## Highlights - There are 2 types of writers today: those who use data to inform and improve their writing, and those who fail. ([Location 573](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=573)) - They think they know who their audience is. They think they know what book they should write. They think they know which part of their story is going to resonate with the most people. They think they know “who they are”—and the brutal truth is, they don’t. They have assumptions. They have educated guesses. But they have zero data that can confirm whether or not they’re correct. ([Location 607](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=607)) - Likes = “This is something I approve of. Nice job.” Shares = “This is something more people need to know about. This represents me.” Comments = “This is thought provoking. I agree/disagree, and I want you to know why. ([Location 636](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=636)) - Views = “This strikes a chord. There’s something valuable here.” ([Location 639](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=639)) - But the truth is, the real reason most people aren’t successful writing online has very little to do with all the bells and whistles that surround the writing. Their biggest problem is the writing itself. ([Location 707](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=707)) - I would just like to point out that whether we like it or not, we are all playing “the game” as long as we’re on the internet. Which means, Level 1 is all about answering the question, “Am I playing this game consciously? Am I achieving my goal? Or am I playing this game unconsciously, and do I not care where I end up?” ([Location 723](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=723)) - Successful writers play the game of Online Writing consciously. Unsuccessful writers play the game unconsciously—and then wonder why they aren’t succeeding. ([Location 727](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=727)) - A category is a frame, a bucket, a spot on the shelf where similar objects reside. ([Location 753](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=753)) - It isn’t until the individual is within a category that they ask themselves, “Who is the single best writer in this category? ([Location 758](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=758)) - Categories are how we organize information in our minds. Know your category and you’ll know where readers “fit” you into their own minds. ([Location 762](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=762)) - All writing exists on a spectrum, and that spectrum looks something like this. Educating <<<>>> Entertaining On the left-hand side you have writing that informs and explains (textbooks, news, nonfiction, etc.) and on the right-hand side you have writing that captivates and entertains (true stories, fiction stories, etc.). ([Location 776](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=776)) - the real reason it “wins” is because its Rate of Revelation is so much higher. Every single sentence advances the “story” to the next main point. And on the internet, this level of velocity is crucial to hooking and keeping a reader’s attention. ([Location 858](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=858)) - Once you decide to play the online writing game consciously… Once you know what category you’re competing in… Once you see where your style sits on the Writing Spectrum… Once you become aware of your Rate of Revelation… The only thing left to do is be the most specific writer in your chosen category. ([Location 864](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=864)) - Other signals of Implied Credibility are: Profile picture: Right out the gate, if your profile picture is blurry and half-hearted, what you’re really telling readers is that you’re not “playing the game” seriously—so then why should they take you seriously? Bio: “I like cats, coffee, and watching Netflix,” is not an effective bio. Instead of trying to be clever, tell people who you are, what category your writing is in, and what makes you “credible.” Production quality: If you post pictures, graphic designs, or videos within your writing, then the quality of these content types are going to speak for you. Low-quality images, for example, are going to tell readers you’re operating on a shoestring budget. High-quality images, on the other hand, lead readers to believe you have the means to hire a professional photographer (which means, “This person must be successful.”). It’s implied. Grammar: There is no faster way to lose credibility with a reader than to have writing littered with mistakes. (However, I too was once a 17-year-old blogger who didn’t know the difference between ‘their’ and ‘they’re.’) So while grammar mistakes can be an issue, don’t let fear keep you from making progress as a writer. Just keep getting better as you go along. Organization of thought: If your writing reads smoothly, a reader is going to assume “you know what you’re doing.” If it’s formatted well, they’re going to assume “you’ve been writing for a while.” These are subtle signals of credibility in the form of expertise. Specificity: Remember, Specificity Is The Secret. The more specific you are, the more likely a reader is going to immediately assume they are in the right place, reading the right writer for them. This is what makes the “game” of online writing so fun. ([Location 956](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=956)) - Other signals of Perceived Credibility are: What credible people have to say about your writing: “Nicolas Cole is the single greatest writer of this generation.” –Abraham Lincoln Which major publications your writing has appeared in: “Featured in TIME, Forbes, Fortune, Business Insider, and many more.” How many followers you have on social media: 100,000 followers sends a signal you simply cannot send with 100 followers. High barrier-to-entry products: Writing a book, or launching a high-production video course, are signals of credibility simply because they typically either require a significant amount of expertise and/or money in order to execute. Badges and achievements: #1 best-selling author on Amazon, New York Times best-selling author, WSJ best-selling author, Top Writer on Quora, Top Writer on Medium, LinkedIn Influencer, Verified on Instagram or Twitter, etc. These are all examples of badges and achievements that can be leveraged for Perceived Credibility. How much money you’ve made from your craft: Mystery novelist James Patterson is “The world’s best-selling author. His total income over the past decade is estimated at $700 million.” That’s Perceived Credibility on a completely different level. ([Location 986](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=986)) - Other signals of Earned Credibility are: How long you’ve been creating content for: “Every day for 3 years” sends a very different signal than “I just started last week.” How often you create content: “I write something new every day” vs “I write something every few months, when I feel like it.” How much content you’ve created: “I have written more than 3,000 articles online” vs “I’ve written three blog posts.” How many people consume your content: “I have more than 1,000,000 views on my writing” vs “I have 300 views on my writing.” How well one of your pieces of content has performed: If one of your articles has thousands of Upvotes, Views, etc., that in itself is a badge of credibility—and clear proof what you have to say is valuable. What’s ([Location 1026](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=1026)) - DIFFERENT always beats “Better.” ([Location 1109](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=1109)) - match different audiences, genres, and writing styles to create a new and DIFFERENT category. ([Location 1114](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=1114)) - If your goal is to be a successful writer, then social platforms are for publishing first, and consuming second. I have a rule I live by, and it goes like this: “The number of hours I spend consuming should never equal or exceed the number of hours I spend creating.” One of ([Location 1526](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=1526)) - Audience Hacking means collaborating with another writer who has a similar audience to you—introducing your audience to them and their audience to you. ([Location 1734](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=1734)) - This was a very common tactic nearly every top contributing writer used at Inc Magazine. We would all set Google Alerts for companies and public figures that aligned with our respective columns, and we’d wait for them to be mentioned in the news. ([Location 1762](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=1762)) - Delete your original post, change a variable or two, and publish it again. When you publish something to the internet, there are a million variables that dictate whether or not that piece successfully catches fire. ([Location 1825](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=1825)) - Build syndication relationships with websites and major publications, and get around the “duplicate content” rule. “Syndication” is when major publications build partnerships with each other to share popular content. ([Location 1842](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=1842)) - There are five types of writing on the internet. Form #1: Actionable Guide Form #2: Opinion Form #3: Curated List Form #4: Story Form #5: Credible Talking Head ([Location 1952](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=1952)) - The way you “win” the game of online writing is by creating the single best possible version of whatever form of writing you’re using in your chosen category. ([Location 1961](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=1961)) - What makes a great headline is getting someone to understand three things at the exact same time: What this piece of writing is about Who this piece of writing is for The PROMISE: the problem that will be solved, and/or the solution being offered ([Location 2161](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=2161)) - Big Ideas From Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, And Jeff Bezos That Changed The World Forever” is more specific. If you’re interested in creativity and business, you know this article was written for you. “This 1 Big Idea Will Change The Way You Think About College” is a big PROMISE. This headline tells the reader, “The way you think about college will no longer be the same after you read this article.” ([Location 2175](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=2175)) - Nonfiction Examples “Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way To Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones” “The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, And Join The New Rich” “Play Bigger: How Pirates, Dreamers, And Innovators Create And Dominate Markets” ([Location 2200](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=2200)) - “7 Tips For Becoming Smarter” is clear, but a bigger PROMISE can help it reach more people. “7 Tips For Becoming Smarter, Achieving Chess-Master Memory, And Becoming The Most Interesting Person In The Room” ([Location 2272](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=2272)) - Here are some of the most proven headline formats in online writing: Big Numbers: For example, “3,000 People Just Filed For Unemployment In This Small Town In Arkansas. Here’s Why.” This is a great headline because “3,000 People” is concrete, definitive, easy to imagine, and yet an unexpectedly large number—and what’s unexpected is exciting. Dollar Signs: Money is about as universal as a topic can get. “$400 Million Is How Much You Need To Make In Order To Afford This Insane Mansion In Malibu” is eye-catching because very few people have $400 million. Dollar signs make the Curiosity Gap wider and more interesting for readers. Credible Names: Celebrities, CEOs, pop culture icons, anyone the world can easily recognize by name is a great way to hook readers’ attention. “Will Smith’s Advice On How To Live A Fulfilling Life Will Change The Way You See The World Forever” is a headline built on credibility. Yes, there’s a great PROMISE here, but the real “hook” comes from the fact that it’s advice from Will Smith. “Amazon, Apple, Tesla, And 4 Other Stocks That Have Made Early Investors Mega-Millionaires” is another example of how to leverage name credibility. “This Just Happened”: Timeliness is a terrific mechanism for getting readers’ attention right now. Words like “Just, Recently, Today, Now,” etc., are what tell a reader that of all the things on the internet to read, “this thing” is high priority. For example, “Michael Jordan Just Gave A Press Conference And NBA Executives Are Furious.” The reason you would want to read that article is to feel in-the-know. The Success Story: These headlines summarize an amazing event or rare occurrence that doesn’t happen every day. For example, “How This Small Team Managed To Secure A Six-Figure Investment In Less Than 1 Week” or “This 1 Group Activity Exercise Increased An Entire Office’s Productivity By 150%.” Things That Shouldn’t Go Together: Combining two or more things in a headline that don’t typically sit next to each other is a great way to force readers to pause and take an interest. For example, “7 Things KFC And Miley Cyrus Have In Common,” or, “What Jay-Z, Pablo Escobar, And Oprah Can Teach Us About Leadership.” For The Industry: These headlines work well when you’re writing for a very specific audience. So much so, that you want to call them out right in the title. The more specific you can be about who the piece is for, the better. For example, “3 Things All Successful Small Business Owners Do To Stay Profitable.” The Topic Within The Topic: Some headlines benefit from a bit of added curiosity. This is a technique that can be applied to any of the other headline structures, and can be a great way of making readers feel like they’re getting the “inside scoop.” For example, “7 Ways The Real Estate Industry Is Changing (And How You Should Be Investing Your Money).” The first part of the headline is strong, but it’s the second part of the headline (inside parentheses) that gives the first part more… ([Location 2340](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=2340)) - In 1/3/1, you have one strong opening sentence, three description sentences, and then one conclusion sentence. Visually, this is a powerful way to tell the reader you aren’t going to make them suffer through big blocks of text, and that you have their best interests in mind. Here’s how it works: This first sentence is your opener. This second sentence clarifies your opener. This third sentence reinforces the point you’re making with some sort of credibility or amplified description. And this fourth sentence rounds out your argument, guiding the reader toward your conclusion. This fifth sentence is your strong conclusion. ([Location 2461](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=2461)) - The types of introduction structures that work well are: 1/3/1 1/5/1 1/3/2/1 1/5/2/1 1/4/1/1 1/3/1 + 1/3/1 1/3/Subhead/3/1 1/3/1 + Bulleted List 1 + Subhead ([Location 2675](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=2675)) - Smart people read (a lot). Smart people hang around other smart people. Smart people love making mistakes. Smart people see value in all types of knowledge. Smart people work (very, very) hard. ([Location 2702](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=2702)) - This first sentence is your opener. This second sentence clarifies your opener. And this third sentence is why the reader should care. This fourth sentence starts to expand on the point. This fifth sentence is a story, or some sort of credible piece of insight. This sixth sentence builds on that story or insight and tells the reader something they maybe didn’t know. This seventh sentence is a small conclusion. And this eighth sentence is why that conclusion matters. This ninth sentence recaps what you just told the reader. This tenth sentence reinforces the argument you’re making with an additional tidbit or insight. And this eleventh sentence drives the point home. This twelfth sentence reminds the reader of the important takeaway. ([Location 2718](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=2718)) - This first sentence is your opener. This second sentence clarifies your opener. And this third sentence is why the reader should care. This fourth sentence is your mini conclusion. This fifth sentence is why that mini conclusion matters specifically to your target reader. ([Location 2774](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=2774)) - First, you never want to have three or more long paragraphs one after another. That style of writing has been dead for years, and anyone writing that way on the internet is clinging to a way things were but no longer are. Second, if you are going to have long paragraphs one after another, you want to find ways to change up their internal rhythm so they don’t feel or sound exactly the same. One way of doing this is by using punctuation. Have one paragraph with a lot of short, strong sentences. Have the next paragraph be one long, winding sentence. This is what makes them seem “different.” Lastly, notice how before and after both long paragraphs in the above excerpt there are single, declarative sentences. This is very intentional. Again, you want to subtly tell the reader, “I’m going to tell you a quick story—this will only take a second,” before giving them their next mile marker. There’s something about reading a single sentence after a long paragraph that gives a reader the same feeling a listener gets hearing a chord resolve on the piano. Let ([Location 2942](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=2942)) - Self-promotion on the internet follows the rule of opposites. The more you promote yourself, the less people listen. The less you promote yourself, the more people listen. ([Location 3243](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3243)) - If I tell you I am a 4x Top Writer on Quora with tens of millions of views on my writing, and that’s the only thing I tell you, then I seem like a self-centered egomaniac. But if I tell you I’m a 4x Top Writer on Quora with tens of millions of views on my writing, and I want to tell you how you can become a Top Writer with tens of millions of views on your own writing too, suddenly I don’t seem self-promotional. I’m just letting you know where my insights are coming from, and that I’m a credible source of information. ([Location 3265](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3265)) - The Golden Intersection of great writing is: Answering The Reader’s Question x Telling Them An Entertaining Story ([Location 3276](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3276)) - In the game of Online Writing, volume wins. ([Location 3471](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3471)) - The three types of “content buckets” I recommend are: General Audience: You should have one bucket that is aimed at universal topics. Things like positive habits, life lessons, productivity topics, etc., are big, broad categories that resonate with the widest number of people. How you make them relevant to you is by approaching them through your own specific lens. Let’s say you’re the VP of Marketing at a software company. You should write about life lessons learned as the VP of Marketing at a software company, or time management techniques you use day in and day out as The VP of Marketing at a software company. This same logic applies no matter who you are. You could be a poet, a foodie, or a master salesman, and there is still massive benefit in targeting universal topics through your own specific lens. Niche Audience: Your second content bucket should be hyper-relevant to your expertise. If you’re the VP of Marketing, then your niche audience would be “marketers”—and refined further, maybe “content marketers.” When speaking to this audience, you have the option of continuing to leverage universal topics to broaden your reach, or intentionally excluding general audiences by speaking directly to the intimate pain points your target reader is experiencing. My recommendation is to do both. Company/Industry Audience: Your third content bucket is the environment and industry you exist within. If you’re a violinist, you should be writing about the violin industry. If you’re a music producer, you should be writing about the music production industry. If you own a SaaS business, you should be writing about software as a service and the SaaS industry at large. If you are a writer, you should be writing about writing (in your specific genre). This third bucket is usually the easiest to pinpoint, however it’s an important one to add into the mix in order to be “seen” as a leader in your chosen category ([Location 3525](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3525)) - For example, here are my three content buckets: General Audience: Life advice, personal development, and self-mastery as it relates to my own life experiences as a writer and entrepreneur (and previously as a bodybuilder and professional gamer). Niche Audience: Online writing advice, self-publishing, and content marketing. Company/Industry Audience: Thought leadership and personal branding, specifically for executives, founders, investors, etc. ([Location 