SANTI VILLANUEVA
Why you should be writing online
I’ve been writing online for the past five years, but a little over a year ago I committed to publishing weekly. This single decision completely changed my life.
What started out as a way to document my curiosities, learnings, and insights quickly opened a floodgate of opportunities, improved my confidence, and became another revenue stream.
In an era of TikToks, Reels, and AI-generated content, you may feel like text-based content is dead, but that’s exactly what big social media companies want you to believe and it couldn’t be further from the truth.
Writing online is one of the best — if not the best — uses of your intellectual, emotional, and creative energy.
The power of writing online
The person who can put together words that evoke emotion, facilitate insight, and entertain an audience has a huge competitive advantage in today’s digital marketplace for writing is the simplest yet most impactful way to share ideas. It is persuasion at scale. But writing is more than a tool for sharing ideas. It’s also a powerful tool for generating them — the more you write, the more ideas you produce.
And we’re just scratching the surface.
If you’re thinking about getting started or are experiencing self-doubt, here are 10 damn good reasons why you should start writing online today.
Writing online is free. You don’t need to spend a ton of money on fancy gear or software. You don’t even need a computer. You can start publishing from your phone.
Writing is portable. You can literally write anywhere — on your phone, laptop, or even a napkin. Writing gives you the ultimate creative freedom.
Writing online connects. It links your thinking with others’, allowing your thoughts to become a part of the world wide web of ideas. It also makes your ideas discoverable in niche communities, helping you connect with like-minded people — friends, colleagues, business partners, clients, employers. Where social platforms connect you with people from your past, writing online connects you with people from your future.
Writing online is perfect for introverts looking to build a brand or establish authority. You don’t have to show your face or talk in front of a camera. Or if you’re hot like me, it’s a way to make sure people like you for your ideas, not your looks.
Writing helps you think better. Writing is thinking on paper. When you write you create the distance you need to think clearly about an argument or what you think you know. Writing forces you to slow down and think deeply. You don’t know what you know until you write about it.
Build a direct connection with your audience. If you’re building an audience by simply posting on social media, you’re at risk. Social media algorithms can be unpredictable, and you’re always at the mercy of the platform. Writing online, through a newsletter or a blog, helps you cut through the noise and lets you nurture a genuine relationship with your readers. You have a direct line to them, ensuring your message reaches them consistently. This fosters a deeper connection and allows you to build trust over time.
Writing online is a perfect feedback loop. Online writers are rewarded with instant feedback in the form of shares and replies. These fast feedback loops are powerful ways to accelerate your learning (and improve your writing).
Writing is a skill multiplier. Like I mentioned before, writing helps you think and learn better. It can also help you craft better emails, presentations, and documentation. Not to mention, it builds credibility and expertise.
Writing creates focus in a distracted world. In a time of shortened attention spans, we’ve gone from reasoned thinkers to reactive thinkers. Writing gives you the time and space you need to play with ideas, think about your problems, and engage with them long enough to develop a deeper understanding.
Writing is good for your mental health and personal development. Writing is more than a tool for self-expression; it’s also a tool for self-discovery. The secret to good writing is to strip each sentence to its essence. Similarly, writing can help you strip away parts of you that aren’t you or no longer serve you. It can also help you uncover parts of yourself you didn’t know existed, heal invisible wounds, and accelerate your healing and growth.
“If you wish you would take something more seriously, do it publicly… Social pressure forces you to up your game.” — James Clear
Publishing a solid piece of writing can change your life because the internet rewards people who think well. Each post is an advertisement for the kinds of people and opportunities you want to attract. Think about it. By jotting down your ideas and hitting publish, you can build your network, improve your thinking, and create opportunities for yourself. Name another creative act that offers a better return on investment.
Writing is good, but writing online is better. It’s like having people over. You have to clean and make sure you have enough food, snacks, and drinks for everyone to feel comfortable and enjoy themselves. Writing online is no different. You have to write and re-write to make sure your ideas are clear and concise and if writing is thinking, then rewriting is rethinking. This process of crafting and refining not only makes you a better writer, but it encourages deeper inquiry, self-reflection, and ultimately, personal growth.