Show Your Work!

Description

"Show Your Work!: 10 Ways to Share Your Creativity and Get Discovered" by Austin Kleon is a guidebook for creative individuals seeking to gain recognition and visibility for their work. Here's a medium summary: Kleon emphasizes the importance of not only creating but also sharing one's creative process with others. He suggests building a network of like-minded individuals and being generous with knowledge and support. Teaching what you know and sharing something small every day can help establish credibility and consistency. Additionally, Kleon advises creators to share personal interests, inspirations, and influences to add depth to their work. Crafting compelling narratives and telling good stories around their creations can further engage an audience and make ideas memorable. Self-directed learning is encouraged, with Kleon highlighting the abundance of resources available online. However, creators should be mindful not to overwhelm their audience with constant self-promotion, instead focusing on providing value and building genuine connections. Criticism is inevitable, but Kleon suggests learning to separate constructive feedback from trolling and using criticism as an opportunity for growth. Finally, finding ways to monetize one's work, whether through merchandise sales or consulting services, is crucial for sustaining a creative career. Overall, "Show Your Work!" offers practical advice and strategies for creative professionals looking to share their work effectively, build a following, and turn their passion into a successful career in today's digital age.