3542](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3542)) - Writing anything on the internet follows a very simple 3-step process. Step 1: What “Type” Of Writing Is This? Form #1: Actionable Guide Form #2: Opinion Form #3: Curated List Form #4: Story Form #5: Credible Talking Head Step 2: What “Idea” Am I Communicating Within This Piece Of Writing? Idea #1: Explanation (When/Where/How/What/Why Something Happens) Idea #2: Habits (To Achieve A Destination, Goal, Or State Of Being) Idea #3: Mistakes (Keeping You From Achieving A Destination, Goal, Or State Of Being) Idea #4: Lessons (Learned In Pursuit Of A Destination, Goal, Or State Of Being) Idea #5: Tips (That Can Help You In Your Own Pursuit Of A Destination, Goal, Or State Of Being) Idea #6: Stories (That Symbolize Or Explain Some Aspect Of The Pursuit Of A Destination, Goal, Or State Of Being) Idea #7: Timely Events (That Are Relevant To The Target Reader’s Knowledge, Awareness, Or Pursuit Of A Destination, Goal, Or State Of Being) ([Location 3555](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3555)) - Step 3: Why Me? Credibility #1: “I am an expert on this topic. Here’s what I think.” Credibility #2: “I went out and talked to all the trusted experts on this topic. Here are all their insights and opinions in one place.” Credibility #3: “I’m just sharing my opinion, but my opinion is the most articulate one of all.” ([Location 3578](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3578)) - When you combine these three steps together, you suddenly get a very easy (and replicable) equation for consistently writing high-quality, high-performing content. For example: Curated List x Mistakes x 7 Industry Experts (Credibility #2) = the outline of an article titled, “7 Founders Share The Biggest Mistakes They Made Raising Money For Their First Startups” Credibility x Explanation (Why) x Expert (Credibility #1) = the outline of an article titled, “I Was A Professional World Of Warcraft Gamer As A Teenager. Here’s Why eSports Is Going To Become A Multi-Billion- Dollar Industry” Opinion x Lessons x My Perspective (Credibility #3) = the outline of an article titled, “Our Country’s Economy Is Falling Apart. Here’s What That Looks Like For Someone Living In A Low-Income Neighborhood”) ([Location 3584](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3584)) - Step 1: List Your 3 Content Buckets Each of these will be the categories you are looking to target over the long term. General Audience (Example: Productivity) Niche Audience (Example: Project Management Software) Company/Industry (Example: Software As A Service) ([Location 3597](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3597)) - Step 2: List 3+ Topics Under Each Bucket Within each bucket, pinpoint a few overarching topics you want to become an “influential voice” on, and write actively about. General Audience (Example: Productivity) Productivity Tips Time Management Techniques Curated Productivity Insights Niche Audience (Example: SaaS Startups) Startup Advice SaaS Insights Founder Stories Company/Industry (Example: Project Management Software) History Of Project Management Software Trends In Project Management Software New Research / Data In Project Management ([Location 3602](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3602)) - Step 3: Plug And Play Under Each Topic Then, underneath each Audience, and then each Topic, use the Endless Idea Generator to come up with hundreds of working headlines. General Audience (Example: Productivity) Productivity Tips HOW TO be more productive How X Startup Entrepreneurs, Pro Athletes, And Billionaires Stay Productive How Anyone Can Be More Productive With These X Small Shifts In Their Morning Routine How To Achieve Work-Life Balance Without Getting Fired WAYS to be more productive X Little-Known Ways To Make Yourself More Productive On A Daily Basis X Unconventional Ways <insert high-profile individual> Stays Productive On A Daily Basis X Unique Ways To Get More Work Done In 5x Less Time X Inexpensive Software Products That Will Help You Be More Productive THOUGHT LEADER RECOMMENDATIONS on how to be more productive What Michael Jordan’s Training Schedule Can Teach Us About Productivity Oprah’s Morning Routine Will Inspire You To Be More Productive. Here It Is These X NYT Best-Selling Books Will Change The Way You Think About Productivity Forever These X TED Talks Will Inspire You To Scrap Your Current Morning Routine And Do Things Differently—Right Now BEST BOOKS on how to be more productive This 1 Book On Productivity Will Inspire You To Stop Working After 3 p.m. These X books Are Filled With Timeless Productivity Hacks Everyone Should Read (Or At Least Keep On Their Bookshelf) If You Want To Be More Productive, You Absolutely Need To Read These X Books By The End Of The Year PODCASTS to help you be more productive X Podcasts You’ll Feel Productive Just Listening To X Podcasts That Feature The World’s Leading Productivity Experts These X Podcasts Will Teach You How To Simplify Your Life And Be More Productive HABITS of highly productive people X Habits Of Highly Productive People X Horrible Habits That Will Keep You From Ever Becoming Your Most Productive Self X Nighttime Habits That Ruin Your Sleep (And Your Productivity The Next Day) X Networking Habits That Will Waste Your Time And Demolish Your Productivity At A Conference These X Habits Might Sound Simple, But They’re The Single Best Way To Maximize Your Productivity Forever MISTAKES people make when trying to be productive X Mistakes People Make As Soon As They Start A New Routine X Apps People Think Will Make Them More Productive, But Actually Make Their Productivity Worse X Costly Mistakes Every Manager Makes When Trying To Maximize Team Productivity MYTHS people listen to (that keep them from being productive) X Things People Think Will Make Them More Productive, But Actually Won’t X Productivity Hacks The World Loves To Preach, But Are Just Quick Fixes And Myths X Obstacles Keeping Every Single One Of Us From Moving Productively Toward Our Dreams On A Daily Basis X Types Of Conflict In The Workplace That Eat Up Our Most Productive Hours DISTRACTIONS that ruin your productivity X Types Of Distractions That Are Horrible For Productive Work X Distractions That Need To Be… ([Location 3613](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3613)) - Convenience: You didn’t want to go scrolling through my library of 3,000+ articles to find the ones about writing. Buying this book and having all those insights here was easier (I saved you time). Specificity: You didn’t want to piece together handfuls of takeaways from all my free content. You wanted an entire resource dedicated to one specific topic: how to write online. Depth: You didn’t just want to read an 800-word article on the topic of online writing that barely skimmed the surface. You wanted 200+ pages, and you wanted examples, and you wanted stories, and you wanted to feel like if you went down this rabbit hole and made it all the way through this book, you’d emerge 100x more knowledgeable and prepared for success. ([Location 3949](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3949))  ## Highlights - There are 2 types of writers today: those who use data to inform and improve their writing, and those who fail. ([Location 573](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=573)) - They think they know who their audience is. They think they know what book they should write. They think they know which part of their story is going to resonate with the most people. They think they know “who they are”—and the brutal truth is, they don’t. They have assumptions. They have educated guesses. But they have zero data that can confirm whether or not they’re correct. ([Location 607](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=607)) - Likes = “This is something I approve of. Nice job.” Shares = “This is something more people need to know about. This represents me.” Comments = “This is thought provoking. I agree/disagree, and I want you to know why. ([Location 636](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=636)) - Views = “This strikes a chord. There’s something valuable here.” ([Location 639](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=639)) - But the truth is, the real reason most people aren’t successful writing online has very little to do with all the bells and whistles that surround the writing. Their biggest problem is the writing itself. ([Location 707](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=707)) - I would just like to point out that whether we like it or not, we are all playing “the game” as long as we’re on the internet. Which means, Level 1 is all about answering the question, “Am I playing this game consciously? Am I achieving my goal? Or am I playing this game unconsciously, and do I not care where I end up?” ([Location 723](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=723)) - Successful writers play the game of Online Writing consciously. Unsuccessful writers play the game unconsciously—and then wonder why they aren’t succeeding. ([Location 727](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=727)) - A category is a frame, a bucket, a spot on the shelf where similar objects reside. ([Location 753](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=753)) - It isn’t until the individual is within a category that they ask themselves, “Who is the single best writer in this category? ([Location 758](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=758)) - Categories are how we organize information in our minds. Know your category and you’ll know where readers “fit” you into their own minds. ([Location 762](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=762)) - All writing exists on a spectrum, and that spectrum looks something like this. Educating <<<>>> Entertaining On the left-hand side you have writing that informs and explains (textbooks, news, nonfiction, etc.) and on the right-hand side you have writing that captivates and entertains (true stories, fiction stories, etc.). ([Location 776](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=776)) - the real reason it “wins” is because its Rate of Revelation is so much higher. Every single sentence advances the “story” to the next main point. And on the internet, this level of velocity is crucial to hooking and keeping a reader’s attention. ([Location 858](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=858)) - Once you decide to play the online writing game consciously… Once you know what category you’re competing in… Once you see where your style sits on the Writing Spectrum… Once you become aware of your Rate of Revelation… The only thing left to do is be the most specific writer in your chosen