9 Creativity Tips for Content Creators: Lessons from Austin Kleon Books

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of how to keep creating consistently, you’re not alone. Every content creator, whether working with video, writing, or photography, faces moments of doubt. That’s where creativity tips from Austin Kleon’s bestselling trilogy –Steal Like an Artist, Show Your Work!, and Keep Going– come in.

These three short, approachable books have become modern classics for creative people across all fields. They aren’t heavy theory or abstract philosophy. Instead, Kleon shares practical, bite-sized advice you can put to work immediately, whether you’re a beginner looking for inspiration or a seasoned creator trying to stay motivated.

In this post, we’ll cover 9 creativity tips for content creators, with three lessons from each book that I’ve found the most helpful for my own work. They’re simple ideas, but they can transform the way you approach your work. And while we’ll explore the highlights here, I encourage you to read the books themselves. Each one is packed with memorable insights, illustrations, and stories that go beyond what we can cover in a single article.

Here’s Austin Kleon’s website, if you want to know more about him.

TL;DR

• Austin Kleon’s trilogy offers practical lessons for creators.
• Steal Like an Artist: remix ideas, embrace influence, stay curious.
• Show Your Work: share process, give generously, connect with others.
• Keep Going: build routines, protect focus, sustain your creativity.
• These books are short, practical, and worth reading in full.

Creativity Tips from Steal Like an Artist

Lesson #1: Embrace Influence Instead of Avoiding It

One of Kleon’s most famous lines is “Every artist gets asked the question, ‘Where do you get your ideas?’ The honest answer is: I steal them.” He doesn’t mean plagiarism, but rather recognizing that all creativity builds on what came before.

For content creators, this means studying others in your field, collecting ideas, and remixing them into something new. If you’re editing videos, pay attention to how different creators use pacing or transitions. If you’re writing, notice sentence rhythms, storytelling techniques, or structures you admire. Influence isn’t a weakness, it’s raw material.

I personally love borrowing from disciplines of art, like bringing something from the movies to my writing, or something from a novel to my photography. I’ve talked more about this in my guide on becoming a one-man studio.

Lesson #2: Start Before You Feel Ready

Perfectionism can kill momentum. Kleon reminds us that waiting for the “right time” to create, usually means never starting at all. Instead, begin with what you have and learn along the way.

For example, instead of waiting to buy better gear or master every editing trick, publish your work today. Even small, imperfect projects build your skills faster than endless preparation. Creativity thrives on action, not hesitation.

I would recommend starting a challenge with yourself to create as much as you can, like one post per each one or two days. You don’t have to announce to the world that you’re doing a challenge, especially if you’re not sure how long you’ll keep going. But it’ll help you get started, and get better at your craft.

Lesson #3: Use Constraints to Fuel Creativity

Kleon argues that limitations are not obstacles but springboards. Having fewer resources forces you to think differently and often produces more original results.

For content creators, this might mean shooting with just one lens, writing with a strict word limit, or editing with a minimal set of tools. By narrowing your options, you push yourself to be resourceful. Constraints often lead to your most distinctive work.

This doesn’t mean that you don’t need gear, or that you shouldn’t use what you have. Just that limiting yourself from time to time -even if you don’t have to- can lead to interesting result.

Creativity Tips from Show Your Work!

Lesson #4: Share Your Process, Not Just the Final Product

Kleon insists that audiences love to see the journey, not only the polished results. This is especially relevant for content creators who want to build trust and engagement.

If you’re a photographer, share behind-the-scenes shots of your setup. If you’re a writer, show snippets of your drafts or brainstorming notes. By pulling back the curtain, you make your work more relatable and inspire others with your process.

This is one tip that I know I should pay more attention to, but struggle with the most. If you’re an introvert, you probably understand why.

Lesson #5: Teach What You Know

A core principle in Show Your Work! is that you don’t need to be an expert to share knowledge. Teaching what you’ve just learned can be even more valuable because it’s fresh and accessible to others.

