The Sirens’ Call by Chris Hayes—Book Overview & Takeaways

A cell phone with long red hair sitting on a rock in the ocean like a siren

Do you struggle to maintain mental focus? What actions can you take to resist the attention economy? In The Sirens’ Call, MSNBC host Chris Hayes demystifies the mechanics of an economy built to commandeer your attention. He reveals how our attention has become a commodity seized and controlled by media platforms and advertisers for their profit. Continue reading for an overview of the book, along with insights on how to regain control of your mental life.

Writing for Busy Readers: Book Overview & Exercises

An up close image of a hand holding a pen and writing in a notebook

Why are some writers more successful than others at connecting with readers? How can you write more effectively? According to behavioral scientists Todd Rogers and Jessica Lasky-Fink, successful writers write effectively. In Writing for Busy Readers, Todd Rogers and Jessica Lasky-Fink offer evidence-based techniques you can use to improve your impact and increase your reach no matter what you’re writing about. Continue reading to learn why effective writing is so important and for the eight-step process to improve your writing.

Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams—Book Overview

The Facebook logo on a plain blue background

Can tech leaders be trusted to shape our future? What happens when profit and power trump ethics and accountability? In Careless People, Sarah Wynn-Williams—Facebook’s Director of Global Policy from 2011-2017—offers an insider account of her time working at Facebook. In this memoir and tell-all, Wynn-Williams alleges that Facebook’s top leaders were dangerously reckless people who caused great harm in the world. Keep reading to learn more about the dark side of Facebook, as told by an insider.

What Is Effective Writing? Rogers and Lasky-Fink Explain

A man practicing effective writing while using his laptop in a cafe

When you write, does it have purpose? Do you tailor your writing to your readers? According to behavioral scientists Todd Rogers and Jessica Lasky-Fink, successful writers write effectively. This means they convince readers that their content is worth engaging with, and they get their message across in a way that’s easy for readers to understand. Continue reading to learn what effective writing is from the book Writing for Busy Readers.

How to Spread a Message: Who, How, and When to Do It

A woman spreading a message by hanging a paper on a bulletin board

Do you want to know how to spread a message with your writing? What factors do you need to consider? Part of an effective writing strategy is knowing how to spread a message. You need to consider who the spokesperson will be, what medium you’ll use, when you’ll share your content, and how to follow up with your audience. Continue reading for advice from behavioral scientists Todd Rogers and Jessica Lasky-Fink.

How to Get Your Point Across Effectively Through Writing

An artistic image of a woman yelling into a megaphone to get a point across

Do you know how to get your point across in writing? Is long-form or short-form writing more effective? What should be in your CTA? In Writing for Busy Readers, authors and behavioral scientists Todd Rogers and Jessica Lasky-Fink teach you how to clearly get a point across. They argue that clarity, conciseness, and simplicity are key factors. Here are two important things to keep in mind when you’re trying to make a point.

How to Write Effectively: The Ultimate 8-Step Guide

A woman learning how to write effectively in her notebook in a cafe

Do you want to cause a stir with your writing? How can you make your writing more effective? In their book Writing for Busy Readers, Rogers and Lasky-Fink offer evidence-based techniques for how to write effectively. We’ve reordered the principles to guide you through the writing process step by step—from big-picture planning to sentence-level polish and beyond. Below, we’ll guide you through eight steps toward more effective writing.

Writing With Purpose: How to Identify & Refine Your Goal

A man's finger pointing at a document on a desk, portraying the importance of writing with purpose

Do you struggle to stay on track with your writing? How can you align your goals with your readers’ goals? Behavioral scientists Todd Rogers and Jessica Lasky-Fink write in their book Writing for Busy Readers that in order for your writing to make an impact, you have to write with purpose. To write with purpose, you must identify your goals and your readers’ goals. Keep reading to learn how to instill purpose into your messages.

How to Use Visual Formatting Effectively in Your Messaging

A stack of books on a table with titles that relate to visual formatting

How much does visual formatting affect your ability to spread a message? In what ways can bad formatting be misinterpreted? When you’re trying to spread a message, the formatting you choose can be just as important as the words. The authors of the book Writing for Busy Readers share advice for properly applying visual formatting. Here are tips from behavioral scientists Todd Rogers and Jessica Lasky-Fink.