category. ([Location 864](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=864)) - Other signals of Implied Credibility are: Profile picture: Right out the gate, if your profile picture is blurry and half-hearted, what you’re really telling readers is that you’re not “playing the game” seriously—so then why should they take you seriously? Bio: “I like cats, coffee, and watching Netflix,” is not an effective bio. Instead of trying to be clever, tell people who you are, what category your writing is in, and what makes you “credible.” Production quality: If you post pictures, graphic designs, or videos within your writing, then the quality of these content types are going to speak for you. Low-quality images, for example, are going to tell readers you’re operating on a shoestring budget. High-quality images, on the other hand, lead readers to believe you have the means to hire a professional photographer (which means, “This person must be successful.”). It’s implied. Grammar: There is no faster way to lose credibility with a reader than to have writing littered with mistakes. (However, I too was once a 17-year-old blogger who didn’t know the difference between ‘their’ and ‘they’re.’) So while grammar mistakes can be an issue, don’t let fear keep you from making progress as a writer. Just keep getting better as you go along. Organization of thought: If your writing reads smoothly, a reader is going to assume “you know what you’re doing.” If it’s formatted well, they’re going to assume “you’ve been writing for a while.” These are subtle signals of credibility in the form of expertise. Specificity: Remember, Specificity Is The Secret. The more specific you are, the more likely a reader is going to immediately assume they are in the right place, reading the right writer for them. This is what makes the “game” of online writing so fun. ([Location 956](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=956)) - Other signals of Perceived Credibility are: What credible people have to say about your writing: “Nicolas Cole is the single greatest writer of this generation.” –Abraham Lincoln Which major publications your writing has appeared in: “Featured in TIME, Forbes, Fortune, Business Insider, and many more.” How many followers you have on social media: 100,000 followers sends a signal you simply cannot send with 100 followers. High barrier-to-entry products: Writing a book, or launching a high-production video course, are signals of credibility simply because they typically either require a significant amount of expertise and/or money in order to execute. Badges and achievements: #1 best-selling author on Amazon, New York Times best-selling author, WSJ best-selling author, Top Writer on Quora, Top Writer on Medium, LinkedIn Influencer, Verified on Instagram or Twitter, etc. These are all examples of badges and achievements that can be leveraged for Perceived Credibility. How much money you’ve made from your craft: Mystery novelist James Patterson is “The world’s best-selling author. His total income over the past decade is estimated at $700 million.” That’s Perceived Credibility on a completely different level. ([Location 986](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=986)) - Other signals of Earned Credibility are: How long you’ve been creating content for: “Every day for 3 years” sends a very different signal than “I just started last week.” How often you create content: “I write something new every day” vs “I write something every few months, when I feel like it.” How much content you’ve created: “I have written more than 3,000 articles online” vs “I’ve written three blog posts.” How many people consume your content: “I have more than 1,000,000 views on my writing” vs “I have 300 views on my writing.” How well one of your pieces of content has performed: If one of your articles has thousands of Upvotes, Views, etc., that in itself is a badge of credibility—and clear proof what you have to say is valuable. What’s ([Location 1026](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=1026)) - DIFFERENT always beats “Better.” ([Location 1109](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=1109)) - match different audiences, genres, and writing styles to create a new and DIFFERENT category. ([Location 1114](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=1114)) - If your goal is to be a successful writer, then social platforms are for publishing first, and consuming second. I have a rule I live by, and it goes like this: “The number of hours I spend consuming should never equal or exceed the number of hours I spend creating.” One of ([Location 1526](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=1526)) - Audience Hacking means collaborating with another writer who has a similar audience to you—introducing your audience to them and their audience to you. ([Location 1734](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=1734)) - This was a very common tactic nearly every top contributing writer used at Inc Magazine. We would all set Google Alerts for companies and public figures that aligned with our respective columns, and we’d wait for them to be mentioned in the news. ([Location 1762](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=1762)) - Delete your original post, change a variable or two, and publish it again. When you publish something to the internet, there are a million variables that dictate whether or not that piece successfully catches fire. ([Location 1825](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=1825)) - Build syndication relationships with websites and major publications, and get around the “duplicate content” rule. “Syndication” is when major publications build partnerships with each other to share popular content. ([Location 1842](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=1842)) - There are five types of writing on the internet. Form #1: Actionable Guide Form #2: Opinion Form #3: Curated List Form #4: Story Form #5: Credible Talking Head ([Location 1952](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=1952)) - The way you “win” the game of online writing is by creating the single best possible version of whatever form of writing you’re using in your chosen category. ([Location 1961](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=1961)) - What makes a great headline is getting someone to understand three things at the exact same time: What this piece of writing is about Who this piece of writing is for The PROMISE: the problem that will be solved, and/or the solution being offered ([Location 2161](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=2161)) - Big Ideas From Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, And Jeff Bezos That Changed The World Forever” is more specific. If you’re interested in creativity and business, you know this article was written for you. “This 1 Big Idea Will Change The Way You Think About College” is a big PROMISE. This headline tells the reader, “The way you think about college will no longer be the same after you read this article.” ([Location 2175](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=2175)) - Nonfiction Examples “Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way To Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones” “The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, And Join The New Rich” “Play Bigger: How Pirates, Dreamers, And Innovators Create And Dominate Markets” ([Location 2200](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=2200)) - “7 Tips For Becoming Smarter” is clear, but a bigger PROMISE can help it reach more people. “7 Tips For Becoming Smarter, Achieving Chess-Master Memory, And Becoming The Most Interesting Person In The Room” ([Location 2272](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=2272)) - Here are some of the most proven headline formats in online writing: Big Numbers: For example, “3,000 People Just Filed For Unemployment In This Small Town In Arkansas. Here’s Why.” This is a great headline because “3,000 People” is concrete, definitive, easy to imagine, and yet an unexpectedly large number—and what’s unexpected is exciting. Dollar Signs: Money is about as universal as a topic can get. “$400 Million Is How Much You Need To Make In Order To Afford This Insane Mansion In Malibu” is eye-catching because very few people have $400 million. Dollar signs make the Curiosity Gap wider and more interesting for readers. Credible Names: Celebrities, CEOs, pop culture icons, anyone the world can easily recognize by name is a great way to hook readers’ attention. “Will Smith’s Advice On How To Live A Fulfilling Life Will Change The Way You See The World Forever” is a headline built on credibility. Yes, there’s a great PROMISE here, but the real “hook” comes from the fact that it’s advice from Will Smith. “Amazon, Apple, Tesla, And 4 Other Stocks That Have Made Early Investors Mega-Millionaires” is another example of how to leverage name credibility. “This Just Happened”: Timeliness is a terrific mechanism for getting readers’ attention right now. Words like “Just, Recently, Today, Now,” etc., are what tell a reader that of all the things on the internet to read, “this thing” is high priority. For example, “Michael Jordan Just Gave A Press Conference And NBA Executives Are Furious.” The reason you would want to read that article is to feel in-the-know. The Success Story: These headlines summarize an amazing event or rare occurrence that doesn’t happen every day. For example, “How This Small Team Managed To Secure A Six-Figure Investment In Less Than 1 Week” or “This 1 Group Activity Exercise Increased An Entire Office’s Productivity By 150%.” Things That Shouldn’t Go Together: Combining two or more things in a headline that don’t typically sit next to each other is a great way to force readers to pause and take an interest. For example, “7 Things KFC And Miley Cyrus Have In Common,” or, “What Jay-Z, Pablo Escobar, And Oprah Can Teach Us About Leadership.” For The Industry: These headlines work well when you’re writing for a very specific audience. So much so, that you want to call them out right in the title. The more specific you can be about who the piece is for, the better. For example, “3 Things All Successful Small Business Owners Do To Stay Profitable.” The Topic Within The Topic: Some headlines benefit from a bit of added curiosity. This is a technique that can be applied to any of the other headline structures, and can be a great way of making readers feel like they’re getting the “inside scoop.” For example, “7 Ways The Real Estate Industry Is Changing (And How You Should Be Investing Your Money).” The first part of the headline is strong, but it’s the second part of the headline (inside parentheses) that gives the first part more… ([Location 