You know, it seems like two minutes ago I was designing a Christmas Doodle for this blog this time last year. I had recently been introduced to Instagram... and I was drawn in to its charm. Makes me think that I should be drawing another one soon... but they take a while to do, you know?
This year, I feel much less prepared... though with almost 1000 Instagram followers, I feel a lot of good feelings towards all the people who have taken a look at my page since it started. Yes. It started, like all things, with just a couple of friends and family. Hi Eva! I think you were one of the first follows. It's funny, when you look at your Instagram account, and you have, ... 8 followers... and you think. hmmm.. I wonder what this thing is...? But thanks to people, strangers and friends, like #thehunterc a fabulous actor and stunt double, and other illustrators and artists.. I quickly got a feel that Instagram is a different kettle of fish to Facebook and exotic... and opens up a whole new world of friends.
I've had a page for Bradley and the Dinosaur on Facebook or, now, Singing Frog Publishing for some years now... and I do like Facebook.. (probably because I'm older than some).. but even now, we're only up to about 150 friends.. and probably most of those ARE friends! But Instagram is a whole other thing... and I really recommend any authors or illustrators out there set up an account, because Instagram is a great way to meet people in your line of work. Authors like Jana Broecker (of Cranky Cat fame) and SchockoBart and many others... libraries and printers and cafes and publishing companies... (not to mention photographers and climbers and dental hygenists!) all of whom i would never have met were it not for Instagram. Even Rob Pudner, of Artz4U... I met through seeing his show.. and then following Entertainingly Different through Instagram.
Now it was a pleasure to be on his show... and I hope you caught it. Thanks Rob! We talked about the books some more, and the recent uptick in sales since being on the radio last time. Being on Rob's show is like being at a great party. He even had a snow machine! I was not expecting that!
Thanks to all who have bought the books recently... I hope you have a very Merry Christmas! We've sold more books in the last three months than the last two years I reckon. I hope you leave a review too, because it really helps us self-publishers! No million pound marketing machine here.. just word of mouth. But books like Wonkey Donkey show, that if people like a book, it doesn't matter who publishes it.. word gets around.
Merry Christmas!!
Julian