6 Ways to Leverage Digital Platforms to Expand Your Artistic Network

My network of artists and art collectors was greatly expanded by Art Blocks. I created art for the Art Blocks platform, but I also attended the art weekend event in Marfa, Texas. This event enabled me to connect in an informal environment with so many of the influential people in the artistic space.

In addition, even before the dates were announced, I contacted Art Blocks and secured a spot in the art fair they hosted. For this, I built a custom AI art and blockchain installation piece. Bones In The Sky Marfa runs AI video on a six-foot screen and allows the viewer to select the image they want and prints it out and creates an NFT art for them. Then I signed the prints. This has given me the opportunity for meaningful connections.

I spent nearly 20 years as a wedding photographer shooting events internationally, so I lived this question. For me, it was actually Instagram’s direct messages in the platform’s early days — but I used them backward from how most photographers did.

Instead of DMing other photographers to promote my work, I’d send genuine compliments about specific shots they posted with technical questions about their process. “That backlit reception shot is incredible — what did you meter for?” Most people never get asked real questions, so they’d actually respond, and we’d end up talking gear, lighting, business strategy. Three of those conversations turned into referrals when those photographers were booked, which led to about $45K in bookings one year.

The big difference: I never led with my portfolio or asked for anything. I was genuinely curious about their craft first. When one West Coast photographer I’d been chatting with for months got double-booked for a Napa wedding, I was the first person he thought of because we’d already built actual trust through those conversations.

Most photographers were mass-following and posting their own work constantly. I spent 15 minutes daily just being a real human in other people’s DMs, asking questions I actually wanted answers to.

LinkedIn became my network expander, but I used it backwards from everyone else. Instead of posting thought leadership content, I spent 30 minutes daily commenting on posts from specific industries — HVAC contractors, manufacturers, nonprofit directors — with actual tactical advice from projects we’d completed. When a facilities manager posted about their website getting zero leads, I’d reply with “We saw this with an industrial client–added three specific CTAs based on procurement buyer behavior and leads jumped 47% in 60 days.”

That comment-first strategy turned into inbound partnerships because I was solving problems in public before anyone hired us. A painting contractor saw my breakdown of Local Services Ads structure for home service companies, reached out, and became a multi-year client worth $40K+. Two nonprofit directors connected after I shared accessibility compliance specifics (WCAG 2.1 AA standards we implemented for RIAEYC) in a thread about grant requirements.

The key difference: I treated comments like free mini-audits with real numbers and frameworks others could steal. Most agencies guard that information — I gave it away with enough detail that people knew we actually understood their world, not just “digital marketing.” That specificity built trust faster than any portfolio post ever did.

Instagram became a surprisingly powerful tool for expanding our artistic network. Instead of only posting polished product photos, the team shared behind-the-scenes design sketches, material sourcing stories, and step-by-step DIY projects. This approach sparked direct conversations with like-minded designers, makers, and eco-conscious creatives. Within three months, engagement from other artists rose by nearly 61%, leading to collaborations and shared projects that wouldn’t have happened through traditional outreach.

What made the difference was focusing on storytelling and interaction rather than just promotion. Comments were answered thoughtfully; DMs led to genuine conversations, and collaborations were initiated around shared values, not just aesthetics. The experience shows that digital platforms can become meaningful networks when content is authentic and encourages two-way interaction. Sharing processes and values, rather than just finished work, turns followers into collaborators and builds connections that are both creative and lasting.

YouTube completely transformed my network, but not how most people use it. I wasn’t chasing viral videos — I was leaving detailed, value-packed comments on smaller creators’ channels (5K-50K subs) who were talking about storytelling, media psychology, and content strategy.

I’d write 3-4 paragraph breakdowns responding to their videos with frameworks from my submarine days or books I’d studied. One creator making documentary content saw my comment about narrative structure, clicked my profile, and we ended up collaborating on a passion project that led to two paying clients through his network. Another creator I connected with this way now sends me referrals for commercial work.

Most people treat YouTube like a broadcast platform. I treated the comment section like a long-form networking event where you actually contribute to the conversation instead of just handing out business cards. When you solve someone’s problem in public, their audience notices — and some of them have budgets.