We’ve all been there before. We’ve sat in a meeting or been cc’ed on an email thread where someone threw out some jargon we’d never heard before, but by the grace of context clues or impostor syndrome, nodded our way through it.

Office work is full of ever-changing lingo, an entire language within a language. But what is supposed to be logistical shorthand often becomes something else entirely. Workers can use it to make something seem more important or serious than it is, passive aggressively ask for something, passive aggressively ignore something, or even just generally convey a level of competency the speaker may or may not have. You may even find yourself employing such vocabulary without truly understanding the meaning, living in fear of the day that someone finally asks you what you meant when you said “prototype.”

Well, fear not. To help you navigate the unwieldy world of white-collar words, here is your guide to some of the most common office jargon.

Circle back

  • What it means: Let’s start with an easy one. To circle back is to follow up.
  • Example: “Let’s circle back on this idea next week!”
  • What it really means: This can go one of two ways:

When the speaker employs it referring to the future (“Let’s circle back on this”), it really means they have no intention of dealing with the topic at hand and wish instead to gently kick it down the road, often in hopes that everyone forgets about it.

On the other hand, when the speaker/emailer uses it in the present referring to the past (“Hey, just circling back on this!”), they are extremely stressed and reminding the recipient of a task or project that is wildly overdue.

Bubble up

  • What it means: Related to “circle back” in that it pulls from round imagery, to “bubble up” is to revisit an email conversation with the intention that the conversation’s recency keeps it at the top of your inbox.
  • Example: “Just bubbling this thread to the top of your inbox”
  • What it really means: More effervescent than its two-dimensional cousin “circle back,” “bubble up” is a gentler reminder to revisit an email thread, with the understanding that said thread may have gotten lost under a trove of other emails, as-of-yet unsubscribed sale announcements, media newsletters, petition requests, and other messages from retailers the recipient maybe bought something from once six years ago.

Ideate

  • What it means: To ideate is to come up with an idea but like in a deep, innovative, visionary way.
  • Example: We’ll take some time to ideate a solution for the distribution platform.
  • What it really means: Brainstorm. Yes, ideation and brainstorming are two different things, but the vast majority of the time in office workplaces, when people say “ideate,” they really mean “brainstorm.”

Leverage

  • What it means: To employ advantages (often social media followings these days) to convert a certain behavior and reach a specified goal.
  • Example: We’re leveraging our social media audience to bump up sales.
  • What it really means: To use. Or to let Instagram “do its thing.” (“Leverage” is also misused very often.)

In these trying/unprecedented times

  • What it means: This phrase is meant to acknowledge the extremely difficult emotional and physical toll the pandemic and current events are continuing to take on us.
  • Example: “We’re working harder than ever before to make our employees feel safe and supported in these trying times.”
  • What it really means: Often used to convey compassion for how difficult it is to live through political instability and a global health crisis — right before asking employees to do their job like it’s a normal day.

Agile

  • What it means: In project management theory, there are two main approaches. Waterfall is a structured, linear model in which one phase must be finalized before the next phase begins, while agile prioritizes a more flexible approach centering collaboration, adapting, and incremental progress.
  • Example: “Let’s stay agile on this project, team!”
  • What it really means: “Agility” is often a warning that you will need to adapt to an increasingly demanding workplace with unrealistic expectations and unmanageable workloads in these trying times.

Offline

  • What it means: To flag a topic that is irrelevant in the current conversation to revisit in a separate conversation.
  • Example: “Let’s take this conversation offline” or even “Let’s offline this conversation.”
  • What it really means: There are so many ways meetings can get out of hand, and so often, it comes down to one person just going off on a tangent. Taking something offline is a diplomatic way to get the conversation back on track without hurting anyone’s feelings. And just like “circle back,” it often does not matter if the conversation actually gets revisited.

Ping

  • What it means: To directly message an individual.
  • Example: “I’ll ping you about the fonts we’re thinking about.”
  • What it really means: Similar to “offline,” “pinging” is a promise to get in touch with an individual that often goes unfulfilled.

Hop on a call

  • What it means: To meet virtually.
  • Example: “Let’s hop on a call and knock this deck out.”
  • What it really means: This could be an email, but I really enjoy the sound of my own voice.

NFT

What it means: Please don’t get me started.

About the author. 
Sam Mani writes about work, creativity, wellness, and equity — when she’s not cooking, binging television, or annoying her cat. 

