User Generated Content: A Positive or Negative for Artists?

User generated content can be defined as simply the content created by users of a website. It's the content that we, not companies or publishers, publish on the internet. From this blog post to a youtube video or to a status created on Facebook, this is all user generated content. In regards to artists however, is user generated content a positive or negative thing?

Artists create user generated content simply by posting their works of art online. This can then generate an endless stream of user generated content by having others post their thoughts on your artwork, they can share your artwork through social media, or they can post reviews or make suggestions as well. All of this can make a positive impact on your presence as an artist on the internet. Having others write reviews or make suggestions can help critique and improve your future artwork and encourage more creative ideas, and sharing your art to others online can make your artwork and name become more popular in the art community on the internet. 

However user generated content could also be a bad thing as well. Bad reviews or negative comments on your works of art could give your name and future business as an artist a poor reputation. It's important to be able to decipher between constructive criticism and just negative comments due to misinformation or poor opinions. When reading user generated content about your artwork, just remember that you have the ability to let other's comments and ideas affect you in a positive or negative way. You are in control of what you consume on the internet, so appreciate the shares and encouraging comments, but also try to focus on negative comments as well as a way to improve your future work. 

Due to user generated content, we have the amazing ability to create whatever we want and share our opinions and ideas and works of art with millions of other people on the internet. Artists would not be able to exist on social media or the internet without the presence of user generated content. It is my hope for the future that this freedom to create and share with our online community will continue for years to come.