What do you think?
Rate this book
An Audience of One: Reclaiming Creativity for Its Own Sake
The creator of the Unmistakable Creative podcast makes a counterintuitive By focusing your creative work on pleasing yourself, you can increase your productivity, happiness, and (eventually, paradoxically) the size of your audience.Creating for your own pleasure--whether you're writing a novel, composing songs, or painting a landscape--can seem pointless. It's tempting to focus on pursuing money and fame, rather than the process itself. But as Srini Rao warns, creating then turns into a chore that can harm your self-esteem and suck the pleasure out of life, rather than being a source of joy.Rao, host of the podcast The Unmistakable Creative, argues that we should counter this thinking by intentionally creating art for ourselves alone--an audience of one. In this book he shares the fascinating true stories of creatives who took this path, along with actionable tips and the research of creativity experts. You'll learn, for Oprah's intentional focus on her own work rather than the opinions of everyone else catapulted her into one of the most popular talk shows of all time.How being process-driven can not only help you produce more work, but can make you happier outside of your creative time.How to put together a creative "team of rivals" whose feedback can help you hone your craft and filter out useless feedback.By playing to an audience of one, we can find more happiness, increased productivity, and a greater sense of community.
221 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 7, 2018
69 people are currently reading
725 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
November 15, 2021
Have you ever felt “flow,” those hours of creativity when you don’t even notice the time passing? Aren’t those times the best? Don’t you wish you could bottle them up and make them last forever? This book doesn’t promise to help you with that exactly, but it does acknowledge that doing the creative work is the thing that makes us happiest. It’s what each of us was put on earth to do, and so it should be the focus of our lives. It may not always be possible to earn your living that way, but even if you can’t, just create what you want to create for your own pleasure. Be your own audience of one. Ironically, it’s when you aim to please yourself that you’re more likely to hit the right chord with a larger audience, too.
I love that message, so I loved the beginning of this book. Then I hit a snag. He began to talk about how decluttering your workspace will lead to better artistic outcomes. I’m in the middle of NaNo, where we’re encouraged to let go of such mundane activities as housework in favor of keeping up our word count. So that made me feel discouraged and down on myself. It also made me clean up a little.
I suppose taking this advice meant I’m not keeping the author’s advice. I listened to him instead of to myself. And now I’ve lost enthusiasm for my story and I’m writing a book review, which is much easier than writing the novel and therefore not the “deliberate practice” he advocates. So, like so many self-help books: great beginning, with some useful advice that will stick with me, and some that just makes me feel bad. But having said that, this review will count in my daily word count, even though it doesn’t for NaNo. So am I pleasing them or am I pleasing myself? Does it matter? The main thing is to just keep going. So leave me a comment. I’ll take all the encouragement I can get.
Review #2, 2021: I returned to this book because I found it so inspiring last time around, and it didn't disappoint. The only difference was that different aspects caught my attention than last time. I suppose that's the natural effect of having taken on a daily writing practice just like the book advises. Last time, it was new to me. Now, I'm learning to perfect what I've started. Great stuff.
I love that message, so I loved the beginning of this book. Then I hit a snag. He began to talk about how decluttering your workspace will lead to better artistic outcomes. I’m in the middle of NaNo, where we’re encouraged to let go of such mundane activities as housework in favor of keeping up our word count. So that made me feel discouraged and down on myself. It also made me clean up a little.
I suppose taking this advice meant I’m not keeping the author’s advice. I listened to him instead of to myself. And now I’ve lost enthusiasm for my story and I’m writing a book review, which is much easier than writing the novel and therefore not the “deliberate practice” he advocates. So, like so many self-help books: great beginning, with some useful advice that will stick with me, and some that just makes me feel bad. But having said that, this review will count in my daily word count, even though it doesn’t for NaNo. So am I pleasing them or am I pleasing myself? Does it matter? The main thing is to just keep going. So leave me a comment. I’ll take all the encouragement I can get.
Review #2, 2021: I returned to this book because I found it so inspiring last time around, and it didn't disappoint. The only difference was that different aspects caught my attention than last time. I suppose that's the natural effect of having taken on a daily writing practice just like the book advises. Last time, it was new to me. Now, I'm learning to perfect what I've started. Great stuff.
August 9, 2018
i didn't really enjoy this. the best stuff was in the first (pre-viewable) 10% and I found a lot of the rest of the book was quoting from other writers/artists e.g. Artist's Way, White Hot Truth,
e.g.
"If you commit to a lifetime of creative practice—“everything you create, contribute, affect and impact” and “the personal legacy you leave at the end of your life, including all the tangible and intangible things you’ve created”—you’ll build what author and speaker Pamela Slim describes as a body of work."
