Key Takeaways
1. Share Your Work: The Power of Showing Your Process
"By letting go of our egos and sharing our process, we allow for the possibility of people having an ongoing connection with us and our work, which helps us move more of our product."
Document your journey. Sharing your work-in-progress and creative process can be as valuable as showcasing the final product. It allows others to connect with you on a deeper level, fostering a sense of investment in your work.
- Ways to share your process:
- Keep a work journal
- Take photos or videos of your work at different stages
- Share sketches, drafts, or prototypes
- Post daily updates on social media
Build an audience. By consistently sharing, you create opportunities for people to discover and follow your work. This ongoing connection can lead to a loyal fan base, potential collaborators, and even paying customers.
2. Embrace Your Amateur Status and Cultivate Curiosity
"Amateurs are not afraid to make mistakes or look ridiculous in public. They're in love, so they don't hesitate to do work that others think of as silly or just plain stupid."
Leverage your beginner's mindset. Being an amateur isn't a weakness; it's an asset. Amateurs are often more willing to take risks, experiment, and share their learning process openly. This fearlessness can lead to innovative ideas and approaches.
Stay curious and open. Continuously learn and explore new areas of interest. This curiosity will fuel your creativity and help you make unexpected connections between different fields.
- Ways to cultivate curiosity:
- Read widely across various disciplines
- Attend workshops or classes outside your expertise
- Collaborate with people from different backgrounds
- Ask questions and seek out new experiences
3. Tell Good Stories: Craft Your Narrative
"Your work doesn't exist in a vacuum. Whether you realize it or not, you're already telling a story about your work."
Master the art of storytelling. Learn to craft compelling narratives about your work and yourself. A good story can make your work more relatable, memorable, and impactful.
Structure your stories effectively. Use classic storytelling structures to organize your narratives, whether you're pitching an idea, writing an artist statement, or sharing your work online.
- Elements of a good story:
- Clear beginning, middle, and end
- Conflict or challenge to overcome
- Personal transformation or growth
- Relatable characters or situations
- Emotional connection with the audience
4. Teach What You Know: Share Your Expertise
"Teaching people doesn't subtract value from what you do, it actually adds to it. When you teach someone how to do your work, you are, in effect, generating more interest in your work."
Share your knowledge generously. Teaching others about your craft not only helps them but also reinforces your own understanding and can lead to new insights.
Create educational content. Develop tutorials, workshops, or online courses that showcase your expertise and provide value to your audience.
- Ways to teach and share:
- Write blog posts or articles
- Create video tutorials
- Host webinars or live Q&A sessions
- Mentor aspiring professionals in your field
- Speak at conferences or local events
5. Don't Be a Human Spammer: Engage Authentically
"If you want fans, you have to be a fan first. If you want to be accepted by a community, you have to first be a good citizen of that community."
Contribute meaningfully to your community. Instead of constantly self-promoting, focus on adding value to the conversations and communities you're part of.
Build genuine relationships. Engage with others' work, offer thoughtful feedback, and foster connections based on shared interests and mutual respect.
- Tips for authentic engagement:
- Comment on others' work with specific, constructive feedback
- Share and promote work you admire
- Collaborate with peers on projects
- Participate in community events or challenges
- Be responsive and approachable in your interactions
6. Learn to Take Criticism: Build Resilience
"The way to be able to take a punch is to practice getting hit a lot. Put out a lot of work. Let people take their best shot at it. Then make even more work and keep putting it out there."
Develop thick skin. Criticism is inevitable when you put your work out into the world. Learn to separate constructive feedback from unhelpful negativity, and use criticism as a tool for growth.
Keep producing and improving. The more work you create and share, the more resilient you'll become to criticism. Use feedback to refine your craft, but don't let it paralyze you.
- Strategies for handling criticism:
- Take a deep breath and pause before responding
- Look for actionable advice within the critique
- Thank people for thoughtful feedback
- Ignore trolls and unconstructive comments
- Use criticism as motivation to improve
7. Sell Your Work Without Selling Out
"Don't say you don't have enough time. We're all busy, but we all get 24 hours a day. People often ask me, 'How do you find the time for all this?' And I answer, 'I look for it.'"
Value your work appropriately. Don't be afraid to charge for your creations, but ensure your pricing reflects the true worth of your work and respects your audience.
Explore diverse income streams. Consider multiple ways to monetize your work, from direct sales to crowdfunding to teaching and speaking engagements.
- Potential income sources:
- Selling products or services
- Offering online courses or workshops
- Crowdfunding specific projects
- Licensing your work
- Securing sponsorships or brand partnerships
- Patreon or subscription-based models
8. Persist and Persevere: The Key to Long-Term Success
"The people who get what they're after are very often the ones who just stick around long enough. It's very important not to quit prematurely."
Embrace the long game. Success rarely happens overnight. Commit to your craft for the long haul, focusing on consistent improvement and output rather than immediate results.
Maintain momentum. Develop habits and systems that keep you productive, even when motivation wanes. Use the completion of one project as fuel to start the next.
- Strategies for long-term success:
- Set both short-term and long-term goals
- Celebrate small victories along the way
- Develop a consistent work routine
- Take regular breaks to avoid burnout
- Reflect on your progress and adjust your approach as needed
- Surround yourself with supportive peers and mentors
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FAQ
What's "Show Your Work!" about?
