The Quiet Quotient

Writing for a Living - Luck is the Spark, Consistency is the Fire

Want to get paid to write? You’ll need a pinch of talent, a splash of timing, and a heaping spoonful of luck. Connect with me:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-hansen-b67412169/

The Power of Storytelling

Let’s talk about storytelling. No, not the fairy tales your parents told you when you were seven (although, shoutout to the Grimms for making bedtime weird). I’m talking about storytelling as the operating system of the human brain.Connect with me:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-hansen-b67412169/

Story Autopsy: The Most Dangerous Game

The Most Dangerous Game isn’t just a short story; it’s a masterclass in tension and a takedown of privilege. It’s the ancestor of every “hunter becomes the hunted” plot, from The Hunger Games to John Wick. So, what makes this story tick? Let’s break it down.Connect with me:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-hansen-b67412169/

Why Content Strategy Is Vital—and How Writers Can Drive It Home

Content is king. We’ve heard this axiom so many times it feels like a 90s sitcom catchphrase, right up there with “How you doin’?” But here’s the thing: content is king. It's also the court jester, the advisor, and sometimes, the executioner. In an industry saturated with digital noise, content strategy has become the survival kit for brands trying to cut through the cacophony. Without it, you're just another TikTok video nobody watches or a blog post buried on page 7 of Google.Connect with me:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-hansen-b67412169/

Stop the Scroll Winning Content Strategies for 2025

The world of content marketing has always been a whirlwind, but as we head into 2025, it's clear that the landscape is shifting faster than ever. Algorithms change, attention spans shrink, and the competition for eyeballs becomes fiercer by the second. If you’re a writer or marketer looking to stand out, the formula is surprisingly simple: be concise, stay defined, and grab attention—fast.Connect with me:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-hansen-b67412169/

Is Failing Really Necessary for Success?

In the world of writing, success stories often seem to follow a similar arc: drafts, rejection slips, and finally, publication. This pattern has led to the belief that failure is a crucial part of the journey to becoming a successful writer. But is that really the case? The truth may be a little more complex than the popular “fail to succeed” advice suggests. Let’s unpack it from a writer’s point of view.Connect with me:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-hansen-b67412169/

The Hardest Part of Being a Content Manager? Life.

The hardest part of being a content manager isn’t figuring out the perfect headline, crafting the ultimate campaign, or aligning SEO goals with a client’s wildest dreams. It’s life. It’s the messiness that creeps into the spaces between team meetings, brainstorm sessions, and content calendars.Connect with me:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-hansen-b67412169/

Writing & Tech Layoffs Survival of the Sharpest

Welcome to the layoff lottery, where the tech world is discovering the sharp edge of the economic pendulum swing. Google, Meta, Amazon—they’re all trimming the fat, shedding staff, and “streamlining operations” (read: letting people go). As hundreds of thousands of workers recalibrate their professional lives, it’s worth reflecting on one skill that could make or break your survival in this Brave New Workplace. And no, I’m not talking about Python or a robust LinkedIn profile. I’m talking about writing.Connect with me:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-hansen-b67412169/

How Writing Techniques Can Help You Improve in Other Areas

Writing is often seen as just a way to communicate ideas, tell stories, or share information, but the skills we develop through writing can also be incredibly useful in other areas of our lives and careers. Whether you're in marketing, business, tech, or education, the techniques and habits that good writers rely on can help you become more successful and effective in whatever you do. Here’s how writing techniques can translate into valuable skills in other areas.Connect with me:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-hansen-b67412169/

How to Keep Blog Content Engaging in a World of Shorter Attention Spans

In today’s fast-paced, hyper-distracted world, keeping readers engaged with your blog content is a tough challenge. People’s attention spans are now shorter than ever – there’s always another notification, another tab, another TikTok video just waiting to distract them. If you’re a content creator or marketer, you have to earn every second of your reader’s time. And the truth is, most readers don’t stick around long. They skim. They scan. They move on.
So how do you hold their attention? Here’s a framework to make your blog content more engaging, and it’s based on simple, straightforward tactics.Connect with me:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-hansen-b67412169/