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skills/blog-writer/2024-02-17-radical-transparency-sales.md

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+# Radical Transparency Influence Methodology
+
+### Honesty
+
+Radical transparency is a commitment to engaging prospects, clients, investors, and colleagues with complete candor, even if, on the surface, it may seem like it could hurt your chances of closing a sale or landing a particular investor. In B2B markets, where many salespeople are focused on meeting quotas and achieving their commission or bonus, this approach stands out as a refreshingly honest way to build relationships with potential customers. Honesty is a key element in any successful sales process, as it helps to foster trust and respect between the buyer and the seller.
+
+### Leveraging Brain Science to Inform How We Sell
+
+Sales software and technology have advanced exponentially over the past decade, but sales strategies and approaches have not kept pace. This has contributed to the growing feeling among B2B buyers that salespeople offer little value in the buying process.
+
+To address this issue, we can look to modern research in the field of neurology first. Research from the past decade has shown that emotion is the biggest factor in important decisions. We know that a narrative, or story, is the most effective way to share information so that it has impact and can influence behavior. The human brain has evolved over millions of years to attach the most meaning to information presented in this way.
+
+### Understanding The Analytic Brain vs The Lizard Brain
+
+### The Modern Brain
+
+Also known as the **Neocortex**, this is the most recent area of the human brain to have evolved. It is used to rationalize and analyze information, and is responsible for identifying mistakes and holes in newly presented concepts.
+
+Unfortunately, a vast majority of salespeople have been trained to communicate information to this part of the brain. Brain scans have shown that important decisions are not processed in the Neocortex.
+
+### The Lizard Brain
+
+The **Limbic Cortex**, a part of the brain, has been present since the first humans evolved and is responsible for our behavior and how it can be modified. It is also the source of instinct and emotion, which are essential for successful sales conversations.
+
+Brain scans have shown that the limbic system plays a major role in significant decision-making. Investing, buying, and other consequential decisions are often driven by emotion, motivating actions.
+
+### What does this have to do with Sales?
+
+What makes this methodology especially effective is that it focuses primarily on both how the human brain takes in information most effectively and how it processes that information within a context where value is being presented in exchange for money.
+
+Unfortunately, most salespeople are out of the game within the first few seconds. This happens because older methodologies and sales training practices are focused heavily on delivering information to the analytical brain. This is not ideal, as the analytical brain is largely responsible for skepticism, non-emotional evaluation, and is therefore very difficult to persuade.
+
+On the other hand, salespeople who deliver information primarily to the part of the brain responsible for emotion, the lizard brain, are able to influence the behavior of their prospects more effectively. This is because buying decisions are most often emotional in nature.
+
+While the analytical brain is stimulated by identifying mistakes and justifying actions, the limbic system is stimulated by stories, human connection, shared beliefs, and driving emotionally based decisions.

skills/blog-writer/2024-02-17-raycast-spotlight-superpowers.md

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+# Give Spotlight on Mac Superpowers with Raycast
+
+## What is Raycast?
+
+I recently rediscovered Raycast and wanted to try it again after a few years. Raycast has infinitely more features than Spotlight (Apple's search tool). 
+
+I was skeptical, assuming it would be just another Spotlight replacement that would require a lot of effort for minimal productivity gains, so I was hesitant to give it a try thinking I'd need to devote time and resources I don't have to a steep learning curve. Boy was I wrong!
+
+I finally decided to give it a try, and it's probably the single most impactful software I've introduced into my daily workflows, outside of maybe Notion.
+
+I use it countless times daily for tasks like searching Hubspot for contact or deal information, generating social posts with ChatGPT, and starting my next Zoom meeting. Tasks that would have taken at least a minute or two now take under 10 seconds.
+
+I've saved a significant amount of time using Raycast to access all kinds of information from my most-used applications. The real kicker is that Raycast is a completely **free** application and not a "free plan" with the all the good features paywalled. It's a no-brainer for anyone who frequently uses Spotlight, keyboard shortcuts, or those built into MacOS.
+
+### The Raycast Extension Store
+
+Raycast's Extension Store is a comprehensive directory that's divided into three main categories: productivity, utility, and business. The store houses thousands of extensions that can be installed by simply tapping return.
+
+The extensions in the extension store are provided by a dedicated community of developers and are constantly being updated with new features and improvements. There are thousands of extensions available for the most popular apps and tools out there. A few notable options include Salesforce, Hubspot, ChatGPT, Slack, Notion, Crunchbase, Google Drive/Meet/Calendar/Search, Facetime, Mail, WhatsApp, Todoist, ClickUp, and so many more.
+
+### Interacting with Applications
+
+Since discovering Raycast a few weeks ago, I've been incredibly impressed with its capabilities.
+
+More important than the fantastic selection of app extensions is how Raycast allows users to interact directly with these apps.
+
+Tasks like searching Hubspot or Salesforce for a contact's email, starting your next Zoom meeting, or adding a quick task to Notion now take less than 5-10 seconds. For example, instead of going into Hubspot and finding a contact's profile to grab an email or phone number, I can hit ⌘+space, type "hub," and search my entire Hubspot database right from the command bar.
+
+### Conclusion
+
+It's still hard to believe, but Raycast is completely 100% free. This isn't a "free plan" with all the good features paywalled, but all features are free.
+
+Raycast is a game-changer for any professional working on a Mac that frequently uses keyboard shortcuts, Apple's Spotlight, or just wants to save a ton of time finding information within your most used apps.

