Starting your social media journey as a designer can feel overwhelming, but participating in creative challenges like Inktober can be the perfect starting point. Here’s why it worked for me and how you can make the most of it.

Why Inktober?

Inktober is probably the largest creative social media challenge online, which makes it an incredible opportunity for designers.

Check out our full Inktober Guide to help you prep!

Not only does it help improve your drawing skills—a crucial component of the design process—but it also helps you build an audience, create opportunities, and potentially monetize your content.

Getting Started with Instagram

While Inktober appears across multiple platforms like Reddit and DeviantArt, Instagram is where most of the action happens.

As a largely visual platform, Instagram is perfect for sharing your drawings. For first-timers, I recommend focusing on just one platform—you can always expand later.

Pro Tips for Posting:

• Scan your drawings properly (I started using my local library’s scanner before getting my own)
• Use a soft-cover sketchbook that fits easily in the scanner
• Schedule your content (Adobe Express became my best friend for this)
• Post Stories alongside your main posts (they’re more visible due to Instagram’s algorithm)

Creating Engaging Content

The secret to getting attention on social media is understanding the format. Here’s what worked for me:

1. Write effective captions:

• Start with an attention-grabbing hook
• Share the story behind your sketch
• Explain your process

1. Create engaging Reels:

• Film parts of your drawing process
• Add voiceovers (I found my audience loved when I did silly voices!)
• Take pauses while drawing to capture footage

1. Use hashtags strategically:

• Research what others used in previous years
• Include the daily prompt hashtag
• Add relevant variations
• Always use #Inktober as your main hashtag

Building Community

One of the biggest positives from my Inktober experience was finding a community of multi-disciplinary designers. Here’s how I connected:

• Browse through hashtags after posting
• Like work that resonates with you
• Leave genuine comments (even a simple emoji can work!)
• Always respond to comments on your posts
• Acknowledge regular supporters

Tracking Success

Having a business or creative profile on Instagram gives you access to valuable insights. For example, my account engagement increased by 1,626.3% during the challenge!

Pay attention to what resonates with your audience—my best-performing content combined illustration with other disciplines like fashion design and textile design.

Maintaining Consistency Throughout Inktober

The key to success is staying consistent throughout the month. Here’s what helped me:

• Use a scheduling platform (I couldn’t have done it without Adobe Express)
• Batch process your drawings
• Scan and schedule content in advance
• Allow time for other projects

Finding Your Style

Don’t overthink your artistic style during Inktober. Your natural reaction to each prompt IS your style. Not all my drawings looked the same, but they were authentically mine. You can refine and add to your style over time, but don’t let it become an obstacle.

Final Thoughts

While posting daily can feel intimidating at first, Inktober helps you build the habit of content creation. This foundation becomes invaluable for growing your brand and audience as a designer. Remember to document your process, stay social, and most importantly, enjoy the journey of creating something new every day.

The challenge taught me that creating content is now an essential part of creative careers. Using tools like Adobe Express helped streamline this process. By embracing it through Inktober, you’re not just improving your drawing skills—you’re building valuable social media expertise that will serve you well beyond the challenge.