Writing

Keep replaying a challenging event in your mind? Or overthinking something that’s already happened? What if you could turn that mental loop into a tool for growth… and even better health? Dr. James Pennebaker’s ‘Writing Protocol’ is a simple, science-backed way to do just that. In fact, hundreds of scientific studies show that it significantly improves immediate and long-term health. Here’s how it works: 1. Write for 15 minutes, once a week
↳ Tip: Focus on the same emotionally challenging event every time. 2. Keep it raw and unfiltered
↳ Tip: Don’t worry about grammar or structure (this is just for you). 3. Stick with it for 4 weeks
↳ Tip: Make it a ritual. Same time, same place. Over 200 peer-reviewed scientific studies show this practice (which is essentially expressive writing) improves mental clarity, emotional resilience, and even physical health. No gimmicks, no cost. Just you, a pen, and some paper. P.S. Do you ever find yourself overthinking about something negative that happened?

There’s this “breakup” email a lot of sellers use that says: “Have you given up solving for [ problem ]?” Which is counterproductive IMO, because it suggests that either: 1/ There’s no real problem worth solving for. When something’s a genuine problem, your prospects don’t just say, “Eh, you know what? This is hard. I give up.” 2/ It’s not you they might have given up on. It’s a very real possibility they gave up on you, not the problem. They went their own way, or decided to kickoff their project with another partner. 3/ De-prioitizing something isn’t giving up. It’s actually an executive skillset. Choosing to “let fires burn” so you can shift your team’s time and attention to other projects. Something like this always worked for me instead: Subject: Checkout Project Kickoff Hey Erica, Seems like eComm shifted focus, or kicked off their checkout project already. Either way’s cool. But our Success team’s still holding time for you just in case. (We'd need to kickoff by March 31, to be ready for summer shopping season.) What can I let them know? Any other "breakup" emails you all like, that actually get replies?

Say NO to Boring Emails – Effective Ways to Write Newsletters ✨ If your newsletters aren't capturing attention, they’re probably ending up in the trash. [UNSUBSCRIBE] 🙂 When I first started sending out newsletters, I quickly learned that getting people to open and actually read them was no easy task. But over time, I discovered some strategies that really work & they’re: ✅ 1. Start with a Hook that Grabs Attention I’ve found that using curiosity, urgency, or a strong benefit always draws readers in. Example: I used to send out “Monthly Updates,” but now I go for something like "5 Secrets to Boost Your Productivity This Month." A small change, but makes a big difference. ✅ 2. Know Your Audience When I began focusing on what my clients and customers really cared about—whether it was solving a pain point or helping them reach a goal—my engagement skyrocketed. Example: If your audience is mostly small business owners, focus on providing tips that help them grow their customer base or manage their time better. For instance, I once shared strategies on how to negotiate like a PRO, and it resonated so well that I got multiple replies from readers thanking me for the practical advice. ✅ 3. Keep It Concise, But Valuable No fluff, just value. Focus on delivering brief, impactful content with actionable insights. Example: Instead of the usual “Consistency is key,” I recommend something specific like "Posting three times a week builds momentum. Use a content calendar to stay organized." ✅ 4. Use Visuals to Break Up Text It makes the content more relatable and keeps readers engaged. I always include visuals—whether it’s a snapshot of me working on a project or enjoying a coffee break or useful resources. ✅ 5. Add a Personal Touch Sharing personal stories or insights has made my newsletters feel more like a conversation rather than a broadcast. Example: I often talk about my early struggles and the strategies that eventually worked for me withproven solutions. ✅ 6. Include a Clear Call-to-Action (CTA) Every email is an opportunity to guide my readers to the next step. Whether it’s clicking a link, replying to the email, or signing up for a masterclass, Example: I might say, “Reply to this email with your biggest challenge, and I’ll share a solution.” This not only encourages interaction but also shows that I’m here to help. Top creators have viral newsletters because they understand their audience, deliver valuable and actionable content, and create genuine connections. What’s your top tip for writing engaging newsletters as a creator or reader? __________________________ PS: Want to maximize your business, learn effective strategies to freelance, and grow your network? Join my newsletter with 45,000+ subscribers here: https://lnkd.in/g2WpkBjH