After the last year and a half that we have been through, it’s no surprise that people are on social media now more than ever. Social media is how we’ve accessed the latest news in urgent times. It’s how we were able to stay connected to each other as we isolated from each other. It’s how we processed, discussed, and learned. So yeah, we’re all extremely logged on.

The last couple years have seen huge changes in how people engage with brands on the platforms, and these changes will continue to make an impact throughout the 2020s. So, what does that mean for social media managers going forward?

Good social media management has always been about mastering the art of conversation. It’s about listening to your audience’s needs and responding to them in a unique way, while always finding the next conversation to start. But audience needs have clearly changed.

What Audiences Want

Now, more than ever, audiences choose to support brands that they feel would support them. Audiences want connection and authenticity, and they want their brands to care about the causes they do. According to a recent study conducted by Sprout Social, 72% of consumers want brands to be positive contributors to society, 64% want brands to connect with consumers, and 66% want to be able to trust brands. That’s a lot to ask of a brand, which means there’s a lot of opportunity for marketing.

Consumers are increasingly cognizant of the power their purchase has and likely to buy products from brands that make them feel good about their choices. That could take the form of an eco-friendly brand, a designer from an underrepresented community, or a product in which the proceeds go to a certain cause.

Beyond the purchase though, consumers are equally aware of the power their “Follow” or their “Like” has. Audiences are savvy with their social media use and how their actions online communicate what brands, aesthetics, and politics they “buy into,” even if they’re not buying anything at all.

Authenticity Is Key

An important part of developing a social media voice is assuring your audience that your brand cares about them and the things they’re passionate. For that, authenticity is key. Consumers can smell pandering a mile away, and your audience needs something real to connect with if they are going to champion your brand.

Authenticity is rooted in honesty and the personal. Bringing a personal touch could look a number of different ways depending on your brand. It could look like highlighting stories of real people. It could be featuring employees (or even the CEO) of the brand to give the audience a glimpse into the company. It could simply be having a confident perspective and voice in the comments that makes the audience feel like they’re talking to a friend. A strong social media strategy means being able to consistently maintain that voice and persona regardless of what the news cycle brings.

Content Over Aesthetic

Yes, yes, we all love a beautifully designed social media post, whether it’s minimal and earthy or maximalist and full of vibrant patterns. But one of the most annoying things on social media is seeing something beautiful and not knowing what purpose it serves. With products like Canva making graphic design extremely accessible, it feels like aesthetic is everything, but there is a limit, whether it’s infographics or ad campaigns for a product. The last thing you want is to bring an audience to your page, only for them to not know what your brand even is. A consumer may think your social media account is cool, but if they don’t know what it’s for, then that initial interest will fade out. So yes, design away, but don’t design away the message.

What Do Brands Believe in Anyway?

Throughout the summer of 2020 and the Black Lives Matter protests, it was impossible for anyone to not address what was going on in the country politically and racially. Some brands really rose to the occasion, donating to causes putting out statements that plainly and directly addressed the situation and where they stood on it, and amplifying Black voices. The brands who failed often did not have the vocabulary to discuss what was happening, tried so hard not to alienate anyone that they ended up alienating everyone, or put all the labor of creating the right-sounding statement solely on Black employees when all of the leadership was non-Black.

Brands these days need to be able to take a stand on issues that are important to their customers, not simply because their customers care, but because the brand genuinely cares. So identify certain topics that your consumers care about. Do your research. Understand how the conversation is playing out. Keep learning. And always back it up. Engaging with certain issues is not about just deploying the right buzzwords. It’s about being thoughtful and responsive. Also consider the brand’s limits because for consumers, brands can’t just talk about it. They need to be about it.

As social media manager, you can also be an agent of change. If you notice that your audience want the brand to make changes (like making a certain material eco-friendly or donating to a certain cause), be open to that and communicate that to other teams. The customer isn’t always right, but they can help push companies and brands to improve their product.

Social media management is all about cultivating relationships with your audience and consumers. Just like any other relationship, good social media management is about listening, exchanging, being authentic, and adapting. We live in a time where it feels like so much is out of our control, and one of the few things we do get to control is what we buy into, whether a product or a brand on social media. It takes a lot of work to meet the consumer where they’re at emotionally, visually, and even politically, but if you manage to do that, you’ll have a loyal audience.

 

Work-life balance has long been difficult to achieve. But what about work-work balance? Plenty of us creatives have personal projects that we’re passionate and excited about, but which ultimately take a back seat to the gigs that pay the bills.  

