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#008 – Designing for Attention: Lessons from Building Content Flywheel

Building Content Flywheel’s Landing Page and Mastering the 8-Second Rule

read time ~3 mins

Hey everyone,

This is Dan from ReadWriteDev.com

In this edition, I’m sharing my thoughts on Steven Pressfield’s Turning Pro, an atomic essay about the 8-second rule for grabbing attention, and the latest updates as I gear up for Content Flywheel’s big relaunch. From crafting the perfect headline to finalizing pricing plans, it’s been a busy week of building and learning.

Here we go!

what i’m reading…

Last week I re-read one of my favorite books: “Turning Pro” by Steven Pressfield. Every time I read it, I walk away feeling incredibly motivated. Pressfield doesn’t sugarcoat anything… he speaks candidly about what it means to move from being an amateur to becoming a professional in your craft.

For years, I’ve treated my side projects like an amateur. I tinker, dabble, and never take them as seriously as I should if I want them to succeed. Every time I read this book (it’s really short), it reminds me that if I want to make it as a solopreneur, if I want to replace my full-time income and finally leave my job, then eventually I need to fully commit.

Pressfield talks about the mindset shift required to “turn pro.” It’s about showing up every day, doing the work, and not letting distractions or excuses hold you back. It’s a reminder that success doesn’t come from waiting for the perfect moment; it comes from acting like a professional, even before you have the results to prove it.

Have you read anything that has motivated you to level up recently?

what i’m writing…

This week, I wrote an atomic essay called “The 8-Second Rule: Designing for Modern Attention Spans”. The idea came to me while working on the landing page for Content Flywheel last weekend (see below).

Creating a page for a half-built, unproven product is not easy. With no social proof, no testimonials, and just a couple of half-baked features, I found myself staring at the screen, wondering: how am I going to convince someone to sign-up?

People don’t want to guess what you are offering or why it matters. They need immediate answers and a compelling reason to stay. This process has been an exercise in ruthless prioritization, forcing me to focus only on what matters most.

If you’ve ever build a product landing page, I think you will find this essay relatable. It is a reminder that even small tweaks and clear messaging can help turn a random visitor into a paying customer.

Give it a read and let me know what you think!

what i’m developing…

I’ve been spending so much time working on the Content Flywheel landing page, and it’s starting to wear me out. Between writing the right messaging, tweaking the design, and setting up pricing plans, it’s been a lot. Every detail feels important, but I’m sure no one will sign-up for the next few weeks anyway, so I’m not sure why I’m even stressing it.

Some weeks are harder than others, but I just keep reminding myself that each step is progress!

tweet(s) of the week…

I thought the quote was funny, but also, if you aren’t watching the show “From” then you are missing out!

Just be warned, it’s a scary-ass show. Watching it gives me anxiety, but I love it 💀

Thanks for reading! This week, I’d love to know:

What’s one way you’ve captured attention in a crowded, fast-paced world?

Share it with me on Twitter, and let’s talk about how small changes can make a big impact!