Storytelling on Instagram: Building Connections and Cultivating a Following Using Comics with Lala Watkins

Storytelling on Instagram: Building Connections and Cultivating a Following Using Comics

with Lala Watkins

With a big smile and the warmest energy, Lala introduced herself to the group.

"Hi My name is Lala, rhymes with Holla! I love laughing till my stomach hurts, ice cream and doing what makes my heart emote the heart-eyed emoji."

After taking us through her illustration journey from university to interning at Cartoon Network to her work as a graphic designer, Lala dove into her Instagram, her relationship with it and how she uses narrative and storytelling to connect.

She started with how she got her agent.

Lala has posted a comic about the moon. "What if the moon watched humans like we were in a reality television show?"

Mika Song, another author/illustrator, saw Lala's work online, asked if Lala if she wanted to submit the comic to "Sunday Haha," a newsletter for kids, and ask if she'd consider going into children's books?

Mika told her agent, Erica Rand Silverman, so many good things about her and Erica, who fell in love with Lala's art reached out. When Erica signed Lala, they talked about what she wanted to add to the publishing world and Lala responded,  I want celebrate playfulness and goodness with her work. 

How does she do that? Lala walked us through her thought process, and art process. 

1. Good Storytelling Will Get You Far

Writing from the Heart and strong storytelling can help you reach a large audience, even if you draw stick people!

"If your narrative has heart, people will connect." Draw it and post it. Don't overthink it. And it doesn't always have to be pictures. You could use text, as long as it is nice to look at.

2. Being Vulnerable and Authentic. 

You also cry? Me too, Let's be friends!

If you feel comfortable, share your thoughts, feelings, and emotions. It reminds people that we are all in this together.

3. You are a Relatable Character. 

What do you want to say to the world & the draw it. 

4. Create the Things You Like & People Will Come

This is how you start to build your followers/community 

Don't worry about hashtags, trends, etc. Make things that speak to you and people will see theat authenticity and want to genuinely follow your journey. 

3 Things To Remember While Creating & Posting

In a time with AI, Algorithms, & More

1. Make art and turn it into content later

2. Protect your work and art

3. Was it fun to make? remember to stay silly

"Do things that bring you joy"

Can't make it to the In-Person Winter Conference in New York City, join us online at the Virtual Winter Conference featuring inspirational talks, industry panels and deep-dive Creative Labs,taking place in February of 2026. Videos of all sessions are available to watch for approximately 30 days after the event.

Lala Watkins (Author, Illustrator) is an author-illustrator extraordinaire whose work is like a summer pool party, and everyone's invited! She makes playful illustrations and lovely stories that make her heart (and yours) emote the heart-eyed emoji. She graduated with a BFA in Graphic Design and Interactive Communications from Ringling College of Art & Design. She has worked as a product designer, product developer, illustrator, and graphic designer at Sanrio, Paper Culture, Cartoon Network and more. Let's be friends! Fun fact: She's in a long-term relationship with the sun so she lives in sunny Florida. Her favorite treat is ice cream and she is a charming hand lettering artist.

www.acaseoflala.com/