Listening to internet trolls messes up your mojo, but so does working in isolation. Try this compromise instead. — I recently stumbled across an article in the Harvard Business Review on how to stop worrying about what other people think of you. No, really — that’s the title of the article. In “How to Stop Worrying About What Other People Think of You,” psychologist Michael Gervais digs into the…

Subheadings help readers grasp how your articles are organized, but they have search marketing and visibility perks, too. — Skimmers are people, too. When you embrace subheadings, you reach more readers with your work. A subheading is a transition point in an article that signals either a new section or new narrative direction. Subheadings are sometimes called subheadlines, subheads, or SUBHEDs (journalism shorthand), and they give both readers and…

An unexpected reply from the scientist on Goodreads offered sage vocational advice. — (This article is part of a series called The 700-Word Read: journalistic, anecdotal posts that park under 700 words, to practice succinct storytelling.) What you studied in school doesn’t matter as much as how you show up today. Neil deGrasse Tyson is a lifelong scientist, scholar, and beloved public figure…

The newsletter startup’s new social media-esque feature creates new visibility opportunities for online professionals. Here’s what to know. — A great alternative to Twitter might be right under your nose. Substack Notes is the newsletter company’s newest social media-inspired update. The feature, released just last month, lets writers publish short form updates and curate content from other sources, all in one feed-based setting.

The productivity app reached a whopping $10 billion valuation in 2021. But is it right for you? — For years, I told people they’d have to pry Apple Notes out of my cold, dead hands. I knew where things were, and that was good enough for me. If you already have a system for staying organized, why disrupt that routine? Then a trusted friend showed me Notion, and…

Opinion editorial is a category of content that brings awareness to current events or topics of importance. Here’s what to include. — If you have a strong opinion about current events in your community, knowing how to write an editorial essay can help you land more media coverage. Editorial writing is when someone submits an opinion-based article to a newspaper or other media outlet. Good editorials are measured and fair, but they…

Leading grit expert Angela Duckworth’s research was again validated in a recent study on what makes professional creatives go the distance. — (This article is part of a series called The 700-Word Read: journalistic, anecdotal posts that park under 700 words, to practice succinct storytelling.) A growth mindset has many advantages. Helping you achieve your goals may not be one of them. Research psychologist and MacArthur “Genius Grant” recipient Angela Duckworth specializes…

The triple Oscar® winner, 35, said onstage his impostor syndrome was at “an all-time high” upon receiving the award for best original writing. — (This article is part of a series called The 700-Word Read: journalistic, anecdotal posts that park under 700 words, to practice succinct storytelling.) The better you get at your craft, the louder your impostor syndrome often becomes. A side comment from “Everything Everywhere All At Once” co-director and co-writer Daniel…

An appeal board determined that consumers inevitably associate the phrase with the bop virtuoso’s brand, overruling the United States Patent and Trademark Office. — (This article is part of a series called The 700-Word Read: journalistic, anecdotal posts that park under 700 words, to practice succinct storytelling.) Sorry to interrupt, but it’s “100% That Bitch®,” actually. Grammy-winning songstress Lizzo won a years-long trademark battle last month when the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board overruled…