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Ignore Everybody: and 39 Other Keys to Creativity Hardcover – June 11, 2009

by Hugh MacLeod (Author)

613 ratings

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When Hugh MacLeod was a struggling young copywriter living in a YMCA, he started to doodle on the backs of business cards while sitting at a bar. Those cartoons eventually led to a popular blog-gapingvoid.com-and a reputation for pithy insight and humor, in both words and pictures.MacLeod has opinions on everything from marketing to the meaning of life, but one of his main subjects is creativity. How do new ideas emerge in a cynical, risk-averse world? Where does inspiration come from? What does it take to make a living as a creative person?Ignore Everybody expands on MacLeod's sharpest insights, wittiest cartoons, and most useful advice. For example:-Selling out is harder than it looks. Diluting your product to make it more commercial will just make people like it less.-If your plan depends on you suddenly being "discovered" by some big shot, your plan will probably fail. Nobody suddenly discovers anything. Things are made slowly and in pain.-Don't try to stand out from the crowd; avoid crowds altogether. There's no point trying to do the same thing as 250,000 other young hopefuls, waiting for a miracle. All existing business models are wrong. Find a new one.-The idea doesn't have to be big. It just has to be yours. The sovereignty you have over your work will inspire far more people than the actual content ever will.After learning MacLeod's forty keys to creativity, you will be ready to unlock your own brilliance and unleash it on the world.

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Book Description
When Hugh MacLeod was a struggling young copywriter, living in a YMCA, he started to doodle on the backs of business cards while sitting at a bar. Those cartoons eventually led to a popular blog gapingvoid.com and a reputation for pithy insight and humor, in both words and pictures.

MacLeod has opinions on everything from marketing to the meaning of life, but one of his main subjects is creativity. How do new ideas emerge in a cynical, risk-averse world? Where does inspiration come from? What does it take to make a living as a creative person?

Now his first book, Ignore Everyone, expands on his sharpest insights, wittiest cartoons, and most useful advice. A sample:

* Selling out is harder than it looks. Diluting your product to make it more commercial will just make people like it less.
* If your plan depends on you suddenly being discovered by some big shot, your plan will probably fail. Nobody suddenly discovers anything. Things are made slowly and in pain.
* Dont try to stand out from the crowd; avoid crowds altogether. Theres no point trying to do the same thing as 250,000 other young hopefuls, waiting for a miracle. All existing business models are wrong. Find a new one.
* The idea doesnt have to be big. It just has to be yours. The sovereignty you have over your work will inspire far more people than the actual content ever will.

After learning MacLeods 40 keys to creativity, you will be ready to unlock your own brilliance and unleash it on the world.

Amazon Exclusive: Author Hugh MacLeod on Having a Life

About the Author

Hugh MacLeod is the cartoonist and acclaimed blogger behind gapingvoid.com and the bestselling author of Ignore Everybody and Evil Plans. After a decade working as an advertising copywriter, he started to publish online his "cartoons drawn on the back of business cards," which eventually he turned into a full-time job. He is known for both his art and for his thoughts on marketing, and has become a popular speaker.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Portfolio; First Edition (June 11, 2009)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 176 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 159184259X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1591842590
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.2 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.75 x 0.75 x 8.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #282,510 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,011 in Creativity (Books)
- #1,417 in Motivational Management & Leadership
- #4,092 in Success Self-Help

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613 ratings

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Hugh MacLeod worked as an advertising copywriter for more than a decade, while developing his skills as a cartoonist and pundit. His blog is Gaping Void, and more than a million people have downloaded the original post that inspired this book, "How to be Creative." He also lectures and consults on Web 2.0 and its impact on business.

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613 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book inspirational and thought-provoking, with a straightforward writing style that makes it easy to read. They appreciate its humor, with one customer noting the clever cartoons, and find it entertaining. The book offers a realistic perspective, with one review highlighting its relatable stories, and customers value its original art style, with one describing it as a beautiful illustration of less-is-more.

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Inspiration Readability Humor Writing style Ease of reading Perspective Art style Entertainment value

86 customers mention "Inspiration"78 positive8 negative

Customers find the book inspirational and thought-provoking, appreciating its useful wisdom and good advice.

