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Product Details
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Workman Publishing Company (March 6, 2014)
As Austin Kleon explains, his previous book, Steal Like an Artist, "was about stealing influence from other people" whereas "this book is about how to influence others by letting them steal from [begin italics] you [end italics]." I agree with him that "all you have to do is to show your work" but only if (HUGE "if") it's worth stealing and you know how to do that in terms of what, when, and where. Actually, he wrote this book "for people who hate the very idea of self-promotion." It's not enough to be very good. "In order to be found, you have to [begin italics] be findable [end italics]. I think there's an easy way of putting your work out there and making it discoverable [begin italics] while [end italics] you're focused on getting really good at what you do."
Kleon's two books can be of incalculable value to those who need help with creating content (whatever its nature and extent may be) and then help with attracting the interest and support of those on whom the success of the offering depends. It could be a product, a service, or both. Its target market could be singles, seniors, the unemployed or under-employed, new parents, do-it-yourselfers, beginners at whatever...you get the idea.
So, how to become findable? First, Kleon explains the need for developing a new mindset, one that will enable the reluctant self-promoter to think differently so that she or he can then operate differently. Here's his key point: "Almost all of the people I look up to and try to steal from today, regardless of their profession, have built [begin italics] sharing [end italics] into their routine. Next, he urges his reader to find what the musician Brian Eno characterizes as a "scenius": a group of creative individuals who make up an ecology of talent.Read more ›
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33 of 36 people found the following review helpful
One thing I've always strived to improve has been my transparency. It's also one of the things I've always struggled most with. It's just not instinctual to me. I literally have to pour my time and energy into showing pieces of myself and my work to the world. And it's not even just my work--I don't even update my personal Facebook on a regular basis.
When I realized what Austin Kleon's newest book was about, I knew I had to have it. The theme is Show Your Work. How apropos. Once I had it in my hands, there was so much for me to learn. Here are a few of my favorite lessons from each chapter:
1. You don't have to be a genius.
Anyone can share their art. There are no limits here. "You can't find your voice if you don't use it." "Raw enthusiasm is contagious."
2. Think process, not product.
It's not about the final product; it's about the journey. "We're not all artists or astronauts. A lot of us go about our work and feel like we have nothing to show for it at the end of the day. But whatever the nature of your work, there is an art to what you do, and there are people who would be interested in that art, if only you presented it to them in the right way."
3. Share something small every day.
You don't have to post something big. Share small things on a regular basis and you'll keep up your momentum. "Put yourself, and your work, out there every day and you'll start meeting some amazing people." - Bobby Solomon You should be continually asking yourself this question: "What are you working on?" Whatever you do, do not overshare.
4. Open up your cabinet of curiosities.
If someone shares something and you like it, share it, too.Read more ›
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169 of 178 people found the following review helpful
Kleon has an engaging writing style. His illustrations are cute. He is an able curator of interesting quotations. But this book is mostly devoid of meaningful or useful content. Here is some of the advice you'll receive:
- Put your work out there, share it with others regularly - Meet up with people in real life, not just on the Internet - Don't be afraid to make money off your creative work - Keep going - Maintain an e-mail list - Give proper credit when you refer to other people's work
I won't spoil the rest--if you do read the book, you'll see that I'm not simplifying anything in that list. He goes into zero detail about *how* you should do any of those things, which leads me to believe that he considers the suggestions themselves as worthy of paid publication. Even as free blog posts, most of these chapters would leave me asking, "And...?" This is a catchy write-up of the most banal common knowledge on the topic.
I loved Steal Like An Artist (and still do), but this book was not worth the money or the time I spent on it. Big disappointment. I will probably still buy his next book, but I hope I won't have to return it like this one.
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This is a much more personal book than Austin's first, Steal Like an Artist. This book is less about making an effort to show what you do and more about how to respond to people after you do it.
I recognized MANY of the situations Austin shares, and certainly could add to them. Showing your work takes courage!
In my case, I am a professional technical writer. In a corporate setting, my back (and typos) have been covered by co-workers assigned to clean up after "us professionals." So, when I write in public on my website or in forums, my mistakes fly. I try to be as careful as possible, but I am here to tell you, writers are MUCH more perfect when backed by a team of editors and other professionals than they are when sharing their work by themselves.
I have, for an example, a trigger finger that just wants to type "it's" no matter what. Oy! And I rely on spelling checker! And, for anything of mine to be good, I need to proofread it at least 8 times; maybe more. Of course, given time constraints and boredom in re-reading my own work, I might proof only once, or maybe not at all. Shame on me. But that is how it is.
So the advice in "Show York Work" runs along the lines of "be brave, get better, and develop a thick skin." The takeaway is that unless you "Show York Work," your work probably will not get better because without feedback, you probably won't know where you need to improve. (A friend told me that I use the phrase "that said..." too often. I love the phrase! but I have backed off a bit from using it.) (I've proofed this review once, I am not wearing my contact lenses, and I'm wishing for the best...)
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This item: Show Your Work!: 10 Ways to Share Your Creativity and Get Discovered
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