SHOW YOUR WORK by Austin Kleon
Introduction:
Book Title: Show Your Work
Author: Austin Kleon
Purpose: The book offers advice on how to share your creative process and build a following by openly sharing your work and ideas.
Background: Austin Kleon is an author and artist known for his books on creativity and sharing work.
Summary:
Main Points Covered:
1. You Don’t Have to Be a Genius:
- Emphasizes the importance of being a contributor rather than striving for genius.
- Encourages sharing your learning process and experiences.
2. Think Process, Not Product:
- Focus on the journey rather than the finished product.
- Share snippets of your daily work and progress.
3. Share Something Small Every Day:
- Build a habit of daily sharing.
- Small, consistent updates can build a strong connection with your audience.
4. Open Up Your Cabinet of Curiosities:
- Share your influences and inspirations.
- Show what excites and drives you in your work.
5. Tell Good Stories:
- Craft narratives around your work.
- Make your audience care by telling them the story behind your creations.
6. Teach What You Know:
- Share your knowledge and skills.
- Teaching others can help solidify your understanding and build authority.
7. Don’t Turn into Human Spam:
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- Avoid being overly self-promotional.
- Engage genuinely with your audience and provide value.
8. Learn to Take a Punch:
- Be prepared for criticism.
- Use feedback constructively to improve your work.
9. Sell Out:
- Don’t be afraid to monetize your work.
- Understand the value of your creations and build a sustainable model.
10. Stick Around:
- Persistence is key to long-term success.
- Keep showing up and sharing your work consistently.
Key Explanations:
- Process Over Product: Kleon emphasizes the importance of sharing your journey, which helps to demystify creativity and makes the process more relatable.
- Daily Sharing: By sharing small bits regularly, you keep your audience engaged and build a habit of productivity.
- Curating Influences: Sharing what influences you helps your audience understand your context and thought process.
Examples and Case Studies:
- Artists and Creators: Kleon uses examples of artists and creators who share their work and process online, demonstrating how this transparency builds a loyal following.
- Personal Anecdotes: He includes his own experiences and those of others to illustrate how sharing work has benefited their careers.
Visual Aids and Demonstrations:
- Illustrations and Diagrams: The book is filled with visual aids that emphasize key points and make the content more engaging.
- Practical Examples: Kleon often includes step-by-step guides and practical tips on how to implement his advice.
Conclusion:
Overall Message: Sharing your work openly and consistently can help you build a following, improve your craft, and make meaningful connections. The key is to focus on the process, engage genuinely, and persist over time.
Calls to Action: Kleon encourages readers to start sharing their work today, no matter how small the steps might seem.
Personal Insights:
- New Perspectives: The book offers a refreshing take on creativity, emphasizing openness and community over solitary genius.
- Practical Application: The advice on daily sharing and storytelling can be applied to any creative endeavor, helping to build an engaged audience and improve one’s work through feedback.