skills/blog-writer/2024-02-17-short-form-content-marketing.md

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+# How Short-form Content Is Changing Marketing & Storytelling Forever
+
+Over the past decade, our youngest generations have been fighting a losing battle against the impact that short-form algorithms, used in apps like TikTok and Instagram, have had on their brains and attention spans. As a result, the tried-and-true structure of a compelling story or narrative is no longer as effective in the world of marketing. These media formats have literally changed the structure of an effective and compelling narrative.
+
+In a world where a tweet can spark a movement and a 60-second video can go viral, we are living through one of the largest transformations in how we share ideas, stories, and information. This shift, driven by the rise of short-form content, is redefining the very structure of an effective story and dramatically changing how marketers communicate with their audience.
+
+## How Did We Get Here?
+
+### Sesame Street Started It. Really.
+
+Believe it or not, the journey begins with "Sesame Street." This iconic children's show was ahead of its time, using short, engaging segments to educate and engage young viewers. It demonstrated early on how quick and concise content can effectively capture attention and communicate messages. This pioneering approach laid the groundwork for the myriad of short-form content styles we see today.
+
+### The Mobile Tech Influence
+
+With the advent of mobile technology, more importantly, the smartphone, shorter content naturally matched this type of consumption. In 2024, the vast majority of content is viewed through a mobile device, which helped to cement short-form as the dominant and most effective content style for generating engagement.
+
+### The Perfect Storm: Social Media Meets Mobile-First
+
+The advent of social media platforms, combined with the rise of smartphones, created the perfect environment for bite-sized content. The algorithms that dictate what content you're exposed to on apps like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok measure the success of any piece of content by its engagement level. To achieve success, creators must put out a large volume of content that drives engagement, as opposed to spending significant time on more meaningful content. The latter strategy simply won't help you break through.
+
+## The Evolution of Storytelling in the Social Media Age
+
+### Classic vs. Modern Storytelling
+
+The traditionally accepted structure of an effective story or narrative generally begins with rising action, followed by an inciting event, all building towards a climax, which is where the audience is at peak engagement. For this type of storytelling to pay off, it must spend time drawing the viewer in.
+
+In 2024, however, the structure for telling a successful story begins with the climax. The most viral content often starts by thrusting the viewer right into the middle of the most tense moments. Given the short timeframes, it's easy to see why the satisfaction wears off quickly and results in the dreaded doom scrolling.
+
+### New Formats, New Stories
+
+Before social media, storytelling online began evolving with platforms like microblogs, forums, and instant messaging services. These formats laid the foundation for short-form by serializing storytelling in a way that allows the narrative to unfold over separate bits of content, again driving users to just keep on scrolling.
+
+## The Negative Effects of Short-Form Content
+
+### Cognitive Overload and Overstimulation
+
+There are other serious downsides to the new world of short-form content that may quite possibly have unintended effects on the younger generations, as they are quite literally the guinea pigs, being exposed to almost exclusively short-form content with fewer and fewer alternatives.
+
+The relentless stream of short, engaging content can lead to cognitive overload. Users are bombarded with information, making it more difficult to focus or deeply engage with any single piece. This overstimulation often results in a superficial understanding of topics and a diminished interest in more in-depth and nuanced content.
+
+### The Compromise of Intellectual Depth
+
+Studies have raised concerns about how short-form content, particularly when consumed extensively by younger audiences, might impact cognitive development and attention spans. The format's emphasis on immediate feedback and satisfaction can oversimplify complex topics, leading viewers into the false belief that they have a much better understanding of an issue than they actually do.
+
+### Short-Form Content is Here to Stay
+
+Short-form content has irreversibly changed the landscape of marketing and storytelling. Its rise reflects a broader shift in how we consume information and what we expect from our digital experiences. By understanding its evolution, embracing its potential, and being mindful of its pitfalls, we can use short-form content to tell stories that are not only engaging and relevant but also meaningful and impactful. In the ever-evolving world of content, adaptability, creativity, and a commitment to quality will be key to captivating and maintaining the attention of modern audiences.