"Jon Levy, author of The 2 AM Principle, started a Manhattan series called the Influencers Dinner."
"One of the simplest, most profound statements I’ve ever heard about support came from author Colin Wright, who said, “You want someone who gives you wings, not someone who is an anchor.”"
"In their book How Google Works, Jonathan Rosenberg and Eric Schmidt made the following observation"
I also thought a lot of the contents seemed like name-dropping of guests from Rao's podcast. I guess this is normal, but it does start to feel like "I promote you, how 'bout you promote me" after a while.
I do not rec, and I'm disappointed I pre-ordered this. 1.5 stars
Book runs to 78%.
e.g.
"If you commit to a lifetime of creative practice—“everything you create, contribute, affect and impact” and “the personal legacy you leave at the end of your life, including all the tangible and intangible things you’ve created”—you’ll build what author and speaker Pamela Slim describes as a body of work."
"Jon Levy, author of The 2 AM Principle, started a Manhattan series called the Influencers Dinner."
"One of the simplest, most profound statements I’ve ever heard about support came from author Colin Wright, who said, “You want someone who gives you wings, not someone who is an anchor.”"
"In their book How Google Works, Jonathan Rosenberg and Eric Schmidt made the following observation"
I also thought a lot of the contents seemed like name-dropping of guests from Rao's podcast. I guess this is normal, but it does start to feel like "I promote you, how 'bout you promote me" after a while.
I do not rec, and I'm disappointed I pre-ordered this. 1.5 stars
Book runs to 78%.
October 1, 2018
In a world of instantaneous results, it’s hard to be creative. Everyone has an opinion. Everyone is subject to how they feel, but it can hurt when you’re the one putting your creativity out there and others don’t agree.
Rao tells us in An Audience of One maybe it’s time to concentrate on ourselves. If we make us happy and are proud of our work, it doesn’t matter what other people say about it. Being creative has been proven to open our minds and make ourselves happy.
I was excited to get a resurgence of creativity energy after I read this book. If you're looking to remind yourself you're more creative, this is the book for you!
Rao tells us in An Audience of One maybe it’s time to concentrate on ourselves. If we make us happy and are proud of our work, it doesn’t matter what other people say about it. Being creative has been proven to open our minds and make ourselves happy.
I was excited to get a resurgence of creativity energy after I read this book. If you're looking to remind yourself you're more creative, this is the book for you!
June 11, 2019
I felt this was less "Reclaiming Creativity for Its Own Sake" and more "Life hacks for creatives". Since I was on the market more for the first one that the second one, I was a bit disappointed. There was still a number of valuable things in there and it gave me food for thought.
Read
August 12, 2018The book argues for an attitude of being creative for its own sake and some tips about how to be creative.
First and foremost, don't even think about the audience. Create for your self and not for acceptance. Don't do it for money and you may be successfully more quickly.
In the process of creation, use the right type of music, form the right routine, exercise, and cut distractions. All these help to get into flow.
First and foremost, don't even think about the audience. Create for your self and not for acceptance. Don't do it for money and you may be successfully more quickly.
In the process of creation, use the right type of music, form the right routine, exercise, and cut distractions. All these help to get into flow.
May 23, 2024
Here’s a summary of the book’s message: “create for the joy of creating itself. Don’t look to others to validate what you create. Create for yourself because you love it.”
There. No need to read the book. The first dozen or so pages give you a bit of push to go make something but most of this book is just summarizing, paraphrasing, or quoting other people/books.
There. No need to read the book. The first dozen or so pages give you a bit of push to go make something but most of this book is just summarizing, paraphrasing, or quoting other people/books.
August 13, 2018
When you read a book written by a blogger or a podcaster, you often find a trend in the style... You feel he or she is talking to you in person, and the secret to that is the same secret that massively successful artists, writers have in common... The secret is that the Original Audience for his work was Only One Person... Himself.
"An Audience of One" is a simple read about creativity and how you should be the number one Fan of your own work. Along with some useful tips and tricks that you can use that range from health to productivity to a lot more (pretty much like what a blogger / podcaster does).
An interesting read.
"An Audience of One" is a simple read about creativity and how you should be the number one Fan of your own work. Along with some useful tips and tricks that you can use that range from health to productivity to a lot more (pretty much like what a blogger / podcaster does).
An interesting read.
June 30, 2019
The book promises to talk about creating for an audience of one i.e. creating for ourselves, but unfortunately, I couldn't find much about that. It's a good book about creative habits but it fails to live up to its promise.
