Show Your Work!: 10 Ways to Share Your Creativity and Get Discovered by Austin Kleon

In this exciting new episode of the Moonshots Podcast, Mike and Mark explore Austin Kleon’s influential book “Show Your Work!” They also discuss how to embrace and share one's creativity with the world.

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This episode features insightful clips that highlight key themes from the book:

About “Show Your Work!” by Austin Kleon: “Show Your Work!” is a guide for people who want to share their creativity and get discovered. The book outlines ten simple steps to make sharing your work and ideas less daunting. Here are some key concepts: 1. You Don’t Have to Be a Genius: Focus on the process, not the product. Share your journey and the work you do daily. Kleon emphasizes that you don’t need to be an expert to share your work. Instead, being a learner and sharing your progress can inspire others. 2. Think Process, Not Product: Show your process, the behind-the-scenes work, and how you make what you make. Sharing the steps and thought processes involved in your work makes it more relatable and exciting to others. It can also help you build a community around your creative process. 3. Share Something Small Every Day: Consistently share small bits of your work, including notes, sketches, and ideas. This habit keeps your audience engaged and allows them to follow your creative journey. It also helps you build momentum and stay motivated. 4. Open Up Your Cabinet of Curiosities: Share your influences and inspirations. Let others see what you find interesting. You provide context for your work and help others discover new ideas and perspectives by showcasing what inspires you. 5. Tell Good Stories: Learn to tell your work story and journey. People are drawn to stories because they create emotional connections and make your work more memorable. Developing storytelling skills can help you communicate your ideas more effectively. 6. Teach What You Know: Share your knowledge and what you’ve learned. Teaching can be a great way to connect with others. By explaining your methods and insights, you help others and reinforce your understanding and expertise. 7. Don’t Turn Into Human Spam: Be genuine in your sharing, and don’t overwhelm people with self-promotion. Authenticity is critical to building trust and a loyal audience. Share valuable content that reflects your true interests and passions. 8. Learn to Take a Punch: Be prepared for criticism and learn how to handle it constructively. Criticism is a natural part of sharing your work publicly. Use it as an opportunity to learn and improve rather than letting it discourage you. 9. Sell Out: Don’t be afraid to sell your work. Make it easy for people to buy from you. While sharing for free can build an audience, it’s also essential to recognize the value of your work and provide ways for people to support you financially. 10. Stick Around: Stay consistent, keep working, and share. Success doesn’t happen overnight, and persistence is essential in any creative endeavor. You increase your chances of long-term success by continuously sharing your work and staying engaged with your audience.