skills/blog-writer/2024-02-17-typing-speed-benefits.md

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+# The Amazing Benefits of Typing Very Fast
+
+About a year ago I decided I wanted to become a faster typer as I spend most of my day on a computer and thought it might have an impact on how fast I could work. I decided to practice on Monkeytype.com every day for at least 10 mins. I started out around 80 WPM and about 2 weeks in I was already over 100. A year in and I've hit 150. The impact on my daily workflows has been incredible. I'm about at the speed where I can type at the speed of my thinking, which is great for writing copy. 
+
+### Getting Started
+
+To start, I used Monkeytype.com and decided to commit at least 5 to 10 minutes every day to practice. I started at around 80 WPM, which was decent, but I really didn't expect to improve as quickly as I did.
+
+Within 2 to 3 weeks of daily practice, my speed jumped to over 100 WPM. This rapid improvement served as a great morale boost, prompting me to stick with my practice regime. A little under a year later, I was able to clock a 150 WPM!
+
+### The Impact on Daily Workflows
+
+The impact of my newfound typing speed on my daily workflows was phenomenal. As someone who works in front of a computer all-day everyday, the ability to type at the same speed as my thinking proved to be a game-changer, particularly when it came to writing copy. It was amazing how quickly I could get my ideas on the computer screen.
+
+I discovered that the benefits of being a fast typer extend beyond simple time-saving. It's akin to unlocking a new level of proficiency on your computer, and the advantages are more numerous than you might expect.
+
+### Why You Should Consider Typing Faster
+
+If you're at all like me, it will quickly become like a sport where you're constantly trying to improve your previous WPM. The beauty of this skill is that the barriers to entry are virtually non-existent. If you can type, you can improve. All it requires is a little dedication, with just 5-10 minutes of practice per day.
+
+### Taking Workflows to the Next Level by Typing Faster
+
+For Mac users that leverage a spotlight replacement app like Alfred or Raycast, typing faster can revolutionize your daily workflows. I use Raycast personally, and the simple act of pressing cmd+space and quickly typing the app I need to open or file I need to search become nearly instantaneous. Whether it's opening apps or performing functions, everything seems to be accomplished at warp speed.
+
+Even if you only use the basic spotlight feature on your Mac, you'll certainly see a substantial increase in your speed of navigation. Suddenly, finding what you're looking for becomes a swift, almost instantaneous process.
+
+### Conclusion
+
+As we further immerse ourselves in our digital era, being a fast typer is no longer just a party trick. It's a practical skill, one that can help you navigate your digital world more efficiently and productively.
+
+My journey towards becoming a faster typer proved to be one of the most impactful things I've done to get more done. It took a tool I use every day — my keyboard — and turned it into a vehicle for productivity and efficiency.
+
+If you find yourself tethered to a keyboard for a significant part of your day, consider investing a few minutes each day towards improving your typing speed. You will certainly be surprised by the boost in productivity, how much quicker you can communicate and collaborate with your team. So, how about giving it a shot and seeing where it takes you?

skills/blog-writer/2024-03-14-effective-ai-prompts.md

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+# How to Write More Effective AI Prompts
+
+## The Art of Prompt Engineering for ChatGPT
+
+In an AI-driven era, mastering communication with tools like ChatGPT is crucial. This guide explores writing effective prompts for ChatGPT, unlocking its full potential. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, content creator, or business professional, these tips enhance your AI interaction.
+
+### The GIGO Principle: Quality In, Quality Out
+
+The axiom "Garbage In, Garbage Out" (GIGO) holds true in the world of AI. The quality of the output you receive from ChatGPT directly correlates with the quality of the prompts you provide. Inadequate prompts can lead to misleading or irrelevant answers, while well-crafted ones can produce insightful and accurate responses.
+
+### Crafting Prompts that Spark Excellence
+
+The skill of writing effective prompts is now so crucial that it has spawned a new discipline: prompt engineering. This involves meticulously designing prompts that guide ChatGPT's large language model (LLM) to generate the best possible answers.
+
+### Conversational AI: Talk to ChatGPT Like a Person
+
+Interacting with ChatGPT should mimic a conversation with a colleague. This approach helps in setting the stage, providing context, and maintaining the AI's focus on the topic.
+
+### Context Is Key
+
+Providing ChatGPT with clear context is vital. It narrows down the AI's focus to your specific subject, leading to more accurate and useful responses. Contextualized prompts require more details but offer more refined outputs.
+
+### Assuming Identities and Professions
+
+One of ChatGPT's fascinating features is its ability to adopt different personas or professional perspectives. This ability can be harnessed to gain diverse viewpoints on a topic.
+
+### Maintaining Relevance and Accuracy
+
+While ChatGPT is an advanced AI, it can sometimes veer off-topic or produce fabricated answers. To mitigate this, ask the AI to justify its responses and guide it gently back on track. Remember to prompt it for source citations where necessary.
+
+## Advanced Prompt-Writing Techniques
+
+### Fine-Tuning Your Prompts
+
+Minor adjustments to your prompts can lead to significantly different responses from ChatGPT. Remember, the AI retains its awareness of previous conversations as long as the session is ongoing.
+
+### Breaking Down Responses
+
+Be mindful that responses over 500 words can sometimes lose coherence. Keep your prompts concise and to the point for the best results.
+
+### Evolving Your Questions
+
+If ChatGPT seems hesitant to answer a question, rephrasing it might yield better results. Utilize personas to elicit responses that might not be forthcoming otherwise.
+
+### Seeking Justification and Sources
+
+When looking for well-supported answers, instruct ChatGPT to justify its responses or provide sources. This practice ensures a higher degree of accuracy and reliability in the information provided.
+
+### Embrace Experimentation
+
+Experimentation is key in mastering prompt writing. The more you test different approaches, the better you'll understand how to steer ChatGPT towards desired outcomes.
+
+### Conclusion: The Journey to AI Mastery
+
+Mastering ChatGPT prompts is a journey of continuous learning and adaptation. By understanding the intricacies of prompt engineering and staying updated with the latest advancements, you can transform your interaction with AI from a mere task to an enriching experience. Embrace these tips, keep experimenting, and watch as ChatGPT becomes an invaluable asset in your digital toolkit.

