The Process is the Product: Why People Love the 'How'
- Sue Skavlem
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
June 2026 | Sue Skavlem
Why do people LOVE the process?
Pulling back the veil on your creative process builds transparency and trust.
We usually only share the polished, final result.
But your audience actually wants to see the sketches, the coffee spills, and the 'Aha!' moments.
Showing your process proves your expertise and invites people into your world.
It’s not perfect, but it’s real.
1 Don't Stress the Mess
"What if my process looks too messy or unprofessional?"
Embrace the mess. Perfection is boring, but authenticity is magnetic. The number one fear when pulling back the curtain is that people will see the clutter, the mistakes, or the less-than-glamorous reality of how the magic happens.
But here’s the secret: your audience doesn't want a sanitized, corporate infomercial. They want to see the human element. The unpolished moments – the trial-and-error, the prototype that failed, the chaotic workspace – are exactly what make you relatable.
Perfection creates a barrier; vulnerability creates a bridge.
Showing your raw process doesn’t diminish your expertise – it proves your dedication.
2 Give As Freely As Possible
"Am I giving away my 'secret sauce' to competitors?"
Share the what and the how, because no one can replicate the who.
It’s natural to worry that showing your methods is handing a blueprint to your rivals.
However, copycats can mimic a recipe, but they can’t copy your unique perspective, your energy, or your specific "why."
When you share your process, you aren't giving away industry secrets; you are demonstrating your mastery.
True authority isn't gatekeeping information; it’s being confident enough to teach it.
Your competitors might see your steps, but your customers will see your passion—and that is entirely unique to you.
3 What If It's Boring?
"Does anyone actually care about the boring, day-to-day details?"
What is mundane to you is fascinating to an outsider.
When you do something every single day, you become blind to how cool it actually is. You might think packing an order, mixing a batch of raw materials, or staring at a coding screen is dull, but to your audience, it’s a peek into a world they don't inhabit.
Attention is the oldest currency. And today, it's value is on the rise.
People love seeing how things are made (there’s a reason television shows about factory assembly lines run for decades). Lean into the sensory details—the sounds, the textures, the visual transformations.
The daily grind is the heartbeat of your business, and that’s the exact rhythm your audience wants to connect with.
Now Go Make It
Want an idea to get you started on a process/behind-the-scenes video?
You can use your phone, a screen capture desktop app, a 4K camera, a GoPro sports camera, a digital camera, or a phone dock that moves with you.
Here are a few video styles to start you out!
Confessional/MTV/The Office style
Time-lapse (no sound)
B-roll - Normal Day (hit record while you work)
Get Ready With Me
Travel With Me
Style this (room, webpage, moodboard, conference)
Website/Graphic Design (screen capture with loom.com)
Parked Car & Talk
About the Author
Sue from Skavlem Designs
When I make a design, I think – What can this do?
These designs don’t just exist. These designs DO. They work hard alongside you and your business. These designs are levers. They are sales. They are engaged customers. They are brand recognition that gets you that meeting.
Top 3 things I love to do: Read. Paint. Snowboard.
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