By the time we get around to these side projects, we can find ourselves completely drained or simply not in the mood. This is particularly true if your day job is also in a creative field, like design, illustration, production, or anything that requires a lot of artistic energy and attention. It can be heartbreaking to devote all of your energy to your job only to find yourself unable to bring that same energy to the work that you are truly passionate about.  

If you feel your personal projects are withering from neglect because you’re too busy putting your creative forces into other jobs, here are some tips to help redistribute your energy.  

Boundaries, boundaries, boundaries!  

Just as with any other kind of work-life balance, juggling creative work projects with creative personal projects requires strict boundaries. Remember, this is all about protecting your time and energy. If you work a full-time job, this means being extremely conscious of not taking your work home, or even deciding to turn off email and Slack notifications after a certain hour. Obviously, this is often easier said than done. But not only will setting these boundaries make your free time truly free, but it can also help you be more productive when you are on the clock. 

If you work freelance, make a list of projects or clients you have to accomplish, and set aside strict time for each one. Get out of the habit of trying to switch back and forth between multiple projects in a single work session — try setting aside certain days of the week for certain projects. This is all about cleaning up your schedule so that you can honor the agreements you’ve made with clients. 

While you’re setting your work calendar, go ahead and schedule time for your personal creative work. No, seriously, send yourself a calendar invite, RSVP, and attend — do not let other work spill into that time. No matter what you actually do in that creative session, it’s about holding your personal work in the same esteem as you hold those other projects.  

So you’ve finally set aside the time to work on your project. But when you sit down in front of your computer, or in your studio, or in front of your instrument, nothing happens. You’re still drained of your creative energy. Now, what? There are several ways to spur some creative energy.  

Consider your space 

Do you work from home, in the same space where you eat or where you do your personal projects? Change it up. There are, of course, tiers to this. Some folks can afford renting out studio space, where they can dedicate a completely separate space from their home to work on their personal projects. For others, clearing out a room or a corner of your living space dedicated solely to your personal work is the best option. Of course, if your studio is just wherever you and your computer are, doing something as small as making a separate profile on your computer for that personal work can help separate out the labor you’re doing and put you in a different headspace.  

Take a break 

Sometimes we are so excited to get moving along on our personal projects after work that we just jump right into it. But part of protecting your time and your energy means taking a break to decompress. You don’t want to bring the work headspace into your personal work — you want to create your own headspace. Whether you take a nap, go for a walk, play with your pet, or listen to music, find a small activity that will help you ease out of your work mode and into your creative one. 

Consume and connect 

No, I don’t mean just scrolling TikTok or binging Netflix. In the same way reading makes you a better writer, checking out the work of your peers, mentors, or other folks whose work you admire (or detest!) can help you find some inspiration in content or process. And on that note, reach out to other folks in your field and pick their brain about their work. Chances are they’ll understand the stress of working a job while trying to get a passion project off the ground too.  

Be kind to yourself 

For creatives, the last year and a half has been intensely frustrating as we respond to all the trauma that has played out. While some have thrown themselves into their work, others have found themselves paralyzed, unable to do so. Maybe that fabric pattern you’re designing is taking far longer than you expected. Maybe you’ve sat down in front of a blank Google doc for a week straight. Maybe you just don’t know where to take the video game you’re working on.  

Cut yourself some slack, and maybe take time away from your personal project. Our creativity is our power, but our work isn’t our worth. Be kind to yourself, because in due time, you will figure it out and complete your project!  

About the author.
Sam Mani writes about work, creativity, wellness, and equity — when she’s not cooking, binging television, or annoying her cat

During my seven years living in New York City, I experienced constant stimulation. That’s a lot of why a young person moves to New York, right? For the energy, the opportunity, the excitement. If you’re bored in New York, you’re doing it wrong. As a vibrant 20-something, I thrived off the fast pace and limitless possibilities, but as time went on, I found myself feeling something different. Something less than excited.  

I was tired. 

Some of the constant visual cues vying for my precious brain space were the advertisements plastered on every wall, on the billboards across the skyline, and, most inescapably, throughout the subway stations and trains. Don’t have something to distract you on the train? You’ll find plenty of companies clamoring for your attention, sometimes with clever copy, sometimes not. But there will always be… something. 

Except for this one day. I scrambled into a subway car, and despite my rush, felt a sense of ease. The train car was miraculously void of humans, but it wasn’t just that. It took a few minutes, but I eventually realized there was nary an advertisement in sight. Just a lot of blank spaces for my eyes to rest upon. I could breathe easy with all that space. There was nothing yelling for my attention. 