I constantly get recruiter reachouts from big tech companies and top AI startups- even when I’m not actively job hunting or listed as “Open to Work.” That’s because over the years, I’ve consciously put in the effort to build a clear and consistent presence on LinkedIn- one that reflects what I do, what I care about, and the kind of work I want to be known for. And the best part? It’s something anyone can do- with the right strategy and a bit of consistency. If you’re tired of applying to dozens of jobs with no reply, here are 5 powerful LinkedIn upgrades that will make recruiters come to you: 1. Quietly activate “Open to Work” Even if you’re not searching, turning this on boosts your visibility in recruiter filters. → Turn it on under your profile → “Open to” → “Finding a new job” → Choose “Recruiters only” visibility → Specify target titles and locations clearly (e.g., “Machine Learning Engineer – Computer Vision, Remote”) Why it works: Recruiters rely on this filter to find passive yet qualified candidates. 2. Treat your headline like SEO + your elevator pitch Your headline is key real estate- use it to clearly communicate role, expertise, and value. Weak example: “Software Developer at XYZ Company” → Generic and not searchable. Strong example: “ML Engineer | Computer Vision for Autonomous Systems | PyTorch, TensorRT Specialist” → Role: ML Engineer → Niche: computer vision in autonomous systems → Tools: PyTorch, TensorRT This structure reflects best practices from experts who recommend combining role, specialization, technical skills, and context to stand out. 3. Upgrade your visuals to build trust → Use a crisp headshot: natural light, simple background, friendly expression → Add a banner that reinforces your brand: you working, speaking, or a tagline with tools/logos Why it works: Clean visuals increase profile views and instantly project credibility. 4. Rewrite your “About” section as a human story Skip the bullet list, tell a narrative in three parts: → Intro: “I’m an ML engineer specializing in computer vision models for autonomous systems.” → Expertise: “I build end‑to‑end pipelines using PyTorch and TensorRT, optimizing real‑time inference for edge deployment.” → Motivation: “I’m passionate about enabling safer autonomy through efficient vision AI, let’s connect if you’re building in that space.” Why it works: Authentic storytelling creates memorability and emotional resonance . 5. Be the advocate for your work Make your profile act like a portfolio, not just a resume. → Under each role, add 2–4 bullet points with measurable outcomes and tools (e.g., “Reduced inference latency by 35% using INT8 quantization in TensorRT”) → In the Featured section, highlight demos, whitepapers, GitHub repos, or tech talks Give yourself five intentional profile upgrades this week. Then sit back and watch recruiters start reaching you, even in today’s competitive market.

🔑 What separates a good LinkedIn post from a great one? Great posts aren’t just read....... They’re shared, discussed, and remembered. Here’s the formula to elevate your content: 1️⃣ Hook Them Early ✨ Use the first 2–3 lines to grab attention. Example: “The biggest LinkedIn mistake? It’s not what you think.” 2️⃣ Deliver Value ✨ Focus on educating, inspiring, or solving a problem for your audience. Example: “After running 50 campaigns, here’s what I’ve learned about LinkedIn’s algorithm.” 3️⃣ Create Conversations ✨ End with a CTA that sparks comments. Example: “Agree or disagree with these tips? Let’s discuss below!” 4️⃣ Polish for Readability ✨ Use short paragraphs, bullet points, and white space to make your post easy to skim. Why It Works: ✅ Hooks draw readers in. ✅ Value keeps them engaged. ✅ CTAs build relationships. Final Thought 🌟 Great posts don’t just inform, they connect. They make your audience feel seen, heard, and ready to engage. What’s your formula for creating LinkedIn content that stands out? Let’s discuss it! 🚀 #LinkedInTips #ContentThatConnects #EngagementSuccess

