Show Your Work!: 10 Ways to Share Your Creativity and Get Discovered (Austin Kleon) by Kleon

Mastering the Art of Self-Promotion

Unleashing Creative Potential

Show Your Work! is more than a guide, it encourages you, as an individual reluctant to self-promotion, to break through your inhibitions and share your work. Its core idea is that just being good at what you do won’t cut it; to make an impact, you need to be discoverable.

The Power of Consistent Sharing

The book underscores the role consistent online sharing plays in winning over an audience. Think of your work as an ongoing journey rather than a finite end product. This shift in perspective allows you to share comfortably and garner attention from those interested in your work.

Brace Up for the Ride

Embrace the highs and lows of letting your work out in the open. 'Show Your Work!' prepares you for the waves of feedback, fellowship, and patronage that come with constant sharing. It brings the right insights to turn your online self-expression into a massive advantage.

Reframing Creativity: Scenius, Amateurs, and Lifelong Learning

Dismantling the Lone Genius Myth

Knocking down the widespread tale of solitary ingenuity, the book gives a fresh angle to unveil creativity's genuine essence. It's not about rare individuals creating masterpieces in seclusion but about 'scenius': a collective of creative minds influencing and nurturing each other's work. It's not about one's skill or intellect; it's about what one brings to the so-called 'scenius'.

The World Wide Web: Bridging Scenius

The advent of the internet has flung wide the doors of the 'scenius', allowing individuals from all walks of life to bring their ideas and work to play. Here, amateurs, often driven by love for their craft rather than fame or payday, can outshine professionals. Unafraid of blunders or being branded foolish, they dare to take chances, leading to unexplored territories.

Lifelong Learning & Embracing Amateurity

These amateurs are perpetual learners who unhesitantly share their thoughts, ideologies, and creativity with others. Sometimes they overshadow even the experts. They spark motivation and encourage us all to embark on our pursuits. In today's rapidly evolving world, we're all becoming amateurs, and embracing this uncertainty can sprout growth and achievement.

Finding Your Voice and Making It Count

To express yourself and unravel your voice, start learning in the presence of others: find a community to contribute to and don't stress about expertise or monetary gain. Characters like Roger Ebert, a film critic who lost his voice to cancer, found solace in blogging, exemplifying how the internet empowers everyone to voice their thoughts and be heard.

Death: A Perspective and Motivation

Comprehending our mortality can offer a profound outlook and encourage us to act. It's no secret that brush-with-death encounters have dramatically altered many individuals' lives, pushing them to chase their passion and relish life to the fullest. Obituaries, highlighting people's accomplishments and valor in their lifetime, can serve as a reminder of our fleeting existence, inspiring us to seize life's every moment.

Unlocking Creativity Through Sharing

Shattering The Creative Secrecy

Breaking away from traditional secrecy in artistry, Kleon advocates for the open sharing of the creative process. In the hustle-bustle of the digital era, platforms like social media offer artists the unique advantage of disclosing their art-making journey, turning the tables on the sanctity of 'behind the scenes'. He contests that the audience carries an undying curiosity to know 'how the sausage gets made'.

Bonding Through Process Sharing

Delving deeper, the thread of transparency is said to tie a stronger bond between artists and their audience. The revelation of the routine grind, the sweat and toil behind the grand outcome, might present an opportunity to connect at a level that's more personal. A binary, however, is drawn between product creation and the path to it, marking their distinctive appeal.

The Power of Vulnerability

The fear of vulnerability makes many artists reluctant about sharing their process. Yet, beyond this fear lies the potential for deeper audience engagement. Settling this, the example of astronaut Chris Hadfield comes to the fore. Hadfield's outreach created quite a buzz as he took to social media, letting people in on his day-to-day activities aboard the International Space Station.

Everyone's An Artist

Not confined to formal 'artists', process sharing, according to Kleon, is for everyone, irrespective of the 'shareability' of their work's end product. As we document our work, we may find ourselves developing personally and professionally, which can be enlightening as well as motivating.

Surplus Material, Maximum Shareability

Registering the journey of work results in the accumulation of a wealth of 'behind-the-scenes' material, ready to be shared at the opportune moment. This way, the ability to engage audiences becomes less daunting with plenty of content on hand.