2340](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=2340)) - In 1/3/1, you have one strong opening sentence, three description sentences, and then one conclusion sentence. Visually, this is a powerful way to tell the reader you aren’t going to make them suffer through big blocks of text, and that you have their best interests in mind. Here’s how it works: This first sentence is your opener. This second sentence clarifies your opener. This third sentence reinforces the point you’re making with some sort of credibility or amplified description. And this fourth sentence rounds out your argument, guiding the reader toward your conclusion. This fifth sentence is your strong conclusion. ([Location 2461](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=2461)) - The types of introduction structures that work well are: 1/3/1 1/5/1 1/3/2/1 1/5/2/1 1/4/1/1 1/3/1 + 1/3/1 1/3/Subhead/3/1 1/3/1 + Bulleted List 1 + Subhead ([Location 2675](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=2675)) - Smart people read (a lot). Smart people hang around other smart people. Smart people love making mistakes. Smart people see value in all types of knowledge. Smart people work (very, very) hard. ([Location 2702](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=2702)) - This first sentence is your opener. This second sentence clarifies your opener. And this third sentence is why the reader should care. This fourth sentence starts to expand on the point. This fifth sentence is a story, or some sort of credible piece of insight. This sixth sentence builds on that story or insight and tells the reader something they maybe didn’t know. This seventh sentence is a small conclusion. And this eighth sentence is why that conclusion matters. This ninth sentence recaps what you just told the reader. This tenth sentence reinforces the argument you’re making with an additional tidbit or insight. And this eleventh sentence drives the point home. This twelfth sentence reminds the reader of the important takeaway. ([Location 2718](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=2718)) - This first sentence is your opener. This second sentence clarifies your opener. And this third sentence is why the reader should care. This fourth sentence is your mini conclusion. This fifth sentence is why that mini conclusion matters specifically to your target reader. ([Location 2774](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=2774)) - First, you never want to have three or more long paragraphs one after another. That style of writing has been dead for years, and anyone writing that way on the internet is clinging to a way things were but no longer are. Second, if you are going to have long paragraphs one after another, you want to find ways to change up their internal rhythm so they don’t feel or sound exactly the same. One way of doing this is by using punctuation. Have one paragraph with a lot of short, strong sentences. Have the next paragraph be one long, winding sentence. This is what makes them seem “different.” Lastly, notice how before and after both long paragraphs in the above excerpt there are single, declarative sentences. This is very intentional. Again, you want to subtly tell the reader, “I’m going to tell you a quick story—this will only take a second,” before giving them their next mile marker. There’s something about reading a single sentence after a long paragraph that gives a reader the same feeling a listener gets hearing a chord resolve on the piano. Let ([Location 2942](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=2942)) - Self-promotion on the internet follows the rule of opposites. The more you promote yourself, the less people listen. The less you promote yourself, the more people listen. ([Location 3243](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3243)) - If I tell you I am a 4x Top Writer on Quora with tens of millions of views on my writing, and that’s the only thing I tell you, then I seem like a self-centered egomaniac. But if I tell you I’m a 4x Top Writer on Quora with tens of millions of views on my writing, and I want to tell you how you can become a Top Writer with tens of millions of views on your own writing too, suddenly I don’t seem self-promotional. I’m just letting you know where my insights are coming from, and that I’m a credible source of information. ([Location 3265](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3265)) - The Golden Intersection of great writing is: Answering The Reader’s Question x Telling Them An Entertaining Story ([Location 3276](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3276)) - In the game of Online Writing, volume wins. ([Location 3471](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3471)) - The three types of “content buckets” I recommend are: General Audience: You should have one bucket that is aimed at universal topics. Things like positive habits, life lessons, productivity topics, etc., are big, broad categories that resonate with the widest number of people. How you make them relevant to you is by approaching them through your own specific lens. Let’s say you’re the VP of Marketing at a software company. You should write about life lessons learned as the VP of Marketing at a software company, or time management techniques you use day in and day out as The VP of Marketing at a software company. This same logic applies no matter who you are. You could be a poet, a foodie, or a master salesman, and there is still massive benefit in targeting universal topics through your own specific lens. Niche Audience: Your second content bucket should be hyper-relevant to your expertise. If you’re the VP of Marketing, then your niche audience would be “marketers”—and refined further, maybe “content marketers.” When speaking to this audience, you have the option of continuing to leverage universal topics to broaden your reach, or intentionally excluding general audiences by speaking directly to the intimate pain points your target reader is experiencing. My recommendation is to do both. Company/Industry Audience: Your third content bucket is the environment and industry you exist within. If you’re a violinist, you should be writing about the violin industry. If you’re a music producer, you should be writing about the music production industry. If you own a SaaS business, you should be writing about software as a service and the SaaS industry at large. If you are a writer, you should be writing about writing (in your specific genre). This third bucket is usually the easiest to pinpoint, however it’s an important one to add into the mix in order to be “seen” as a leader in your chosen category ([Location 3525](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3525)) - For example, here are my three content buckets: General Audience: Life advice, personal development, and self-mastery as it relates to my own life experiences as a writer and entrepreneur (and previously as a bodybuilder and professional gamer). Niche Audience: Online writing advice, self-publishing, and content marketing. Company/Industry Audience: Thought leadership and personal branding, specifically for executives, founders, investors, etc. ([Location 3542](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3542)) - Writing anything on the internet follows a very simple 3-step process. Step 1: What “Type” Of Writing Is This? Form #1: Actionable Guide Form #2: Opinion Form #3: Curated List Form #4: Story Form #5: Credible Talking Head Step 2: What “Idea” Am I Communicating Within This Piece Of Writing? Idea #1: Explanation (When/Where/How/What/Why Something Happens) Idea #2: Habits (To Achieve A Destination, Goal, Or State Of Being) Idea #3: Mistakes (Keeping You From Achieving A Destination, Goal, Or State Of Being) Idea #4: Lessons (Learned In Pursuit Of A Destination, Goal, Or State Of Being) Idea #5: Tips (That Can Help You In Your Own Pursuit Of A Destination, Goal, Or State Of Being) Idea #6: Stories (That Symbolize Or Explain Some Aspect Of The Pursuit Of A Destination, Goal, Or State Of Being) Idea #7: Timely Events (That Are Relevant To The Target Reader’s Knowledge, Awareness, Or Pursuit Of A Destination, Goal, Or State Of Being) ([Location 3555](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3555)) - Step 3: Why Me? Credibility #1: “I am an expert on this topic. Here’s what I think.” Credibility #2: “I went out and talked to all the trusted experts on this topic. Here are all their insights and opinions in one place.” Credibility #3: “I’m just sharing my opinion, but my opinion is the most articulate one of all.” ([Location 3578](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3578)) - When you combine these three steps together, you suddenly get a very easy (and replicable) equation for consistently writing high-quality, high-performing content. For example: Curated List x Mistakes x 7 Industry Experts (Credibility #2) = the outline of an article titled, “7 Founders Share The Biggest Mistakes They Made Raising Money For Their First Startups” Credibility x Explanation (Why) x Expert (Credibility #1) = the outline of an article titled, “I Was A Professional World Of Warcraft Gamer As A Teenager. Here’s Why eSports Is Going To Become A Multi-Billion- Dollar Industry” Opinion x Lessons x My Perspective (Credibility #3) = the outline of an article titled, “Our Country’s Economy Is Falling Apart. Here’s What That Looks Like For Someone Living In A Low-Income Neighborhood”) ([Location 3584](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3584)) - Step 1: List Your 3 Content Buckets Each of these will be the categories you are looking to target over the long term. General Audience (Example: Productivity) Niche Audience (Example: Project Management Software) Company/Industry (Example: Software As A Service) ([Location 3597](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3597)) - Step 2: List 3+ Topics Under Each Bucket Within each bucket, pinpoint a few overarching topics you want to become an “influential voice” on, and write actively about. General Audience (Example: Productivity) Productivity Tips Time Management Techniques Curated Productivity Insights Niche Audience (Example: SaaS Startups) Startup Advice SaaS Insights Founder Stories Company/Industry (Example: Project Management Software) History Of Project Management Software Trends In Project Management Software New Research / Data In Project Management ([Location 3602](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3602)) - Step 3: Plug And Play Under Each Topic Then, underneath each Audience, and then each Topic, use the Endless Idea Generator to come up with hundreds of working headlines. General Audience (Example: Productivity) Productivity Tips HOW TO be more productive How X Startup Entrepreneurs, Pro