Stop Creating, Start Stealing: The Counter-Intuitive Key to Original Content
This mindset shift will change the way you create content.
Kidding–that headline was just to get you to start reading. I don’t steal my content, but I have reframed how I approach creating content so that I stop feeling creative fatigue. I just finished reading Austin Kleon's Steal Like An Artist and highlighted practically every page. This book is exactly what I needed as a reminder of how to keep my content fresh and completely shift my perspective on how I consume content to repurpose it. Here are my key insights that I believe every entrepreneur and creator should embrace:
THE ARTIST IS A COLLECTOR, NOT A HOARDER
"Artists collect selectively. They only collect things that they really love."
This principle changed how I approach inspiration. There's a significant difference between mindlessly saving every trend you see and deliberately curating influences that resonate with your vision. Quality over quantity applies to inspiration, too. Being selective about what influences you absorb makes your own creative output more focused and distinctive.
FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT
"Dress for the job you want, not the job you have."
This is about embodying your aspirations before external validation arrives. Start creating the type of work you want to be known for today, not when you feel "ready" or when someone permits you. The most successful brands I've worked with began acting like the brand they wanted to become long before they had the following or revenue to match.
COPY YOUR HEROES (BUT STEAL FROM MANY)
"If you copy from one author, it's plagiarism. If you copy from many, it's research."
David Bowie admitted: "The only art I'll ever study is stuff that I can steal from." I've found consistently that the most "original" brands have the most diverse influences. They're creating unique combinations rather than inventing from nothing. Look broadly across industries, eras, and disciplines for your inspiration.
DON'T JUST STEAL THE STYLE, STEAL THE THINKING
"Immature poets imitate. Mature poets steal." - T.S. Eliot
Eliot continued: "Good poets make it into something better or at least something different." Surface-level copying leads to derivative work. True creative theft means understanding how your heroes think—their decision-making process, values, and perspective on the world. This deeper understanding allows you to transform influences into something uniquely yours.
ADAPTATION IS INNOVATION
Kobe Bryant adapted stolen moves to his own body type, creating something new in the process. This perfectly illustrates that innovation often comes through adaptation rather than pure invention. Your unique constraints—whether they're budget limitations, time constraints, or skill gaps—can become your competitive advantage if you lean into them.
KEEP ALL YOUR PASSIONS
"Don't feel like you have to pick and choose between your interests."
The pressure to niche down can sometimes lead us to abandon interests that seem irrelevant to our "main thing." But your unique combination of passions is precisely what creates your brand's distinctive voice. My seemingly unrelated interests in psychology, typography, and storytelling have all contributed to my unique approach to branding.
SHARE YOUR PROCESS, NOT JUST YOUR RESULTS
"The internet can be an incubator for ideas that aren't fully formed."
Some of my most engaging content has been showing the messy middle of projects, not just the polished end result. Inviting your audience into your journey builds authentic connection. People connect with the humanity in your work—the challenges, the iterations, the learning.
SHARE YOUR DOTS, DON'T CONNECT THEM
This is about finding the right balance of transparency. Show glimpses of your work without revealing everything. Leave space for your audience to participate by connecting the dots themselves. This co-creation makes them more invested in your brand story.
MAKE YOUR BRAIN UNCOMFORTABLE
"Travel makes the world look new. And when the world looks new, our brains work harder."
Creative stagnation often comes from routine. Seeking new perspectives—whether through physical travel or intellectual exploration of unfamiliar domains—sparks fresh thinking. I've found that my best branding insights often come after exposure to completely unrelated fields or experiences.
BE NICE. THE WORLD IS A SMALL TOWN.
"The golden rule is even more golden in our hyper-connected world."
In today's interconnected landscape, reputation travels faster than ever. Focus on building relationships, not just followers. The connections you nurture today can lead to unforeseen opportunities tomorrow. I've watched countless brands grow primarily through the goodwill they've cultivated.
SCHOOL YOURSELF
"School is one thing. Education is another. The two don't always overlap." "It's always your job to get yourself an education."
The most innovative brand leaders I know are perpetual students—staying curious, reading deeply, wondering constantly. Your formal education (or lack thereof) matters far less than your commitment to continued learning. The best competitive advantage is knowing more about your field than anyone else.
GARBAGE IN, GARBAGE OUT
"You're only going to be as good as the stuff you surround yourself with."
Your creative output directly reflects your inputs. Your idea quality mirrors your five closest influences—choose them wisely. I've observed that the best entrepreneurs are incredibly intentional about what they consume, knowing it shapes what they create.
IS IT WORTH STEALING?
This is the question I've started asking of every concept, strategy, or technique I encounter. Not everything deserves your attention or adaptation. Be discerning about what you incorporate into your creative DNA. As Picasso allegedly said, "An artist is theft." But selective theft is what separates the extraordinary from the ordinary.
REMEMBER VONNEGUT'S RULE
"There's only one rule I know of: You've got to be kind."
After years in the branding world, I'm convinced that the most valuable currency in business isn't money—it's goodwill. Kindness opens doors that talent alone cannot. It's the foundation of lasting relationships and genuine brand loyalty.
These principles have transformed how I approach creating content, and I hope they offer you a fresh perspective too. I'd love to hear which of these resonates most with you and how you're applying them in your own creative journey!
What's your favorite principle from Steal Like An Artist? Share in the comments below!
xx,
Camille
P.S. I add everything I read to my Goodreads! 👀 Check it out for some inspo.