Show Your Work! By Austin Kleon

Show Your Work! serves as a practical guide for artists, writers, and creatives to navigate the modern landscape of self-promotion. Kleon emphasizes that sharing your creative process—not just the finished product—can lead to greater visibility and opportunities. By demystifying the act of sharing, he encourages readers to be open, generous, and connected in their creative journeys.

Key Concepts

1. You Don’t Have to Be a Genius
   Creativity is collaborative. Embrace being an amateur and focus on sharing your learning journey.

2. Think Process, Not Product
   Document and share your creative process. People are interested in the journey, not just the destination.

3. Share Something Small Every Day

4. 
   Consistent sharing builds engagement. Whether it’s a sketch, a thought, or a work-in-progress, daily sharing keeps your audience connected.

5. Open Up Your Cabinet of Curiosities
   Share your influences and inspirations. Curating and crediting others’ work adds depth to your own.

6. Tell Good Stories
   Narratives give context to your work. Storytelling makes your creations more relatable and memorable.

7. Teach What You Know
   Sharing knowledge enhances your credibility and fosters community. Teaching is a form of generosity that benefits both you and your audience.

8. Don’t Turn Into Human Spam
   Engage authentically. Contribute meaningfully to your community rather than self-promoting incessantly.

9. Learn to Take a Punch
   Criticism is part of the creative process. Embrace feedback as a tool for growth and resilience.

10. Sell Out
    Monetizing your work isn’t a betrayal of your art. It’s okay to earn from your creativity.

11. Stick Around
    Persistence is key. Continue creating and sharing, even when progress feels slow.