Want Recognition? Stop Being Perfect and Start Showing Your Creativity

You don't have to be a genius to show your work. In his fantastic book "Show Your Work," author Austin Kleon offers a fresh perspective: sharing your work online is not only wholly acceptable but also the best path to recognition and personal creative growth.

In this final part of a two-part article, I'll explore key points from the book while adding my insights.

You Learn By Teaching

Feynman said that the test of understanding is the ability to break down complex concepts into simple terms without losing meaning. When we don't share knowledge, we become hoarders—creating no value for ourselves or others.

Sharing generously creates deeper connections with your audience through step-by-step tutorials, instructional videos, or blog posts sharing your knowledge and opinions.

When you share your knowledge, you receive valuable feedback from people who genuinely care about your work, helping you improve it.

Think of it like a pot of water: if you never share it, you'll have no reason to refill it. But when you share with others, you'll discover new ways to keep it full. Here, pot is you, and water is creativity and knowledge.

Many believe sharing diminishes what they have, but sharing knowledge and art creates abundance rather than scarcity. It's not a zero-sum game where someone must lose; instead, the sharer and the recipient benefit, creating value for everyone involved.

“The impulse to keep to yourself what you have learned is not only shameful, it is destructive. Anything you do not give freely and abundantly becomes lost to you. You open your safe and find ashes.” —Annie Dillard

Don’t Spam

You cannot be a writer if you're not a reader. To have fans, you first need to be a fan yourself. When someone says they love to write but don't read, recognize that they're essentially human spam—they're focused on generating content and care more about view counts than genuine connection.

Success in a creative space requires humility and attentiveness to feedback. Think of your admirers as collaborators rather than passive viewers.

Find others in your creative space, learn from them, and connect with them in person at cafes and libraries. Engage actively within your community.

“When people realize they’re being listened to, they tell you things.” —Richard Ford

Don’t Worry About Criticism

When sharing your work online, you need the right mindset. You'll encounter trolls and people who criticize just for criticism's sake. Developing the awareness to distinguish between genuine constructive criticism and trolling is crucial.

“The trick is not caring what EVERYBODY thinks of you and just caring about what the RIGHT people think of you.” — Brian Michael Bendis

Sell Your Art

Many creators believe that monetizing their work compromises its artistic value. While this perspective holds some truth, there's an important distinction between creating art purely for profit and earning money from authentic work to sustain your creative journey.

If your shared work generates genuine engagement, don't hesitate to monetize it. Build a mailing list, create value for your audience, and remember to give back to the community when you are successful.

“We don’t make movies to make money, we make money to make more movies.” —Walt Disney

Chain Reaction in Creativity

Consistency is key. Almost all algorithms on popular platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and other media websites reward consistent users. If a user maintains consistency long enough, the algorithm will promote their content across the platform.

Looking at the lives of top creative professionals in their fields, you'll see they persevere through temporary failures and successes. Maintaining momentum is essential, like links in an unbroken chain.

However, taking occasional sabbaticals is essential to avoid burnout. These strategic breaks help your mind generate fresh, creative ideas.

“The minute you stop wanting something you get it.” —Andy Warhol