Queen For A Day? = Quality > Quantity?
Do Follower + Subscriber Counts Matter?
Social media has become the primary way I (and the collective we) connect with audiences and fellow creatives. It’s also how I share and showcase the work Collide Press creates and curates.
Business isn’t the only reason I spend so much time on all these platforms. Creativity and inspiration are two more reasons. As is competition…with myself.
As a queer artist navigating these online spaces, I often wonder if follower and subscriber counts truly matter, or if there is more to success than mere numbers.
Social media has revolutionized how most of us consume and share art. It’s also provided a platform for marginalized voices, including those of queer artists, to reach wider audiences and foster communities.
However, amidst the clamor for likes, followers, shares, and subscribers, it's crucial to reevaluate the metrics by which we measure success.
For queer creatives like ourselves, social media offers a double-edged sword:
It provides a space to express identity, share experiences, and find solidarity within the LGBTQ+ community.
It also exposes us to scrutiny, discrimination, and the pressure to conform to mainstream expectations.
In this context, the pursuit of high follower counts can feel like a validation of one's worth and visibility in a society that often marginalizes queer voices.
But what if we shift our focus from quantity to quality? What if we measure success not by the number of followers, but by the depth of engagement and impact?
Engagement is the lifeblood of social media. It's the comments, shares, and human interactions that truly connect artists with their audiences.
For queer creators, fostering genuine engagement can lead to profound connections, empower others, and spark (sometimes spicy) conversations about creativity, history, identity, politics, representation, social justice, and lots more.
WHERE WE STAND
THREADS = 3043 Followers
Meta’s answer to Twitter is less vitriolic and more civil. Engagement varies.
Quality = B
Quantity = A+
Overall = B+
Note = Less vitriolic than X but mo’ Meta is not mo’ betta…still enjoy community.SUBSTACK = 47 Followers/38 Subscribers
Quality = A++
Quantity = C
Overall = B+
Note = Growth has been slow….but by far our platform of choice for quality.YOUTUBE = 1047 Subscribers
Quality = B+
Quantity = A
Overall = A-
Note = After 12 months, sudden growth spike…a nice surprise.INSTAGRAM = 389 Followers
Quality = B
Quantity = B-
Overall = B-
Note = Original collective social media account…least favorite to use.PINTEREST = 60 Followers
Quality = B
Quantity = C
Overall = C+
Note = So many starts and stops…it’s not a fave.BLUE SKY = 27 Followers
Quality = B
Quantity = C
Overall = C+
Note = Newest and least used…but shows promise.
I've come to realize that authenticity is paramount in building meaningful connections online. Sharing personal stories, advocating for causes, and celebrating diversity are not just strategies for boosting engagement.
By being true to myself (and the rest of the Collide Press Crew), we tend to attract a community that resonates with our values and vision, regardless of size.
The quality of engagement often correlates with the authenticity of content. Instead of chasing trends or pandering to algorithms, queer artists have the power to carve out their own niche and amplify their unique voices.
Whether it's through our art and design, our videos, or our words, authenticity always resonates far more deeply than the empty metrics of popularity.
This isn't to dismiss the importance of visibility and representation. In a world where queer voices are still marginalized, every follower gained is a potential ally in the fight for equality and acceptance.
However, it's essential to recognize that true progress lies not in numbers alone, but in the meaningful connections forged through genuine engagement.
Social media can be a powerful tool for queer artists to amplify their voices and reach wider audiences, but success on it should be measured by more than just follower and subscriber counts.
Engaging engagements—those meaningful interactions that foster connection, dialogue, and understanding—are the true markers of impact and influence in the digital age.
CREATIVE NEWS + VIEWS
Artist Richard Serra, Who Warped Space With Steel, Dies at 85
(Hyperallergic)5 lesser-known insights of 'impressionism' on its 150th anniversary
(Daily Sabah)‘An Elaborate Ruse to Trick Neighbors Into Saying Hello’ Comes to a Bittersweet End (Brooklyn Daily Eagle)
Surrealism turns 100: moving beyond lobsters and melting clocks
(ABC Listen = Podcast)
MORE FROM COLLIDE PRESS
Ko-Fi + Linktree + Shop + Storefront + YouTube
Okay I'm torn on the notion of threads or blusky. I'm not on either at the moment. I did create an account on post, but maybe I'm just bad at social media. It all feels like the kind of cardio that makes you hate life in general (which is funny because I actually like cardio, but it's the most relatable example). Do you think there's any significant crossover between platforms to encourage overall engagement?
Hear, hear! ❤