Most of the culture wars are a struggle between what’s best for the children and what’s best for the childless.
Usually, the better someone does their job, the easier it looks. You rarely realize how hard it is until you try it yourself.
Good habits form great writing.
Here are 9 dead-simple habits of of advanced writers to practice
(you probably aren't doing):
1. Consumption sessions
All writers you look up to set aside weekly at least 1 hour to:
• pursue their curiosity
• research popular posts in their niche
• consume content on different topics (to get original ideas)
Quality of your consumption = quality of your thoughts.
2. Thinking about the reader
If you don't know what to write about...
you don't know WHO are you writing TO.
Whenever you're feeling desperate, do this simple exercise:
Write down:
• WHO are you writing to
• WHAT are their problems (specific)
• WHAT are their emotions
• WHAT are their frustrations
• WHAT is the transformation you can provide
Only a few bullets like this can lead to astonishing clarity.
3. Repurposing old content
Good writers = data driven writers.
Every week, set aside at least 30 mins to review your past content.
Save anything that got a lot of
• retweets
• replies
• profile visits
Then use it as a guide for your future content.
4. Take a walk before writing
Your subconscious mind is a powerful tool.
Whenever you get a good content idea (by using previous points)...
...go for a walk & let the mind fill in the blanks.
Even better:
Put on a podcast/audiobook related to the topic.
5. Writing with no distractions
This is a classic.
Yet a non-negotiable.
The future of the digital world belongs to those who are able to enter a focused state at will.
To begin, dedicate at least 30 mins of interrupted writing sessions every day.
Then, build up over time.
6. Leave space before writing and editing
You can't edit properly if you're in the writer's mode.
Once you're finished writing, give yourself time to recharge.
Let your work breathe.
You're a much better editor when you're in the reader's mode.
7. Use the editing checklist
Before hitting publish, answer these questions:
• Did I deliver on the promise I made in the headline?
• Am I writing to 1 person?
• Is it clear?
• Is there anything unnecessary I need to cut off?
• Is the rhythm ok (read out loud)?
8. Batch-writing
You don't need to create content every single day.
If you're busy, you can batch different tasks/projects on single day.
Create hooks & outlines for threads on Mondays
Batch-write tweets on Sundays
Batch-write articles on Saturdays
A huge time-saver.
9. Create an outline first
2 rules of effortless writing:
1. Never start from a blank page
2. Never write from A to Z
Instead...
• create the headline/hook
• brainstorm main bullet points
• do additional research for specific points (if needed)
9 habits of advanced writers you probably aren't doing:
1. Consumption sessions
2. Creating the reader's avatar
3. Repurposing old content
4. Walk before writing
5. No distractions
6. Leaving space
7. The editing checklist
8. Batch-writing
9. Outlining
My tweets have gotten 27.3 MILLION impressions in the last 81 days.
My secret success factor: Human psychology.
14 psychological triggers to turbo-boost your writing:
(don’t use for evil)
Social media engagement happens based on a mix of logic and emotion.
By taking into account the science behind persuasive design, convincing copywriting, and group dynamics, you add an edge to your writing.
Use these techniques to apply hidden influence to your tweets:
The pain of losing is 2X greater than the pleasure of gaining.
You can use this in thread hooks and tweet openers.
Sell the value of reading.
Implicitly, people realize they’ll miss out if they don’t read now.
Groupthink
Groups tend to prefer harmony and conformity more than creativity and individual responsibility.
Broad open-ended questions usually won't get as much engagement.
Instead, provide examples and guard rails.
Set the stage for harmony.
Blockers for getting into writing flow:
• Aiming too broad
• Choosing a topic you dread
• Editing + writing at the same time
• Researching + writing at the same time
• Not knowing what your audience cares about
• Not prepping your workspace against distractions
What else?
Bandwagon effect
People want to do it because others are doing it.
Getting a critical mass of social proof makes everything better.
Especially if you’re a small account, message a few friends for support on your threads.
Get those numbers up.
Pixar almost failed.
Until Steve Jobs found its competitive advantage.
Last Thurs - 5,517 business leaders learned to uncover their advantage.
