“Show Your Work!” by Austin Kleon, published in 2014, is a guide on how to promote yourself and your creative work in the digital age. Kleon emphasizes the importance of sharing, collaboration, and the openness of one’s creative process, making it accessible for creative professionals and newcomers alike. The book is structured around practical and actionable advice to help people share their creative processes and build an audience. Below is a structured summary of the key points, including specific actions a person can take.

Kleon challenges the myth of the lone genius by advocating for a more inclusive and collaborative approach. He suggests that understanding and utilizing a “scenius”—a term coined by musician Brian Eno, referring to the communal form of genius that arises in a supportive environment—can be more effective.

Example: Kleon cites the example of tech innovators in Silicon Valley who thrive on collaborative efforts.

Join or Create a Community: Seek out or create supportive communities relevant to your field. Share ideas and gain new perspectives by participating actively in these groups.

The focus should be on sharing the process rather than just the final product. This approach demystifies creativity and invites engagement by showing the messy, iterative nature of creation.

Example: Kleon talks about artist Pablo Picasso, who allowed photographers to document him while he worked, thus showcasing his process.

Document Your Process: Regularly share snippets of your work-in-progress, whether through social media, blogs, or other channels. This could mean posting sketches, drafts, or even failures that you’re learning from.

By consistently sharing tiny bits of your work, you make steady progress and keep your audience engaged. These small shares can be insights, snippets, or anecdotes related to your creative journey.

Example: Kleon himself practices what he preaches by maintaining a daily blog where he shares his thoughts and ongoing projects.

Establish a Routine: Dedicate a specific time each day for sharing something relevant and interesting about your work. Use platforms like Twitter, Instagram, or a personal blog to maintain this routine.

Curate content that inspires you and share it with others. This not only showcases your sources of inspiration but also helps build connections with like-minded individuals.

Example: Kleon references how writer Maria Popova curates the Brain Pickings blog, sharing her diverse literary and intellectual interests.

Curate and Share: Start a collection of inspiring works—articles, artworks, videos—and share these regularly with your audience. This can be done through a newsletter, blog, or social media posts.

Humans are wired to connect with stories. Therefore, learning to tell good stories about your work can make your creative process more engaging and understandable to others.

Example: Filmmaker and YouTube creator Casey Neistat uses storytelling to transform mundane experiences into captivating narratives.

Learn Storytelling: Practice crafting narratives around your creative process. Read books on storytelling techniques, attend workshops, and experiment with different formats to find what resonates best with your audience.

Teaching is a powerful way to gain new insights and to establish yourself as an expert. By sharing your knowledge, you not only help others but also deepen your own understanding.

Example: Kleon highlights how developer Jeff Atwood created the blog Coding Horror to share programming tips and experiences, thus building a massive following.

Start Teaching: Identify areas of your expertise and begin sharing tips, tutorials, or case studies. This could be through blogging, video tutorials, or workshops.

Authenticity is critical. Avoid overt self-promotion and focus instead on genuinely contributing to the conversations within your community.

Example: Kleon mentions the negative impact of being overly promotional, which can alienate an audience instead of engaging them.

Engage Authentically: Be relatable and contribute meaningfully to discussions in your field. Share content that adds value rather than just broadcasting self-promotional messages.

Rejection and criticism are part of the journey. Learning how to handle negative feedback constructively is essential for growth and resilience.

Example: Kleon shares stories of various artists and entrepreneurs, including himself, who have faced and overcome significant criticism.

Develop Thick Skin: When faced with criticism, seek constructive elements and use them for improvement. Practice non-defensive listening and consider feedback as a tool for growth.

Making a living from your creative work is not selling out; it’s necessary for sustaining creativity. However, doing so with integrity ensures that you don’t compromise on your values or quality.

Example: Kleon refers to artists who successfully monetize their work through merchandise, Patreon, licensing deals, etc., without compromising their artistic vision.

Monetize Wisely: Explore various avenues to monetize your work while maintaining your creative integrity. Experiment with different revenue streams like merchandise, crowdfunding, or paid content.

Perseverance is key. Longevity in your creative field comes from continuously producing work, learning, and adapting over time.

Example: Kleon discusses the careers of long-lasting artists and creators who have evolved with their fields to remain relevant.

Commit Long-term: Develop a long-term plan for your creative journey. Set goals, track progress, and continuously seek to improve. Embrace the ups and downs as part of the process.

“Show Your Work!” is a practical guide that encourages creative individuals to openly share their processes, engage with their communities, and build meaningful connections. Austin Kleon’s ten principles provide actionable steps for promoting creativity in a way that is authentic, sustainable, and rewarding. By integrating these practices, anyone can foster an environment of communal creativity and personal growth.