Harnessing Daily Sharing for Creative Success

The Power of Daily Sharing

In an era frequented by social media usage, expressing your creative process consistently lays the foundation for a substantial body of work. Advocated by Kleon, instilling a habit of daily sharing, which could be anything from your influences, techniques, works in progress to final outputs, allows spectators to view your creative journey. Choosing the most suitable platform that resonates with your work and desired audience is crucial to this process.

Understanding Internet Openness

While the internet avails immense possibilities for sharing, it's also notorious for open copying and spreading. Therefore, when selecting what to post online, caution must be exercised between sharing and oversharing. This is especially important in avoiding time wastage, one of the common challenges when it comes to frequent sharing. Discovering moments within the day for focused sharing can help mitigate this issue.

Invest in Personal Online Space

Although social media bridges the gap between creators and fans, owning a personal online space such as a blog or website can be a fruitful investment. This is because it offers a personalized platform to express yourself more authentically and allows the accumulation of your creative outputs. With consistent daily dispatches, your online space can act as a live portfolio, reflecting your active projects rather than showcasing stale accomplishments.

Unearthing Creativity from Collections

Mingling Curiosities and Creativity

The tone of the book is engaging, revolving around the relationship between collecting and creativity. Drawing from the centuries-old European tradition of 'cabinet of curiosities' or 'Wunderkammern', a precursor to contemporary museums, a link between collecting unique items and sparking creative inspiration is established. Hence it suggests our tastes and collections can greatly influence our creative output.

Trash Turned Art

Further, an intriguing modern example is The Trash Museum in New York City. Nelson Molina, a sanitation worker, transformed discarded objects into a unique collection. What might be termed 'dumpster diving' is celebrated as a form of artistic expression, supporting the notion that one person's trash is another's treasure, hence illustrating the diverse ways of fostering creativity.

Honoring the Sourced Inspiration

Finally, readers are urged to share their influences, to shed light on what shapes their creative process. Acknowledging the importance of crediting original authors when sharing their work contributes to an authentic representation of one’s creative journey. This exercise is highlighted not just as a respectful gesture but also as a tool to inform audiences and increase accessibility to the original resource.

The Power of Storytelling in Crafting Value

Unveiling the Influence of stories

A voyage into Austin Kleon's thought world reveals the potent role of storytelling in shaping our perception of art. Stories, apparently, carry an unseen weight, enough to make valuables out of trifles. The essence lies not in the physical object but the narrative veiling it. The most intriguing evidence to this? The science of psychology. You heard that right; even psychology bows to the power of a well-spun yarn.

Storytelling: A Touch of Magic in the Mundane

Now here's where it gets personal. Storytelling isn't just about art; it's about you, too. That job interview? That business proposal? That casual party introduction? They’re all about narrating your story convincingly. But remember – the goal isn't to fashion a fairy tale. Clarity. Honesty. That's your secret sauce to captivate your audience. Intrigued yet?

Unlocking the Art of Crafting Narratives

Indeed, storytelling is quite the game-changer. But how does one weave alluring narratives? Fret not, Kleon navigates this labyrinth for you. Drawing from ancient fairy tales and myths, he unfurls the basic plotline – a pursuit filled with obstacles. And here’s where you nail it. Leave it open-ended. In a world of uncertainties, let the listener choose the ending. Now, that's a pitch worth remembering.

Mastering the Art of Sharing Expertise

Unleashing Secrets of the BBQ Masters

The intriguing world of barbecue, usually shrouded in mystery, takes a dramatic turn with BBQ pitmaster, Aaron Franklin. He dares to defy the norm by passionately unveiling his barbecue processes on the well-received YouTube series, BBQ with Franklin. His example beautifully demonstrates that sharing expertise doesn't instantly translate into competition.

A Lesson in Shared Knowledge

Believe it or not, the mastery of these barbecue techniques takes not only dedication, but years of practice. So, amidst the competitive nature of this industry, Aaron Franklin tirelessly shares his love for barbecue, helping others improve their craft by answering questions and imparting knowledge.

Sharing as a Business Strategy

Have you considered that numerous businesses could essentially thrive by modeling Franklin's approach? Sharing their knowledge and techniques could lead to heightened interest in their work, ultimately adding significant value. Plus, when you pass on your acumens to others, consider the learning you invite in return.

Harvesting Success: Reading, Connecting, and Evolving

A Blueprint for Aspiring Writers

In the realm of literature, Kleon asserts that successful writing starts with reading. It seems counterintuitive for a writer to not acquaint themselves with the workings of the literary markets where they aspire to shine. So, cast your vanity away, tuck into those pages, and grasp the essence of what makes them tick.

