Social media cargo cults

Which is more productive, being ahead of the social media trends or being a better version of oneself?

Chasing popular, the tempting a-b tested power law curve.

A fandom, fan art. Its cover band work, if a fan artist was to publish their work, there's the copyright gauntlet that big companies wield. Although I do like to see stories of these characters, can only be derivative, unlike the risk of a fresh IP.

Making something fresh fan art that won't get the ire of a big publisher like this is like winning the lottery.

I do appreciate that character design takes on Pokémon, yet they may fall in this category. Don't do piracy, don't make cool character designs.

Social media grooming projects. Are what rich people do when they feel a crisis in their status roles on the internet when it shows there money don't mean much. Fun, yet not deep. It can be a profession, that can be separate or not from doing art, art creative work that matters.

Can a living be made with this? Sure. I can't blame others for following this path if it pays the bills, yet this is where one may seek better clients.

This brings me to my own social media account.

Should I decorate my couch-sona like a doll? With people who are unsure of their professional/amateur status? The infinity of free provided by the internet is so that they can make it, so one can charge for anything, including hobbies. Open an etsy shop.

Already I'm making revisions to my character design as we speak.

That includes chatrooms and meetings, writers and speakers charge for such matters yet beginners and amateur writers are there a plenty. It's free practice, there's included with these platforms. 

Yet it's not needed, despite what social media says.

Thank you