Sharing Before the Spotlight Starts

Don’t wait until your Spotlight week begins to start sharing your work.

The days leading up to your Spotlight are just as important as the week itself. In this section, we’ll walk through how to build early momentum, how to invite your community into the process, and the best practices for sharing your series before it goes live. A strong start begins before the spotlight hits.

Building Early Momentum

The days before your Spotlight week can make all the difference.

Once you submit your series, it appears on the Coming Soon page — a dedicated space where visitors can preview what’s on the horizon. This is your moment to start building interest and support before the Spotlight officially begins.

Here’s how to use that time wisely:

• Share your Coming Soon link with friends, collectors, fellow artists, and followers. Let them know your work is about to go live.
• Explain what Spotlight is — many people may not know. Tell them it’s a curated weekly feature where your work will be visible to new audiences.
• Invite early support, not just upvotes. Encourage people to explore, leave comments, and connect — the votes will follow.
• Build energy, not pressure. This is about creating awareness, not hype for the sake of numbers.

Momentum isn't magic — it's the result of showing up early, clearly, and with intention.

The earlier people know you’re about to be featured, the more likely they are to be there when it counts.

Promoting Your Spotlight Series

Promotion doesn’t have to feel like self-promotion — it can be an invitation.

When you share your Spotlight series, you’re not just saying “look at me,” you’re saying:
 “Here’s what I’ve been working on. I’d love for you to see it.”

Here are a few ways to promote your Spotlight with authenticity and clarity:

• Use your own voice.
   Whether it's on Instagram, X, your newsletter, or a WhatsApp group — speak naturally. Tell people why this series matters to you.
• Explain what Spotlight is.
   Not everyone knows. A simple sentence like “Spotlight is a weekly feature on Monkspace where my work will be highlighted” helps frame the context.
• Include your Coming Soon link.
   Make it easy for people to find your series and support it.
• Create small, meaningful moments.
   Share behind-the-scenes photos, sketchbook pages, thoughts behind the work, or even a short video talking about the series.
• Ask for presence, not performance.
   Invite people to engage — not just vote. A thoughtful comment or a simple share goes a long way.
  
  

People want to support artists — you just have to remind them that now’s the moment.

Authentic promotion is about opening a door, not shouting from a rooftop. Let your art speak, and let your community echo it.

How NOT to Share

There’s one golden rule: don’t be spammy.
Sharing your Spotlight is encouraged — but how you share it matters.

Here’s what not to do:

• Don’t ask for votes.
   Instead, invite people to view your work, share thoughts, or leave a comment. Let votes happen naturally — not because someone felt obligated.
• Don’t run giveaways in exchange for votes.
   Contests and giveaways are fine, but tying them directly to vote incentives (like “vote for me and win”) goes against the spirit of the community — and we may remove your Spotlight from the featured section if it happens.
• Don’t spam people.
   Mass DMs, copy-paste comments, or unsolicited emails do more harm than good. They don’t build connection — they break trust.
• Don’t turn visibility into pressure.
   People support what they connect with — not what they’re pushed to engage with.
  
  

Sharing is about showing up, not shouting loud.
 Spotlight thrives on real connections, honest engagement, and the quiet power of storytelling.

Be thoughtful, be genuine, and trust that your art will resonate. 🎨

Common Pre-Spotlight Mistakes

Even the best artists can go unnoticed if your launch isn’t prepared with care. Here are some common mistakes artists make before their Spotlight — and how to avoid them:

• Waiting until the last minute to share.
   Don’t ask your community for support only on the day Spotlight starts. Start building awareness during the Coming Soon phase.
• Not completing your profile.
   An incomplete profile — missing bio, visuals, or artworks — weakens trust and visibility.
• Not preparing supporting content.
   Social posts, emails, and stories that invite people into your process make a huge difference.
• Launching without a goal.
   Spotlight isn’t just about making it to the top. Define your personal goal: connection, visibility, feedback, or sales.
• Submitting too late in the week.
   Submitting on Friday or Saturday gives you very little runway to build momentum. Earlier = better.
• Assuming you need someone to launch for you.
   You don’t need a gallery, agent, or influencer. Spotlight is made for you to step forward, directly.

Avoiding these simple missteps can give your Spotlight the clarity and confidence it deserves.

Crafting a Sharing Plan

Great Spotlights don’t happen by accident — they’re shaped by intention.

A clear and consistent sharing plan helps you stay visible, present, and connected throughout your Spotlight journey — from the Coming Soon phase to the end of your feature week.

Here’s how to craft a plan that works:

1. Set the Timeline

• T -7 days: Submit your series → it appears on the Coming Soon page
• T -5 to T -1: Start sharing your Coming Soon link with your network
• Spotlight Week (Sunday–Saturday): Post reminders, respond to comments, thank your supporters

2. Choose Your Channels

Where do you naturally connect with your audience?
 Instagram? X/Twitter? Email? WhatsApp? Choose 1–2 platforms where your voice feels authentic.

3. Mix Your Content Types

Keep things interesting with a mix of formats:

• 🎨 Detail of an artwork — “Here’s the story behind this piece.”
• 📸 Studio moments — “This is where the work happened.”
• 🎥 Short video — “Why I created this series.”
• 💬 Simple invitation — “My Spotlight is coming up. I’d love to hear your thoughts!”

4. Make It Personal

Don’t overthink the polish. Speak in your voice. People connect with honesty more than perfection.

5. Stay Consistent — Not Loud

A few small, intentional posts over the week will go further than a single loud announcement. Presence over pressure.

Your plan doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be honest.
 A few thoughtful shares can lead to meaningful connections.