(c)2014 Austin Kleon for all content creators

 

I wish I read @AustinKleon’s #ShowYourWork before I started writing on #ship30for30.

Reading just the first 3 chapters, these great lessons leaped out as reminders for any writer, singer, artist, Power Point, Tik Toker – aka content creators.

1. Focus on getting really good… people will come to you.

 

Sometimes we keep thinking of what others think of our works, we let that eat away our energy to focus on our craft. It’s tough enough to want to make something. Use all the other energy and time to get good, by raising your standards.

2. Think Process Not Product

Process is messy. Especially if we are beginners, it’s the daily toil, our trial and errors, … can form an unique bond with your audience.

3. Make yourself discoverable… built sharing into your routine

Be open and put sharing on your daily to-do list.. something from BTS (see next point). Even if it’s something small, it can be meaningful to your followers.

4. BTS: not the K-pop band but Behind The Scenes

 

Growing up, I have always loved the ‘making of’ for the movies, especially how the special effects are created. It’s totally captivating how the planning, creativity, imagination and working within limited resources come together to form “…the experience of shaping the artwork.” – Ted Orland.

5. Audiences not only want to stumble across great work, but they too, long to be creative and part of the creative process.

 

By documenting the journey for them to follow, allows them to feel like they are part of the process too.. and inspire them to embark on their own.

6. Small things, over time, can get big.

 

Remember tree seeds? They can grow into forests… just give them time.

7. Focus on days.

 

The days are long but the years are short. Every day is a chance to start again, to do better.

So what are you doing better today?