Award–winning blogger Geraldine DeRuiter isn’t talented. Well, not as much as she is hardworking. At least, that’s what she says. But after interviewing her and hearing about her journey as a blogger, it’s clear that talent AND hard work both played a crucial role in her success.
In this podcast, we sit down to discuss Geraldine’s ascension from being an unknown creator to a world-class writer and examine how strategically deployed talent – and particularly hard work – can help aspiring creators get the acclaim they deserve.
Perfectionism Kills the Final Product
Talent is a great thing to have – if you know how to use it. All too often, individuals with a natural knack for creating either don’t recognize their skills enough to try or set the bar high enough for only a professional pole vaulter to clear. It’s understandable. The world we live in certainly has high expectations, and in a sea of competition, artists are prone to feel as if they don’t have a chance.
And no one does until they try.
Getting caught up in idealist thinking can be a major roadblock for any artist trying to get their name out there. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that in order to succeed, you must be the absolute best at what you do – and while striving for excellence is admirable, it shouldn’t hold you back from simply creating and putting your work out into the world.
Because those who actually bring their vision to life are the ones who get noticed. You may be the most gifted photographer on the planet, but no one will know that without some kind of visual proof. Success isn’t just a matter of talent, but also ambition.
“Ambition trumps talent every single time,” Geraldine says. “There are people out there with so much more talent than I have, just so much more talent, but they do not produce work for whatever reason. And I think part of it is because they are so obsessed with creating something perfect, that they do not produce the work.”
Produce a Lot of Work
The importance of quality in art should never be discounted. But at the same time, quantity plays a big role in getting people noticed. Look at it mathematically: Designer A has produced 10 amazing designs in a year. Designer B has produced 100 good designs in the same timeframe. Both designers have the same level of talent, but who do you think has the better chance of being seen? The one with more exposure.
Geraldine has first-hand experience seeing the relationship between quantity and attention pay off. She initially struggled to get noticed by the masses despite her incredible talent. But once she started producing more work and consistently sharing it online, her audience grew exponentially.
“If you are just producing lots of stuff, people will see it. Not all of it has to be perfect and not all of it has to be fantastic. But if you are creating it consistently, and that’s what I was doing for those first two years… creating it consistently, putting it out there, and letting people know through some sort of social media mechanism, ‘this is here’, slowly and surely, I do think you start to build a platform.” She says.
Using Social Media to Share Your Work
Fun fact: Vincent Van Gogh was a terrible marketer. It’s believed that the now world-renowned artist sold as little as one painting during his entire lifetime. While the reason for that can probably be traced back to several competing factors, there’s no doubt more exposure could have helped. If only he was as fortunate as we are today – with easily accessible online platforms capable of reaching millions with just a few clicks of a smartphone. Even art that goes against the grain has an audience if you look hard enough.
Instagram, Twitter/X, and TikTok each platform offer something unique – from quick visual snapshots on Instagram to discussions and debates on Twitter/X, and even short-form videos on TikTok. The key is finding the right platform(s) for you and your work and using them effectively.
Well, that and being consistent. And engaging with others.
Geraldine sums it up with one word – “community”. Amidst all of the noise out there, it’s important to remember that behind every like or comment is a real person. Connecting with them on an individual level is what can truly leave a lasting impression.
Real connections are built on authenticity. Online audiences today can smell inauthenticity from a mile away. It’s important to stay true to yourself and your art, even if no one seems to notice it at first.
Geraldine’s advice? “You just gotta fake it,” She says. “That’s what I did for years. I pretended I had an audience when I didn’t have one. I pretended I knew what I was doing when I didn’t, and then I straight up said I didn’t know what I was doing when I didn’t, and that got me an audience.”
The takeaway from my discussion with Geraldine DeRuiter? Hard work always, always beats talent. And hey – if you can come to the table with both, that’s even better. I highly recommend reading her new book, ‘If You Can’t Take the Heat’ as soon as it hits store shelves near you.
Enjoy!
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