Artists, Watch Your Tone: Are You Inviting or Alienating Your Audience?
How We Present Ourselves Shapes How People See Our Work—And Ultimately, Our Brand
As artists, we love to talk about self-expression, but sometimes, the way we express ourselves publicly—especially in posts, captions, and conversations—doesn’t work in our favor.
Ready for work, my trusty stainless steel container, brushes, and French Easel palette — © Michael Warth
In a world where social media gives us direct access to our audience, tone matters.
Recently, I came across two social media posts that made me stop and think:
A post from an artist that was meant to highlight professionalism but came across as defensive and unapproachable.
A viral “What NOT to say to an artist” list that leaned into sarcasm and frustration, making it seem like artists don’t want to be asked anything at all.
Both posts may have been meant to communicate something valuable, but both also risked alienating potential supporters rather than engaging them.
As artists, we should ask ourselves: Do we want to connect, or do we want to push people away?
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Case Study #1: When “Professionalism” Comes Off as Defensive
I saw a post from an artist explaining why clients should value professional work. The intent was clear: they wanted to highlight their expertise, their brand of professionalism, and ultimately, why they were superior to the competition.
But the tone felt dismissive, as if they were calling out customers who had chosen a more affordable or amateur option in the past—even going as far as saying, “Just because ‘they’ have nice gear, that doesn’t make them professional.”
Instead of encouraging potential clients, the post focused more on warning them against bad choices rather than highlighting the benefits of working with a professional.
Takeaway for Artists:
Instead of tearing others down, elevate yourself through confidence and clarity.
A post saying, “Here’s what I offer and why I love working with clients” will always feel better than, “Don’t hire someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing.”
Confidence attracts. Defensiveness repels.
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Case Study #2: The “What NOT to Say to an Artist” Mentality
We’ve all seen these posts—lists of things artists hate hearing from the general public.
Yes, we’ve all been asked awkward things like:
“What’s your real job?”
“How much money do you make?”
“Can you paint my cat?”
And yes, sometimes those questions might make us cringe. But here’s the thing—most people aren’t trying to be insulting. They’re curious.
For a lot of people, buying original art is an unfamiliar experience. They may have been to a museum once on a school trip, but walking into a gallery to purchase art? That’s outside their comfort zone.
They simply don’t understand what we do, and instead of meeting that curiosity with frustration, we can meet it with education, warmth, and humor.
Takeaway for Artists:
Instead of posting “What NOT to say to an artist”, why not post “How to Talk to an Artist (Without Feeling Awkward)”?
Curiosity is an opportunity, not an attack. When someone asks, “What’s your real job?” that’s your moment to shape their perception of artists—not shut them down.
If we want more people to appreciate art, we need to welcome them in, not shame them for not knowing the right words.
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Why This Matters: Your Online Voice is Your First Impression
As artists, we can’t afford to create barriers between us and our audience. Whether you’re a painter, photographer, or musician, people aren’t just buying your work—they’re buying into you and your brand.
If they perceive you as defensive, elitist, or closed off, they’ll simply move on.
Instead of:
❌ “Here’s what NOT to say to me.”
✅ Try: “Here’s a great way to start a conversation with an artist.”
Instead of:
❌ “Don’t trust amateurs.”
✅ Try: “Here’s why working with a professional gives you the best experience.”
You don’t have to water down your message, but how you say it determines whether people lean in or turn away.
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Final Thoughts: The Artist’s Tone is Part of Their Brand
At the end of the day, we want our work to be seen, appreciated, and valued. And a big part of that is how we present ourselves.
Being professional doesn’t mean being cold.
Being confident doesn’t mean being defensive.
And being an artist doesn’t mean being misunderstood and frustrated all the time.
Many artists also alienate their own creative community with a condescending tone. Supporting each other is far better than pointing out flaws.
This reminds me of the old English proverb, “Manners maketh man.” First written down by William Horman in the 15th century, it teaches that our outward behavior shapes how we are perceived and received in the world.
The same is true in the arts. We may want our work to speak for itself, but the way we communicate—our tone, our attitude, our online presence—also plays a role in how people engage with us.
If we want people to care about art, we must invite them in, not push them away.
So next time you post, ask yourself:
Am I creating a barrier or a bridge?
Would someone outside the art world feel welcome reading this?
Is my tone inviting curiosity or shutting it down?
Because the truth is, art doesn’t exist without an audience. And the way we talk about what we do determines how many people actually listen.
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What Do You Think?
Have you ever seen posts like these before? Do you think artists accidentally push people away by how they talk about their work?
Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your take!
Me, at my desk during a podcast episode - © Michael Warth