I was talking resumes recently with a hiring manager, who said, "I immediately ignore those words." What was he talking about? What he called "fuzzy language." Words like: - Dynamic - Strategic - Analytical - Collaborative - Creative thinker - Self-starter Most resumes are full of fuzzy words like this: "Dynamic, strategic product leader bringing creative thinking and collaboration skills to bear to create meaningful products in the ecommerce space." These phrases "sound good" but have negative impact on getting interviews. The point is that claiming you're something doesn't carry much weight. You need to show you're something. That's a lot more effective. For example, don't say you're "strategic." Instead, have a bullet point about how you created a strategy to achieve something (respond to a problem), then executed that strategy, and it led to meaningful results. A little story that *shows* you are strategic, know how to create a strategy to achieve an objective, and then drive it to success. It's 1000x more meaningful to the hiring manager reading your resume than simply saying you're strategic.

i built this prompt to make me proficient in any technical topic. it's been a godsend. it includes technical depth, but translates every piece of jargon into plain english with a real world example. feel free to steal it: 🧠 Deep Research Prompt Template (Extensible Version) Objective: Create a comprehensive research report on [INSERT TOPIC HERE]. The goal is to build a deep conceptual understanding of the topic — from its theoretical foundations to its real-world applications — so that I can use this as a launchpad for further exploration. Audience: A non-technical but intellectually fluent reader. I’m comfortable following complex discussions, but I’m not formally trained in this technical domain. Tone & Style: - Write in a clear, structured, and explanatory style. - Include technical depth, but translate every piece of jargon into plain English. - After each complex term, formula, or mechanism, provide: a) A plain-language translation (explain it like you’re teaching an intelligent layperson). b) A real-world, tangible example or analogy that makes the idea concrete. Content Requirements: 1) Foundations Section - Define the core principles, vocabulary, and historical context behind [TOPIC]. - Explain why this field exists, what problems it solves, and who pioneered it. - Use simple examples to show the basic mechanics at play. 2) Core Concepts & Mechanics Section - Dive into the key theories, processes, or frameworks that make up the topic. - Introduce any math, algorithms, or scientific models central to the field. - For each technical concept, pair the explanation with: a) A plain-language breakdown. b) A real-world illustration (e.g., from everyday life, business, nature, or technology). 3) Applications & Implications Section - Show how [TOPIC] is applied in real-world systems, industries, or technologies. - Include notable case studies or examples that demonstrate its impact. - Explain why understanding these concepts matters — what it enables or changes. 4) Integration & Broader Context Section - Connect this field to adjacent domains (e.g., how it interacts with math, physics, biology, economics, etc.). - If relevant, trace how the theory translates into practice (e.g., from code → circuits → behavior). - Highlight open questions or ongoing research frontiers. 5) Formatting & Accessibility Guidelines - Use clear headings, subheadings, and summaries at the end of major sections. - Define jargon inline, not in a glossary. - Use metaphors, analogies, or thought experiments liberally. - If helpful, include short “mental models” or “rules of thumb” to aid intuitive understanding. Output Goal: A research-style explainer (typically 3,000–5,000 words) that is educational, accessible, and intellectually rigorous — something that helps a curious but non-specialist reader gain a working, conceptual mastery of [TOPIC].

