Why Every Individual, Company, and Network State Should Write
In a digital future of content, community, and code, writing will be 🔑
This is essay 5 of 7 for The Tech Progressive Writing Challenge. Join the conversation in the build_ Discord.
In my essay, Content, Community, and Code Drive Results, I write about the importance of content and community in the next phase of the internet. Content puts a flag in the ground. It's a clear declaration of your interests and how you view the world.
For individuals, content provides an opportunity to connect with others online, which can lead to new opportunities and relationships.
For companies, content provides a way to attract talent and control the narrative of the company.
Founder of Coinbase, Brian Armstrong, writes, "Every tech company should go direct to their audience, and become a media company."
For Network States and startup cities, attracting citizens will require content creation.
As another writer for The Tech Progressive, Kevin Klammer, writes in A Network State is an improved version of a Normal State, "A network state is a social network with a clear leader, an integrated cryptocurrency, a definite purpose, a sense of national consciousness, and a plan to crowdfund territory."
To build a definite purpose and sense of national consciousness, a Network State must create content to attract like-minded people and establish its values.
In summary, individuals, companies, and network states can benefit from creating content and owning their distribution in the digital world.
Writing is the best content medium. Effective writing is a skill to hone. I came across this thread on business writing by Sahil Bloom.
Here are 4 suggestions that Sahil makes with my summary/commentary:
“Draft Fast, Edit Slow.”
Every writer knows that a blank page is daunting. Resolve this by drafting as fast as possible.
I suggest completing "5 Bullet Drafts." This is an exercise to complete a few days (or hours) prior to your publishing deadline. In this exercise, write an outline for your post by putting 5 bullets of ideas onto the page as quickly as possible. Don't stop for grammar or style. Rather, get 5 bullets (or more) of ideas of your topic on the page as quickly as possible.
“KISS - Keep it Simple Stupid.”
This is a core principle of business writing. Clarity is the number one goal. Keep it short, keep it simple, and keep it clear.
Avoid fluffy words or jargon. You're not impressing anyone. Aim for an 8th grade reading level.
Simplify your sentences. Break up compound sentences into two sentences.
When writing essays, I prefer a 500 limit on each essay. Can you get the point across in 500 words?
“Clear Target Reaction.”
"Amazon calls it the "so what?" test." - Sahil Bloom
What's the main point of this essay and did you get the point across quickly and clearly?
When we give feedback at MyMBA, the first question on our feedback form is: what was the main point of this essay?
“Story Telling.”
Appeal to the reader with a story. Without sacrificing clarity and brevity, how can you weave in examples, stories, and anecdotes to make your point.
Content will be just as important as code in the next phase of the internet.
From the standpoint of the individual, company, and network state, articulating your ideas through clear business writing will be key to success.