Artists tell me they want to grow their brands, but when I mention the monster known as TikTok they role their eyes, or think “another platform I have to be on!?” or “I don’t want to dance around and lip sync!”
Those are limiting beliefs that beyond social media, are probably holding you back. I know it did for me... Keep an open mind and hear me out on this one.
I’ve had more growth and personal connections on TikTok than any social platform I’ve ever been on in my entire 24 year career.
I didn’t really want to be on TikTok either. I felt the same way.
I avoided it for years. But, I was willing to at least humor something new and explore without just judging it on the surface. And it surprised me.
Why should you try TikTok?
There is indeed a lot of “mindless” entertainment there. This is where people are escaping to in droves. Not just for escapism.
I see artists of all kinds on my feed selling original art, stickers, merch, or just showing their process and building their own community there. Some are simply documenting their process and journey. And the best part? Not ALL of their followers are just other artists. It’s regular folks who are enjoying the work, and supporting it.
This will all change in the next 12 months. Take advantage of this now while the power is still in the people’s hands.
And i just started…
I only started posted regularly since March 14th. To give you some raw numbers, I gained +5646 followers in the past 28 days alone, with over 1.3 million views on my videos. Listen, I’m not moving mountains to post content there either. Go see for yourself how simple it can be. And stay tuned to see how I can do this in minutes, not hours…
This is NOT me pushing you to go start a TikTok.
You should definitely KNOW YOURSELF, your own personal pillars, and what works for you before you make any moves. I’m just saying keep an open mind, and curb the limiting beliefs.
My snapshot advice:
Have 1-3 topics or #hashtags you are interested in before you evdn open the app and start an account. Maybe just ONE big topic. For me it was “comic art” or comicartist.
When you open the app, skip the lip-syncing and dancing people, and go straight to search tab and search your topic.
Click on the HASHTAG for that topic, not the “TOP” suggestions. Then dive in and scroll through.
Be sure to heart and follow like 9 other artists or whatever niche you’re wanting to be a part of.
Set a timer. Do this for like just 10 minutes…then
CLOSE THE APP! Get the heck out of there. It’s designed to suck you in.
Observe the kind of videos you liked yourself and what you liked about them. Simple works better.
The TikTok algorithm learns what you like very fast. The next time you turn it on, your feed will be 80% of things you were searching for or engaging with. If you stop and start watching people dance or shake around, well then its your own dang fault.
Some of my current favorites on TikTok:
(tell em @DJCOFFMAN sent you):
Katelyn Windels: https://www.tiktok.com/@katekomics She does amazing Star Wars Fan Fiction Comics.
Brandt Woods: https://www.tiktok.com/@brandtwoods He’s a large mural artist who documents his process.
Shawn McArthur: https://www.tiktok.com/@shawn_mcart A comic and pinup artist. Shows a lot of his process and mindset as an artist.
Led Neto: https://www.tiktok.com/@ledneto “Tik Toks HAND DEMON”, gives alot of encouragement to other artists on TikTok.
Aaron Long: https://www.tiktok.com/@painteddragonstudios A fantasy painter who makes his full-time living from Etsy and TikTok. He also shows you his numbers and profit breakdowns.
ChubbleGum: https://www.tiktok.com/@chubblegum Maybe my absolute favorite, he started a sticker business with his cartoons and it became his full time work thanks to TikTok. He makes the packing process of his orders into fun content that encourages others to buy even more. He started his business in his house, and recently got his own office space in Washington, PA.
And of course you can find me there. https://www.tiktok.com/@djcoffman
How can I record and edit videos in under 10 minutes for free?!
My friend Tom is Clueless Bushcraft on TikTok. He gave me a crash course in how he edits his videos and puts them out so damn fast. The secret? He uses CAPCUT, a free app on your phone. I learned it on my own in minutes, but here’s also a tutorial to help you… if you try it, DM me and show me what you make!
This week’s prompt is… “MONSTER.” - Bonus points if your monster’s name is “TIKTOK””
Draw whatever comes to mind for you when you think of MONSTER
Don’t forget we have Daily Drawing Prompts to keep your pencil and mind moving. Try it for free.
Stay encouraged out there, and keep drawing!
👁 Connect with me elsewhere? I’m @djcoffman on Instagram / TikTok / Twitter
☠️ Draw or Die MERCH!
✏️ Custom Digital Brushes & Comic Page Templates
▶️ DRAW or DIE on YOUTUBE (Tutorials & more)
Ah, TikTok the final frontier. There’s a stigma attached to it, just mindless content to lose oneself in for hours on end. I have videos posted on my social media accounts occasionally showing the process, and time lapses but never any with me talking about the process etc. Think it’s being self conscious about how I’d sound on a video, or wondering what I’d say you know? Some of my friends and relatives have an account, and they send a mixed bag of clips some of which are amusing, educational, and others that just make me roll my eyes. After reading this post I’m now at 75% against using it as opposed to 100% before. Progress lol
Would love to follow other DorD folk on tiktok! I'm @quixotim_draws