Steal Like an Artist

Part of ambition is modeling yourself after those you’d like to be like. Austin’s philosophy of ruthlessly stealing and remixing the greats might sound appalling at first but it is actually the essence of art. You learn by stealing, you become creative by stealing, you push yourself to be better by working with these materials. Austin is a fantastic artist, but most importantly he communicates the essence of writing and creating art better than anyone else I can think of. It is a manifesto for any young, creative person looking to make his mark. Pair up with Show Your Work which is also excellent.

Breezy and fun and yes, scary. Scary because it calls your bluff.

While I was thinking of the best books to add to this short list, I realized that not even half of them are directly related to digital marketing. This is because I believe that the best marketers are people who understand human nature deeply and aim to bring out the best in it. Call me naive, but that’s how I see it. If I were to want to pursue a career in marketing, I’d read [...] Steal Like An Artist.

Austin Kleon’s Steal Like an Artist is efficiently impactful. Like I’m so jealous of him that book is so good.

By FAR the book that had the biggest impact on me from the recommended reading was Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon. The reason this book is so important to me is because it details something I have talked circles around for years which is the concept that nobody’s work is ever completely original. In some way, shape, or form we are always building on something that came before...and that is a good thing! Of course the book does not at all recommend any type of plagiarism but it talks about how creative work is everywhere around us and we need to notice it. Taking inspiration from what is around us and already out in the world can only help in furthering our own endeavors. The entire world is open source.

I loved this book largely because it gave me permission to mix my influences into my own work. To steal without regret to create something new. I have a voice and it's valuable.

Austin Kleon's "Steal like an Artist". I read it when I was going through an "impostor syndrome" timeframe and it helped me get out of that mood. It "told" me that is ok, I don't have to be a genius, I just have to be myself and it will be enough.

[Question: What five books would you recommend to youngsters interested in your professional path?]

Steal Like an Artist, [...]