Three books worth your time
Sometimes we all need extra help …
Gary Bloomer | SHAKING THE TREE # 322
The real enemy for beginner content creators these days isn’t algorithms or the fear that your latest post won’t go viral.
It’s the implied need to play it safe, to not rock the boat, and to fit in.
The problem with this approach is that get lost in the volume of dull, beige, sterile, “me-too” content flooding the market.
Too many content creators are terrified of what other people think; that, and they’re waiting for some mythical, perfect roadmap to fall into their laps.
Traditional approaches come across as stale. To thrive, you have to be willing to reframe, retool, and shake things up.
Without some sort of guidance it’s difficult to know how to go about being different, and rather than give you my opinions about standing out, here are three books that do a better job.
These books won’t teach you how to trick an algorithm, but they will teach you how to build a creative foundation that lasts.
1. Show Your Work! by Austin Kleon
The Big Idea: Generosity trumps genius. Stop hoarding your process.
Most beginners get utterly paralyzed by the “expert myth.” They think they can’t start creating until they’ve achieved master status or won some prestigious award.
Total nonsense.
Austin Kleon’s Show Your Work! completely dismantles this fear. He argues that you don’t need to be a genius; you just need to be an amateur who is willing to learn in public.
• Why it matters: Content creation isn’t just about the polished, final masterpiece. It’s about the process.
• The takeaway: By sharing your daily drafts, your failures, your influences, and your behind-the-scenes struggles, you invite people into your journey. That is how you build an authentic community. Don’t just show the art—show the studio.
2. The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
The Big Idea: Resistance is real, it’s lethal, and it wants to keep you small.
You sit down to write a newsletter, edit a video, or design a graphic, and suddenly your brain decides it’s the perfect time to clean the kitchen baseboards. Welcome to what Steven Pressfield calls Resistance.
The War of Art is a swift, no-nonsense kick in the pants for anyone struggling with creative blocks, imposter syndrome, self-doubt, or procrastination.
Pressfield treats creativity like a battle. You are either a professional who shows up and does the work regardless of how you “feel,” or you are an amateur who lets Resistance win.
• Why it matters: Other people are not going to do the work for you. If you’re waiting for inspiration to strike, you’re going to be waiting a very long time.
• The takeaway: This book reframes your internal struggles. When you feel that heavy anxiety before hitting “publish,” you’ll realize it isn’t a sign to stop—it’s proof that the work matters.
3. Perennial Seller by Ryan Holiday
The Big Idea: Stop chasing temporary hype. Build things that endure.
We live in a world obsessed with the immediate ROI, the quick hit, and the next 24-hour news cycle. But if you want to build a brand that actually sustains a business, you have to stop thinking about the next ten minutes and start thinking about the next ten years.
Ryan Holiday’s Perennial Seller examines what it takes to make work that survives—books, products, or content that people continue to recommend year after year.
• Why it matters: It forces you to look at your content creation from a macroscopic level. Are you making disposable mental junk food, or are you creating something deeply useful, beautifully designed, and seasoned with your unique perspective?
• The takeaway: Success requires being okay with zero ROI for a while as you hone your craft. This book teaches you to focus on the intersection of great execution, positioning, and marketing to ensure your work doesn’t just launch, but lasts.
Inspiration is as elastic as it is eclectic, but it requires a catalyst.
If you leave your creative education to random social media feeds, your output will look exactly like everyone else’s.
Stop playing it safe.
Grab these books, consume them, and then—most importantly—put them down and go make something noteworthy.
As always, thanks for reading.
—Gary
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P.S. If you found this useful, share it with another creator who needs an ego check (in a nice way). Want more unfiltered takes on content creation? Join my newsletter. No fluff, just the stuff that works.
Next time on Shaking the Tree: Never let your past trip up your future
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Originally from the U.K., Gary Bloomer is a writer, branding advocate, marketing specialist, and an award-winning graphic designer.
His design work has been included in Creative Review (one of the UK’s largest design magazines). Since 2009, he has answered over 5,000 marketing and business questions in the Know-How Exchange of MarketingProfs.com, placing him among the top 3% of contributors. He lives in Wilmington, Delaware, USA.