skills/blog-writer/2024-11-08-ai-revolutionizing-entry-level-sales.md

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+# AI is Revolutionizing Entry Level Sales & Marketing
+
+## AI is Revolutionizing Entry Level Sales & Marketing
+
+### A Revolution in Sales & Marketing
+
+Artificial intelligence (AI) has begun to reshape the landscape of entry level sales and marketing jobs in unprecedented ways. As AI technology advances, it has become a driving force behind increased efficiency, personalization, and overall improvements in the sales and marketing industries. This shift is redefining the roles of sales and marketing professionals, and causing companies to rethink their strategies for hiring and training.
+
+### Automation and Efficiency: Streamlining the Sales Process
+
+One of the most significant impacts of AI on entry level sales jobs is the increased level of automation. AI-powered tools and software can now handle repetitive and mundane tasks, allowing sales professionals to focus on more high-value activities. This shift has led to increased efficiency in the sales process and has paved the way for more strategic and targeted approaches to reaching potential customers.
+
+Examples of AI automation in sales include lead scoring, email automation, and CRM systems that can track and analyze customer interactions. By using AI to automate these tasks, entry level sales professionals can focus on building relationships and closing deals, ultimately driving more revenue for their organizations.
+
+### Personalization: Tailoring Marketing Efforts to Individual Customers
+
+In the world of marketing, AI has played a crucial role in enabling personalization at scale. By analyzing vast amounts of data and identifying patterns, AI-powered tools can create tailored marketing campaigns that resonate with individual customers. This level of personalization has become essential in today's competitive landscape, where consumers expect personalized experiences from the brands they engage with.
+
+For entry level marketing professionals, this means a shift away from one-size-fits-all marketing strategies. Instead, they must learn to use AI-driven tools to create targeted campaigns that speak to the unique needs and preferences of their audience. This approach not only helps companies build stronger relationships with their customers but also drives higher conversion rates and increased customer loyalty.
+
+### Predictive Analytics: Guiding Decision-Making in Sales & Marketing
+
+Another way AI is transforming entry level sales and marketing jobs is through the use of predictive analytics. AI algorithms can analyze historical data to identify trends and make predictions about future outcomes, allowing sales and marketing professionals to make data-driven decisions.
+
+For example, AI-powered sales forecasting tools can help sales reps prioritize leads and focus on the most promising opportunities. In marketing, predictive analytics can be used to optimize ad spending, segment customers, and identify the most effective channels for reaching specific audiences. By leveraging AI in this way, entry level professionals can become more strategic in their approach and drive better results for their organizations.
+
+### Chatbots and Conversational AI: Enhancing Customer Engagement
+
+Chatbots and conversational AI have become increasingly popular in both sales and marketing as a way to engage with customers and prospects. These AI-driven tools can handle routine customer inquiries, provide personalized product recommendations, and even assist with lead qualification.
+
+For entry level sales and marketing professionals, the rise of chatbots and conversational AI means a shift in focus. Rather than handling all customer interactions themselves, they must learn to work alongside these AI-powered tools to provide a seamless and cohesive customer experience.
+
+### Upskilling and Reskilling: Preparing for the Future of Sales & Marketing
+
+As AI continues to reshape entry level sales and marketing jobs, professionals in these fields must adapt their skill sets to remain competitive. This includes learning how to use AI-driven tools and software, as well as developing a deeper understanding of data analytics and customer behavior.
+
+Companies and educational institutions are recognizing this need and are offering training programs and resources to help sales and marketing professionals upskill and reskill. By investing in their own professional development, entry level sales ensure they remain relevant and valuable in the ever-evolving world of AI-driven sales and marketing.
+
+### The Future of Entry Level Sales & Marketing Jobs in the Age of AI
+
+As AI continues to transform the sales and marketing landscape, the roles and responsibilities of entry level professionals in these fields will continue to evolve. While some tasks may become automated, there will be a growing demand for skilled professionals who can harness the power of AI to drive more effective and personalized sales and marketing strategies.
+
+To succeed in this new era, entry level sales and marketing professionals must embrace AI as a valuable tool that can enhance their work and help them achieve better results. By staying ahead of the latest AI trends and developments, and continuously adapting their skills and knowledge, they can position themselves for long-term success in the rapidly changing world of sales and marketing.