Athletes, And Billionaires Stay Productive How Anyone Can Be More Productive With These X Small Shifts In Their Morning Routine How To Achieve Work-Life Balance Without Getting Fired WAYS to be more productive X Little-Known Ways To Make Yourself More Productive On A Daily Basis X Unconventional Ways <insert high-profile individual> Stays Productive On A Daily Basis X Unique Ways To Get More Work Done In 5x Less Time X Inexpensive Software Products That Will Help You Be More Productive THOUGHT LEADER RECOMMENDATIONS on how to be more productive What Michael Jordan’s Training Schedule Can Teach Us About Productivity Oprah’s Morning Routine Will Inspire You To Be More Productive. Here It Is These X NYT Best-Selling Books Will Change The Way You Think About Productivity Forever These X TED Talks Will Inspire You To Scrap Your Current Morning Routine And Do Things Differently—Right Now BEST BOOKS on how to be more productive This 1 Book On Productivity Will Inspire You To Stop Working After 3 p.m. These X books Are Filled With Timeless Productivity Hacks Everyone Should Read (Or At Least Keep On Their Bookshelf) If You Want To Be More Productive, You Absolutely Need To Read These X Books By The End Of The Year PODCASTS to help you be more productive X Podcasts You’ll Feel Productive Just Listening To X Podcasts That Feature The World’s Leading Productivity Experts These X Podcasts Will Teach You How To Simplify Your Life And Be More Productive HABITS of highly productive people X Habits Of Highly Productive People X Horrible Habits That Will Keep You From Ever Becoming Your Most Productive Self X Nighttime Habits That Ruin Your Sleep (And Your Productivity The Next Day) X Networking Habits That Will Waste Your Time And Demolish Your Productivity At A Conference These X Habits Might Sound Simple, But They’re The Single Best Way To Maximize Your Productivity Forever MISTAKES people make when trying to be productive X Mistakes People Make As Soon As They Start A New Routine X Apps People Think Will Make Them More Productive, But Actually Make Their Productivity Worse X Costly Mistakes Every Manager Makes When Trying To Maximize Team Productivity MYTHS people listen to (that keep them from being productive) X Things People Think Will Make Them More Productive, But Actually Won’t X Productivity Hacks The World Loves To Preach, But Are Just Quick Fixes And Myths X Obstacles Keeping Every Single One Of Us From Moving Productively Toward Our Dreams On A Daily Basis X Types Of Conflict In The Workplace That Eat Up Our Most Productive Hours DISTRACTIONS that ruin your productivity X Types Of Distractions That Are Horrible For Productive Work X Distractions That Need To Be… ([Location 3613](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3613)) - Convenience: You didn’t want to go scrolling through my library of 3,000+ articles to find the ones about writing. Buying this book and having all those insights here was easier (I saved you time). Specificity: You didn’t want to piece together handfuls of takeaways from all my free content. You wanted an entire resource dedicated to one specific topic: how to write online. Depth: You didn’t just want to read an 800-word article on the topic of online writing that barely skimmed the surface. You wanted 200+ pages, and you wanted examples, and you wanted stories, and you wanted to feel like if you went down this rabbit hole and made it all the way through this book, you’d emerge 100x more knowledgeable and prepared for success. ([Location 3949](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3949))  ## Highlights - There are 2 types of writers today: those who use data to inform and improve their writing, and those who fail. ([Location 573](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=573)) - They think they know who their audience is. They think they know what book they should write. They think they know which part of their story is going to resonate with the most people. They think they know “who they are”—and the brutal truth is, they don’t. They have assumptions. They have educated guesses. But they have zero data that can confirm whether or not they’re correct. ([Location 607](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=607)) - Likes = “This is something I approve of. Nice job.” Shares = “This is something more people need to know about. This represents me.” Comments = “This is thought provoking. I agree/disagree, and I want you to know why. ([Location 636](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=636)) - Views = “This strikes a chord. There’s something valuable here.” ([Location 639](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=639)) - But the truth is, the real reason most people aren’t successful writing online has very little to do with all the bells and whistles that surround the writing. Their biggest problem is the writing itself. ([Location 707](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=707)) - I would just like to point out that whether we like it or not, we are all playing “the game” as long as we’re on the internet. Which means, Level 1 is all about answering the question, “Am I playing this game consciously? Am I achieving my goal? Or am I playing this game unconsciously, and do I not care where I end up?” ([Location 723](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=723)) - Successful writers play the game of Online Writing consciously. Unsuccessful writers play the game unconsciously—and then wonder why they aren’t succeeding. ([Location 727](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=727)) - A category is a frame, a bucket, a spot on the shelf where similar objects reside. ([Location 753](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=753)) - It isn’t until the individual is within a category that they ask themselves, “Who is the single best writer in this category? ([Location 758](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=758)) - Categories are how we organize information in our minds. Know your category and you’ll know where readers “fit” you into their own minds. ([Location 762](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=762)) - All writing exists on a spectrum, and that spectrum looks something like this. Educating <<<>>> Entertaining On the left-hand side you have writing that informs and explains (textbooks, news, nonfiction, etc.) and on the right-hand side you have writing that captivates and entertains (true stories, fiction stories, etc.). ([Location 776](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=776)) - the real reason it “wins” is because its Rate of Revelation is so much higher. Every single sentence advances the “story” to the next main point. And on the internet, this level of velocity is crucial to hooking and keeping a reader’s attention. ([Location 858](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=858)) - Once you decide to play the online writing game consciously… Once you know what category you’re competing in… Once you see where your style sits on the Writing Spectrum… Once you become aware of your Rate of Revelation… The only thing left to do is be the most specific writer in your chosen category. ([Location 864](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=864)) - Other signals of Implied Credibility are: Profile picture: Right out the gate, if your profile picture is blurry and half-hearted, what you’re really telling readers is that you’re not “playing the game” seriously—so then why should they take you seriously? Bio: “I like cats, coffee, and watching Netflix,” is not an effective bio. Instead of trying to be clever, tell people who you are, what category your writing is in, and what makes you “credible.” Production quality: If you post pictures, graphic designs, or videos within your writing, then the quality of these content types are going to speak for you. Low-quality images, for example, are going to tell readers you’re operating on a shoestring budget. High-quality images, on the other hand, lead readers to believe you have the means to hire a professional photographer (which means, “This person must be successful.”). It’s implied. Grammar: There is no faster way to lose credibility with a reader than to have writing littered with mistakes. (However, I too was once a 17-year-old blogger who didn’t know the difference between ‘their’ and ‘they’re.’) So while grammar mistakes can be an issue, don’t let fear keep you from making progress as a writer. Just keep getting better as you go along. Organization of thought: If your writing reads smoothly, a reader is going to assume “you know what you’re doing.” If it’s formatted well, they’re going to assume “you’ve been writing for a while.” These are subtle signals of credibility in the form of expertise. Specificity: Remember, Specificity Is The Secret. The more specific you are, the more likely a reader is going to immediately assume they are in the right place, reading the right writer for them. This is what makes the “game” of online writing so fun. ([Location 956](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=956)) - Other signals of Perceived Credibility are: What credible people have to say about your writing: “Nicolas Cole is the single greatest writer of this generation.” –Abraham Lincoln Which major publications your writing has appeared in: “Featured in TIME, Forbes, Fortune, Business Insider, and many more.” How many followers you have on social media: 100,000 followers sends a signal you simply cannot send with 100 followers. High barrier-to-entry products: Writing a book, or launching a high-production video course, are signals of credibility simply because they typically either require a significant amount of expertise and/or money in order to execute. Badges and achievements: #1 best-selling author on Amazon, New York Times best-selling author, WSJ best-selling author, Top Writer on Quora, Top Writer on Medium, LinkedIn Influencer, Verified on Instagram or Twitter, etc. These are all examples of badges and achievements that can be leveraged for Perceived Credibility. How much money you’ve made from your craft: Mystery novelist James Patterson is “The world’s best-selling author. His total income over the past decade is estimated at $700 million.” That’s Perceived Credibility on a completely different level. ([Location 986](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=986)) - Other signals of Earned Credibility are: How long you’ve been creating content for: “Every day for 3 years” sends a very different signal than “I just started last week.” How often you create content: “I write something new every day” vs “I write something every few months, when I feel like it.” How much content you’ve created: “I have written more than 3,000 articles online” vs “I’ve written three blog posts.” How many people consume your content: “I have more than 1,000,000 views on my writing” vs “I have 300 views on my writing.” How well one of your pieces of content has performed: If one of your articles has thousands of Upvotes, Views, etc., that in itself is a badge of credibility—and clear proof what you have to say is valuable. What’s ([Location 1026](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=1026)) - DIFFERENT always beats “Better.” ([Location 1109](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=1109)) - match different audiences, genres, and writing styles to create a new and DIFFERENT category. ([Location 1114](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=1114)) - If your goal is to be a successful writer, then social platforms are for publishing first, and consuming second. I have a rule I live by, and it goes like this: “The number of hours I spend consuming should never equal or exceed the number of hours I spend creating.” One of ([Location 1526](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=1526)) - Audience Hacking means collaborating with another writer who has a similar audience to you—introducing your audience to them and their audience to you. ([Location 1734](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=1734)) - This was a very common tactic nearly every top contributing writer used at Inc Magazine. We would all set Google Alerts for companies and public figures that aligned with our respective columns, and we’d wait for them to be mentioned in the news. ([Location 1762](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=1762)) - Delete your original post, change a variable or two, and publish it again. When you publish something to the internet, there are a million variables that dictate whether or not that piece successfully catches fire. ([Location 1825](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=1825)) - Build syndication relationships with websites and major publications, and get around the “duplicate content” rule. “Syndication” is when major publications build partnerships with each other to share popular content. ([Location 1842](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=1842)) - There are five types of writing on the internet. Form #1: Actionable Guide Form #2: Opinion Form #3: Curated List Form #4: Story Form #5: Credible Talking Head ([Location 1952](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=1952)) - The way you “win” the game of online writing is by creating the single best possible version of whatever form of writing you’re using in your chosen category. ([Location 1961](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=1961)) - What makes a great headline is getting someone to understand three things at the exact same time: What this piece of writing is about Who this piece of writing is for The PROMISE: the problem that will be solved, and/or the solution being offered ([Location 2161](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=2161)) - Big Ideas From Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, And Jeff Bezos That Changed The World Forever” is more specific. If you’re interested in creativity and business, you know this article was written for you. “This 1 Big Idea Will Change The Way You Think About College” is a big PROMISE. This headline tells the reader, “The way you think about college will no longer be the same after you read this article.” ([Location 2175](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=2175)) - Nonfiction Examples “Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way To Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones” “The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, And Join The New Rich” “Play Bigger: How Pirates, Dreamers, And Innovators Create And Dominate Markets” ([Location 2200](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=2200)) - “7 Tips For Becoming Smarter” is clear, but a bigger PROMISE can help it reach more people. “7 Tips For Becoming Smarter, Achieving Chess-Master Memory, And Becoming The Most Interesting Person In The Room” ([Location 2272](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=2272)) - Here are some of the most proven headline formats in online writing: Big Numbers: For example, “3,000 People Just Filed For Unemployment In This Small Town In Arkansas. Here’s Why.” This is a great headline because “3,000 People” is concrete, definitive, easy to imagine, and yet an unexpectedly large number—and what’s unexpected is exciting. Dollar Signs: Money is about as universal as a topic can get. “$400 Million Is How Much You Need To Make In Order To Afford This Insane Mansion In Malibu” is eye-catching because very few people have $400 million. Dollar signs make the Curiosity Gap wider and more interesting for readers. Credible Names: Celebrities, CEOs, pop culture icons, anyone the world can easily recognize by name is a great way to hook readers’ attention. “Will Smith’s Advice On How To Live A Fulfilling Life Will Change The Way You See The World Forever” is a headline built on credibility. Yes, there’s a great PROMISE here, but the real “hook” comes from the fact that it’s advice from Will Smith. “Amazon, Apple, Tesla, And 4 Other Stocks That Have Made Early Investors Mega-Millionaires” is another example of how to leverage name credibility. “This Just Happened”: Timeliness is a terrific mechanism for getting readers’ attention right now. Words like “Just, Recently, Today, Now,” etc., are what tell a reader that of all the things on the internet to read, “this thing” is high priority. For example, “Michael Jordan Just Gave A Press Conference And NBA Executives Are Furious.” The reason you would want to read that article is to feel in-the-know. The Success Story: These headlines summarize an amazing event or rare occurrence that doesn’t happen every day. For example, “How This Small Team Managed To Secure A Six-Figure Investment In Less Than 1 Week” or “This 1 Group Activity Exercise Increased An Entire Office’s Productivity By 150%.” Things That Shouldn’t Go Together: Combining two or more things in a headline that don’t typically sit next to each other is a great way to force readers to pause and take an interest. For example, “7 Things KFC And Miley Cyrus Have In Common,” or, “What Jay-Z, Pablo Escobar, And Oprah Can Teach Us About Leadership.” For The Industry: These headlines work well when you’re writing for a very specific audience. So much so, that you want to call them out right in the title. The more specific you can be about who the piece is for, the better. For example, “3 Things All Successful Small Business Owners Do To Stay Profitable.” The Topic Within The Topic: Some headlines benefit from a bit of added curiosity. This is a technique that can be applied to any of the other headline structures, and can be a great way of making readers feel like they’re getting the “inside scoop.” For example, “7 Ways The Real Estate Industry Is Changing (And How You Should Be Investing Your Money).” The first part of the headline is strong, but it’s the second part of the headline (inside parentheses) that gives the first part more… ([Location 2340](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=2340)) - In 1/3/1, you have one strong opening sentence, three description sentences, and then one conclusion sentence. Visually, this is a powerful way to tell the reader you aren’t going to make them suffer through big blocks of text, and that you have their best interests in mind. Here’s how it works: This first sentence is your opener. This second sentence clarifies your opener. This third sentence reinforces the point you’re making with some sort of credibility or amplified description. And this fourth sentence rounds out your argument, guiding the reader toward your conclusion. This fifth sentence is your strong conclusion. ([Location 2461](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=2461)) - The types of introduction structures that work well are: 1/3/1 1/5/1 1/3/2/1 1/5/2/1 1/4/1/1 1/3/1 + 1/3/1 1/3/Subhead/3/1 1/3/1 + Bulleted List 1 + Subhead ([Location 2675](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=2675)) - Smart people read (a lot). Smart people hang around other smart people. Smart people love making mistakes. Smart people see value in all types of knowledge. Smart people work (very, very) hard. ([Location 2702](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=2702)) - This first sentence is your opener. This second sentence clarifies your opener. And this third sentence is why the reader should care. This fourth sentence starts to expand on the point. This fifth sentence is a story, or some sort of credible piece of insight. This sixth sentence builds on that story or insight and tells the reader something they maybe didn’t know. This seventh sentence is a small conclusion. And this eighth sentence is why that conclusion matters. This ninth sentence recaps what you just told the reader. This tenth sentence reinforces the argument you’re making with an additional tidbit or insight. And this eleventh sentence drives the point home. This twelfth sentence reminds the reader of the important takeaway. ([Location 2718](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=2718)) - This first sentence is your opener. This second sentence clarifies your opener. And this third sentence is why the reader should care. This fourth sentence is your mini conclusion. This fifth sentence is why that mini conclusion matters specifically to your target reader. ([Location 2774](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=2774)) - First, you never want to have three or more long paragraphs one after another. That style of writing has been dead for years, and anyone writing that way on the internet is clinging to a way things were but no longer are. Second, if you are going to have long paragraphs one after another, you want to find ways to change up their internal rhythm so they don’t feel or sound exactly the same. One way of doing this is by using punctuation. Have one paragraph with a lot of short, strong sentences. Have the next paragraph be one long, winding sentence. This is what makes them seem “different.” Lastly, notice how before and after both long paragraphs in the above excerpt there are single, declarative sentences. This is very intentional. Again, you want to subtly tell the reader, “I’m going to tell you a quick story—this will only take a second,” before giving them their next mile marker. There’s something about reading a single sentence after a long paragraph that gives a reader the same feeling a listener gets hearing a chord resolve on the piano. Let ([Location 2942](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=2942)) - Self-promotion