Coming Up Roses, Not Spam

Nothing diminishes the allure of success, but it lies in understanding that success is not instant coffee; it requires effort and patience, like brewing artisanal coffee. Shortcuts lead to becoming 'human spam', targeting quick fame without the due grind involved. The fulfillment of success manifests from the diligent work you invest.

Fostering Connections, Cultivating Success

Success is a two-way street; it's about giving, sharing, and connecting. It's in the genuine interactions with fans or the unexpected collaborations with like-minded individuals that one uncovers the path to broader prospects. So, the next time you're online, be genuine, not creepy - positive, meaningful engagements often result in rewarding relationships.

Gleaning from The Vampire Test

One of the most ingenious ways to cultivate positive energy in your spheres is 'The Vampire Test'. Like the artist Constantin Brancusi, learn to discern those who suck energy and joy out of you, and invest your time in uplifting, like-minded individuals instead, to keep your creative juices flowing.

Cyber Friends in Real Life

Lastly, don't underestimate the value of strong online connections and the perks they bring to real life. Meeting online friends in person deepens the connect, and what's better, it skips the awkward small talk! By organizing or attending meetups, you'll find more people who share your interests and broaden your network even more.

Harnessing Criticisms: An Artful Guide

The Power of Constructive Punches

Ever come across criticism that pins your work down the mat? Well, times like these call for a well-strengthened neck. Don't stay on the floor. Spring back up, roll with those punches. Use the criticisms as stepping stones for creating better work. After all, a master diamond cutter uses hard, precise blows to reveal the beauty in a rough diamond.

Harboring Vulnerability: A Delicate Balance

Would you usually cover yourself head to toe in a Kevlar suit to protect against life's darting arrows? If your work is highly sensitive, you may want to keep it hidden from the critical masses. But remember, a life spent in constant defense might block the beautiful connections that vulnerability can forage. So, find a balance. Protect your vital parts; but don't seal your heart away behind a fortress.

In The Arena of Trolls: Surviving the War of Words

Trolls – the quintessential online villains who spew vitriol on the digital landscape. When you encounter such culprits, don't engage no matter how tempting the duel may seem. Remember, your time is too precious to be wasted on fruitless battles. Instead, take refuge in those magical block and delete buttons. They're there to shield your precious peace. And if it becomes too much, flipping the comments switch off is always an option. Above all, never let a troll's trolling define the brilliance of your work.

The Art of Valuing Creativity

Redefining Artist's Earnings

Let's take a fresh look at how artists earn their keep. We should reject the notion that money spoils creativity. In fact, countless treasured cultural works were inspired by financial incentives. So, it's time we commend artists for their monetary success instead of criticizing them as 'sellouts.'

The Courage to Charge

Artists shouldn't shy away from asking for remuneration for their creations. Whether it be through donations, crowdfunding, or selling services, it is crucial to value the work appropriately and ask a fair price.

Emails: Artists’ Virtual Goldmine

Email lists can make a significant difference for artists. Not only reliable, but this channel of communication directly reaches the desired audience. A thoughtfully managed mailing list can indeed become an artist's successful business foundation.

Embracing Opportunities, Defining Priorities

Artists should boldly say 'yes' to new opportunities, striking a balance and helping others when success knocks on the door. But it’s also essential to recognise when to say 'no' and prioritize their own craft.

Harnessing Momentum in Career Paths

Perfection in Perseverance

The concept of 'chain-smoking' your career, as illustrated in the text, symbolizes maintaining momentum in your professional journey. Buttoning up one project just to leap into another fosters the embodiment of resilience. This continuous pursuit of new beginnings and closure of previous tasks fosters long-term achievement.

A Breath of Fresh Air

Regular intervals of pause, akin to the concept of sabbaticals, are proven to refresh your creative perspective. It isn't necessarily about taking a yearlong hiatus, even small strategic breaks during a week can help rejuvenate and stimulate the birth of innovative ideas.

The Power of Constant Learning

Making progress in your career is a continuous endeavor. To facilitate this growth, it's significant to draw inspiration from experienced individuals who succeeded in their fields. Figures like Woody Allen, Joni Mitchell, and Louis C.K. demonstrate how pushing one's limits, embracing new projects, and reinventing older work can lead to compelling outcomes.

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