skills/blog-writer/2025-11-12-why-ai-art-is-useless.md

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+# Why AI Art & Media Is Useless
+
+## Why AI Art & Media Is Useless
+
+As someone who works in AI and genuinely believes in the value and power of LLMs to make professionals more useful and valuable, I can confidently say that I hate everything about AI image/video/music generation. It is useless and only serves one purpose: to replace creative professionals and the work they do.
+
+### The Scope of the Problem
+
+To be a bit more precise about my hatred for AI media, I need to be clear that I don't hate AI. I've spent the last three-plus years devoting my entire professional life to leveraging AI tools to help professionals do their jobs more effectively. That said, from the moment I was exposed to AI art, I had the same initial reaction as most: a flood of anxiety and uncanniness, which I knew instantly I didn't like.
+
+Leveraging an LLM to automate task creation from new emails I receive simply replaces something I spend 30 minutes doing every morning and allows it to occur in the background, producing the same output I would have arrived at. That's just helpful.
+
+I am not an artist, but if I decided to start using AI to create all the graphics for a client, I wouldn't be improving anything that I currently do. I would just be replacing a potential job for someone who does art professionally.
+
+The fundamental difference here is when a professional uses AI to improve the efficiency or quality of something they already do, it functions as a tool. When someone with no art experience uses AI to create art, it's not improving anything. It's simply replacing something that already exists with something worse.
+
+### The "Democratization" Lie
+
+Access to the ability to create art is not the same as having the ability to create art. The moment everyone began conflating the ability to produce an output with the creator itself, they've already swallowed the Kool-Aid. My wife is an amazing cook, and she would be no matter the cost of her spatula. However, if I purchased the greatest spatula in history, I would still be a crappy cook.
+
+Now let's talk about vibe coding, which is fundamentally different from image generation. I have learned more about writing code and development in the past year by using AI than I ever have. This is because things frequently do not work and therefore I have to go learn new information.
+
+The key difference here is that vibe coding allows me to leverage my current knowledge as well as gain new knowledge, whereas generating an image simply produces an output that I have no ability to improve on. The reason I can't improve it is because simply going and looking up a bunch of information on how to create art will not make me a better artist.
+
+### The Collapse of Quality
+
+Another important factor to understand here is that AI art isn't producing the worst work or the best work. It's producing the *median* of everything it has been trained on (actual artists' work). This is incredibly dangerous. It's essentially producing a blob of an over-generalized consensus on what looks "good." That doesn't work when you amalgamate every style and genre of art in order to produce something. This is not creative. This is aggregative.
+
+Another problem here isn't that AI can't make art. Everything it makes is, by design, is just good enough. Therefore, this hits dead center in the sweet spot for what massive corporations are looking for. Why pay a junior designer to iterate on multiple concepts when an AI can generate you 200 versions of something that are all "good enough"?
+
+### Creativity Is Disappearing
+
+Creating art obviously requires creativity, however, using AI tools simply requires knowledge. These are two very different things. Creativity isn't an output, it's an artist's struggle through years as they hone their craft and improve their abilities. It's thousands of micro-decisions that aren't just learned, but practiced over many years.
+
+This matters because creative work embodies meaning and emotion that come from the artist. When AI generates an image, it remixes thousands of tokens to approximate what the user requested. Crafting an advanced prompt is a legitimate skill, prompt engineering, but it's not the same as creating art. These skills should never be conflated.
+
+### What Should We Do?
+
+First, we need laws to stop major AI labs—particularly OpenAI and Google AI—from collecting human-made art as training data for their image generation models. We need strong regulation requiring artists to **opt in** before their work can be collected and trained on.
+
+Second, we need more AI leaders to step up and stop this before it's too late. For example, Anthropic (makers of Claude) has never released an image generation model. That doesn't mean Claude can't be used to create websites or other graphic design work, but creating a UI or navigation menu is entirely different from painting on canvas.
+
+### AI Art Hurts the Future Potential of AI
+
+It's clear that most people don't find AI art pleasing—they actively dislike it. With every piece of AI art slop that lands on Twitter or Instagram, the long-term reputation of AI as a useful tool for professionals takes another hit.
+
+For years now, public sentiment toward AI has been declining. There's one culprit: AI-generated art and media. People who aren't knowledgeable about AI don't distinguish between media generation and other use cases that are actually valuable. This reduces the chances they'll ever consider the benefits of AI as a tool.
+
+It's my sincere hope that we stop this race to the bottom before we get there. We should take all the resources and effort put toward AI media generation and redirect them toward leveraging AI as a tool for medical breakthroughs, building technology, and conducting research more efficiently.

skills/blog-writer/README.md

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+# Blog-writer
+Blog writing skill for Tom Panos's distinctive voice - direct, conversational, and grounded in personal experience. Handles workflow from research through Notion publication.