"It was excellent. It was a great teacher" Read more

"...Or just useful advice for any one who aspires to undertake some creative or artistic journey." ===THE CARTOONS===..." Read more

"This is an amazing book! It's PACKED with wisdom and valuable experience shared by Hugh. I enjoyed it very much...." Read more

"...It is very helpful when trying to look at success in a different manner when figuring out what you would like to do with your life...." Read more

68 customers mention "Readability"68 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a great little read that's truly awesome and interesting. One customer notes it's a masterful page turner.

"It was excellent. It was a great teacher" Read more

"This is an amazing book! It's PACKED with wisdom and valuable experience shared by Hugh. I enjoyed it very much...." Read more

"...Each chapter is short. Just enough to give you some context and get you thinking about your life and your job. And think you will......" Read more

"...anyone in the business world, or anyone who deals with marketing Good quick read." Read more

38 customers mention "Humor"29 positive9 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor, particularly its funny illustrations and cartoons, with one customer noting its off-the-wall style.

"...Second, it's a collection of Hugh's best cartoons...." Read more

"...And think you will... MacLeod is a popular cartoonist. He punctuates his writing with some of his art. Awesome...." Read more

"...Hugh did a good job of making his points and with a healthy dose of humor and sarcasm - a good blend...." Read more

"...I recommend this book with one reservation. The captions in the cartoons are racy to say the least and not suited for the corporate environment or..." Read more

27 customers mention "Writing style"25 positive2 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, finding it succinct and a must-read for creatives, with one customer noting its relatable quotes.

"...Hugh did a good job of making his points and with a healthy dose of humor and sarcasm - a good blend...." Read more

"...Hugh MacLeod uses sense of humor and witty experiences to shape his idea of enriching and simplifying ways to achieve ones goals...." Read more

"Hugh writes without apology. He's telling you how to keep that creative spark alive...." Read more

"...The author speaks honestly and sometimes harshly, but the point is clear. Creativity takes risks...." Read more

23 customers mention "Ease of reading"23 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and straightforward, describing it as one of the best how-to art books.

"...witty experiences to shape his idea of enriching and simplifying ways to achieve ones goals...." Read more

"I love this because of its short chapters (so that it's easy to read) and its very practical and realistic advice...." Read more

"...The book is straightforward, well-written, funny, and wise...." Read more

"...The book is an easy and fast reading, but his provoking thoughts and ideas are like a punch in your stomach...." Read more

21 customers mention "Perspective"21 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's perspective, with one customer noting it provides realistic insights through real stories by real people, while another finds it offers the best distilled perspectives on success in life.

"...Each chapter is short. Just enough to give you some context and get you thinking about your life and your job. And think you will......" Read more

"...What makes this book good is the stories to illustrate points are the author's own...." Read more

"...It's also the most unsettling, the most personally challenging, and the most inspirational...." Read more

"...Surprising in it's starkness, honesty, originality and attitude. Hilarious...." Read more

13 customers mention "Art style"10 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the book's original style and find it cute, with one customer noting its beautiful illustration of less-is-more, while another describes it as down-to-earth like Bukowski.

"...of all things...they make the words of wisdom come to life in a truly original style. Wild. Terrific on SO many levels...." Read more

"...Its very short and to the point and a beautiful illustration of less-is-more...." Read more

"...He thinks about art and how to do art in a way that won't cause you to go broke or crazy...." Read more

"...I was also pretty turned off by his artwork (the way he draws and what his small cartoons say), but I guess he should just "Ignore Me"...." Read more

12 customers mention "Entertainment value"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining and interesting.

"...But it sure is an interesting ride. And MacLeod is correct - it has changed my thinking substantially. Each chapter is short...." Read more

"...and, perhaps most importantly, he does it succinctly and in an entertaining manner, and he hits the mark often...." Read more

"...fun! His business card art is hilarious, too. Based on truth. It's a short read, so please, do not ignore this one...." Read more

"...Be nice. Be polite. All sound advice, and an overall entertaining and interesting read (also the illustrations are very engaging)." Read more

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Emmet Bresnahan
Great Teacher
Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2025
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It was excellent. It was a great teacher

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A. Krupp
A Book You Shouldn't Ignore
Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2009
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Ignore Everybody is two things in one. First, it's a series of tips designed to turn creatives into artists. Second, it's a collection of Hugh's best cartoons. While some of the cartoons do support the text, I'm going to review the cartoons and the text separately because they really do stand on their own.

===THE BOOK===

What separates a writer from an author? A rower from an oarsman? A comedian from a humorist?

Greatness in any field comes from taking a novel idea and pushing it to its logical conclusion, redefining the medium in the process.

