Summary of "Show Your Work!"

2 min read
Summary of "Show Your Work!"

Core Idea

  • Stop waiting for perfection and start sharing your process daily -- Post work-in-progress, not just finished products
  • Visibility beats secrecy -- Being discoverable online matters more than being a genius; amateur consistency wins
  • Document everything, share small chunks -- Turn invisible work into visible artifacts; one post per day builds an audience

The 10 Essential Actions

  • Embrace amateurism -- Share what you're learning; beginners often teach better than experts
  • Document your process -- Photo, sketch, note, or video one piece of your daily work
  • Post something every day -- Pick one platform (Twitter, blog, Instagram, email) and stick to it
  • Curate your influences -- Share what inspires you; reveal your taste and creative sources
  • Tell stories, not just facts -- Explain the "why" and "how" behind your work
  • Teach what you know -- Share techniques and methods; teaching builds credibility and audience
  • Don't be human spam -- Engage genuinely with others; listen more than you promote
  • Take criticism gracefully -- Separate your work from your identity; build resilience
  • Monetize when ready -- Charge for your work; money reveals true value without compromising integrity
  • Maintain consistency -- Never stop creating; take sabbaticals to avoid burnout; refresh regularly

Sharing Strategy

  • Apply the "So What?" test -- Before posting, confirm it's helpful, entertaining, or worth sharing
  • Wait 24 hours before publishing -- Review drafts with fresh eyes
  • Show your work, not your lunch -- Stay intentional; every post reflects your expertise
  • Give proper credit -- Always link sources and provide context
  • Own your platform -- Register a domain; don't rely only on social media

Building Real Connections

  • Be a fan first -- Engage authentically with others' work before promoting yours
  • Find your peers -- Connect with people doing similar work; nurture those relationships
  • Meet in person -- Turn online connections into real friendships and collaborations
  • Use the Vampire Test -- Cut out people and activities that drain your creative energy
  • Quality over quantity -- Meaningful connections matter more than follower counts

Sustainable Growth

  • Build an email list -- Your mailing list is insurance against platform collapse and your most reliable reach
  • Work in chains -- Finish one project; immediately start the next; never stall
  • Stay a student -- When comfortable, learn something new; walk away from mastery
  • Play till the ninth inning -- Persist longer than others; success rewards consistency over talent

Action Plan

  1. This week: Register a domain name; set up a simple website or blog
  2. This week: Choose one platform and commit to one daily post about your work
  3. Today: Document three current pieces (photo, sketch, note, video clip)
  4. Daily habit: Post one small update; no perfection required
  5. Monthly: Review your posts for patterns; compile best pieces into larger projects
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Summary of "Show Your Work!"