it probably makes me seem like an asshole, but i have a three-strike unfollow system for artists with over 5k, successful, active followings who tweet out to THOSE VERY PEOPLE about how their numbers aren't good enough. there's a couple reasons why:

first: if my small contribution to their massive numbers doesnt make enough of a difference to them, then it won't make a difference if it's gone either. why do that to people who are already supporting you?

I understand needing validation, I understand that artists all have bad days where they feel like they arent good enough, but making your own following feel bad too isnt the way to make ANYONE feel better.

second: imagine what those tweets look like to your supporters that have always been around, ESPECIALLY supporters who are ALSO artists with small numbers who would kill for the very thing youre complaining about.

not only are you devaluing their support, but their own work alongside it. "oh man i only got 200 rts on this sketch, guess i should quit art" like??? i have spent literally 80+ hours on ONE peice to get 3 retweets. so what is this standard saying about MY art? Should I quit?

it feels petty to unfollow someone having a bad brain day about their art. it happens to everyone. but there are ways to go about expressing it without devaluing your supporters and looking the gift horse in the mouth. but after multiple times....

i know this thread is going to sound harsh and I am not saying that no one should ever express their frustrations with Twitter Number Hell, but be careful how you do it. "Guess I should quit" etc. is not it.