Better Questions for Creatives

We've all been there: refreshing our feeds, checking our follower counts, wondering why our latest post didn't get the traction we hoped for. But what if we've been asking ourselves the wrong questions all along?

What if there are different questions to ask?

“How do I get more followers?"

Ask instead: "Who can I share this with?"

Growing your following isn't a bad goal, but it doesn't equal success. When I started sharing my photos on Unsplash, it wasn't about building an audience. It was because I loved taking photos that didn't fit the typical social media niche. You may not need Unsplash specifically, but maybe you should share your work with an encouraging family member or friend first. Maybe there's a local group or small community that would genuinely appreciate what you create. Don't chase likes and find yourself constantly frustrated by the algorithm. Start with people who will actually see and value your work.

“How can I make my work stand out?"

Ask instead: "What do I see that other people do not?"

You already have a unique perspective. You just need to trust it. Look around for inspiration, but don't copy what everyone else is doing. To be honest, that's one of the things I dislike about reels. Sometimes it feels like people are just replicating trends rather than creating something genuinely their own.Let us see your creativity. Let us hear your humor. Let us learn from your perspective. That's what actually stands out.

“How do I get more likes?"

Ask instead: "Where can I show love?"

Here's the shift: showing love builds community. Striving for likes turns everything into a competition.If a kind word makes your day, it will probably make someone else's day too. If you're encouraged when someone supports your art, imagine how awesome it would be if you supported someone else's work in the same way.I think this is one of the keys to success on apps like Threads. If you only post and ghost, you'll never gain traction. But when you genuinely engage with others? That changes everything. So ask yourself: which creative could use your support today?

The algorithm will always be unpredictable. Trends will always come and go. But when you focus on authentic sharing, genuine perspective, and real community, you build something that actually matters, regardless of the numbers.

What about you? What questions do you hear often in creative spaces, and what do you think would be a better alternative to ask?