Hugh doesn't teach you how to come up with your big idea, nor is the book a collection of theories on what makes something innovative. Rather, Hugh's rules teach a mindset conducive to pushing great ideas to their logical conclusions.

This book won't teach you how to paint, but if you're lucky you'll come away with the mental frame you need to avoid having the outside world crush your creativity. And if you really take its lessons to heart then hopefully, in the words of Steve Jobs, you'll ship.

Over the years I've sent the blog post that inspired this book to countless friends, and now that I've read the book itself I can't recommend it enough. I'd consider it a must-read for any creative who aspires to be an artist, not just some guy who lives in a loft and calls himself a writer.

But even if you don't aspire to become an artist, the book still has much to offer. In Hugh's own words, "This book is about becoming more 'creative' in one's work, whoever you may be. Or just useful advice for any one who aspires to undertake some creative or artistic journey."

===THE CARTOONS===

While reading Ignore Everybody, one gets the sense that Hugh MacLeod would be far happier if only he were a little less intelligent. The existentially depressed cynic to Woody Allen's bumbling neurotic, the Hugh MacLeod character is sort of a cross between Dostoevsky and George Carlin.[1] That is, the cartoons are really a collection of observations about people, their motivations, and the shallowness and meaninglessness of the human condition.

So, is Hugh truly an artist, someone who has pushed the medium forward? Yes. Two reasons:

1) Hugh is the only cartoonist that's figured out a way to draw his characters in a way that really lets you see into their souls. Hugh manages to nail the platonic ideals of the ditzy blonde, the pretending-to-be-an-artist-to-pick-up-girls guy, the too-full-of-himself corporate a**hole, etc. Considering that his cartoons are really only simple line drawings, it's amazing how well he's able to convey the characters' posture, dress, facial expression, body language, etc.

You can tell exactly what the character is like as an entire person just by looking at them, even if you cover up the text. Open up the Sunday comics and it quickly becomes clear that no other cartoonist can do this.

2) Hugh's second trademark is being able to write the one sentence that sums up the character's entire existence.

Man: "I can't decide what I want to be: A millionaire or an artist."
Woman: "Can't you just compromise? Become a millionaire artist or something..."

Viewed through the lens of the art, the human existence is nothing more than posturing and superficiality.

Does Hugh actually believe this? He says,

"I don't necessarily find the human condition shallow and meaningless per se. Just our egos and pride sometimes force us to act like it is. I think we're all strive to find meaning in life, we just don't always elect to take the high road when doing so; we're often far too willing to look for shortcuts."

All in all, this is a book that will change the way you think. In a good way. A very good way.

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Timothy Paulson
This book is terrific - short, sweet, and to the point.
Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2022
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This is an amazing book! It's PACKED with wisdom and valuable experience shared by Hugh. I enjoyed it very much. I've seen and watched the work of Hugh McLeod for many years (through Gaping Void) - he's so dang creative and smart!

I disliked the offensive (to me) profanity in the book - that's why I gave it less than five stars. But aside from that, the book is fantastic. :)

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Scott McLeod
Truly awesome (and thought-provoking). Are you ready to reexamine your life?
Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2010
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WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THE BOOK

MacLeod starts off with a bang. In the first chapter, he says "The more original your idea, the less good advice other people will be able to give you" (p. 1) and "a big idea will change you" (p. 2). I was hooked from that moment. I've been breaking new ground in educational leadership academe for years now and have consistently found that the vast majority of my peers don't have much to offer me in terms of insight or direction. I don't know where all of this "social media and tribe building as an alternative to traditional measures of success for research faculty" stuff is going to go. But it sure is an interesting ride. And MacLeod is correct - it has changed my thinking substantially.

Each chapter is short. Just enough to give you some context and get you thinking about your life and your job. And think you will...

MacLeod is a popular cartoonist. He punctuates his writing with some of his art. Awesome.

KEY QUOTES

Here are a few key quotes:

"Good ideas alter the power balance in relationships. That is why good ideas are always initially resisted." (p. 2)

Boy, I've lived this one several hundred times over the past few years. Either I'm ahead of my time (in my field) or I'm completely insane. Time will tell!

