Layering even boring statements in catch phrases from pop culture grabs a lot more attention than even a great point could have otherwise. The key is giving people something they can click with and relate to in your writing.

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Trisha, @mayobrains on Twitter

“Effective leaders have the courage to say what they’re thinking - and that usually turns out to be what everyone else is thinking.” - William Isaacs, author of Dialogue and the Art of Thinking Together

“At the first gate the gatekeeper asks, Is it true? At the second gate, he asks, Is it necessary? And at the third gate, Is it kind?”

Make sure every word passes all three gates before you speak them.

Headlines are the most important part of your post. Write it last. At worst, write something temporary to help you stay on topic, and then go back and really fix it up before you hit publish.

I’ve added a special new kind of post for micro-blogging. You’ll see these in the category called “Pithy Notes” under “Pithy Ideas.”

by Patricia Mayo

I don’t like link lists. In fact, I downright hate ‘em. Whenever I see “Del.icio.us Links for 4-19-08″ I just keep on scrolling. Why?

Original Photo by Daniel K. Gebhart

Don’t you feel like you’re being screamed at? “Look at me, look at me! I’m clickable, you should click! Yes, yes… click! Click now!” Yeah, big deal. Just because I can doesn’t mean I should.

The only reason I am productive - and stay productive - is being picky about what gets my attention. 80% of headlines don’t say enough, and 99% of blog titles don’t say enough. I need more.

Maki over at DoshDosh has the right idea and gives a bit of context. Call me anal retentive, but that’s what I like to see. What about you?

by Patricia Mayo

Photo by TW Collins

You can plant a field by starting with just one seed.

You can get a million subscribers if you publish just one podcast.

You can have server-crushing traffic if you write just one blog post.

You can become the biggest and the best company in the world with just one customer.

When other people can see what you imagine, you make the saying “seeing is believing” work to your benefit. Don’t hesitate to simply make a few things a little more concrete - because now you have something to show for all your great ideas.