For example, if you just discovered a new editing shortcut, write a quick post about it. If you learned a storytelling trick for social media, turn it into a video tip. Sharing knowledge, positions you as a generous creator, not just a performer.

Embracing this tip, can be a life-changer for content creators who have just started, and feel like they have nothing to contribute, compared to the “pros” already present on different platforms.

If you think your topics are too complicated, and feel like you have nothing to say, I would recommend reading this guide on how to create content about complex topics.

Lesson #6: Think “Small, Daily Contributions” Instead of Big Breakthroughs

Kleon encourages consistency over sudden genius. Posting regularly -even something small- builds momentum and keeps your audience connected.

For content creators, this could mean sharing one short video per day, posting a quick photo edit breakdown, or writing a few paragraphs daily. Small, consistent sharing compounds over time, and your audience grows with you.

I was looking for a big project to kickstart my new journey into English content creation for an international audience. I had to nudge myself bit by bit, to start publishing in small doses for this blog. If I hadn’t, I would still be thinking about starting, and you wouldn’t be reading this.

Creativity Tips from Keep Going

Lesson #7: Build a Routine to Sustain Creativity

Kleon argues that creativity isn’t about waiting for inspiration, but about showing up every day. A simple daily routine -even if it’s just setting aside 30 minutes for creative work- helps you push through the inevitable dry spells.

For content creators, this could be scheduling a daily writing session, carving out a regular time for video editing, or batching social posts each week. The point is to create structure so that your creativity has room to thrive.

I’ve been a content creator for more than a decade, and I’ve gone through many “off” periods. In those days, you fall to level of your habits and routines. Without them, you’d just keep falling.

Lesson #8: Disconnect to Reconnect

In Keep Going, Kleon stresses the importance of stepping away from screens and reconnecting with the real world. Too much scrolling and comparison drains creative energy.

Try taking a daily walk without your phone, reading a physical book, or sketching by hand. These offline habits refresh your perspective and often lead to better ideas once you return to your creative work.

Going analog for photography or writing, has helped me a lot when going through dry spells. You should try it. Whatever your medium of choice, you can benefit from taking notes and writing down your ideas. Start using a pen and a notebook. You’ll feel the effects, almost immediately.

Lesson #9: Remember Why You Started

When burnout hits, Kleon recommends going back to your original spark. Why did you start creating in the first place? Was it curiosity, self-expression, or the joy of connecting with others?

Content creators often get lost in algorithms, metrics, and client demands. But reconnecting with your “why” gives your work authenticity and helps you keep going, even when the rewards aren’t immediate.

I have a tattoo on my left arm that says “explore, understand, create” with three glyphs. It’s there every time I need a reminder of why I started on this path. I was a curious person -an explorer at heart- who wanted to understand everything. And when I did understand something, I couldn’t wait to share it with the world.

You don’t necessarily need a tattoo, but it’s nice to have a reminder close at hand. You can also read this post on how to build confidence as a content creator. It can help.

If you liked this post, you should also read this one: 10 Powerful Lessons from Mark Manson for Creative Success.

Last Words

Austin Kleon’s trilogy –Steal Like an Artist, Show Your Work, and Keep Going– is packed with timeless advice for anyone trying to live a creative life. The nine tips we covered here are just a glimpse of the practical and inspiring lessons inside his books.

Whether you’re a writer, photographer, videographer, or any kind of content creator, the core message is clear: creativity isn’t about waiting for lightning to strike. It’s about borrowing ideas, sharing your process, building routines, and staying connected to your “why.”

If any of these lessons resonated with you, I strongly recommend reading Kleon’s books in full. They’re short, accessible, and filled with insights that can help you approach your work with fresh energy and confidence.

Creativity is a lifelong practice. These tips can get you started, but the rest is up to you: to keep experimenting, keep learning, and most importantly, keep going.

Want to keep learning? Follow me on your favorite social media (handle everywhere: @MediabyHamed / search for Hamed Media) or subscribe to my newsletter for more practical tips and guides like this.

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