking about creating

[@allisonsedar]

52:39 wow I love this sneaky trick 😂 I have so many drawings that I didn’t film because I often draw right when I wake up as I’m drinking my coffee. Now I’m going to film some fakey drawing reels 😂😂😂

[@jaz6849]

Omg I love both of you and your content! Can't wait to watch 😊

[@melissavogelgsang7817]

This video was so perfect! I love her work and yours too 🤩 very nice information and I really like this format, seeing the real artist, how they developed, can wait to watch more! 🙏👌❤

[@christinepiercetang]

Yay, I love that you had, Marlene on! I follow both of you and so it was extremely interesting to listen to a conversation between the two of you and kind of get lots of little gold nuggets and best practices from you two! 💕

[@ancatagsorean5820]

Thank you both for this amazing interview! I love Marlene and her work, I follow her everywhere 🤣 always amazing inspiration 🤍 you both were amazing! 😭💌

[@DarknessShadowFire]

I love your videos so much!! This long form content I'm a favorite of. Thank you for all your informational videos.

[@anndanger]

Admire both of you so much, so I loved this video! Thank you for sharing so much behind the scenes details!

[@deellahoberg9972]

I have been watching your videos for hours now! Love the interview, so many nuggets of knowledge. Thank you!

[@Iamrooq]

This was an amazing video. Thank you both for doing what you do ❤️

[@TerraCorvusEntertainment]

I love these videos so much. You are a great interviewer, Kelsey.

[@juliadioonn6063]

Thank you for the time and effort you put into the videos. They help me and give me the approach to build my own KZbin channel.❤

[@meirha_creates]

this was really lovely! thank you both for the insight! i honestly am doing really similar things with ig and tiktok. i just gotten very comfortable with filming now and also i am just doing everything on my phone. as soon as i would have to transfer video to a pc to edit or whatever i just wouldnt do it :D im getting more and more curious about ugc now!

[@AlchemyNova]

you're such a girl boss, Kelsey. Thanks for being an inspiration 🔥🔥✨✨

[@longstrideillustration]

Another great interview! Thank you, Kelsey and @MarleneVega - very relatable. Best of luck with your endeavors 🙂

[@UmbraTundra]

This was such a helpful and informative video. I even took notes. Hope to see you continue this interview series.

[@kyliesketches2271]

lovely video :) Thanks to you both!

[@ursmanueljoerger]

motivated to start sharing my art on instagram. thanks for this extra motivation! 🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@deborahcuriel]

What a great video! Thank you both for sharing so much valuable info. A lot of times we artists find ourselves comparing to others on IG, so hearing the real experiences behind success on those platforms is refreshing. I want to give short form content another try and see how it goes for me :)

[@witheverybeth]

I'm in that position where I got the job I really wanted but same as Marlene I'm not very excited for the office work for all the week and I really want to grew as an artist on social media. Thanks for this video, it's very helpful and inspiring 💙

[@KoumlisKostasArt]

🎉🎉 I try this stragedy on my social media.. awesome idea❤

[@rabbitandbug]

Super inspiring to listen to while I cleaned my room and set up my art desk!!!

[@frothylattestudio]

That is really realistic especially when it comes to shop update or sharing about financial part for artists, it can be so swallowing hard to say it. thanks for sharing!

[@Rae_Ritchie_Illustration]

Thank you so much for sharing! I’m in the same boat you were, as far as feeling stagnant! Thanks for all of this great info

[@rubengardinerart]

Great interview! Going to subscribe to Marlene now!

[@PhiTonics]

Just a tip, focused questions lead to focused answers 👍😉

[@KelseyRodriguez]

very new to interviewing so i appreciate the constructive criticism! 💗🥰

[@PhiTonics]

@@KelseyRodriguez ❤️ your doing great! 🙌 It's a skill worth nurturing. Your probably the only person I've seen in the art finance space, your doing super valuable work 👌🍻

[@ezraweissman1831]

Loved this interview! I follow your channel to support my girlfriend as she begins to dive into the world of building a platform for her art. Love seeing an interview with other artists, I def think more interviews with other artists would be interesting.

[@nhlakaaa7048]

So cute!!!

[@MollyKeyser]

This intro was🔥

[@verdigrii]

I’ve been trying to start from scratch on instagram and twitter, but it seems I can’t get on the ladder because these platforms are so hostile to baby art accounts (even if you have intermediate technical skill). It’s cool to hear about the behind the scenes for other artists though. Keep it up! :)

[@nhlakaaa7048]

I respect your opinion on social media platforms but I hope that you can change your mindset around it so that you don't think of it as such a daunting task

[@verdigrii]

Feels backhanded that you're bringing up my mindset even though my comment was on the state of the platforms/algorithms rn. 'Hostile' was an accurate description, not a reflection of me being pessimistic or lacking confidence. I enjoy sharing my art. I also can't escape the reality that everyone is feeling the strain rn, so therefore I must acknowledge it. These things can coexist.

[@Policorne]

Hi! I didn't realize from the thumbnail that this is your video, it seemed to me that this is some kind of new channel, because there is a new person in the picture. At least that's how this video appears in the recommendations. I hope this doesn't negatively impact your video. Thank you for the video and sending lots of love!

