Got Your Attention? by Sam Horn Summary
Overview of Got Your Attention?
In a world of 8-second attention spans, Sam Horn's "Got Your Attention?" delivers the INTRIGUE formula that Fortune 500 executives swear by. The modern equivalent of "How to Win Friends and Influence People" reveals why questions trump statements in our distraction-filled era.
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Key takeaways
Why Eight Seconds Might Be All You Get and Making First Moments Count
A goldfish can focus for nine seconds. You? Only eight. That's not a quirky statistic-it's the reality of modern attention. We live in what might be called an "impatience epidemic," where notifications ping every few seconds and our minds wander before someone finishes their first sentence. This attention bankruptcy doesn't just make us distracted; it makes us disconnected, unable to form the meaningful relationships that give life richness. The challenge isn't simply grabbing attention anymore-it's earning the kind of attention that creates genuine connection and lasting impact. Those opening moments determine everything. When Kathleen Callendar had ten minutes to pitch investors on her medical device company, she didn't waste time on technical specifications. Instead, she opened with three rapid-fire questions: "Did you know there are 1.8 billion vaccinations given every year? Did you know up to half use reused needles? Did you know we're spreading the very diseases we're trying to prevent?" Within seconds, every investor was leaning forward. This approach-using "Did you know?" questions to establish urgency, followed by "Imagine if..." statements about your solution-creates what's called "Show Them the Fish" moments. Like the iconic Jaws poster showing a shark beneath an unsuspecting swimmer, you're making your idea visual and visceral. Entrepreneur Cari Carter demonstrated this perfectly when pitching her purse holder for car seats. Rather than describing the product, she brought an actual car seat and acted out the frustrating scenario of purses tumbling off passenger seats while driving. The demonstration told the story better than any words could. When you get someone's eyebrows up-that visible sign of genuine interest-you've broken through their preoccupation and earned real attention.
Standing Out and Projecting Unshakeable Confidence
Creating Innovation and Staying Ahead of the Curve
Using Humor and Respecting Time Ruthlessly
Creating Messages That Spread and Transforming Meetings Into Experiences
Making Ideas Concrete and Mastering the Art of Deep Listening
The Choice Before Us
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
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"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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