AND

"Your wee [creative] voice came back because your soul somehow depends on it. There's something you haven't said, something you haven't done, some light that needs to be switched on, and it needs to be taken care of. Now. So you have to listen to the wee voice or it will die ... taking a big chunk of you along with it." (p. 28)

The peer-review publication paradigm - where your writing goes in places that educators never visit - never made a lot of sense to me. Blogging and other social media have given me different outlets and a different voice. And I'm much, much happier for it. My wee voice was crying out for something different. I just didn't know it.

AND

"Don't make excuses. Just shut the [heck] up and get on with it." (p. 82)

AND

"The ease with which a blog (or whatever social medium you prefer) can circumvent the gatekeepers is staggering." (p. 140)

QUESTIONS I HAVE AFTER READING THIS BOOK

1. Am I brave enough to never publish a peer-reviewed article again?
2. Is there enough space in my day job as a professor to accommodate my non-peer-review writing and social media passions?
3. What should I be working on next? Where do I want to go and what do I want to be doing in 5 years?
4. How do I reach school leaders when most are not yet active in social media?
5. How many graduating high school seniors can I give this book to before a parent complains about the language (some of which is a bit crude)?

RATING

I give this book 5 stars to reflect a) the amount of yellow ink in my copy, and b) the affirmation of much of what I believe (or would like to believe) about myself and my work. Extra credit for the author's last name!

** See my other reviews and recommended reading suggestions at my blog, Dangerously Irrelevant.

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Joseph Valentine Dworak
Solid
Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2012
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I appreciated this book for what it was: A book to continue to push you to do something unique in the new economy. Hugh did a good job of making his points and with a healthy dose of humor and sarcasm - a good blend. One side note Hugh did seem to have a lot of comics about being rejected by women, perhaps a theme for him? I would recommend this book to anyone in the business world, or anyone who deals with marketing Good quick read.

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Paulo Roberto Miguel
Fantástico, inspirador
Reviewed in Brazil on November 1, 2021
Verified Purchase

Ótima leitura, bom de ler, muito inspirador, recomendo principalmente pra quem tem receio de empreender, infelizmente não achei versão em português e o preço do livro físico é absurdo.

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José M. Fernández
100% recomendable
Reviewed in Spain on January 30, 2014
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Muy entretenido y motivador a la vez, pero ojo que no se trata de un libro de autoayuda. Muy, muy recomendable.

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fdz
Five Stars
Reviewed in India on February 15, 2018
Verified Purchase
Definitely a must read, gives a different view on creativity.

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Ulises Lima
Good.
Reviewed in Mexico on November 21, 2019
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Amazing book. Full of inspiring tips.

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J. Mark
The perfect road map for the artistic career and mind.
Reviewed in Canada on January 8, 2014
Verified Purchase
The title got my attention instantly, sounding like exactly what I was looking for. I was a bit on the fence about reading this due only to the negative reviews I found.
Well, my original judgement was correct, it is perfection.

Each point is kept direct and short, with the perfect amount of impact to drive home the 'key' without rambling. Its a small book with a big punch, strong enough to bust through the mental doubt cloud that can be the artistic brain.
He lays it out for you, how to keep yourself 'sane' and constantly creating, and how to avoid the mistakes so often made. I wouldn't hesitate to gift or recommend this to any artistic person, whether a professional artist in any medium, or a creative person on a traditional career path.

In regards to the negative reviews and remarks I came across, the people who wrote them are, funnily enough, the people who the author says to 'ignore'. Some even criticized the authors artwork and chosen medium. They are just very conservative people with a handful of judgemental opinions, that in my view are complete rubbish.
Please pay no mind to them, they only serve to prove the authors point.

This book is small, but holds the information an artist needs to thrive and succeed. This should be required reading.

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Ignore Everybody: and 39 Other Keys to Creativity Hardcover – June 11, 2009

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5.0 out of 5 stars Great Teacher

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book You Shouldn't Ignore

4.0 out of 5 stars This book is terrific - short, sweet, and to the point.

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly awesome (and thought-provoking). Are you ready to reexamine your life?

3.0 out of 5 stars Solid

Top reviews from other countries

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantástico, inspirador

5.0 out of 5 stars 100% recomendable

5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars

5.0 out of 5 stars Good.

5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect road map for the artistic career and mind.

Great Teacher

A Book You Shouldn't Ignore

This book is terrific - short, sweet, and to the point.

Truly awesome (and thought-provoking). Are you ready to reexamine your life?

Solid

Fantástico, inspirador

100% recomendable

Five Stars

Good.

The perfect road map for the artistic career and mind.