June 25, 2019
Introduction
p.10 – This book is not about the value of creativity, but rather about the creative process itself. How can we find joy of creating for creativity’s sake in a world that pushes us to focus on the external goals we can’t control.
Part One – Listening to Creativity
p.21 – When we value product over process, we depart from what the psychologist and author Carol Dweck calls a growth mind-set. With a growth mind-set, you believe that you can continue to grow and learn. With a fixed mind-set, any perceived flaws or strengths are seen as permanent. We believe our well-being is determined entirely by what’s out of our control, and our motivation and effort begin to dwindle.
p.22- When we focus on end results, we essentially defeat one of the main benefits of creative work: to derive joy from the work itself. Our well-being fluctuates based on the outcomes. If temporary setbacks appear permanent, any effort appears to be completely fruitless.
On the flipside, when we focus on the process, we see opportunities for improvement. Opportunities for improvement elicit action, effort, enthusiasm.
Our creativity can provide us with something to look forward to every day and a lasting sense of fulfillment. Why is the creative process itself so fulfilling?
Listen to Sarah Georgeshaki: “Anything that you create that brings you joy or even frustration shapes you into someone with experience.”
Creativity makes us happy. […] Everyday creativity – creative actions that are common among ordinary people in daily life, such as drawing, making recipes, writing, and any activity done with the purpose of being creative both fosters and reflects psychological health.
Expressing ourselves creatively is a form of self-care in many ways. It gives us an opportunity for self-reflection, and as we build our creative skills, we build confidence.
Listen to Brené Brown: “We are born makers, and creativity is the ultimate act of integration. That’s how we fold our experiences into our being.”
Bibliography
Shelley Carson, Your Creative Brain: Seven Steps to Maximize Imagination, Productivity, and Innovation in Your Life
p.10 – This book is not about the value of creativity, but rather about the creative process itself. How can we find joy of creating for creativity’s sake in a world that pushes us to focus on the external goals we can’t control.
Part One – Listening to Creativity
p.21 – When we value product over process, we depart from what the psychologist and author Carol Dweck calls a growth mind-set. With a growth mind-set, you believe that you can continue to grow and learn. With a fixed mind-set, any perceived flaws or strengths are seen as permanent. We believe our well-being is determined entirely by what’s out of our control, and our motivation and effort begin to dwindle.
p.22- When we focus on end results, we essentially defeat one of the main benefits of creative work: to derive joy from the work itself. Our well-being fluctuates based on the outcomes. If temporary setbacks appear permanent, any effort appears to be completely fruitless.
On the flipside, when we focus on the process, we see opportunities for improvement. Opportunities for improvement elicit action, effort, enthusiasm.
Our creativity can provide us with something to look forward to every day and a lasting sense of fulfillment. Why is the creative process itself so fulfilling?
Listen to Sarah Georgeshaki: “Anything that you create that brings you joy or even frustration shapes you into someone with experience.”
Creativity makes us happy. […] Everyday creativity – creative actions that are common among ordinary people in daily life, such as drawing, making recipes, writing, and any activity done with the purpose of being creative both fosters and reflects psychological health.
Expressing ourselves creatively is a form of self-care in many ways. It gives us an opportunity for self-reflection, and as we build our creative skills, we build confidence.
Listen to Brené Brown: “We are born makers, and creativity is the ultimate act of integration. That’s how we fold our experiences into our being.”
Bibliography
Shelley Carson, Your Creative Brain: Seven Steps to Maximize Imagination, Productivity, and Innovation in Your Life
April 13, 2023
I came across this book whilst doing some research a few weeks ago on processing and dealing with envy related to other creatives work, alongside The Artist's Way. A review for An Audience of One said that they wish they had read this first, because it incorporated a lot of stuff from The Artists Way and was more up to date. So I started with this one.
It's quite frustrating because the beginning of the book is exactly the kind of thing I was looking for. It spoke to a lot of the things I was struggling with, empathised, and shared inspiration from other creatives (like David Bowie and Gaga) around creating for yourself. However, the book then kind of... moves away from this and gets sucked into very Business Related Success Vision which really killed my enjoyment.
On the one hand, the author encourages us to redefine our ideas of success (very important - what is *my* idea of success) and put away obsessive thinking when creating (will this be "successful", will people like it?) but then the remaining 2/3 of the book is focused on... how to cultivate success?
I think the best way I can describe this book is "very American". It's so tied to motivational business attitude and being Productive (capital P intended). Everything comes back to being Productive and Success. And that is not at all what I needed or wanted from this book, in fact its the very opposite.
