How to Plan a Week of Content for Artists

Creating content regularly can quickly become a challenge. I know the feeling of wanting to spend my time drawing or working on new projects instead of constantly thinking about what I should post next on social media. At the same time I have found that content can be a great way to make your work more visible and gradually build a community. In my opinion you do not need to spend hours every day creating Reels, posts or coming up with new ideas to make that happen.

I have personally found that I prefer creating carousel posts over Reels. Carousels are easier for me to prepare and they fit better with the way I like to show my work and creative process. That is why I do not think it makes much sense to focus on formats that work well for someone else if they take too much time or simply are not enjoyable for you. Everyone works differently and I believe that should also be reflected in the way you create content.

I also think it is important not to set your goals too high. If you decide that you need to publish a highly produced Reel every single day then social media can quickly take up more time than your actual creative work. For me content should mainly be a tool that supports my work. It should help me show what I do and increase my visibility without taking so much time that it gets in the way of drawing.

With that in mind I want to share seven simple ideas that can help you plan a full week of content. You do not have to follow these ideas on exactly these days. Think of them as a simple structure you can come back to whenever you are not sure what to post.

Show Your Process

I always find it interesting to see how an artwork comes together. The finished image is the result but the steps that happen before it often tell their own story. At the beginning of the week you could therefore show the process behind one of your artworks using a carousel post.

Start with the original idea or a rough sketch and then show some of the most important steps leading to the final piece. You can use short texts to explain what you are doing or why you made certain decisions. This turns a finished illustration into a small story about how it was created and gives your followers a much better insight into your way of working.

Share Something Unfinished

Not everything has to be finished before you share it on social media. In fact I think unfinished work can often be even more interesting. A rough sketch, an early draft or a new idea can give people a much more personal look into your everyday creative life than a perfectly presented final artwork.

You could simply take a photo of something you are currently working on and include a glimpse of your desk or studio. It does not need to be perfectly staged. These small moments from your everyday work can make your content feel more personal and show what is happening behind the scenes.

Start a Series

One thing I find particularly useful is creating recurring content formats. Once you have an idea that you can repeat regularly you do not have to start from scratch every week. At the same time recurring formats can create recognition and give your community something they can come back to.

For example you could try a new drawing material or brush once a week and share your experience with it. You could also experiment with different techniques or create short tutorials. The most important thing is to find a format that you actually enjoy and can see yourself continuing over time.

Tell Your Story

Your account does not have to consist entirely of finished illustrations. I think it can be particularly interesting for artists to share some of their personal journey as well. How did you get into art? What made you want to become an illustrator? What inspires you today and what are your goals for your creative career?

Maybe you can find an old photo from when you started drawing or take a new photo in your studio. You do not have to share your entire private life. Even small insights into your creative journey can help your followers get to know not only your work but also the person behind it.

Share What You Know

You do not need to create a detailed tutorial to share something useful with your community. Sometimes a small tip that has helped you in your own creative process is enough. It could be a particular material, a source of inspiration or something from your personal workflow.

Another option is to introduce one of your recent commissioned projects. Instead of simply showing the finished artwork you can explain who you created it for, what the topic was and how you approached it visually. I think this gives commissioned work much more personality while also showing potential clients how you approach different projects.

Try a Trend

Sometimes there is no reason to make content creation more complicated than it needs to be. There are constantly new trends and formats for Reels that you can adapt to your own work. If you find a trend that fits your style you can use it as a starting point and apply it to your art instead of coming up with a completely new idea.

At the same time I would not try to follow every trend. If a format does not feel right for you or takes far too much time to create then simply skip it. It makes much more sense to adapt a trend to your own style and workflow.

Look Back at Your Week

At the end of the week you can take a look at everything you created over the past few days. This could be a short weekly recap as a Reel, a collection of your favourite moments or simply your favourite artwork from the week.

You can use content you have already created. Maybe you photographed several sketches during the week, worked on a commission or tried some new materials. All of this can become part of a simple weekly recap without having to create something completely new.

You Do Not Have to Create Something New Every Day

For me a good content strategy does not mean coming up with an extraordinary new idea every single day. What matters much more is showing different sides of your creative work. Your finished illustrations are only one part of your creative world. Sketches, work processes, personal stories, commissioned projects, inspiration and small tips can all become interesting content.

I also believe it is much more important to find a way of creating content that you genuinely enjoy than to follow a set of rules about what you supposedly have to post. If you prefer carousel posts over Reels then create more carousels. If you enjoy showing your studio then show your studio. And if you only have time for social media two or three times a week then that is completely fine too.

Content should support your creative work. It should not become your creative work.

If you use these seven ideas as a simple structure for your week you can stay active on social media without having to start from scratch every time you need something to post.

For a deeper look at the role social media can play in an artist’s career, check out my article Do Artists Need Social Media to Be Successful?