How to Get More Saves & Shares on Your Artwork

When I used to publish a new post on Instagram there was really only one number I cared about: likes. The more likes a post received the more successful it felt. Today I know that number is nowhere near as important as I once believed.

These days I pay attention to two completely different metrics first: saves and shares. They tell me far more about whether a post has truly connected with my audience. A like takes just a second. A save means someone found your post useful or inspiring enough to come back to it later. A share goes one step further. It tells you someone is thinking "Other people should see this too." Those are the interactions that make your content successful over the long term.

People Don't Save Images They Save Value

One of the biggest lessons I have learned over the years is that most people do not save images simply because they look beautiful. They save content that gives them something in return. That could be a new idea a practical tip an interesting technique or simply a thought that inspires them.

Before I publish anything today I always ask myself one question:

Why would someone want to come back to this post in a few weeks or even a few months?

If I cannot come up with a good answer I usually go back and improve the content. That one simple question has completely changed the way I approach social media.

Of course I still post the occasional quick sketch a photo of myself while drawing or something spontaneous that comes to mind.

But if my goal is to grow my account I focus on creating posts that provide real value for my followers.

My Instagram account today with 12.8K followers. I started it about 10 months ago and most of that growth happened during the last 3 to 4 months. The biggest change was focusing on creating content that provides real value and encourages saves and shares instead of simply chasing likes.

Show More Than the Finished Artwork

Many artists only share the final piece. There is nothing wrong with that but the story behind an illustration is often much more interesting.

Maybe your first sketch completely failed. Maybe it took several attempts before the composition finally worked. Maybe you were sketching outdoors and had to keep moving because of the weather or the crowds. Maybe you were working under a tight deadline.

These small behind the scenes moments make a post memorable. They remind people that every drawing comes from a real person with experiences challenges and creative decisions.

I have noticed that posts about my creative process are saved much more often than simple portfolio images. People want to understand how an illustration comes to life and what was going through your mind while creating it.

That is even more important today when so much online content is generated by AI. Showing your human side matters more than ever. Drawing and creating art involve so much more than just the finished artwork.

Share What You Have Learned

Whether someone is a beginner or a professional every artist is constantly searching for new ideas and better solutions.

That is why educational content performs so well.

Maybe you discovered a technique that helped you sketch more loosely. Maybe you learned how to overcome the fear of drawing in public. Maybe you found a faster way to create stronger compositions.

These real world experiences are often much more valuable than generic advice because they come from personal practice.

That is why I try to share more of these lessons. Not because I have all the answers or because I do everything better than everyone else but because I know other artists are probably facing the same challenges.

Stories Stay With People

People rarely remember individual facts. They remember stories.

That is why I now spend much more time talking about what happened behind a drawing.

Maybe a client project was especially challenging. Maybe a certain location inspired the piece. Maybe I learned something during the drawing process that I had never noticed before.

Stories create a connection between the artist and the audience. They turn an illustration into something much more meaningful.

This personal connection is also one of the biggest reasons people share content. They send it to others because they relate to it or because they think someone else will benefit from it.

A Good Caption Creates Curiosity

The first sentence often determines whether someone keeps reading or keeps scrolling.

That is why it is worth investing time into writing a strong caption.

Instead of writing something like "New illustration" explain why this artwork matters. Maybe you made a mistake. Maybe you experimented with a new technique. Maybe you discovered something unexpected while working on it.

Openings like these spark curiosity and encourage people to read the rest of your post.

Think Long Term Instead of Going Viral

I used to chase posts that would generate as much attention as possible right after publishing.

Now I think very differently.

I try to create content that will still be valuable months from now.

Helpful tips timeless advice and personal experiences continue to get saved and rediscovered long after they are published. Sometimes they reach their biggest audience months later.

That mindset removes a lot of pressure because not every post has to become an instant success.

This is a screenshot of my best performing Instagram post so far. It received 3,522 shares (unfortunately the share count is not visible in this screenshot). It took off quickly, but what surprised me most was its long term performance. Instead of fading after a few days it kept reaching new people for months and ultimately brought me around 3,000 new followers.

Quality Comes From Personality

Many artists believe they need to publish perfect artwork all the time.

I no longer agree.

Of course quality matters but personality is often even more important than perfection.

A spontaneous sketch with an honest story behind it can have a much greater impact than a technically flawless illustration with no context.

Social media thrives on genuine insights and authentic experiences. That is what makes people stop scrolling save your content and share it with others.

Final Thoughts

Before I publish anything today I no longer ask myself how many likes a post might receive.

Instead I ask three simple questions:

• Does this post help someone?

• Would I save it myself?

• Would I send it to a friend?

If I can honestly answer yes to all three I know the post offers real value.

That is what social media should be about. It is not about uploading as many perfect images as possible. It is about creating content that inspires teaches or makes people think.

Saves and shares are much more than just metrics. They show that your art has truly reached people and that it matters enough for them to come back to it or pass it along to someone else.

In the end that is far more valuable than any single like.

If you’re interested in what you can do as an artist to grow on Instagram while staying true to yourself, check out my article: How to Reach 10K Followers (Without Losing Yourself)