*** 

In design, negative space (also known as white space) gives breathing room in between bits of information. It’s like a gentle hand that guides you towards what’s important, helping you understand the communication being thrown at you. It’s a user’s best friend, which makes it a designer’s great pal, too.  

This concept applies to many mediums, but let’s focus on digital design for now. What do ample amounts of white space do? As UX Planet notes, “if everything yells for a viewer’s attention, nothing is heard.”  

White space accomplishes this in a variety of ways. Active white space directs the user. Think margins and layout. Meanwhile, passive white space, like the gaps between lines and characters, deals with aesthetics and comfort. Active white space works on directing you towards those elements of visual hierarchy, while passive white space improves legibility and comprehension.  

There’s also macro and micro space. Micro space refers to the space inside objects, like buttons, where you can have more spaciousness within the button to call attention to the potential call to action. Macro has to do with the outside space between these objects. 

Besides layout design, white or negative space also can be used to create imaginative logos that say more with less. 

*** 

Most importantly, negative space gives the eyes and the brain room to breathe and rest. We’ve talked about the importance of rest for creativity and productivity before, but let’s, for a moment, consider it for its own sake. 

Many cultures place so much value on extracting something, anything, out of every precious moment. We want net positives, profits, consumption. We want to rise at any expense. If we look around at the world around us, we notice more and more clearly every year that this isn’t sustainable. That we need more breaks. More moments to pause. More SPACE.  

Even the word variation on white space, “negative” space, has a certain connotation. Negative means loss, less, not enough. What a horror. But what if the connotation wasn’t so bad? What if we could have a more neutral approach to the absence of “something”? 

Sometimes, negative space is the most important part of a piece because it plays with our subconscious. It influences the way we think and process and feel in a way we don’t pinpoint in the moment — unless, of course, we are very diligently practicing mindfulness around it. It’s an extremely powerful tool once we know how to use it. 

So what about in our daily lives? How can we use that white or negative space to recognize what’s important, create more understanding, and end up in the right place?  

Again, I don’t love talking about these moments of rest in the context of productivity. I much prefer rest, space, and play for their own sake. Because they are worthwhile and important on their own for a fulfilling life. But for those who won’t bat an eye at something unless there’s a productivity gain, I’ve got you covered, too. Giving yourself more space/rest/play time prevents burnout, makes you more creative, and helps you actually accomplish the things you set out to do by eliminating “time scarcity.” Another way to put this is to create “blank canvas” moments where your thoughts have space to breathe, organize, and flow. Like meditation, a nap, or a more playful activity. 

This white paper by Jackrabbit explores the intersection of design and neurosciences, confirming that “design needs to be salient and lack surrounding chaos.” We love design that is “simple but striking,” proving that when our brains gain freedom from visual clutter, we can more easily digest the information that’s actually being conveyed. Seems simple enough, right? 

While white space on the page — and throughout your week — can offer extremely necessary breathing room and direction, it can also stir up any anxiety, agitation, or discomfort that lies stirring beneath the surface. Or perhaps the absence of distraction allows us to notice a quiet buzzing that has been there all along. 

Ultimately, our relationship to negative space and its connotations says a lot about us and our state of mind. This vital unsung hero really does run the show, even if we’re not consciously registering it. 

About the author. 

Alessandra is the mentor, educator, and writer behind Boneseed, a private practice devoted to deep self-inquiry through a range of physical, energetic, and mental modalities. She has over 500 hours of yoga, mentorship, and facilitation training and can be found slinging knowledge on her website, newsletter, and @bone.seed. 

Quality Quitting: The Right Way to Leave a Job 

Hooray! After plenty of researching, soul-searching, and interviewing. you’ve finally received a great offer and accepted a new job. Off you go… hey, not so fast. You still have a script to follow to sign out the right way. Be thoughtful and kind. It will pay off in the end and throughout your career. 

What specifically needs to be done and how? Take suggestions from a trusted source. The Wall Street Journal knows a few things about business, including “How to Quit a Job and Leave on Good Terms.” This post advises to part “on the best terms possible.” Why all the fuss? First, there’s the basic respect you should show others, especially coworkers, even if you’ve had your differences. Plus, there’s the “you-never-know” principle. Your manager, supervisor, and colleagues may serve as vital references and contacts at some juncture. Your paths may cross on other jobs and in other venues. You may end up serving on industry committees together. It’s a small world: keep that in mind.  

The Journal condenses all of this into two words: “resign gracefully.” How?  