Inaccessibility is all around us - but sometimes we’re doing it without even realising. I’ve made every one of these mistakes in the past. It wasn’t until someone took the time to point them out that I learned how inaccessible I was being - despite having good intentions. Here are 5 ways you might be being inaccessible, without even knowing: 1. Long LinkedIn headlines or overuse of emojis. Screen reader users hear your full headline every single time you post or comment. Every. Single. Time. Even when it’s truncated visually. That can mean hearing your full job title, emojis, and taglines multiple times before even reaching your post content. Try to keep your headline under 100 characters or two lines max - it makes a huge difference. 2. Long email signatures, HTTP links, and unlabelled images. Screen readers will read out every line - including things like “H-T-T-P-colon-slash-slash…” for full URLs. Images without alt text are completely invisible to screen reader users. Keep it short and simple, and use alt text wherever you can. Put only essential info in your email signature and put two dashes at the top to signal your signature is starting. And remember, it’s not your marketing tool. When was the last time you actually bought something from an email signature?! 3. Not running documents through the accessibility checker. You run a spell check, so why not an acceeeibility check? It’s a quick step, but it can flag things like heading structures, contrast issues, and missing image descriptions. It takes seconds and makes a big impact. 4. Using colour alone to convey meaning. For example, “I’ve marked the important cells in green” doesn’t help if someone can’t perceive colour easily. Neither does “I’ve shaded the cells for our RAG status”. Always add a label, icon, or another indicator. 5. Using all lowercase hashtags. #thisisnotaccessible - screen readers can’t parse where one word ends and another begins. Use camel case instead - #ThisIsAccessible - so screen readers pronounce the words correctly. Small changes, big impact. If you’ve made some of these mistakes before - welcome to the club. We learn, we improve, we do better. #DisabilityInclusion #Disability #DisabilityEmployment #Adjustments #DiversityAndInclusion #Content #A11y

In my 14yrs career in engineering working for Big Tech companies such as Google and Uber, there is no other skill I used more than writing. And no, I don’t mean writing code. I mean English writing. Emails, Design Docs, Presentations, Feedback, Code Reviews, you name it. Here's how I make my written communication clear, effective, and punchy. 👇 Written communication can sometimes be daunting, especially for non-native speakers—like me. That’s why I wanted to share  the 6 questions that I use when writing anything. This helps me communicate more effectively and connect with my audience better. 1. Who is my target audience? Identify the specific group or individuals you are speaking to. Knowing your audience assists you in customizing your writing to meet their requirements and interests. 2. What is my main objective or purpose? Clarify the primary goal of your writing. Whether it's to inform, persuade, entertain, or educate, knowing your objective guides your content. 3. What key points do I want to convey? Identify the main idea or key points you want to communicate. This will help you stay focused and make sure your message is clear and logical. 4. Why should the reader care about this? Consider the value or benefit your writing offers to the reader. Highlight how it addresses their needs or solves a problem. 5. Is my writing clear, concise, and organized? Make sure your content is clear and easy to understand. Keep the flow logical and avoid using complex language or jargon that might confuse the reader. 6. Can I make my writing shorter? The answer is always yes. So make sure to edit edit edit. Brevity saves time for both the writer and the reader. What else would you add to this list? How does your writing process look like? ♻️ Please repost if you found this useful

I recently came across a thought-provoking article challenging the prevalent use of 'precolonial' in describing African history and experiences. It sheds light on how this term, while often applied solely to Africa, might not accurately depict the diverse and complex nature of the continent's history and cultures. The piece aptly highlights the dangers of homogenizing Africa, treating it as a monolithic entity devoid of diverse histories, institutions, and experiences. The term 'precolonial' often misleads and obscures rather than illuminates the rich tapestry of African societies and their evolution through time. It's crucial to acknowledge that while terms like 'pre-Roman Britain,' 'pre-moorish Spain,' or 'pre-Columbian America' exist, their usage differs significantly from the exclusive application of 'precolonial' to Africa. This discrepancy raises questions about the underlying assumptions and motivations behind such categorizations. As we navigate historical frameworks, it's essential to be mindful of the context and the implications of the terms we use. Rather than relying on oversimplified labels, let's strive for a nuanced understanding that respects the complexities and diverse narratives within African history. The concept of 'precolonial' Africa deserves critical examination, challenging the inherited narratives and striving for a more inclusive and accurate portrayal of the continent's rich and varied past. What are your thoughts on the usage of 'precolonial'? How can we reshape historical discourse to better represent the complexities of African history and cultures? #AfricanHistory #HistoricalNarratives #ContextMatters #DiversityInHistory #DecolonizingHistory