skills/blog-writer/SKILL.md

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+---
+name: blog-writer
+description: This skill should be used when writing blog posts, articles, or long-form content in the writer's distinctive writing style. It produces authentic, opinionated content that matches the writer's voice—direct, conversational, and grounded in personal experience. The skill handles the complete workflow from research review through Notion publication. Use this skill for drafting blog posts, thought leadership pieces, or any writing meant to reflect the writer's perspective on AI, productivity, sales, marketing, or technology topics.
+---
+
+# Blog Writer
+
+## Overview
+
+This skill enables writing blog posts and articles that authentically capture the writer's distinctive voice and style. It draws on examples of the writer's published work to produce content that is direct, opinionated, conversational, and grounded in practical experience. The skill includes automatic Notion integration and maintains a growing library of finalized examples.
+
+## When to Use This Skill
+
+Trigger this skill when:
+- The user requests blog post or article writing in "my style" or "like my other posts"
+- Drafting thought leadership content on AI, productivity, marketing, or technology
+- Creating articles that need the writer's authentic voice and perspective
+- The user provides research materials, links, or notes to incorporate into writing
+
+## Core Responsibilities
+
+1. **Follow the writer's Writing Style**: Match voice, word choice, structure, and length of example posts in `references/blog-examples/`
+2. **Incorporate Research**: Review and integrate any information, research material, or links provided by the user
+3. **Follow User Instructions**: Adhere closely to the user's specific requests for topic, angle, and emphasis
+4. **Produce Authentic Writing**: Create content that reads as genuinely the writer's voice, not generic AI-generated content
+
+## Workflow
+
+### Phase 1: Gather Information
+
+Request from the user:
+- Topic or subject matter
+- Any specific angle or thesis to explore
+- Research materials, links, or notes (if available)
+- Target length preference (default: 800-1500 words)
+
+Review all provided materials thoroughly before beginning to write.
+
+### Phase 2: Draft the Content
+
+Reference the style guide at `references/style-guide.md` and examples in `references/blog-examples/` for calibration.
+
+When writing:
+1. Start with a strong opening statement establishing the thesis
+2. Use personal voice and first-person perspective where natural
+3. Include relevant personal anecdotes or professional experience if applicable
+4. Structure with clear subheadings (###) every 2-3 paragraphs
+5. Keep paragraphs short (2-4 sentences)
+6. Weave in research materials naturally, not as block quotes
+7. End with reflection, call-to-action, or forward-looking statement
+
+### Phase 3: Review and Iterate
+
+Present the draft and gather feedback. Iterate until the user confirms satisfaction.
+
+### Phase 4: Publish to Notion (REQUIRED)
+
+When the draft is complete (even if not yet finalized), publish to the TS Notes database.
+
+**Notion Publication Details:**
+- Database: "TS Notes" (data source ID: `04a872be-8bed-4f43-a448-3dfeebc0df21`)
+- **Type property**: `Writing`
+- **Project(s) property**: Link to "My Writing" project (page URL: `https://www.notion.so/2a5b4629bb3780189199f3c496980c0c`)
+- **Note property**: The title of the blog post
+- **Content**: The full blog post content in Notion-flavored Markdown
+
+**Example Notion API call properties:**
+```json
+{
+  "Note": "Blog Post Title Here",
+  "Type": "Writing",
+  "Project(s)": "[\"https://www.notion.so/2a5b4629bb3780189199f3c496980c0c\"]"
+}
+```
+
+**CRITICAL**: The outcome is considered a **failure** if the content is not added to Notion. Always publish to Notion as part of the workflow, even for drafts.
+
+### Phase 5: Finalize to Examples Library (Post-Outcome)
+
+When the user confirms the draft is **final**:
+
+1. Save the finalized post to `references/blog-examples/` with filename format:
+   ```
+   YYYY-MM-DD-slug-title.md
+   ```
+   Example: `2025-11-25-why-ai-art-is-useless.md`
+
+2. Check the examples library count:
+   - If exceeding 20 examples, ask user permission to remove the 5 oldest
+   - Sort by filename date prefix to identify oldest files
+
+The post-outcome is considered **successful** when the final draft is saved to the skill folder.
+
+## Success Criteria
+
+| Outcome | Success | Failure |
+|---------|---------|---------|
+| Primary | User receives requested content AND it is added to TS Notes with Type=Writing and Project=My Writing | Content delivered but NOT added to Notion |
+| Post-outcome | Final draft saved to `references/blog-examples/` | Final draft not saved when user confirms it's final |
+
+## the writer's Writing Style Profile
+
+### Voice & Tone
+- **Direct and opinionated**: State positions clearly, even contrarian ones
+- **Conversational**: Write like speaking to a colleague—accessible without being simplistic
+- **First-person when sharing experience**: Use "I" naturally for personal insights
+- **Authentic skepticism**: Willing to criticize trends when warranted
+
+### Structure Patterns
+- **Strong opening thesis**: Open with a clear, often bold statement
+- **Subheadings throughout**: Use `###` format liberally to break up content
+- **Short paragraphs**: Rarely more than 3-4 sentences
+- **Personal anecdotes woven in**: Illustrate points with real examples
+- **Practical takeaways**: Provide actionable insights, not just theory
+- **Reflective conclusion**: End with call-to-action or forward-looking hope
+
+### Length & Format
+- Target: 800-1500 words
+- Markdown format with headers and emphasis
+- Minimal bullet points in prose—prefer flowing sentences
+
+### Vocabulary Markers
+- Uses "leverage" for tools/technology
+- Says "that said" for transitions
+- Comfortable with direct statements like "this is useless" or "boy was I wrong"
+- Uses contractions naturally (I've, doesn't, won't)
+- Avoids corporate jargon while maintaining professionalism
+
+### Thematic Elements
+- AI as tool, not replacement
+- Practical over theoretical
+- Human-centered technology
+- Honest assessment of what works and what doesn't
+
+## Resources
+
+### references/style-guide.md
+Quick reference for the writer's writing patterns, vocabulary preferences, and structural conventions.
+
+### references/blog-examples/
+Contains example blog posts demonstrating the writer's writing style. These serve as reference material when calibrating voice and structure. New finalized posts expand this library over time.
+
+## Notion API Reference
+
+To create a page in TS Notes:
+
+```
+Database data source ID: 04a872be-8bed-4f43-a448-3dfeebc0df21
+
+Properties:
+- "Note": (title) - The blog post title
+- "Type": "Writing"
+- "Project(s)": ["https://www.notion.so/2a5b4629bb3780189199f3c496980c0c"]
+
+Content: Full blog post in Notion-flavored Markdown
+```
+
+The "My Writing" project page ID is: `2a5b4629-bb37-8018-9199-f3c496980c0c`