[@KelseyRodriguez]

That’s Marlene in the thumbnail! I figured she fit there better than I did, and I did the same thing with my interview with Brooke :)

[@lukasdill484]

Yassssss

[@KelseyRodriguez]

ily bestie 💗💗💗💗

[@olena_sketch]

This is such an inspiring story! Thank you for the interview.💛 I only have 600 Followers on Tiktok but it I encourages to keep going 😊💪💪💪

[@Kingninja42]

Have you ever read/watched Blue Period? I feel like you’d relate to the mc so much you’d feel called out haha.

[@WedgyBlue]

I realized that If I stick to strict rules of *countryballs* community it kills my art. So, inorder not to kill it, I followed my artsyle no matter they would say Its not *countryball* Because my niche is about cute and wholesome countryballs art and their culture. 😊

[@sir-any-tea]

tell me shes infp without telling me shes infp. i relate a lot with her especially on "i need to be more organized" thought and "i cant plan it just stresses me more when i cant meet it" lol

[@lisasuwansupa]

Thank you for posting this I learned a lot! How much do you pay your editor if you don’t mind me asking?

[@KelseyRodriguez]

$35/hr!

[@catherinej6542]

for artists who are not youtubers and don't have a bunch of b-roll footage, how would you recommend going about the reusing content strategy?

[@RuanFourieStix]

Honestly, if I was told posting on social media is part of being an artist, I would have become an accountant or a lawyer. Not only is making and posting content to social media a massive drag, but social media is cancer. Social media is 100% responsible for a massive increase in mental health issues. Hard pass on ever using TikTok. I don't make art to do things I don't want to do, or to break down my mental health. I actually make art for the exact opposite reasons.

[@KelseyRodriguez]

Social media has a lot of cons, for sure! I've shared a lot of that on this channel, and my own ongoing journey with trying to figure that stuff out. But there are also pros, and I think it's important to recognize how the internet has opened so many doors for artists that weren't there before. Like anything, it's a super complex and nuanced issue!

[@RuanFourieStix]

@@KelseyRodriguez agreed. It's not black and white. If you make a living from your art (as in it's your only source of income) then social media is a way to show your art. I have seen your videos regarding the struggles with social media and mental health, and I appreciate that you are so honest about those things. My instagram grew immensely when I started it because for months I went out of my way to make sure I post something every day. Then it became a drag, and posting just to please "the algorithm" lost its appeal because I realized that I was creating things to post, rather than creating what I wanted to see existing in the world. So I stopped posting daily, and two years later my Instagram following is still pretty much exactly where it was back then. Can I grow my social? Yes, if I get back into the daily grind of posting everything I create, regardless of if I think it's ready to share or not. In my case the pros simply don't outweigh the cons. Thanks for the reply Kelsey!

[@milkflavored]

I enjoyed watching this and learned a lot, but I'll be honest - I don't want to be on camera. I love watching artist vlogs, and I def want to share my art too, but I like my privacy;; Is there any way to utilize social media as an artist without doing that in 2023?

[@KelseyRodriguez]

just don’t show your face! There are drawbacks to faceless profiles but you can totally do that and succeed, it’s not a total dealbreaker

[@-loveyourselves-]

100th like

[@Duellatoris]

Omg she keep saying x100“like” grakhh

[@Muthukaviyarasan]

🙂👍🙋🏻‍♂️

[@sarahbocinsky]

You need to interview Ashleigh king because it’s insanely sus how she blew up literally overnight after one freaking yt video.. like… Wtf HOW? LOL

[@KelseyRodriguez]

i’ve chatted with her about that off camera, and it was just a matter of being in the right place at the right time! studio vlogs and aesthetic art content were popping off everywhere around that time. look at misako flodin and valerie lin for other examples there

[@sarahbocinsky]

I’m wondering what’s popping off rn? 🤔 I don’t really know what aesthetic art even means. Like aesthetic means “genre” or “movement” like an art style or movement but I don’t think it’s a word or style on its own? 🙃

[@victoriaveeart]

@@sarahbocinsky its mainly art concepts that come and go and knowing whats really hot and not much of a supply for high demand

[@morgangoodman8174]

can confirm still shots dont get followers lol I have had my art account for almost 7years and have 320 followers. Trying hard to make some reels!

[@abitw210]

instagram is really a dead place for art buisness right now

[@KelseyRodriguez]

it can be! But there are also plenty of people who are growing and launching their art business there, esp since 2020. I’m not in love with the platform but i hesitate to write it off completely

[@bigben1986]

I have all social media platforms and still can’t sell jack!!! This is not for everyone.

[@DantheMan_artist]

It’s tough these days, Instagram is garbage now for artist, that platform belongs in the trash

[@TheTenCaster]

The content is interesting, but after 30 minutes I can’t deal with hearing “like” every 2 words. It’s literally like nails on a chalkboard.

[@mixedmediaartgirl300]

27:53 - 28:03 I love your content, but this sums up the whole interview. You have to work on how many times you say "like" That was ten times in 20 seconds, it's just too distracting, I'm sorry, but someone has to tell you.

[@KelseyRodriguez]

this interview wasn’t scripted, and sometimes it takes people a second to figure out what they want to say! filler words are normal and i’m v aware of when i use them. despite that, sometimes it can’t be helped. if it bothers you a lot then you should watch someone else 💗

[@mixedmediaartgirl300]

@@KelseyRodriguez okay

[@kmoney10101]

The hero we need, not the hero we deserve 🥲thank you queen

[@mysilverspring]

You’re both heaven sent for artists everywhere 🫶🥺