The Power of Positive Feedback
The creative life can be lonely. Many artists, writers, and other creative types spend long hours locked away in a workshop, staring at a computer monitor, or pursuing other solitary tasks. For those who work alone at home, it’s easy to go a few days without having a substantial creative conversation with anyone but your cats. Your loved ones may be incredibly supportive, but unless they have the same interests, they might not know how to offer constructive feedback. Both support and criticism are essential in the development of your craft.
Getting feedback online
The Internet is an ideal way to get feedback from both your intended audience and others who share your interest. Many areas of the web are geared toward participation, like forums where you can post and discuss your writing, websites like DeviantArt or Flickr where artists and photographers can get comments on their work, and of course, blogs.
I started Here to Create in August and decided to just post for a while before looking for readers. My first real traffic came when I had a guest article on the Digital Photography School blog and submitted 9 Tips to Be More Creative to the Daily Blog Tips contest in the same week. It wasn’t a huge amount of traffic, but I got some nice comments, both here and elsewhere. I was amazed by the great feeling I got just knowing that someone was reading my words. I found that over the next couple of weeks it was just that much easier to write, knowing that there was an audience interested in what I had to say.
Even if you’re not interested in building a readership, consider starting a blog or joining a group that gives you a place to host your writing, photos, or art so you can share and get feedback from others more easily. If you’re feeling ambitious and want to branch out with your creative skills, build your own website as an online portfolio.
Finding like-minded people locally
While it’s easier to find people who are interested in the same things online, it’s often worthwhile to find these people locally as well. Sometimes that in-person contact is necessary, whether it’s to get out of the house or to show off art that just isn’t the same when seen as a photo online. But it can be hard to find someone who is interested in the same things and willing to give constructive feedback.
Rather than relying on chance meetings, your best bet is probably finding a group that shares your interests. Many cities have writing circles, photography clubs, and other informal artists’ groups. You may be able to find a local chapter of a national organization or guild. If you can’t find a group where you live, try starting one. Put up a flyer in your local coffee shop asking for participants and see who shows up. Another way to find people is by taking a class at a community college or art center. Especially if you are just starting, it can be helpful to have friends who are also beginners.
When you find yourself working alone or just don’t know anyone who shares your interests, it can be tough to know whether your efforts are worthwhile. Find someone with an interest in your creative pursuit, someone with whom you can brainstorm and commiserate. Someone who will praise you when your work is good and offer suggestions when you need them. Your creations will benefit from the power of positive feedback.
