Austin Kleon's book "Show Your Work" helps creative individuals navigate the self-promotion world and share their work with others. It encourages artists, writers, and creators to embrace sharing their creations, connecting with others, and building a community around their work.

💭 The Book in 3 Sentences:

1. Embrace collaboration and generosity in the creative community.
2. Dare to be authentic and showcase your unique personality.
3. Create meaningful connections and relationships through your work.

🎯 Who should read it?

"Show Your Work" by Austin Kleon is a great read for individuals seeking to showcase their talents. Specifically, the book is great for:

1. Artists, writers, musicians, designers, photographers, and other creative professionals will find inspiration and practical advice in this book.
2. Entrepreneurs, freelancers, and anyone looking to build a personal brand or establish an online presence can benefit from the insights shared in "Show Your Work."

📈 How the Book Has Helped Me

This book has had a profound impact on my creative journey. It has given me the confidence and motivation to share my work with others, embracing the vulnerability of showcasing my creative process. By following Kleon's advice:

1. I have been able to connect with like-minded individuals, form collaborations, and expand my creative network.
2. I was reminded of the importance of continuous growth, experimentation, and embracing the ever-evolving nature of creativity.
3. I felt empowered to navigate the challenges of self-promotion and build a meaningful and fulfilling creative practice.

📝 My Notes + Takeaways:

1) Share your process, not just your product

The book highlights the importance of being transparent and open about the creative journey behind our work. It encourages us to share not only the final outcome but also the steps, struggles, and insights that go into creating that work.

Sharing our process invites others into our world and gives them a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes aspects of our creative endeavours. This level of transparency and vulnerability humanizes the work and allows others to connect with us on a deeper level. It helps build a sense of authenticity and relatability, fostering stronger relationships with our audience.

Sharing our process also has educational benefits. By revealing the steps and techniques involved in our work, we can inspire and empower others who may be on a similar creative path. It demystifies the creative process and demonstrates that success is often the result of persistence, experimentation, and learning from mistakes.

Wise people prefer to benefit from constructive criticism rather than be ruined by false praise. - Shiv Khera

Moreover, sharing our process creates opportunities for feedback and collaboration. When we open up about our work in progress, we invite constructive criticism and valuable insights from others. This feedback can help us refine our work, overcome creative blocks, and gain fresh perspectives. It also opens doors for potential collaborations with individuals who share our interests or can offer complementary skills.

2) Build a network of collaborators

Kleon emphasizes the value of cultivating relationships and partnerships within the creative community. Creators should actively seek out and connect with like-minded individuals who can offer different perspectives, skills, and expertise.

Building a network of collaborators expands our creative horizons. We gain access to fresh ideas, diverse experiences, and alternative approaches to our work. This cross-pollination of ideas and skills can lead to innovative and unexpected outcomes that we may not have achieved on our own.

Collaboration also brings mutual support and accountability. When we work with others, we create a support system where we can bounce ideas off each other, provide feedback, and hold each other accountable to our goals. This kind of creative camaraderie fosters a sense of community and helps us stay motivated and inspired.

Pixar Animation Studios is renowned for its collaborative approach to filmmaking. The studio's success can be attributed, in large part, to the strong network of collaborators they have cultivated. From directors and animators to writers and musicians, Pixar fosters an environment that encourages cross-disciplinary collaboration. This approach has led to groundbreaking films such as "Toy Story," "Finding Nemo," and "Inside Out."

3) Be findable

In today's interconnected world, being findable is crucial for gaining exposure, reaching a broader audience, and attracting opportunities.

"If you want to be findable, you have to be searchable." - Austin Kleon

Here's a deeper dive into the lesson:

1. Online Presence: Building an online presence is essential for being findable. Creating a website, maintaining active social media profiles, and engaging in relevant online communities can increase your visibility. By curating an online presence that aligns with your creative work, you make it easier for others to find and connect with you.
2. Networking and Collaboration: Building connections and collaborating with others is an effective way to expand your reach. By networking with individuals in your field, participating in relevant events, and seeking collaborations, you tap into their networks and reach new audiences. Collaborative projects, joint ventures, or guest appearances can expose you to a wider audience and increase your findability.
3. Niche Focus: Developing a niche focus or specialization helps you stand out in a crowded creative landscape. By establishing yourself as an expert in a specific area, you attract individuals who are searching for specialized knowledge or unique perspectives. Being known for a particular niche makes it easier for people with specific interests to find and engage with your work.
4. Consistency and Quality: Consistency and maintaining a high standard of quality in your work are crucial for building trust and credibility. By consistently producing and sharing quality content, you establish a reputation that encourages people to seek out and engage with your creations. The more reliable and valuable your work, the more likely others are to share and recommend it, thus enhancing your findability.

4) Keep evolving

In the creative journey, it is so important to embrace change, seek new challenges, and consistently evolve their skills and perspectives.

"Don't be afraid to show your process, even the false starts, the screw-ups, and the ugly bits." - Austin Kleon

Here's a deeper dive into how creative evolution can take place:

1. Growth Mindset: Keeping a mindset of growth is essential for personal and creative development. By embracing the idea that there is always more to learn and improve upon, you remain open to new opportunities and challenges. This mindset allows you to push beyond your comfort zone, experiment with new ideas, and evolve your creative work.
2. Seek Feedback: Actively seeking and embracing feedback is a powerful catalyst for growth. Feedback provides valuable insights and perspectives that can help you refine your skills and approach. By welcoming constructive criticism and using it as a tool for improvement, you can evolve and enhance your creative output.
3. Experimentation and Exploration: The creative journey is a continuous process of exploration and experimentation. By trying new techniques, exploring different mediums, and stepping outside of your creative boundaries, you expose yourself to fresh perspectives and possibilities. This willingness to experiment allows you to discover new passions, refine your artistic style, and evolve your creative expression.
4. Lifelong Learning: Cultivating a commitment to lifelong learning ensures that you stay curious and engaged with new ideas and developments in your field. Actively seeking out opportunities for learning, whether through courses, workshops, or self-study, keeps you at the forefront of your craft. By continuously expanding your knowledge and skills, you can evolve your creative work and stay relevant in a rapidly changing landscape.
5. Embracing Failure and Iteration: Failure is an inherent part of the creative process. Embracing failure as a learning opportunity allows you to iterate and refine your work. Through iteration, you can evolve your ideas, address weaknesses, and make significant improvements. Each iteration brings you closer to your vision and helps you grow as a creator.

By adopting these principles, you ensure that your creative work remains dynamic and relevant. It allows you to evolve as a creator, push boundaries, and continue to produce work that resonates with your audience and reflects your personal growth and development.

💡My Favourite Quotes:

1. "Don't worry about doing 'good work.' Instead, worry about good work finding you."
2. "Become a documentarian of what you do, and in the process, you'll become an authority on what you do."
3. "Don't show your lunch or your latte; show your work."
4. "Teach what you know, share your trade secrets, and you'll soon become the go-to person."
5. "Don't wait until you know who you are to get started. Show up and share your process as you go."