Embracing Gary Vaynerchuk’s ‘Document, Don’t Create’ Philosophy

Describe a man who has positively impacted your life.

Discovering Gary Vaynerchuk’s podcasts was a game-changer for me. His unconventional approach to content creation, particularly the “Document, Don’t Create” mantra, sparked a transformation in my mindset. Inspired by his insights, I embarked on my ‘Fork in the Road’ journey that became a Vlog, blog and Podcast following my efforts as I strived to make a living as a thriving artist.

Gary Vee, the serial entrepreneur and social media guru, emphasizes the importance of authenticity in content creation. His mantra, “Document, Don’t Create,” encourages people to share their journey in a raw and unfiltered way, rather than overthinking and meticulously crafting content.

Listening to Gary’s podcasts while making delivery’s as a courier driver made me reconsider my approach to art and self-promotion. Instead of obsessing over perfection, I learned to embrace imperfections and showcase the creative process itself. This shift in perspective allowed me to connect more genuinely with my small but slowly growing audience. As he always says ‘Be Patient

Implementing the “Document, Don’t Create” method in the realm of art meant capturing the behind-the-scenes moments with my sketchy livestreams, where I illustrated my first kids book Motivate Man live on YouTube. Many of these livestreams were of me sketching in the front seat of my car, between lawn mowing jobs. Just for a bit of authenticity which Gary definitely loves.

Gary Vee often talks about building a personal brand based on authenticity. By documenting my artistic process and sharing my experiences, I was able to create a more authentic and engaging online presence I feel. This, in turn, attracted a community of artists who appreciated this style and I can now call them my creative community and friends.

Instead of getting lost in the noise of content creation, I began to use social media with a purpose. Each post became a piece of the larger narrative, showcasing not just finished artworks but the story behind them.

The “Document, Don’t Create” philosophy encouraged me to be vulnerable about the challenges I faced as an artist. Sharing the highs and lows of my creative journey fostered a sense of empathy among my audience and created a supportive community.

In the world of art and social media, Gary Vaynerchuk’s “Document, Don’t Create” philosophy proved to be a motivating force in my life. By embracing authenticity and sharing the genuine, unfiltered moments of my artistic journey, I not only connected with a like-minded community but also found a path toward making a living as a thriving artist, I’m not there yet but I’m trying to enjoy the process, because apparently if I do that, I’ve won 😆❤️