Workshop: Showing Up Online as an Artist
I was recently asked to host a workshop for artists on “Online Visibility & Content Creation" - right up my alley, because I’m very passionate about helping Namibian creatives express themselves loudly.
I think one of the reasons our industry grows too slowly is that artists are afraid to show up online. They are scared of being perceived - Namibians can be a little too judgy and very critical of people who are different - which makes creatives not show up even more.
That is why I approached this workshop by leading with a conversation on Mindset Shift, because honestly I can teach you every thing you need to know about content creation - but if you are too scared or too shy to show up online, all of this will be useless. With that I say:
“Stop caring what people think, own your uniqueness and fill the world with it. Being an artist is a gift, pursing art is brave - not doing any of that is a disservice to you and the world.”
Our other order of business before moving into the practical was making sure the artists understood and knew their brands. Using a detailed worksheet, they explored their values, purpose, and message, helping them clarify their unique identity. They also developed positioning statements that could be used for their online bios, providing a solid foundation for their online presence.
The best way for an artist to show up online - is to be as authentic as the art they make.
We ended the workshop on day 2 delving into content creation, tools, and dissecting content we see online.
“As we wrap up, remember that the barriers to showing up online—whether mindset, tools, or environment—are just obstacles to overcome, not reasons to hold back. Address these challenges actively, but don’t wait for perfection. Start creating with whatever you have and build momentum as you go because consistency is truly what will make the difference.”
I’d like to use this space to send a shout out to the amazing creators who came to the workshop - thank you for engaging and being great sports. But most importantly for laughing at my jokes.
Taking the time to invest into growing your brand takes commitment - I can’t wait to see you all to thrive.
For anyone reading this and looking to follow and connect with other creators here is a list of creators from my workshop, you can check out:
@orlale.na
@_Canvas_For_Art_
@kweenp_02
Lynette_tilo_arts
Delia Khaises
@_spaiz
@voteforpontsho
@p.o.p.p.y__with__love
@artsy.anneli
@ndafatate_
@jackyspeaks_
@_nangoo_tjimbundu
@rhapsody.arts
@leroyy.ww / @mr.c.archives
Want to see everything we spoke about? Click here for the public view of the presentation:
Lastly, a big thank you to the Namibian Arts Association for hosting and for including me.
Follow them to see what else they have in store for the industry.