Lessons I Learned from Getting Kicked Off a Platform (Twice!)
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my journey as an independent artist, it’s this; you can’t put all your eggs in one basket—especially when that basket belongs to someone else.
I used to rely heavily on print-on-demand platforms to sell my artwork. It seemed like a dream_ upload my designs, let the platform handle printing and shipping, and collect passive income. But that dream quickly turned into a nightmare when I was suddenly kicked off not just one, but TWO platforms—Redbubble and Society6.
Both times, it was completely out of my control. Redbubble suspended me without warning or explanation, and Society6 recently introduced a “curated artist” system that booted me off in what feels like a numbers game favoring only the most popular artists. Years of hard work, countless designs, and a steady income stream—all gone in an instant.
But instead of letting these setbacks destroy my business, I decided to turn them into lessons. Here’s what I learned from getting kicked off these platforms and how you can protect yourself as an independent artist.
1. You Don’t Own the Platforms—They Own You
The biggest wake-up call? If you don’t own it, you don’t control it.
When you build your business on platforms like Redbubble, Society6, or even social media, you’re at the mercy of their policies, algorithms, and corporate decisions. They can change the rules, limit your reach, or remove you without notice. And you have zero say in it.
Lesson: Use third-party platforms as a tool, but don’t depend on them. The goal should be to bring customers back to a space you own, like your own website or email list.
2. Diversification Is Non-Negotiable
Losing two major sales channels back to back was painful. But if I had been relying solely on those platforms for income, it would have been devastating.
Lesson: Spread your risk. Don’t rely on just one income stream. If you’re selling on print-on-demand, also consider_
✔ Selling on multiple platforms (Etsy, your own website, craft fairs)
✔ Offering digital products (printables, art tutorials, or templates)
✔ Selling original artwork and commissions
✔ Licensing your designs to brands or companies
A diversified business can withstand unexpected changes much better than one that depends entirely on a single platform.
3. Building Your Own Brand Is More Important Than Ever
When I lost access to Redbubble and Society6, I realized something_ I had spent years building THEIR brand instead of my own.
People knew they could find my art on those platforms, but did they know where to find ME? If they only followed my shop on Society6 and not my personal brand, they would have no way of finding me again. That’s a huge risk.
Lesson: Focus on building your own brand—your name, your website, your community.
✔ Own a domain name (even if it just redirects to another shop for now)
✔ Have an email list (more on that below!)
✔ Stay visible across multiple channels (Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, a blog, etc, you do not need to use them all but you should at least have one social media account!)
4. Email Marketing Is a Lifeline (Flodesk to the Rescue!)
One of the best things I did for my business before losing these platforms? I started building an email list.
When platforms control your audience, you can lose them overnight. But with an email list, YOU control how and when you communicate with your fans. That’s why I use Flodesk—it’s an artist-friendly email marketing platform that makes it easy to send beautiful emails, promote new work, and build direct relationships with collectors.
Why Flodesk?
✔ No complicated setup – Drag-and-drop email builder, no tech skills required
✔ Beautiful templates – Perfect for showcasing your artwork
✔ Flat-rate pricing – Unlike other platforms, you’re not charged more as your list grows
✔ Automations – Set up welcome sequences, abandoned cart emails, and more ✔ User-friendly – The interface is clean and easy to navigate as compared to other platforms I tried
If you’re an artist looking to take control of your audience, Flodesk is a game-changer. (And if you want to check it out, here’s my affiliate link to get started! You get 50% off your first year!)
5. Resilience Is the Key to Success
At first, losing access to these platforms felt like years of hard work going down the drain. But the truth is, my work and my audience still exist. It’s just about finding new ways to reach them.
Lesson: When one door closes, build your own damn door. Instead of dwelling on what was lost, I’m using this as an opportunity to_
✔ Strengthen my brand outside of print-on-demand
✔ Focus on my own website and email list
✔ Explore new income streams that don’t rely on third-party platforms
Conclusion
Getting kicked off not one but two platforms was frustrating, disheartening, and, honestly, kind of terrifying. But it also pushed me to take my business into my own hands, and that’s been the biggest lesson of all. If you’re an artist relying on third-party platforms, let my experience be a cautionary tale_ Don’t wait until you lose everything to start building something of your own.
✅ Start an email list with Flodesk (here’s my affiliate link!)
✅ Build your own shop or website
✅ Diversify your income streams
✅ Focus on growing your brand—not just a store on someone else’s platform
At the end of the day, your creativity, your brand, and your audience are what truly matter. And no platform can take that away from you.
Have you ever experienced a setback like this? Feel free to share in the comments—I’d love to hear how you navigated it! 😊