The premise of the book and the beginning - the actual sections about creating for yourself and your audience of one - is great. It's just a shame that it ended up getting devoured by the rest of it.
It's quite frustrating because the beginning of the book is exactly the kind of thing I was looking for. It spoke to a lot of the things I was struggling with, empathised, and shared inspiration from other creatives (like David Bowie and Gaga) around creating for yourself. However, the book then kind of... moves away from this and gets sucked into very Business Related Success Vision which really killed my enjoyment.
On the one hand, the author encourages us to redefine our ideas of success (very important - what is *my* idea of success) and put away obsessive thinking when creating (will this be "successful", will people like it?) but then the remaining 2/3 of the book is focused on... how to cultivate success?
I think the best way I can describe this book is "very American". It's so tied to motivational business attitude and being Productive (capital P intended). Everything comes back to being Productive and Success. And that is not at all what I needed or wanted from this book, in fact its the very opposite.
The premise of the book and the beginning - the actual sections about creating for yourself and your audience of one - is great. It's just a shame that it ended up getting devoured by the rest of it.
December 15, 2021
Why write any longer? That’s a question I sometimes ask myself when writing . . . or planning on writing . . . things for possible publication. The internet has created a world where everyone is a writer, and there is no shortage of books, stories, essays and plays published every day. The answer is, of course, you write for yourself and no one else. Don’t think about possible publication or having an audience of any sort. This book appeared to be one that would encourage that and it does.
Yet it’s basically a self-help book, and I fear I never acquire much motivation from self-help books. This one was no different. It’s best for those who live a very active life similar to the author’s life, too, including usage of social media. He actually is describing how to get away from it, which is not that useful to those not involved with it in the first place. There’s lots of other tips and advice, too, but nothing that I felt would much help an introvert.
Yet it’s basically a self-help book, and I fear I never acquire much motivation from self-help books. This one was no different. It’s best for those who live a very active life similar to the author’s life, too, including usage of social media. He actually is describing how to get away from it, which is not that useful to those not involved with it in the first place. There’s lots of other tips and advice, too, but nothing that I felt would much help an introvert.
March 10, 2019
Fun read. Easy to get through with some good ideas. I particularly liked that the ending had all the books and apps mentioned in a handy reference list.
The main idea, that we should do creative work because we enjoy the process not because we are expecting some kind of remuneration, is an important concept. If we can enjoy the process then it will be something we can get better at doing and offer intangible rewards. If we get really good at whatever thing we enjoy doing for ourselves it might offer financial rewards but that should be secondary to the enjoyment of the process. This is an important idea. We do spend way too much time thinking in terms of “cost/benefit” without thinking in terms of “value to the spirit”.
Overall it was a decent summary of other people’s work. Worth the two days to read.
The main idea, that we should do creative work because we enjoy the process not because we are expecting some kind of remuneration, is an important concept. If we can enjoy the process then it will be something we can get better at doing and offer intangible rewards. If we get really good at whatever thing we enjoy doing for ourselves it might offer financial rewards but that should be secondary to the enjoyment of the process. This is an important idea. We do spend way too much time thinking in terms of “cost/benefit” without thinking in terms of “value to the spirit”.
Overall it was a decent summary of other people’s work. Worth the two days to read.
March 29, 2021
This is fine. Lots of inspirational quotes from other creatives, many of whom who were on Rao's podcast; as he frequently points out. I didn't find anything new or exciting on the topic of creativity and its pursuit. I thought Rao could be quite contradictory at times. I found there to be a lack of authenticity between what Rao's is proposing and how he conveys his attitude towards creativity. I think Elizabeth Gilbert's handling of this topic in Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear is much more engaging, honest and rewarding.
March 1, 2021
Excellent Encouragement for Creatives!
This book is SO FULL OF AWESOME ADVICE for many areas in the life of a creative. If you are a visual artist, writer, musician or performer, etc., this book could become a favorite as it has for me. I am SURE I will listen to it again. And most likely, I am going to also buy the Kindle version now so I can highlight it like crazy!
Srinivas Rao's voice is a pleasure to listen to, though, so I do recommend this audible version as well.
If you need a boost of confidence, some encouragement or just great advice on how to maintain a thriving creative life, this is a book you may find helpful.
This book is SO FULL OF AWESOME ADVICE for many areas in the life of a creative. If you are a visual artist, writer, musician or performer, etc., this book could become a favorite as it has for me. I am SURE I will listen to it again. And most likely, I am going to also buy the Kindle version now so I can highlight it like crazy!
Srinivas Rao's voice is a pleasure to listen to, though, so I do recommend this audible version as well.