  • Allot the proper amount of lead time. Provide a safety net for your team by not bolting out the door. Hopefully, you factored this time into your new job start date; if not, do so. This approach is the subject of “How to Give Two Weeks’ Notice Without Burning Bridges.” Although the amount of time you assign to this interval may vary, offering the standard two weeks cuts your present employer some slack; after all, there will be a gap when you vacate your post. They will have to figure out how to proceed; it’s no small matter.       
  •  Write your resignation and deliver and discuss it face-to-face. On “Sex and the City,” a boyfriend of Carrie Bradshaw breaks up with her by leaving a message on a Post-it. Don’t replicate that model. Make a timely appointment to get on your supervisor’s calendar so you can tender your resignation face-to-face. Make it official and include your departure date. See “How to Write a Resignation Letter (With Samples and Tips)” from Indeed. Keep the proceedings civil and cordial. If you are asked, offer constructive criticism rather than casting aspersions. It’s conceivable you may receive a counteroffer to stay. Be prepared for this—it may be worthwhile.   
  •  Cooperate completely. You likely will receive a number of asks from your boss and others, e.g., update your job description, document procedures, detail descriptions of interactions with clients and open issues, work with team members to hand over responsibilities, inform/train them, explain what requires intervention and when. Be agreeable and accurate. Another: attend the exit interview that Human Resources will schedule. Go with a smile on your face and act professionally. You want to thank all for your time at the firm. Ideally, you want to hear that you would be welcome back should you wish to return at some point.  
  •  Don’t leave without it. For your own records, list your functions and accomplishments. Much likely went into your revised resume and updated job description, but not all. Capture this now rather than rely on memory. Focus on your employee benefits, e.g., health and financial. How long will your medical insurance last? How do you get COBRA, if needed? What about vacation/time off days—how many, how will you get paid for them? Discuss these details at your exit interview or send questions beforehand. Copy personal email messages; connect with IT about your computer equipment and how to safeguard your privacy.  
  •  Apprise others and depart with dignity. Your supervisor or HR may wish to send out an official notice about your parting to various stakeholders. Let them know what details you’re comfortable disclosing at your meetings. And advise them you intend to do the same; in fact, come equipped with a draft or several of them for review. Use business etiquette in these interactions and communications. Provide your colleagues with your personal contact information, and ensure you have the same from them. Stay in touch with some at least once or twice a year to keep these relationships alive.   

Recap: You’re on your way out, so execute your own exit strategy. Give advance and appropriate notice. Resign in writing and submit in person. Thank all for the opportunity of working at the company. Demonstrate that in the way you tie up loose ends, leave instructions, provide contact information, and express willingness to respond to job-related inquiries. Work with HR on summing up your situation, communicating your departure, and receiving information about your insurance, 401(k), pension, and portable benefits. Ask coworkers for contact information and stay in touch. Do NOT take anything that belongs to the organization, including intellectual property, or violate agreements. 

Uh Oh! What if You Started a Job and It’s Not Working Out? 

 This happens too! You’re unhappy. Keep a level head. What you’re feeling may be a function of newness. Making a job change is not easy. It’s a transition. Factor this into your thoughts and give yourself some time to work this through. 

If, after considered judgment, all signs point to leaving, you still need to put a plan in place. You may only be on the new job for a short time, but it behooves you to act respectfully and focus on your responsibilities.   

 Try to stay as long as possible. This gives you time to acclimate. It also enables you to begin job hunting while you still are employed. Note: it’s advisable to hold on for a year or ideally two. That way, you benefit from the experience and can use it as a resume line item. That said, if you can no longer tolerate your new job, leave. However, plan this move rather than fly out the door. See “How Long Should I Stay at a Job Before Quitting?”  

 Similar to the steps outlined in The Great Resignation Part I, understand the root cause of the problem(s) on the new job. The answer will assist you in searching for a better fit. Once you have a plan in place and are making progress, speak with your boss. Air your views. Come prepared with potential solutions. Ask questions—does he/she have suggestions? Are there other roles available that may suit you and the company? Research this beforehand and list possibilities. Get feedback and consider all options.  

 If all fails, tender a resignation letter. Follow the steps and tone outlined above in principle. Understand that the business invested in you; let the powers that be know you appreciate it. We all make mistakes; the idea is to learn from them.  

 Put in whatever time and effort you need to make a worthwhile job change. When you receive and accept an offer, go through the prescribed process with decorum. Things change in the workplace. Quality quitting should not. Mutual respect is the hallmark of this model. 