skills/blog-writer/_meta.json

@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+{
+  "ownerId": "kn722nva0z7svbapne80p8e8jd7zwmk7",
+  "slug": "blog-writer",
+  "version": "0.1.0",
+  "publishedAt": 1769361436760
+}

skills/blog-writer/manage_examples.py

@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""
+Utility script for managing the blog examples library.
+Helps identify old examples to prune when the library exceeds the limit.
+"""
+
+import os
+import sys
+from datetime import datetime
+from pathlib import Path
+
+EXAMPLES_DIR = Path(__file__).parent.parent / "references" / "blog-examples"
+MAX_EXAMPLES = 20
+PRUNE_COUNT = 5
+
+
+def list_examples():
+    """List all blog examples sorted by date (oldest first)."""
+    examples = []
+    for f in EXAMPLES_DIR.glob("*.md"):
+        # Extract date from filename (YYYY-MM-DD-slug.md)
+        try:
+            date_str = f.stem[:10]
+            date = datetime.strptime(date_str, "%Y-%m-%d")
+            examples.append((date, f.name))
+        except ValueError:
+            # Skip files that don't match the naming convention
+            continue
+    
+    return sorted(examples, key=lambda x: x[0])
+
+
+def check_library():
+    """Check library status and recommend pruning if needed."""
+    examples = list_examples()
+    count = len(examples)
+    
+    print(f"Blog Examples Library Status")
+    print(f"=" * 40)
+    print(f"Total examples: {count}")
+    print(f"Maximum allowed: {MAX_EXAMPLES}")
+    print()
+    
+    if count > MAX_EXAMPLES:
+        print(f"⚠️  Library exceeds limit by {count - MAX_EXAMPLES} files")
+        print(f"Recommend removing the {PRUNE_COUNT} oldest examples:")
+        print()
+        for i, (date, name) in enumerate(examples[:PRUNE_COUNT]):
+            print(f"  {i+1}. {name} ({date.strftime('%B %d, %Y')})")
+    else:
+        print(f"✓ Library is within limits ({MAX_EXAMPLES - count} slots available)")
+    
+    print()
+    print("All examples (oldest first):")
+    print("-" * 40)
+    for date, name in examples:
+        print(f"  {name}")
+
+
+def prune_oldest(dry_run=True):
+    """Remove the oldest examples to bring library under limit."""
+    examples = list_examples()
+    count = len(examples)
+    
+    if count <= MAX_EXAMPLES:
+        print("Library is within limits. No pruning needed.")
+        return
+    
+    to_remove = examples[:PRUNE_COUNT]
+    
+    if dry_run:
+        print(f"DRY RUN - Would remove {len(to_remove)} files:")
+    else:
+        print(f"Removing {len(to_remove)} oldest files:")
+    
+    for date, name in to_remove:
+        filepath = EXAMPLES_DIR / name
+        if dry_run:
+            print(f"  Would remove: {name}")
+        else:
+            filepath.unlink()
+            print(f"  Removed: {name}")
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    if len(sys.argv) > 1 and sys.argv[1] == "prune":
+        dry_run = "--execute" not in sys.argv
+        prune_oldest(dry_run=dry_run)
+    else:
+        check_library()

