People want what they already know.

If my experience on Instagram has taught me one thing, it’s that people engage more with images/ideas they are already familiar with.

A drawing of a Mermaid or a dark elf that’s an original character design usually won’t make the rounds as much as an already established character.

If you build your audience they’ll engage with your original stuff. But 9 times out of 10 to bring in new people, you’ll have to do fan art people can hop on board with.