You don't have to be a genius. Seriously. Most people think they need to reach some mountain peak of expertise before they’re allowed to speak up, but Austin Kleon’s Show Your Work book argues the exact opposite. It’s kinda refreshing. Instead of waitng for a "diploma" or a "permission slip" from the universe, Kleon suggests we should all just be "scenius" contributors. He actually borrowed that term from Brian Eno. It means the communal form of genius that happens when a bunch of people are just tinkering and sharing ideas together.
Stop hoarding your secrets.
Most creatives are terrified of someone stealing their ideas. Or worse, they're terrified of looking like a total fraud. I’ve felt that. You probably have too. But the reality is that in 2026, the "lone genius" myth is basically dead and buried. If you aren't online, you don't exist. That sounds harsh, but Kleon makes it feel less like a chore and more like an invitation to join a global conversation.
The "So What?" Factor of Documenting the Process
The biggest takeaway from the Show Your Work book is shifting from a "product" mindset to a "process" mindset. Most of us only want to show the shiny, finished trophy. Kleon thinks that’s a mistake. People actually care about the messy middle. They want to see the sketches, the failed attempts, and the scrap wood on the workshop floor.
It’s about being an amateur. The word amateur comes from the Latin amator, meaning lover. Amateurs do things for the love of the game, which means they’re willing to take risks and look stupid. Experts are often too busy protecting their reputation to actually innovate.
Think about it.
When you share your process, you're not just "marketing" yourself. You're teaching. You're building a bond. You're showing people how you think, which is way more valuable than just showing them what you made. Kleon calls this "becoming a documentarian of what you do." You don't have to write a 2,000-word manifesto every day. Just take a photo of your desk. Record a thirty-second clip of a problem you’re solving. Post a link to an article that inspired you.
Don't be a Human Spam Bot
There is a massive difference between sharing and spamming. We've all seen those people who only post "Buy my book" or "Check out my new course." It’s exhausting. Kleon uses the "So What?" test. Before you hit publish, ask yourself if the post adds value or if it's just noise. If you can’t answer that, maybe keep it in the drafts for a bit.
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The "Show Your Work" philosophy is about being an open book, not a billboard. If you’re just shouting into the void, no one is going to shout back. But if you’re sharing things that are genuinely helpful or interesting to you, you’ll find your "tribe."
Why Your "Influences" Are Your Best Marketing Tool
We are a mashup of everything we let into our lives. Kleon’s previous book, Steal Like an Artist, touched on this, but the Show Your Work book takes it a step further by telling you to credit your "fellow travelers."
Don't be a hoard. Share your influences.
If you read a great book, tell people. If you use a specific tool, name it. Attribution is everything. When you give credit to others, you’re not "giving away" your power; you’re actually showing that you have good taste and that you’re part of a lineage. It’s a way of mapping your creative DNA for the world to see.
Honestly, I think people are too scared of being "unoriginal." Newsflash: nothing is completely original. Everything is a remix. By showing the work of others that you admire, you actually help your audience understand your own work better. You’re building a context. You’re saying, "If you like this thing, you might like what I’m doing too."
The Power of the "Daily Dispatch"
Kleon is a big fan of the "Daily Dispatch." This is just a small update every single day.
- A photo.
- A quote.
- A brief thought.
- A work-in-progress shot.
The goal isn't to be perfect; it's to be consistent. Over time, these small dispatches build up into a massive archive of your growth. It’s like compounding interest for your career. If you look back at someone’s work from five years ago, it’s usually pretty rough. Seeing that progression makes them human. It makes their success feel attainable to the rest of us.
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Managing the "Vampires" and the Trolls
Let’s be real for a second. Putting yourself out there is scary because people can be jerks. Kleon is very practical about this. He suggests that if you find someone who is just a "vampire"—someone who sucks the energy out of a room or just wants to complain—you should just block them. Simple.
Your online space is your "studio." You wouldn't let a random stranger walk into your physical office and start screaming at you, so why let them do it on your Instagram or Twitter feed?
You also have to learn how to take a punch. If you’re going to show your work, some people won't like it. That’s fine. In fact, if nobody hates what you're doing, you might be playing it too safe. The goal isn't universal approval; it's finding the people who actually "get" it.
Stop Trying to Turn Everything into a Business
One of the most refreshing parts of the Show Your Work book is the reminder that you don't have to monetize every single hobby. Sometimes, sharing is just about connecting. However, if you do want to make a living from your work, you have to be willing to "pass the hat."
Kleon argues that you should build an email list. Not a social media following—an email list. Algorithms change. Platforms die. (Remember MySpace? Exactly.) But an email address is a direct line to your audience that you actually own. It’s the difference between renting your audience and owning the building.
Actionable Steps to Start Showing Your Work Today
Reading about it is one thing, but actually doing it is where the magic happens. You don't need a fancy camera or a PR team. You just need to be a little bit more transparent about what you’re already doing.
1. Pick one "hidden" part of your day to share.
Maybe it’s the way you organize your notes or the specific coffee you drink while you work. It doesn't have to be "important." It just has to be real. People connect with the mundane details more than the grand achievements.
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2. Create a "Work in Progress" folder.
Whenever you’re working on something, snap a quick photo of it at different stages. Even if you never post them, having that visual history is incredibly motivating for your future self.
3. Teach someone something you just learned.
You don't have to be a master. Just learned a new shortcut in Excel? Post it. Discovered a better way to meal prep? Share it. Teaching is the best way to learn, and it positions you as a helpful resource rather than just another person looking for attention.
4. Credit your inspirations.
Next time you share something, make sure you mention who inspired you or where you got the idea. Tag them. Link to them. It builds community and shows you’re a person of integrity.
5. Start an "Everyday" habit.
Commit to posting one small thing for 30 days straight. Don't worry about the likes or the comments. Just focus on the act of showing up. By the end of the month, the fear of hitting "publish" will be almost gone.
Austin Kleon’s book isn't just for "artists." It’s for anyone who wants to be found. Whether you’re a coder, a teacher, a carpenter, or a stay-at-home parent with a side hustle, the rules are the same. Be findable. Be helpful. Be a human.
The world is a big place, but it gets a lot smaller when you start sharing what you love. You’ll be surprised at who starts showing up to listen. Stop waiting for the perfect moment or the perfect finished product. Just show the work. That's it. That's the whole secret.
Key Resources for Further Growth
- The Book: Show Your Work! by Austin Kleon.
- The Concept: "Scenius" (Communal Genius).
- The Method: The Daily Dispatch.
- The Goal: Build an "Ecology of Talent" rather than a solo career.
By documenting instead of creating, you lower the stakes and increase the output. This shift in perspective is often the only thing standing between an aspiring creative and a working one. The transition from "What should I make?" to "What am I doing right now?" is where the real momentum lives.
Next Steps for Success:
Evaluate your current digital footprint and identify one "process" element you've been keeping private. Share it on your platform of choice within the next 24 hours. Focus on the "how" rather than the "what," and use the "So What?" test to ensure your contribution offers genuine insight or inspiration to your audience. Keep your updates brief, honest, and frequent to build a sustainable habit of visibility.