skills/blog-writer/style-guide.md

@@ -0,0 +1,160 @@
+# Tom Panos Writing Style Guide
+
+## Quick Reference
+
+### Opening Lines
+Start with a strong thesis or personal statement. Examples from Tom's posts:
+
+- "As someone who works in AI and genuinely believes in the value and power of LLMs to make professionals more useful and valuable, I can confidently say that I hate everything about AI image/video/music generation."
+- "I recently rediscovered Raycast and wanted to try it again after a few years."
+- "About a year ago I decided I wanted to become a faster typer..."
+- "Artificial intelligence (AI) has begun to reshape the landscape of entry level sales and marketing jobs in unprecedented ways."
+- "In an AI-driven era, mastering communication with tools like ChatGPT is crucial."
+- "Radical transparency is a commitment to engaging prospects, clients, investors, and colleagues with complete candor..."
+- "Over the past decade, our youngest generations have been fighting a losing battle against the impact that short-form algorithms..."
+
+### Transition Phrases
+- "That said..."
+- "The fundamental difference here is..."
+- "Another important factor to understand here is..."
+- "This matters because..."
+- "For example..."
+- "The real kicker is..."
+- "To be a bit more precise..."
+- "Now let's talk about..."
+- "The key difference here is..."
+
+### Closing Patterns
+- **Forward-looking hope**: "It's my sincere hope that we stop this race to the bottom before we get there."
+- **Call to action**: "So, how about giving it a shot and seeing where it takes you?"
+- **Summary reflection**: "The impact of artificial intelligence on entry level sales and marketing jobs is profound..."
+- **Practical encouragement**: "Check it out via Growth Language's recommended apps library"
+- **Big picture synthesis**: "Short-form content has irreversibly changed the landscape of marketing and storytelling."
+
+### Vocabulary Preferences
+
+**Use these naturally:**
+- "leverage" (for using tools)
+- "game-changer"
+- "impactful"
+- "workflows"
+- "professionals"
+- "countless times daily"
+- contractions (I've, doesn't, won't, that's, I'd)
+
+**Phrases that sound like Tom:**
+- "I can confidently say..."
+- "Boy was I wrong!"
+- "I decided to..."
+- "I've spent the last..."
+- "My [wife/experience/journey]..."
+- "It's still hard to believe, but..."
+- "This is incredibly dangerous."
+- "This just doesn't work when..."
+
+**Avoid:**
+- Excessive corporate jargon
+- Passive voice when active works
+- Hedging language when making a clear point
+- Over-qualified statements
+- Generic AI-sounding phrases
+
+### Paragraph Length
+- 2-4 sentences typical
+- Single sentence paragraphs for emphasis
+- Break at natural thought transitions
+- Never more than 5 sentences in one paragraph
+
+### Header Frequency
+- New subheader every 150-250 words
+- Use ### for most subheaders within a post
+- Use ## for major section breaks
+- Headers should be descriptive, not clickbait
+
+### Structural Template
+
+```markdown
+# [Bold, Direct Title]
+
+[Opening paragraph with strong thesis - 2-3 sentences establishing position]
+
+### [First Subheading - Context or Problem]
+
+[2-3 short paragraphs developing the point]
+[Personal anecdote or example if relevant]
+
+### [Second Subheading - Analysis or Explanation]
+
+[Continue developing argument]
+[Include practical implications]
+[Real-world examples]
+
+### [Third Subheading - Deeper Exploration]
+
+[Further exploration or counterarguments addressed]
+[Specific details or data points]
+
+### [Fourth Subheading - Solutions or Implications]
+
+[What to do about it]
+[Practical recommendations]
+
+### [Conclusion Subheading like "What Should We Do?" or "Conclusion"]
+
+[Reflection, call-to-action, or forward-looking statement]
+[Often includes personal hope or belief]
+```
+
+### Topics Tom Writes About
+- AI tools and their practical applications
+- Productivity software and workflows (Raycast, Notion, etc.)
+- Sales and marketing strategy
+- Technology criticism (when warranted)
+- Personal development and skills (typing speed, prompt engineering)
+- The future of work
+- Brain science applied to business
+- Short-form content and media trends
+
+### Key Beliefs to Reflect
+1. **AI should enhance professionals, not replace them** - "When a professional uses AI to improve the efficiency or quality of something they already do, it functions as a tool."
+2. **Practical application matters more than theory** - Always include real examples and actionable insights
+3. **Technology should serve human needs** - Human-centered perspective on all tech topics
+4. **Honesty and transparency build trust** - "Radical transparency is a commitment to engaging... with complete candor"
+5. **Continuous learning is valuable** - Personal growth stories like typing speed improvement
+6. **Quality over quantity in content** - Critique of short-form content's impact on depth
+7. **Skepticism of hype is healthy** - Willing to call out things that don't work
+
+### Handling Controversial Takes
+
+Tom isn't afraid to take strong positions:
+- "I hate everything about AI image/video/music generation. It is useless."
+- "AI art isn't producing the worst work or the best work. It's producing the *median*."
+- Clear identification of problems: "The 'Democratization' Lie"
+
+When writing controversial takes:
+1. Establish credibility first ("As someone who works in AI...")
+2. Be precise about the scope of criticism
+3. Acknowledge what DOES work
+4. Provide concrete reasoning, not just opinion
+5. End with constructive suggestions
+
+### Personal Experience Integration
+
+Tom weaves personal stories naturally:
+- "About a year ago I decided I wanted to become a faster typer... I started at around 80 WPM... A year in and I've hit 150."
+- "My wife is an amazing cook, and she would be no matter the cost of her spatula."
+- "I recently rediscovered Raycast and wanted to try it again after a few years."
+
+When including personal experience:
+1. Keep it relevant to the main point
+2. Include specific details (numbers, timeframes)
+3. Connect back to broader implications
+4. Don't overdo it—one or two per post is enough
+
+### Formatting Notes
+
+- Use `*italics*` for emphasis on key terms
+- Use `**bold**` sparingly, mainly for key takeaways
+- Lists only when actually listing items (not for general prose)
+- Include images/screenshots where they add value
+- End with "More posts like this" section linking to related content