- Focus on Sharing: "Show Your Work!" by Austin Kleon is about sharing your creative process to gain visibility and build an audience.
- Alternative to Self-Promotion: The book offers an alternative to traditional self-promotion by encouraging creators to be open about their work and process.
- Creativity as a Process: It emphasizes viewing creativity as a continuous process rather than a finished product.
- Building Connections: The book suggests that sharing your work can lead to valuable connections and opportunities.
Why should I read "Show Your Work!"?
- Practical Advice: It provides practical advice for artists and creators on how to share their work effectively.
- Inspiration for Creatives: The book is a source of inspiration for anyone looking to make their work more discoverable.
- Community Building: It highlights the importance of community and collaboration in the creative process.
- Overcoming Self-Promotion Anxiety: For those who dislike self-promotion, it offers a more authentic way to engage with an audience.
What are the key takeaways of "Show Your Work!"?
- Be Findable: It's not enough to be good; you must also be findable by sharing your work.
- Process Over Product: Focus on sharing the process, not just the finished product.
- Daily Sharing: Share something small every day to build a habit and engage with your audience.
- Teach and Learn: Teaching what you know can enhance your own understanding and attract followers.
What is the "Scenius" concept in "Show Your Work!"?
- Collaborative Creativity: "Scenius" is a term that suggests creativity is a collaborative effort, not a solitary one.
- Ecology of Talent: It involves a group of creative individuals who support and influence each other.
- Beyond Lone Genius: The concept challenges the "lone genius" myth by emphasizing community and shared ideas.
- Accessible to All: The internet makes it easier than ever to join a "scenius" and contribute to a creative community.
How does "Show Your Work!" suggest dealing with criticism?
- Take Criticism in Stride: Learn to take criticism without letting it affect your self-worth.
- Use Criticism Constructively: View criticism as an opportunity to improve and create new work.
- Separate Work from Self: Remember that your work is not who you are; maintain a healthy distance.
- Identify Trolls: Recognize and ignore trolls who offer nothing constructive.
What does "Show Your Work!" say about the role of amateurs?
- Amateurs Have Advantages: Amateurs often have the advantage of being willing to try new things without fear of failure.
- Spirit of Love: The term "amateur" comes from the French word for "lover," highlighting passion over professionalism.
- Lifelong Learners: Amateurs are lifelong learners who share their learning process openly.
- Inspiration from Amateurs: Amateurs can inspire others by showing that creativity is accessible to everyone.
What are some of the best quotes from "Show Your Work!" and what do they mean?
- "Creativity is not a talent. It is a way of operating." - John Cleese: This quote emphasizes that creativity is about how you work, not an innate ability.
- "Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you dare to think." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: Encourages sharing your work, as it might be more valuable to others than you realize.
- "The stupidest possible creative act is still a creative act." - Clay Shirky: Highlights that any act of creation, no matter how trivial, is valuable.
- "Put yourself, and your work, out there every day, and you’ll start meeting some amazing people." - Bobby Solomon: Suggests that regular sharing leads to meaningful connections.
How does "Show Your Work!" redefine self-promotion?
- Generosity Over Self-Promotion: The book redefines self-promotion as an act of generosity, sharing what you know and love.
- Focus on Process: It encourages sharing the process and journey, not just the end product.
- Building Relationships: Self-promotion is about building relationships and engaging with a community.
- Authenticity Matters: Authenticity in sharing your work is more effective than traditional self-promotion tactics.
What is the "Cabinet of Curiosities" concept in "Show Your Work!"?
- Personal Collection: A "Cabinet of Curiosities" is a collection of items that inspire you and reflect your tastes.
- Influence on Work: Your collection of influences can shape and inform your creative work.
- Sharing Tastes: Sharing your influences and tastes can help others understand your creative perspective.
- Connection Through Curiosity: It encourages connecting with others through shared interests and curiosities.
How does "Show Your Work!" suggest using social media?
- Daily Updates: Use social media to share daily updates about your work and process.
- Choose Platforms Wisely: Select platforms that align with your work and audience.
- Engage Authentically: Engage with your audience authentically, sharing what genuinely interests you.
- Avoid Over-Sharing: Be mindful of what you share, ensuring it adds value to your audience.
What does "Show Your Work!" say about storytelling?
- Importance of Storytelling: Storytelling is crucial for making your work relatable and engaging.
- Structure Matters: A good story has a clear structure with a beginning, middle, and end.
- Personal Connection: Personal stories can make complex ideas more tangible and relatable.
- Continuous Narrative: Your work is part of an ongoing narrative that you share with your audience.
How does "Show Your Work!" address the concept of selling out?
- Redefining Sellout: The book challenges the negative connotations of "selling out," suggesting it's about making a living.
- Value Your Work: Encourages creators to value their work and not be afraid to charge for it.
- Balance Ambition and Integrity: It's about balancing ambition with staying true to your creative vision.
- Opportunities for Growth: Emphasizes taking opportunities that allow you to do more of what you love.
Review Summary
Show Your Work! receives mostly positive reviews for its practical advice on self-promotion and creativity. Readers appreciate the book's concise format, inspiring quotes, and easy-to-follow tips. Many find it motivational and relevant to their creative pursuits. Some criticize it for being overly simplistic or repetitive, but most agree it offers valuable insights for artists and content creators. The book encourages sharing one's creative process, building an audience, and embracing the internet as a tool for connection and growth.
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