Still Posting and Hearing Crickets? You Do Not Need to Start Over. You Need a Better Strategy

If you have been consistently posting your creative work and still feel invisible online, know this: it is not because your work is lacking. Social media visibility is not a reflection of talent. It is a reflection of strategy, timing, and communication.

Let’s go through five reasons your work may not be reaching people—and how to shift that, starting this week.

1. Check Your Account Status

Before adjusting your entire strategy, take one minute to rule out any restrictions on your Instagram account.

To check your status:

Open Instagram and go to Settings and Privacy.

• Scroll to Account Status.

• If you see a warning, follow the prompts to review any flagged posts and request a review.

• If you see a green checkmark, your account is in good standing.

Common causes of restrictions include spammy hashtags, misleading captions, or repeat comments across accounts. If you are not restricted, move forward confidently with your strategy.

2. The Algorithm Does Not Dislike You. It Just Needs More Data

The algorithm is not curating art based on quality. It is surfacing content based on behavior patterns. Posting once a month with a simple caption like “new work available” is not enough to establish you as a relevant creator in your niche.

To help the algorithm understand who you are, create content that reflects your creative process and context. For example:

• Share time-lapse videos of your artwork coming to life

• Record behind-the-scenes footage of your tools, process, or studio (I’m always recommending this!)

• Post regular captions using phrases like “handmade ceramic artist” or “illustrated poetry book”

When you post consistently and use searchable language, the algorithm is more likely to recognize your work and serve it to the right people.

3. Use Carousels to Tell a Visual Story

A carousel is a post with multiple swipe-able images or videos. They perform well because they hold attention longer and give Instagram more opportunities to serve your content to followers.

A successful carousel includes:

• A first slide with a clear, curiosity-driven title or question

• Slides that provide context, show details, or reveal process

• A final slide with a call to action, such as “visit my shop,” “comment below,” or “follow for more”

Carousels are not reserved for step-by-step tutorials. They are valuable for artists, designers, writers, and makers who want to show the full narrative behind a piece.

Instagram will often show additional slides in someone’s feed if they do not engage with the first one, giving your post a second or third chance to land.

4. Every Post Needs a Hook

The first three seconds of your Reel or the first line of your caption determine whether your audience keeps watching or scrolls past. A strong hook sparks curiosity or speaks to a relatable challenge.

Here are examples across disciplines:

Jewelry Maker

• Weak: “New earrings in the shop.”

• Strong: “I turned scrap metal into these earrings. Swipe to see the process.”

Digital Artist

• Weak: “Here is today’s sketch.”

• Strong: “This was supposed to be a warm-up. Then it took five hours.”

Printmaker

• Weak: “New piece finished.”

• Strong: “The first version of this print was unusable. This one changed everything.”

Every post needs a reason for someone to pause. Frame your captions as stories, not updates.

5. Engagement Is More Important Than Frequency

Posting every day is not useful if your audience is not interacting with you. The algorithm prioritizes mutual engagement over volume. Focus on conversations.

Weekly engagement goals:

• Reply to all comments within the first hour of posting

• Comment meaningfully on 5 to 10 related accounts

• Use interactive Instagram Story features like polls or questions

• Respond to DMs and mention others in your Stories when relevant

Spending 10 to 15 minutes a day in conversation on the platform often leads to better visibility than adding more content to your feed.

Free Weekly Support: Practical Convo Thursdays

If you need low-pressure, high-value guidance, join me every Thursday on Instagram Live for Practical Convo Thursdays. I share clear, actionable tips to help creators and creative service providers improve their visibility and confidence on social media. Questions are welcome in advance.

Ready for Personalized Strategy?

Try the Creative Jumpstart Package

If you want one-on-one support, the Creative Jumpstart Package includes:

• A strategy session to clarify your goals

• A custom content calendar aligned with your audience

• 12 to 20 posts per month tailored to your brand

• Full Instagram and Facebook management

This is ideal for artists, wellness professionals, and creative entrepreneurs who are ready to grow without managing content full-time. Pricing starts at $1500 per month. No long-term contract required.

Free Download:

Try the free Worksheet: Weekly Visibility Checklist for Creators. Use this checklist to audit your content, improve your engagement, and give the algorithm what it needs to share your work with more of the right people. This is not about posting more. It’s about posting smarter.

If your audience is not responding, it does not mean your work is not valuable. It means the way it is being delivered could be improved. Start with a healthy account. Use hooks that spark interest. Share more of your process. Engage intentionally.

You do not have to learn all of this alone. Help is available, and your community is out there waiting to find you!