About the author.
You name it, she covers it. That’s the can-do attitude Sherry M. Adler brings to the craft of writing. A polished marketing and communications professional, she has a passion for learning and the world at large. She uses it plus the power of words to inform and energize stakeholders of all kinds. And to show how all of this can make a difference, she calls her business WriteResults NY, LLC. 

If you want an excellent place to showcase your best work and promote yourself as a creative, say hello to social media. 

Social media has the power and reach to create community, provide a kick of inspiration, and can help artists visualize their work from a more macro perspective. And your online presence could help you sell more work, win freelance clients, gain new creative collaborators — and help you build a robust and professional reputation. Perhaps most significantly, mastering the art of social media can help your relationships with your followers and turn them into your tribe.

There are many social media platform options — along with a fast-growing number of creative apps that specifically cater to creators, making it easier than ever to get your work in front of the right audience. 

Some key social media benefits for artists include:

  • Building a global following
  • Connecting with fans in real-time
  • Networking with other artists
  • Growing a relationship with followers
  • A measure of freedom from the gallery system for visual artists

But beware that social media can also be a source of frustration and isolation. However, when used wisely, it can strengthen your art practice and help your work be seen by those that would not otherwise have access. Here we share some ways to approach social media that will move you and your career forward.

So, what is the best social media platform to sell and promote art?

Here’s a revelation: there is no such thing as a “best” social media network for all artists. The best social network for you is the platform where your target audience hangs out. If your people are on Instagram — then Instagram is the best social platform for you. If your fans are on Facebook, that’s the right network for you to promote your work.

Your time is limited. Get the most out of it by researching where your audience is before you develop a social media strategy. Figure out which platforms are the right ones for you to invest in instead of spreading yourself thin by creating accounts on many social media platforms. Look at the current networks you’re on — where do you get the most interaction? Pay attention to that. Measure twice, cut once: Take the time to discover where your audience is hanging out. 

These are some of the most popular social media networks to look into for artists and creatives:

Promote your work where your audience lives and focus on a handful of platforms at most to start, because publishing a post and forgetting about it won’t help you grow your audience — you need to be in the field interacting with folks if you want to build engagement. And remember — the only constant is change, and that goes triple for the world of tech. Today’s platform may not be the best one for you tomorrow (hello, MySpace!).

While the world of social media options has gotten broader — many visual artists do indeed favor Instagram (it’s still the most popular visuals-based social platform) — so we are including some additional insights germane to that platform. Here are some tips to help make your efforts go the extra mile.

Optimize your social media profiles.

Marketing gurus recommend that you optimize your profiles such that they look the same across your network. Your account name should be the same (or very similar) on each platform. Make sure to include all important links (like to your portfolio site).

And concerning Instagram, make the most of your 150-character bio. It tells potential followers who you are, what you care about, and is the only place where you can post a live link to your work. Some artists put a standard link to their site, while others change it regularly to reflect recent posts or happenings. Another tack is to take advantage of link-in-bio tools, like Shop Grid, which allows you to turn a single link into a catalog of links.

Link to your social media platforms from elsewhere.

Make it easy for folks to find your social media platforms. Add the icons to your website footer to link to your social accounts, add to your email signature, and cross-reference your various social networks in the bio section across all the platforms you use.

Post consistently.

People will start to see you as an expert in your field of art if you consistently post text and visual content on your various social media platforms. And also, the algorithms favor consistency; Instagram’s algorithmic timeline weights consistency as a key element to having your posts seen. And if your posts are shared regularly — and pick up good engagement — the algorithm will reward you by showing your posts near the top of your follower’s feeds. 

Artists and brands that get into a regular flow with their Instagram posts tend to see the best results. According to a Tailwind study, profiles that post daily gain Instagram followers more quickly than those that post less frequently.

But heed the maxim that quality is more important than quantity, something that is true across all social media platforms. Just because you post more often does not mean it will translate to higher engagement rates. And be careful of posting a lot when you have an exhibition if you typically do not engage with social media regularly. 

Focus on making content that resonates, talk about aspects of your work that will engage your followers — ultimately that is what matters most.

Focus on engagement, not follower count. 

A word to the wise: take care not to let follower counts and comments become qualifiers for your work. Yes, there is some validation therein, but if these interactions become a self-fulfillment loop, it could be self-destructive. Your followers are there because they are interested in YOUR creations, YOUR voice, YOUR unique vision. And it’s ok if it’s not for everyone. Please remember that.

