Shortform Books

A Closer Look at the Effect of Placebo Antidepressants

What is the effect of placebo antidepressants on depression? What is the harm in using placebo drugs to treat depression? Placebo antidepressants work by stimulating the drug user’s belief in the power of the treatment to cure depression. The drug itself cannot cure depression, it is the placebo effect of using the drug that instigates improvement in the patient. The harm comes from the side effects of antidepressants which include weight gain, sexual dysfunction, and increased risk of diabetes. Read on to learn more about the effect of placebo antidepressants.

How to Become an Expert: The 2 Steps Toward Mastery

Do you know how to become an expert at something? What commitment is needed? To become an expert, you must invest a great amount of time. That time must be focused on the right thing for it to be productive. You also need to have a purposeful approach, seeking new and better ways to do what you’re doing. Keep reading to learn how to become an expert.

Trigger Marketing: Getting Customers to Buy

What is trigger marketing? How can you use triggers to get people talking about your product? Trigger marketing uses reminders or associations to make customers remember your product. This could take the form of a popular slogan, event, an action, or even a smell. Having effective marketing triggers will remind potential customers about your product to increase the likelihood they will buy it. Keep reading to learn more about trigger marketing.

Basic Economics: Book Overview (Thomas Sowell)

Have you ever wondered how an economy works—how millions of people can buy and sell goods and services without a master coordinator? Why do we use money, rather than bartering our services with each other? Why do some nations prosper, while others stay poor despite vast natural resources? In his book Basic Economics, Stanford economist Thomas Sowell answers all of these questions and more. Containing no math, he instead explains intuitive principles that will help you understand how market transactions work and the effect of policies on the economy. Below is a brief overview of Basic Economics: A Citizen’s Guide

Gamification Marketing: Leveling Up Engagement

What is gamification marketing? How can you apply game mechanics to your product or service to increase engagement? Gamification marketing involves using game mechanics to give customers a sense of accomplishment. For example, a company might introduce a reward system or competition related to its product. Doing this increases engagement and word of mouth as people generally like to talk about their accomplishments. Keep reading to find out more about gamification marketing.

Your Guide to Authentic Living: Brené Brown’s Advice

What does it mean to live authentically? Why is vulnerability a large part of authentic living? What are some common barriers to authentic living? In her book The Gifts of Imperfection, Brené Brown says that the first step in living Wholeheartedly is to practice living authentically. However, this can be difficult when society’s expectations don’t line up with your authentic self. Here’s Brené Brown’s advice on how to live authentically in a judgemental world.

Sales Prospecting Tips From Mike Weinberg

4 Tips for Selling Yourself Successfully to Customers

Do you regularly prospect for new customers? What is the best way to approach sales prospecting? Sales prospecting kickstarts the entire sales process, yet few business owners give it the time and attention it deserves. In his book New Sales Simplified, sales expert Mike Weinberg stresses the importance of regular prospecting and provides some tips on how to incorporate it into your processes. Keep reading for sales prospecting tips from Mike Weinberg, one of the most renowned and trusted sales experts in the world.

Understanding the Economics of Financial Markets

What is the purpose of financial markets? How does a financial market (such as a market for stocks and bonds) work? Financial markets are markets specifically designed for moving and managing money. This includes stock and bond markets as well as insurance markets. What other markets do for tangible goods, financial markets do for capital—essentially, they direct it to where it can be the most productive, which, in general, is where it’s earning the highest return. In this article, we’ll explore the economics of financial markets, explain the four basic needs they serve and discuss the common misbelief about financial

Distracted by Social Media? Try These Things

Are you easily distracted by social media? What can you do to improve your relationship with social media? Is taking a detox or sabbatical a good idea? Social media companies design their apps to be addictive—it makes you feel like you’re being productive (catching up on current events or seeing what family and friends are up to), but in fact, the gains are minor. Cal Newport argues that taking a temporary detox is ineffective and the best way to improve your relationship with social media is to limit your usage. Here’s how you can evelop a healthier relationship with social

Have a Problem? Put Your Trust in God’s Hands

What does it mean to put your trust in God? Do you believe you can ask God a question and trust you get an answer? According to Norman Vincent Peale, the author of The Power of Positive Thinking, God will always answer if you put your trust in Him. To communicate with God, you need to state your problem, then ask for a specific answer. Believe you will get that answer and believe that right now you are gaining the power to deal with your problem. Here is how to ask God for help, according to Peale.