Category: Uncategorized

  • Go ahead, make some content someone could hate

    This is not about ragebait (please, no more ragebait). It is about making content that’s for someone… and *not* for someone else.

  • Have we lost the plot about blogging? A conversation on the Superpath podcast

    I joined Alex Hilleary on the Superpath podcast a few weeks to talk about (what else?) my thoughts on blogging and how we can make it better. The following is an excerpted transcription of our conversation, lightly edited for concision and readability.

  • How I made a content strategy for my business in 4 hours

    I’ve talked to a number of folks in the past few months who do similar work to me and who I think have “good content” online, and when I asked them about their content strategies, most of them went “Uh, well…” And honestly, same. Why is it that I have made literally dozens of content…

  • Envelope stuffing entertainment [January]

    One of my favorite things about having a print newsletter is actually the physicality behind it. Every month, I have to fold and assemble the newsletters, and then address, stuff, seal, and stamp the envelopes, a process that now takes me, on average, 3-4 hours. It’s “monotonous” work, but I’ve started saving videos or things…

  • One year of experimenting with a print newsletter: results, reflections & what I learned

    One year ago I started an experiment that many of you have participated in (perhaps unknowingly):I started a print newsletter. Newsletters are so “in” right now. Everyone kept telling me “You need a newsletter.” blah blah blah… And I kept resisting. Like, look, I write a lot of email newsletters for clients, so I know…

  • Envelope stuffing entertainment [November]

    One of my favorite things about having a print newsletter is actually the physicality behind it. Every month, I have to fold and assemble the newsletters, and then address, stuff, seal, and stamp the envelopes, a process that now takes me, on average, 2-3 hours. It’s “monotonous” work but it’s also very soothing work. At…

  • What does it look like to be in your corner?

    I’ve had my fair share of “coffee chat” style networking calls, both good and… well, some you wish you hadn’t agreed to. But a few weeks ago, I had a very lovely coffee chat with Annie Evans. She was, as they say, a good hang. At the end of these calls, it’s really common to…

  • “You should post about this more!”

    When I tell people I started an old-school micro blog, this is often the response. To be clear, there are no problems with this response — I take it as a compliment. People think this is a cool idea (hey, thanks!!) and wish more people knew about it. But I also think it highlights just…

  • For concision, draft on your phone

    I hate typing on my stupid little iPhone keyboard. It’s a big step up from ye olde T9 phone keypads of yore, but STILL. The benefit: When I want to find a more succinct way to share an idea, I draft it on my phone, not my laptop. While my full-size laptop keyboard lets me…

  • Do experiences matter?

    I work in tech and write for a lot of tech companies, so many of the voices I hear chattering away online are also people who work in tech. And it’s kind of starting to feel like a lot of people don’t really… care about experiencing things for themselves anymore? Like, running tests and doing…

  • What happens when you replace ads with art?

    For the past two weeks, every single ad in Grand Central Station has been swapped out for an enormous, immersive art exhibit called “Dear New York,” led by Brandon Stanton (the guy who runs the famous Humans of New York brand). Photos from the Smithsonian, Brandon Stanton, Colossal Steinway also donated a Concert Grand, staged…

  • Extreme beachcombing, inspiration vs. imitation, and lovely sketchbooks

    Five things for your Friday This extreme beachcomber’s museum was so delightful and… beautiful? And also… shocking? Anyway, this little mini-doc is worth a watch. This English professor decided to see what would happen if he tried to replace himself with AI. His thoughtful, nuanced take — including his students’ perspective — on a semester-long…

  • Make a spare key *before* you need one

    I locked my car keys in my car a few days ago. It was a real lock the door → wait do I have my keys? → oh crap, there they are on the front seat moment. AAA estimated two hours to send out a technician… and did I mention it was raining? And I…

  • Pancake art, 3,000 books, & bad brain metaphors

    Five things for your Friday You’ve (genuinely) never seen pancake art like this before. Whatever you think this video is going to be, prepare to be surprised in the best way. Really lovely handwritten booklist charting one man’s life in books — over 3,000 titles An absolutely on-point marketing trends report about the increasing move…

  • Where my ideas come from (lately)

    People love asking about and thinking about where ideas come from. Over the past week or so, here’s where my ideas for blog posts, email newsletters, my print newsletter, client proposals, and other work-related stuff have appeared: Standing at the kitchen sink doing the dishes On a walk Waiting for the light to turn red…