A large follower count does not equate to actual influence, which lies in the engagement with your followers. Focus on developing stronger connections with people already tuning into your work. Engagement is essential for growth, so engage your fans in a conversation. 

To engage more genuinely with your audience:

  • Leave thoughtful comments on other people’s posts, beyond the rote “beautiful” or “love that.” 
  • Respond to every comment with something more substantial than a “thanks.” Other folks will be inspired to leave comments when they see that you are responding to the comments.
  • Consider promoting other artists on your feed and focus on people who are passionate about what you’re doing—interact with them in comments, DMs, follow, and like back. 
  • Be as interested in your high-engagement followers’ content as you want them to be in yours. 

Remember that just because someone sees your content doesn’t mean they currently follow you. If you have a chance to interact with a potential new follower, take it. Look at every comment as an opportunity to gain a new fan (or keep a current one). If that sounds like a lot of tapping on your phone, don’t fret — there’re ways to comment and DM from desktop too!

Want to optimize your posting times? Consider making the switch to a business account.

You’re posting because you want people to see your work, right? It makes sense to pay attention to when folks are the most active on your page so you can optimize when you upload new content. Newsfeed algorithms—particularly the Facebook algorithm and Instagram algorithm—consider “recency” as a major ranking signal, which means that actually posting your content when your followers are online is one of the simplest ways to improve your organic reach. The best way to figure out when your people are paying attention? Switch to a business account so that you can receive some basic analytics for each of your posts. 

Take a look at your analytics tools, or social media reports, and home in on your more successful posts for a given metric such as: 

  • Awareness — posts that have high impressions)
  • Engagement — posts that earned impressive engagement rates)
  • Sales/Traffic — posts that attracted a lot of clicks)

Then, take a look at what time of day or week you posted successful content, and see what kind of patterns form.

But here’s some intelligence that may aid your efforts as you begin to dive into your own stats. Hootsuite, who creates software to streamline cross-social channel posting, did some investigation into the best times to post in a more general sense and this is what they found.

  • Instagram: The best time to post on Instagram is 11:00 AM on Wednesdays.
  • Facebook: The best time to post on Facebook is 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 
  • Twitter: The best time to post on Twitter is 8:00 AM on Mondays and Thursdays.
  • LinkedIn: The best time to post on LinkedIn is 9:00 AM on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

High-quality images are everything.

Along with monitoring ideal posting time, another essential aspect to be aware of is the quality of your image/s. Think of social media like a trade publication, and post something worthy for those in your industry. Ask yourself if the copy and image you’re posting will stand out and tell a story. You want to catch eyes and capture minds — and pay attention to the data, so you know when is best.

Embrace the 80/20 rule.

In a nutshell: post informative information 80% of the time and promote your work by just 20%. Providing more storytelling and less promotion is essential to forging a more authentic connection with your followers. Yes — showcase your art and work on social media, but give it context by providing information about your process. Share what inspired you, what you’re planning to work on next, or perhaps some helpful tips that help solve a problem related to your art, like innovative ways to display your pieces.

Be Real. Be Authentic. Be YOU.

We know it may sound a tad cliché, but letting your followers have a true look into your life is one of the best ways to connect with them online. Be honest about where and how you’re doing your work — if you convert your closet into an art studio, talk about making work in tight urban spaces. Won a residency? Share photos of your new workspace and talk about the experience. If you have an infant in the studio, show that in some of your posts and talk about creating with a tiny human in tow. It all relates to being honest and sharing your reality. Show your creative practice, share in-progress shots of your work along with images of finished projects — people will feel that much closer to your art if they travel along the continuum as you create them.

There are other reasons to actively engage social media from a professional perspective, aside from promoting your work. Connecting with other artists ranks high, as does mining inspiration for future work. You will happen upon new content you would not have discovered otherwise, and it is an opportunity for leading luminaries to see your work to whom you otherwise may not have easy access. And it’s an opportunity for those that create alone to connect with a community of creators and learn. 

About the author.
An award-winning creator and digital health, wellness, and lifestyle content strategist—Karina writes, produces, and edits compelling content across multiple platforms—including articles, video, interactive tools, and documentary film. Her work has been featured on MSN Lifestyle, Apartment Therapy, Goop, Psycom, Yahoo News, Pregnancy & Newborn, Eat This Not That, thirdAGE, and Remedy Health Media digital properties and has spanned insight pieces on psychedelic toad medicine to forecasting the future of work to why sustainability needs to become more sustainable. 

Confusing data, industry jargon, lack of prior knowledge — ALL these things can make it feel impossible to glean the information we need from various sources. So, when companies have something important to communicate, it is vital they cut through any confusing or unfamiliar information. 

