Tired of trying to figure out how to grow your influence online?

I just spent 6 hours reading Show Your Work by Austin Kleon so you don’t have to!

Here are the top 5 lessons from the book that will help you share your work, connect with people, and grow your personal brand—all without stressing about perfection.

Let’s dive in!

1. Share Your Process, Not Just the Product

Everyone loves to see how things are made. Whether you’re a writer, artist, or designer, sharing how you create builds a deeper connection with your audience. It’s like watching behind-the-scenes clips from your favorite movie—it makes the final product more interesting.

Example:
Imagine you’re baking a cake. Instead of just showing the finished cake, share how you mixed the ingredients, tried different decorations, or even made mistakes along the way. People enjoy the journey just as much as the destination!

2. Be an Amateur, Not an Expert

You don’t need to be perfect or have everything figured out before sharing your work. People appreciate honesty and transparency more than perfection. Being an amateur means you’re still learning, and that’s what makes your journey relatable and inspiring.

Example:
Think about learning to play guitar. If you only share once you’re a pro, you’ll miss the chance to connect with other beginners. Sharing your first shaky chords could inspire someone else to pick up the guitar too!

3. Teach What You Know

When you share what you’ve learned, it not only helps others but also strengthens your own understanding. Teaching something simple to others builds your credibility and makes you more valuable in your community.

Example:
If you’ve just learned how to code a website, even the basics, you can create a small tutorial for beginners. Teaching them HTML basics helps them and helps you remember and practice what you’ve learned.

4. Document Daily

Don’t wait until your work is perfect—share little pieces of your process every day. Whether it’s a sketch, a quick idea, or a rough draft, sharing consistently keeps your audience engaged and shows that you’re always creating.

Example:
Look at influencers who post quick, daily updates about their projects—whether it’s a morning sketch or a photo of their workspace. These small shares keep their followers interested and build momentum over time.

5. Focus on Generosity, Not Self-Promotion

Instead of constantly promoting yourself, focus on helping others with what you know. When you’re generous with your knowledge and experience, people will naturally want to support you in return.

Example:
Think of someone who shares free advice on social media. They’re always helping others without asking for anything in return, and when they do launch a product or service, people are eager to buy because they trust them.

Easy-to-Apply Tips:

1. Post progress pics – Share a quick snapshot of your current project, even if it’s not finished.
2. Write a short “How-to” post – Teach something simple that you’ve recently learned.
3. Share a behind-the-scenes story – Talk about a challenge you faced while creating something.
4. Be honest – Share your mistakes or learning experiences openly.
5. Give without expecting – Offer advice or tips to your followers without asking for anything in return.
6. Show daily updates – Post small, consistent updates, whether it’s a sketch, idea, or work-in-progress.
7. Engage with others – Comment on other creators’ posts and support their work too.
   

Start applying these today to build meaningful connections and grow your influence!

Conclusion:

By following these 5 simple lessons from Show Your Work, you’ll be able to share your journey, teach others, and build a meaningful connection with your audience. Remember, it’s not about being perfect—it’s about being consistent, generous, and authentic.