Don’t miss out. Grab your guide for $0 below: 
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Desire to belong
Humans have a deep need to be accepted in social groups.
If you’re part of a group, identify it. Talk about topics relevant to just that group.
Your niche is instantly more clear.
People who want to belong will flock to you.
Curiosity gap (Open loop)
When some information is withheld it makes the reader curious to read on.
Be careful not to give too much away in your threads in your hook or second tweet.
Save the summary for the end.
I just discovered a kindergarten teacher who is making $80K/mth with a side hustle.
And that's not even the wildest part of this story - there are tons of other teachers doing it too.
Let me tell you about it 
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Paradox of choice
Difficult to make decisions when given too many options.
The most important aspect of your profile is the “what’s in it for me?”
Offer too much to your potential follower, they may get overwhelmed.
has a clear focus:
Credibility
People are more likely to trust someone who shows evidence of being worth their confidence.
Work credibility not just into your profile, but into your tweets and threads.
Share why your opinion matters.
Instant gratification
The urge to satisfy a craving right away.
Sadly, this means that going into great depth or offering links on Twitter usually falls flat.
Instead, offer something immediate and actionable right now.
Two ways I like to build authority:
1. Compete
What does your dream customer believe that's false?
Example: Likes Ain't Cash
2. Complement
Which trends could you join?
Example: Tweet Hunter (Monetize, Grow and Network all in one)
Honesty (and dishonesty)
A negative trigger that can reduce engagement.
Avoid clickbait that over-promises and then comes up short.
Instead, share your honest experience.
The more clickbaity the headline, the more value you have to deliver.
Dickie Bush 
The KING of YouTube:
Mr. Beast.
Over the last 12 months, he's gained over 50,000,000 subscribers.
So I binge watched 100 hours of his videos to study how he's done it so quickly.
And here's his 3-part framework for rapid growth (that you can use on any platform):
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Clarity (and murkiness)
A negative trigger: when your writing is difficult to understand.
Stress and anxiety counteract the dopamine hit given by your content.
Use simple language even for complex topics. Edit for flow. Cut what you can.
Visual appeal
Even words on a page get judged visually before they are read.
Tweets that look like a lot of work get skipped.
Instead, draw the eye in. Use tight sentences, bullet lists, and plenty of whitespace.
Your engagement will see a lift.
Rob Lennon 
Any content you create sits on a Viral to Value Spectrum.
On one side, value, which is:
• Deep
• Specific
• Actionable
On the other, virality:
• Easy
• Instant
• Relatable
It's near impossible to optimize for both.
Visual hierarchy
Elements should attract attention in a hierarchy of importance.
Use sub-headers to organize tweets in a thread.
Use bullets instead of comma-separated lists.
Twitter is text-based, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore this.
Use structure to guide the reader.
Structure, as in, sentence structure, but also titles, headers, bullets, etc.
• Helps reader follow the sequence of events
• Shows relationships between actors and ideas
• Adds visual interest to long-form text
• Makes it skimmable
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Novelty
Your tweets have novelty when you share new and unexpected ideas and stories.
Novelty is associated with the joys of learning, which activates the dopamine system.
By posting original thoughts, your ideas rise above the rest.
This is my 5 year story about becoming a far better storyteller.
Goal: Hold the audience's attention as well as Neil deGrasse Tyson.
I started with podcasting. But, every time I spoke, I sounded like a buffoon.
Why?
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Familiarity
Repetition breeds familiarity and familiarity breeds trust.
Show up daily in someone’s feed, and they’re more likely to interact with your content because they recognize you.
Use familiar formatting. A familiar voice, tone, and brand.
Rob Lennon Understanding your personal brand will give you:
• Clarity
• Charisma
• Confidence
And I'm going to show you how to put yours together.
--> My 4-part framework to create your own personal brand:
(based on 15 years in marketing)
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Novelty
Credibility
Groupthink
Familiarity
Visual appeal
Loss aversion
Desire to belong
Visual hierarchy
Bandwagon effect
Instant gratification
Paradox of choice
Curiosity gap (open loop)
Honesty (and dishonesty)
Clarity (and murkiness)
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