I don’t have Facebook or Instagram pages.

fennec fox wagging tail GIF
But we can still be friends—actual friends, instead of “I follow you and you follow me but we never see each others’ updates” friends.

Here are some ways that can happen:

  • You could email me to say “hello.” (Please do this. I really like it when people do this.)
  • You might sign up to receive vibrant monthly emails. (Also a favorite.)
  • You can opt into the intimacy of weekly updates. (I’d be honored.)
  • If snail mail is more your thing, my sticker club is the way to go. (This is a lot of fun.)
Why I don’t have Facebook or Instagram:
  1. Ever since Zuckerberg’s platforms ditched the chronological timeline in favor of one controlled by an algorithm that’s hell-bent on keeping you on the apps longer, social media isn’t useful for independent artists.
    2.

    It doesn’t matter how much you post or how beautiful your work is, if you don’t already have an audience, it’s almost impossible to convince the computer program running things that it should show your content.

  2. The algorithm in charge of Facebook and Instagram promotes hate.
    3.

    The apps’ computer overlord rewards content that gets a lot of engagement, and that includes posts that provoke violence. This remains the case despite public outcry demanding change.

But just because I refuse to participate in the Zuckerverse doesn’t mean I think you have to cancel your accounts!
[video transcript]

This video includes insights from Anne of My Giant Strawberry, Jen McCleary, Kristen Sampson, Julia Bausenhardt, Nicole Cicak, Kelsey Rodriguez, and Sneha of Essem Creatives as well as me! And there’s plenty of info about ditching Facebook and Instagram on my blog: