Summary
"Show Your Work!" by Austin Kleon is a guidebook for creatives who want to share their work with the world. The book emphasizes the importance of documenting and sharing the creative process instead of only showcasing finished products.
The book is divided into ten chapters, with each chapter focusing on a different aspect of sharing creative work. Kleon encourages readers to embrace their vulnerability, connect with others, and use social media to amplify their creativity. He also stresses the importance of writing about creative work and using it as a tool for self-reflection and improvement.
Throughout the book, Kleon uses examples of other creators who have successfully shared their work, as well as anecdotes and advice from his own experiences as an artist and writer. He also includes practical tips and exercises for readers to try in order to build their own online presence and cultivate a community around their creative work.
In summary, "Show Your Work!" is a motivational and practical guide for creative professionals who want to share their work and connect with others in the digital age. It encourages readers to be authentic, generous, and open to feedback as they share their creative journey with the world.
The book is divided into ten chapters, with each chapter focusing on a different aspect of sharing creative work. Kleon encourages readers to embrace their vulnerability, connect with others, and use social media to amplify their creativity. He also stresses the importance of writing about creative work and using it as a tool for self-reflection and improvement.
Throughout the book, Kleon uses examples of other creators who have successfully shared their work, as well as anecdotes and advice from his own experiences as an artist and writer. He also includes practical tips and exercises for readers to try in order to build their own online presence and cultivate a community around their creative work.
In summary, "Show Your Work!" is a motivational and practical guide for creative professionals who want to share their work and connect with others in the digital age. It encourages readers to be authentic, generous, and open to feedback as they share their creative journey with the world.
Key ideas
1. Share something small every day - Kleon emphasizes the importance of being consistent and making an effort to share work or progress daily. This can include sharing on social media or with a small group of peers. He advises that it does not need to be anything big, but just something consistent that can help build an audience over time.
2. Be open and generous - Kleon stresses that sharing work is not just about promoting oneself, but also about being open and generous with one's ideas and creativity. This includes being willing to collaborate with others and share one's knowledge and process with others.
3. Embrace your creativity and be yourself - The book encourages embracing one's own unique perspective and interests. The message is that by being true to oneself, people can create more authentic work that resonates with others.
4. Focus on process, not just product - The book argues that sharing one's creative process can be just as valuable as sharing finished products. Kleon encourages people to share their work at various stages and not just when it is polished and complete.
5. Engage with others - Kleon emphasizes the importance of engaging with one's audience and other creative individuals. This can include interacting with people on social media or attending events and workshops. The idea is that by connecting with others, people can find inspiration and support for their work.
Overall, Show Your Work! encourages people to be more open and generous with their creativity and to share their work with others on a consistent basis. The book stresses that by focusing on the process, being true to oneself, and engaging with others, people can build an audience and find inspiration and support for their work.
2. Be open and generous - Kleon stresses that sharing work is not just about promoting oneself, but also about being open and generous with one's ideas and creativity. This includes being willing to collaborate with others and share one's knowledge and process with others.
3. Embrace your creativity and be yourself - The book encourages embracing one's own unique perspective and interests. The message is that by being true to oneself, people can create more authentic work that resonates with others.
4. Focus on process, not just product - The book argues that sharing one's creative process can be just as valuable as sharing finished products. Kleon encourages people to share their work at various stages and not just when it is polished and complete.
5. Engage with others - Kleon emphasizes the importance of engaging with one's audience and other creative individuals. This can include interacting with people on social media or attending events and workshops. The idea is that by connecting with others, people can find inspiration and support for their work.
Overall, Show Your Work! encourages people to be more open and generous with their creativity and to share their work with others on a consistent basis. The book stresses that by focusing on the process, being true to oneself, and engaging with others, people can build an audience and find inspiration and support for their work.
Quotes
1. "Share something small every day. It all adds up."
2. "You don't have to be a genius or a visionary or even a college graduate to be successful. You just need a framework and a dream."
3. "Be an interesting person doing interesting things."
4. "Don't tell people what to do, show them how you do it."
5. "If you want followers, be someone worth following."
6. "Be open, generous, brave - and soon, people will want to collaborate with you."
7. "Stop waiting for perfection. Just ship it."
8. "Don't be afraid to share your rough drafts. It's part of the process."
9. "Your failures and struggles are just as important as your successes."
10. "The best way to get started on the path to sharing your work is to think about what you want to learn, and make a commitment to learning it."
2. "You don't have to be a genius or a visionary or even a college graduate to be successful. You just need a framework and a dream."
3. "Be an interesting person doing interesting things."
4. "Don't tell people what to do, show them how you do it."
5. "If you want followers, be someone worth following."
6. "Be open, generous, brave - and soon, people will want to collaborate with you."
7. "Stop waiting for perfection. Just ship it."
8. "Don't be afraid to share your rough drafts. It's part of the process."
9. "Your failures and struggles are just as important as your successes."
10. "The best way to get started on the path to sharing your work is to think about what you want to learn, and make a commitment to learning it."
Action items
1. You don't have to be a genius - Kleon suggests that in order to produce great work, you don't have to be a genius. Rather, he believes that it's important to focus on producing good, consistent work, sharing it with others, and iterating on it over time.
2. Share something small every day - Kleon recommends sharing something small with your audience every day, whether it's a photo, a drawing, a blog post, etc. The goal is to build a body of work over time that people can follow and engage with.
3. Build a community - Kleon advises that it's important to build a community of like-minded people online. This can be done by participating in social media, commenting on other people's work, and engaging with other artists and creatives.
4. Share your process, not just your finished product - Instead of only sharing your final product, Kleon suggests sharing your process behind the work. This can include sketches, rough drafts, and behind-the-scenes photos.
5. Don't wait for permission - Kleon encourages readers to start sharing their work now, without waiting for anyone's permission. He believes that there's no better way to improve than by putting your work out there and getting feedback from others.
6. Be open to collaboration - Kleon recommends being open to collaborating with other creatives, whether it's online or in person. This can lead to new ideas, new audiences, and a stronger sense of community.
7. Keep learning and evolving - Finally, Kleon advises readers to keep learning and evolving their craft over time. Whether it's through classes, workshops, or simply trying new things, it's important to keep pushing yourself to grow as an artist and creator.
2. Share something small every day - Kleon recommends sharing something small with your audience every day, whether it's a photo, a drawing, a blog post, etc. The goal is to build a body of work over time that people can follow and engage with.
3. Build a community - Kleon advises that it's important to build a community of like-minded people online. This can be done by participating in social media, commenting on other people's work, and engaging with other artists and creatives.
4. Share your process, not just your finished product - Instead of only sharing your final product, Kleon suggests sharing your process behind the work. This can include sketches, rough drafts, and behind-the-scenes photos.
5. Don't wait for permission - Kleon encourages readers to start sharing their work now, without waiting for anyone's permission. He believes that there's no better way to improve than by putting your work out there and getting feedback from others.
6. Be open to collaboration - Kleon recommends being open to collaborating with other creatives, whether it's online or in person. This can lead to new ideas, new audiences, and a stronger sense of community.
7. Keep learning and evolving - Finally, Kleon advises readers to keep learning and evolving their craft over time. Whether it's through classes, workshops, or simply trying new things, it's important to keep pushing yourself to grow as an artist and creator.