I know, I know, I said I was going to recommend free books, but I recently read one that is so good, I really think it should become part of your library. The book is “Show Your Work,” and the author is Austin Kleon. This book is a couple of years old (2014), but the message is so timeless and so motivating, I wanted to share a couple of passages that have really, REALLY inspired me. Austin Kleon is also the author of “Steal Like an Artist,” which is a great book about creativity that I am also reading. As you probably have concluded, I am in sort of a “re-grouping” period pertaining to the teaching of book marketing, because for years I have been putting out content and having authors argue back that they do not really want to market (I’m not saying you did this or think this, I’m just saying that’s what happened and why I’m regrouping).
Here are a couple of quotes from this book, which I think is going to really change the way you think about marketing. Most authors (even me, to a certain extent) do not like the idea of “push marketing,” meaning when you go out and find your audience. I get that. This book is just a really great alternate way to start thinking about your marketing efforts. In the authors own words, “This is a book for people who hate the idea of self-promotion.”
Here is my favorite quote (so far):
“ In order to be found, you have to be findable. I think there’s an easy way of putting your work out there and making it discoverable while you’re focused on getting really good at what you do.”
Here’s another one, just to further motivate you to go check it out:
“Share what you love, and the people who love the same things will find you.”
So, that’s a kinder, gentler type of marketing philosophy, right? Maybe we can all read this book together and find new motivation to be great at our respective crafts, to be findable, and to help others in the process.
Hope you’re having a great Monday!
LC