If you need a boost of confidence, some encouragement or just great advice on how to maintain a thriving creative life, this is a book you may find helpful.
February 17, 2023
This had a lot of great information about keeping the creativity strong. A lot of great resources to help you stay focused and be inspired. I really enjoyed this. I am going to buy a hard copy of it to refer to. Loved this book. Audio was probably not the format I should have purchased for this kind of material though.. It's PACKED with information that I want to refer back to. Definitely get a copy you can highlight and take notes in.
May 10, 2025
This was a nice audiobook to listen to while I was working on my watercolor painting. I can see how the author would be really excellent at podcasting— it felt like a distilled podcast. That said, there was limited really original content in here, and if asked to say what I learned new, I’m just not sure I could articulate much. Still, it’s always nice to hear more about creativity and it was a pleasant listen.
August 3, 2025
I liked the idea of the premise/thesis, and the book started off well enough in helping explain why the idea should be pursued during their creative endeavors and a few tips on how to accomplish it. however, it didn't take long before he started regurgitating ideas from research and books I've already read it have seen referenced many times over on topics like habits, focus, etc. thankfully, unlike other similar books, he kept it pretty short.
September 1, 2018
Rao really brings it home here. If you are creating things, you need to know your audience. Rao takes the stance that your audience should be you. YOU. Not some nameless they or a large public. By creating art or whatever that makes you happy, you are authentic and able to improve and grow in a way that will ultimately make what you create better.
January 9, 2019
Every creative should read this book. The ideas crafted by the author allowed me to look at my work as a writer with a different perspective. I never realized how much I could be more productive by 'listening'.
The book is divided into four parts of listening, each geared toward a specific mindset necessary for creative work. Five stars aren't nearly enough.
The book is divided into four parts of listening, each geared toward a specific mindset necessary for creative work. Five stars aren't nearly enough.
February 21, 2021
i admitted to being a little bit addicted to this genre and the. immediately used that admission as license to buy and read another. i liked this book a lot. it synthesized a lot of good, practical advice on being creative from other books, and skirted the pitfalls inherent in the more mumbo jumbo nonsense you see in some of these things. easy, breezy.
January 16, 2022
Un poco más espiritual e idealista que el tipo de libros que acostumbro a leer sobre superación personal, pero, quizás fue por esta razón que ha sido uno de los que más me ha hecho pensar y reconsiderar poner en práctica algunos cambios sustanciales en mi forma de crear.
Por lo que si eres un artista y necesitas un nuevo foco o rumbo en tu carrera, quizás te sirva leer este libro.
Por lo que si eres un artista y necesitas un nuevo foco o rumbo en tu carrera, quizás te sirva leer este libro.
August 31, 2018
Not outstanding but i was able to get good insights. It is more a reunion of other people’s knowledge versus new stuff, but organized in an enjoyable way. Good apps recommendations and resources part on the end.
September 12, 2018
As a longtime listener of Srini’s podcast, The Unmistakable Creative, I can’t say that a ton of the information in this book is new information. But it is valuable information in a perfectly succinct, well-written package. I could read it every day.
September 22, 2018
You know when you read a book and you think to yourself, I really needed that? That's what Audience of One did for me. I finished it and immediately wanted to start reading it again. It was a valuable reminder that what I do is first and foremost for me. The rest is icing on the cake.
February 1, 2019
Great inspiration to make daily habits or creativity
I loved the simple examples of how and why we should build daily creative habits with the singular audience in mind. Making art for yourself is the best way to progress and enjoy the process.
I loved the simple examples of how and why we should build daily creative habits with the singular audience in mind. Making art for yourself is the best way to progress and enjoy the process.
February 26, 2019
Reclaim Creativity
The suggestions are challenging but the author is right, you have to develop your own habits to engage your creative process and practice them everyday. You have to do it everyday to build a body of work. That is the creative process.
The suggestions are challenging but the author is right, you have to develop your own habits to engage your creative process and practice them everyday. You have to do it everyday to build a body of work. That is the creative process.
December 13, 2019
One of the best books I’ve read about creativity. I listened to the audiobook and I think this will be the first book I’ll ever replay— these comforting words gave me great insight Into my creativity and permission to be creative in so many different ways.
October 27, 2020
Makes you think who you are actually drawing to. Sadly, you often don’t draw for yourself, but what others want or how to get more likes in social media. Well, it definitely got me thinking a lot and getting my priority straight. Really well done
August 11, 2018
nice one to keep you motivated on your track of creative production.
August 16, 2018
Read it in two days - loved it. Practical & guiding for anyone, even if you don't consider your career or your hobbies "creative"
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews