Do you ever feel like you need a perfect testimonial or polished case study to post about your work?
I did, too, until I realized I was missing the point.
Clients don’t just want your results. They want to see how you think. They want to trust your process before hiring you.
That’s where tiny experiments come in.
Instead of waiting to share only the client-approved, finished product, I’ve started sharing small experiments I’m running in my own workflow. I’m using my Substack to test content ideas, headline variations, and even new offers. Then I test them on LinkedIn or through DMs.
Why This Works
When you show your work in a way that reflects your curiosity and problem-solving abilities, you build credibility and give people a reason to explore with you.
It creates trust. Not because you have all the answers, but because you’re showing you think like someone they’d like to collaborate with.
Austin Kleon, author of Show Your Work, is a master at this. His entire ethos is to document your process and publish that documentation. As he says, “In order to be found, you have to be findable.”
You become findable by documenting your processes online.
Now, I have a confession. This has been hard for me over the years. Like many writers, I wrestle with perfectionism and impostor syndrome. Yet, I recognize this approach builds connections and opens doors, so I’ve committed to the process.
Here’s how I’ve started weaving tiny experiments into my workflow and finding ways to “show my work” in public.
What I’m Doing (And You Can Do Too)
Here’s how I’ve started weaving tiny experiments into my workflow. You can do this too.
1. Make Space for Experiments
Google famously allowed its engineers to spend 20% of their work time on “side quests.” Such creative exploration led to Gmail, AdSense, and other major “wins.” You don’t have to be a Google engineer to give yourself 30-60 minutes a week to explore.
There’s no pressure. Just bring your curiosity.
Ideas for you:
- Test a few ChatGPT Prompts (or create your own).
- Write a “mock brief” from a dream client.
- Work on an assignment from a course.
- Study your ideal client’s content and brainstorm ideas they could use.
The goal is to move and follow your curiosity, because when you do, you open the doors to your creativity and build new skills.
2. Document in the Moment
Instead of trying to remember everything I’m doing to summarize it later, I snap screenshots or jot down a few notes as I go. An outline, a list of ideas, a pile of Post-its®.
It doesn’t need to be fancy. In fact, the less polished the better. This is a work in progress (WIP).
You know how museums show “studies” of famous artists’ work? For example, I’ve seen a dozen Degas charcoal sketches of ballerinas. They are not finished products created for public consumption. They were helping him work out the shapes on paper before moving to the bigger canvas.
Develop the habit of capturing your ideas in the moment and establishing a process for sharing them.
3. Post a “Show and Tell”
Once you’ve finished with your experiment for the day, turn it into a short post.
I’m currently experimenting with this basic formula:
“I’m working on [type of project] and tried [tiny experiment]. Here’s what happened: [your quick insight].”
You don’t have to write a treatise. Keep it short and straightforward. There’s a guy on Substack who posts a daily mini art project. He cuts squares of colored paper and glues them together. He’s been doing it for years. It’s not flashy, but it’s consistent, and his audience knows what to expect from him.
You don’t have to post daily, but a regular “show and tell” helps build familiarity. It trains your network to look to you for a certain type of insight. Aim for once or twice a week.
4. Reflect and Repeat
After two or three months of posting, take a step back and review your analytics.
- Which posts sparked the most engagement or DMs?
- Which did you enjoy the most?
- Which ones helped clarify your thinking so you could take the next step?
Use that feedback to guide your next experiments. Pay attention to what you enjoy most and what sparks conversation. Those are key insights into your direction. You can’t do ALL the things. Pick the direction you enjoy.
Your Takeaway
You don’t need a polished portfolio to land clients. You just need a way to start a conversation with potential clients.
Tiny experiments help you learn new things, show others you’re learning, and give potential clients and collaborators a reason to follow you online. Over time, you’ll build a body of work and accompanying knowledge.
Practicing in public builds trust and creates space for your curiosity. That’s how you build engagement from like-minded people and grow a business that feels like you.