Technical Writers are charged with taking complicated, technical, industry-specific information and presenting it in a streamlined and digestible format.

Think everything from user manuals to online courses to C-suite presentations — anything that explains detailed information to audiences that are not technical experts. They are also in demand in every industry, so it is an excellent option for folks that want to make writing their full-time career choice. 

While this all might seem straightforward, the skills required to be a good Technical Writer can be hard to come by. It is a job that requires high-level processing of information and the ability to parse out the crucial elements and present them in a helpful way for the intended audience. 

What does a Technical Writer do?  

Technical Writers do more than writing. To develop documents that serve their purpose, they need to be designed from the ground up, which means there is more to the process than just crafting content. 

Define The Project

Technical Writers develop all different types of documents, so clarifying the details of each project with the client is an essential first step to make sure you deliver what is being asked. Necessary specifications include document type, subject area/content, goal, scope, and audience.

Audience Analysis  

The next step is to take a careful look at the audience for whom you are writing. Facts may need to be conveyed differently based on who is reading. For example, are you writing for folks with background knowledge on the topic or someone completely unfamiliar with the information? 

Instructional Solutions offers some questions to think about when identifying your audience:

  • Who are they?
  • What do they need?
  • Where will they be reading?
  • When will they be reading?
  • Why will they reading?
  • How will they be reading?

Document Planning & User Experience

How is your reader going to interact with your document? What design choices can help make it most useful to them? As a Technical Writer, you need to design your documents in a way that conveys the information most clearly to a specific audience, so it is crucial to think about how they will navigate the content you are giving them. Therefore, every choice made should consider the question: “How does this serve the reader?”

Technical Research & Writing

And now we finally get to content! This step includes studying a slew of sources for the information that fits the brief of your project and then translating that to a more accessible format and language. While it is helpful for the Technical Writer to be well versed in the subject matter they are working with; it is also good practice to consult directly with technical subject matter experts. They can be an invaluable resource to clarify anything confusing, consult on what key points to include, and provide additional clarifying information. 

Technical Writing Principles 

For the most part, technical writing is relatively straightforward, but specific strategies can help maximize the usability and user experience of technical documents. 

Active Voice 

People find it much easier to read sentences written in the active voice, so use this technique whenever you can. The subject of your sentence should be the doer of the action. 

Accurate, Plain Language

Technical writing is not the space to show off your creative prose. Use the correct terms for anything technically specific while avoiding jargon that may not be common knowledge. If needed, define a potentially unfamiliar term. When writing instruction, precision is key — you want to eliminate any room for misinterpretation, so include as much detail as necessary, but not too much that it distracts.

Logical Sequencing

To make your writing clear and direct, consider how it will flow. Sequence your copy in a way that corresponds to the points in the process the reader will need specific pieces of information. They should not have to jump around to look for what they need.

You Need These Attributes and Characteristics to Succeed at Being a Technical Writer 

Unsurprisingly, writing and editing skills are necessary to thrive as a Technical Writer—  and a keen eye for detail. But, possibly even more important than that is a commitment to being a lifelong learner since you will consistently be engaging with new, potentially unfamiliar material. The ability to absorb, process, and effectively share large quantities of information is at the core of this role. Additionally, taking a user-centered approach to projects will also yield the most successful technical writing. 

Qualifications 

Almost all Technical Writer jobs will require at least a Bachelor’s degree, but qualifications can vary significantly between industries beyond that. For example, some software companies will look for a technical writer with coding experience, but that is not always the case. A lot of the specific subject-area training happens on the job, so a demonstrated ability to quickly pick up on new skills will set you up for success in an interview. 

There are many resources and courses available for folks interested in diving into the field of technical writing. If you think it might be for you, check this out. 

Salary 

The salary for a Technical Writer can vary based on location, experience, industry, and whether you are working full time or freelance. As of May 2020, the average salary for a Technical Writer in the United States was $74,650. 

About the author.
An award-winning creator and digital health, wellness, and lifestyle content strategist—Karina writes, produces, and edits compelling content across multiple platforms—including articles, video, interactive tools, and documentary film. Her work has been featured on MSN Lifestyle, Apartment Therapy, Goop, Psycom, Yahoo News, Pregnancy & Newborn, Eat This Not That, thirdAGE, and Remedy Health Media digital properties and has spanned insight pieces on psychedelic toad medicine to forecasting the future of work to why sustainability needs to become more sustainable.