on the internet follows the rule of opposites. The more you promote yourself, the less people listen. The less you promote yourself, the more people listen. ([Location 3243](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3243)) - If I tell you I am a 4x Top Writer on Quora with tens of millions of views on my writing, and that’s the only thing I tell you, then I seem like a self-centered egomaniac. But if I tell you I’m a 4x Top Writer on Quora with tens of millions of views on my writing, and I want to tell you how you can become a Top Writer with tens of millions of views on your own writing too, suddenly I don’t seem self-promotional. I’m just letting you know where my insights are coming from, and that I’m a credible source of information. ([Location 3265](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3265)) - The Golden Intersection of great writing is: Answering The Reader’s Question x Telling Them An Entertaining Story ([Location 3276](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3276)) - In the game of Online Writing, volume wins. ([Location 3471](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3471)) - The three types of “content buckets” I recommend are: General Audience: You should have one bucket that is aimed at universal topics. Things like positive habits, life lessons, productivity topics, etc., are big, broad categories that resonate with the widest number of people. How you make them relevant to you is by approaching them through your own specific lens. Let’s say you’re the VP of Marketing at a software company. You should write about life lessons learned as the VP of Marketing at a software company, or time management techniques you use day in and day out as The VP of Marketing at a software company. This same logic applies no matter who you are. You could be a poet, a foodie, or a master salesman, and there is still massive benefit in targeting universal topics through your own specific lens. Niche Audience: Your second content bucket should be hyper-relevant to your expertise. If you’re the VP of Marketing, then your niche audience would be “marketers”—and refined further, maybe “content marketers.” When speaking to this audience, you have the option of continuing to leverage universal topics to broaden your reach, or intentionally excluding general audiences by speaking directly to the intimate pain points your target reader is experiencing. My recommendation is to do both. Company/Industry Audience: Your third content bucket is the environment and industry you exist within. If you’re a violinist, you should be writing about the violin industry. If you’re a music producer, you should be writing about the music production industry. If you own a SaaS business, you should be writing about software as a service and the SaaS industry at large. If you are a writer, you should be writing about writing (in your specific genre). This third bucket is usually the easiest to pinpoint, however it’s an important one to add into the mix in order to be “seen” as a leader in your chosen category ([Location 3525](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3525)) - For example, here are my three content buckets: General Audience: Life advice, personal development, and self-mastery as it relates to my own life experiences as a writer and entrepreneur (and previously as a bodybuilder and professional gamer). Niche Audience: Online writing advice, self-publishing, and content marketing. Company/Industry Audience: Thought leadership and personal branding, specifically for executives, founders, investors, etc. ([Location 3542](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3542)) - Writing anything on the internet follows a very simple 3-step process. Step 1: What “Type” Of Writing Is This? Form #1: Actionable Guide Form #2: Opinion Form #3: Curated List Form #4: Story Form #5: Credible Talking Head Step 2: What “Idea” Am I Communicating Within This Piece Of Writing? Idea #1: Explanation (When/Where/How/What/Why Something Happens) Idea #2: Habits (To Achieve A Destination, Goal, Or State Of Being) Idea #3: Mistakes (Keeping You From Achieving A Destination, Goal, Or State Of Being) Idea #4: Lessons (Learned In Pursuit Of A Destination, Goal, Or State Of Being) Idea #5: Tips (That Can Help You In Your Own Pursuit Of A Destination, Goal, Or State Of Being) Idea #6: Stories (That Symbolize Or Explain Some Aspect Of The Pursuit Of A Destination, Goal, Or State Of Being) Idea #7: Timely Events (That Are Relevant To The Target Reader’s Knowledge, Awareness, Or Pursuit Of A Destination, Goal, Or State Of Being) ([Location 3555](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3555)) - Step 3: Why Me? Credibility #1: “I am an expert on this topic. Here’s what I think.” Credibility #2: “I went out and talked to all the trusted experts on this topic. Here are all their insights and opinions in one place.” Credibility #3: “I’m just sharing my opinion, but my opinion is the most articulate one of all.” ([Location 3578](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3578)) - When you combine these three steps together, you suddenly get a very easy (and replicable) equation for consistently writing high-quality, high-performing content. For example: Curated List x Mistakes x 7 Industry Experts (Credibility #2) = the outline of an article titled, “7 Founders Share The Biggest Mistakes They Made Raising Money For Their First Startups” Credibility x Explanation (Why) x Expert (Credibility #1) = the outline of an article titled, “I Was A Professional World Of Warcraft Gamer As A Teenager. Here’s Why eSports Is Going To Become A Multi-Billion- Dollar Industry” Opinion x Lessons x My Perspective (Credibility #3) = the outline of an article titled, “Our Country’s Economy Is Falling Apart. Here’s What That Looks Like For Someone Living In A Low-Income Neighborhood”) ([Location 3584](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3584)) - Step 1: List Your 3 Content Buckets Each of these will be the categories you are looking to target over the long term. General Audience (Example: Productivity) Niche Audience (Example: Project Management Software) Company/Industry (Example: Software As A Service) ([Location 3597](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3597)) - Step 2: List 3+ Topics Under Each Bucket Within each bucket, pinpoint a few overarching topics you want to become an “influential voice” on, and write actively about. General Audience (Example: Productivity) Productivity Tips Time Management Techniques Curated Productivity Insights Niche Audience (Example: SaaS Startups) Startup Advice SaaS Insights Founder Stories Company/Industry (Example: Project Management Software) History Of Project Management Software Trends In Project Management Software New Research / Data In Project Management ([Location 3602](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3602)) - Step 3: Plug And Play Under Each Topic Then, underneath each Audience, and then each Topic, use the Endless Idea Generator to come up with hundreds of working headlines. General Audience (Example: Productivity) Productivity Tips HOW TO be more productive How X Startup Entrepreneurs, Pro Athletes, And Billionaires Stay Productive How Anyone Can Be More Productive With These X Small Shifts In Their Morning Routine How To Achieve Work-Life Balance Without Getting Fired WAYS to be more productive X Little-Known Ways To Make Yourself More Productive On A Daily Basis X Unconventional Ways <insert high-profile individual> Stays Productive On A Daily Basis X Unique Ways To Get More Work Done In 5x Less Time X Inexpensive Software Products That Will Help You Be More Productive THOUGHT LEADER RECOMMENDATIONS on how to be more productive What Michael Jordan’s Training Schedule Can Teach Us About Productivity Oprah’s Morning Routine Will Inspire You To Be More Productive. Here It Is These X NYT Best-Selling Books Will Change The Way You Think About Productivity Forever These X TED Talks Will Inspire You To Scrap Your Current Morning Routine And Do Things Differently—Right Now BEST BOOKS on how to be more productive This 1 Book On Productivity Will Inspire You To Stop Working After 3 p.m. These X books Are Filled With Timeless Productivity Hacks Everyone Should Read (Or At Least Keep On Their Bookshelf) If You Want To Be More Productive, You Absolutely Need To Read These X Books By The End Of The Year PODCASTS to help you be more productive X Podcasts You’ll Feel Productive Just Listening To X Podcasts That Feature The World’s Leading Productivity Experts These X Podcasts Will Teach You How To Simplify Your Life And Be More Productive HABITS of highly productive people X Habits Of Highly Productive People X Horrible Habits That Will Keep You From Ever Becoming Your Most Productive Self X Nighttime Habits That Ruin Your Sleep (And Your Productivity The Next Day) X Networking Habits That Will Waste Your Time And Demolish Your Productivity At A Conference These X Habits Might Sound Simple, But They’re The Single Best Way To Maximize Your Productivity Forever MISTAKES people make when trying to be productive X Mistakes People Make As Soon As They Start A New Routine X Apps People Think Will Make Them More Productive, But Actually Make Their Productivity Worse X Costly Mistakes Every Manager Makes When Trying To Maximize Team Productivity MYTHS people listen to (that keep them from being productive) X Things People Think Will Make Them More Productive, But Actually Won’t X Productivity Hacks The World Loves To Preach, But Are Just Quick Fixes And Myths X Obstacles Keeping Every Single One Of Us From Moving Productively Toward Our Dreams On A Daily Basis X Types Of Conflict In The Workplace That Eat Up Our Most Productive Hours DISTRACTIONS that ruin your productivity X Types Of Distractions That Are Horrible For Productive Work X Distractions That Need To Be… ([Location 3613](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3613)) - Convenience: You didn’t want to go scrolling through my library of 3,000+ articles to find the ones about writing. Buying this book and having all those insights here was easier (I saved you time). Specificity: You didn’t want to piece together handfuls of takeaways from all my free content. You wanted an entire resource dedicated to one specific topic: how to write online. Depth: You didn’t just want to read an 800-word article on the topic of online writing that barely skimmed the surface. You wanted 200+ pages, and you wanted examples, and you wanted stories, and you wanted to feel like if you went down this rabbit hole and made it all the way through this book, you’d emerge 100x more knowledgeable and prepared for success. ([Location 3949](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08GZK274F&location=3949))