The decision
The recommendation
Go with one batched weekly post on a fixed schedule, routing inquiries to email and your portfolio, and lean on past-client referrals so Instagram stops carrying 60% of your pipeline.
The steps
- Check where your last ten clients found you and what prompted contact.
- Batch four posts in one session and schedule them for the month.
- Email three past clients this week asking for referrals.
- Block the freed hours for drawing just for yourself.
Why
It keeps the channel bringing most clients, returns roughly eight hours weekly for drawing, and costs nothing while you see if inquiries hold.
What you give up
Lower visibility and possibly fewer Instagram inquiries than an assistant-run feed.
What would change the recommendation
If two months of weekly posting noticeably cuts inquiries, or clients arrive mainly through DMs, hire the $600 assistant.