18. Writing online as a career bet

In a fast-changing job market, writing helps you learn in public, build trust, and get noticed.

Why Writing Online Is the Best Career Investment in Uncertain Times

After I got laid off from my first job, something unexpected happened. I had multiple job offers before my notice period ended.

It wasn’t because I had some incredible resume or a secret backchannel into companies. The main reason was simpler: I had been writing online.

Most people don’t think of writing as a career strategy. They see it as something separate, something "extra." But I’ve come to believe it’s one of the highest-leverage things you can do. Especially when the future feels uncertain.

And right now, the future is very uncertain.

The job market is changing faster than people can keep up. AI is replacing some jobs, reshaping others. Entire industries are shifting. The safe path - study, get a job, stay put, is becoming less and less reliable.

In a world like that, your best bet is to increase your surface area for luck. Writing online does exactly that.

Writing Consistently

When you write online, you're building a kind of serendipity engine. You're giving people a chance to find you. Not just recruiters or hiring managers, but collaborators, investors, even friends. It’s like sending out tiny signals into the world. Each post, each idea you share, is a beacon.

But to get those benefits, you have to write consistently.

Most people try once or twice and give up. They feel like they’re shouting into the void. No likes, no shares, no replies. That’s normal. In fact, it’s good. It means no one’s watching while you get better.

Writing is like compound interest. You don’t see the benefits at first. But if you stick with it, the returns start to stack.

Be Authentic

It doesn’t matter what you write about. What matters is that it’s real. Be honest. Be curious. Don’t pretend to know everything. Just share what you’re learning.

The best writing online feels like a conversation, not a performance. You’re not trying to impress people. You’re trying to connect with them. And the easiest way to do that is to be yourself.

Share What You Learn

One of the biggest mistakes people make is thinking they need to be an expert. You don’t. The best writing often comes from people who are still figuring things out. They ask better questions. They explain things in a way others can relate to.

If you learned something today - a new skill, a mental model, a way of thinking, write about it. Even if it feels obvious to you. Especially if it feels obvious to you.

Because what’s obvious to you isn’t obvious to everyone else. That’s why it’s valuable.

Think Out Loud

I’ve noticed something interesting: the more I write, the more I understand what I think. It’s like thoughts don’t fully form until I try to explain them. Writing isn’t just a way to share ideas. It’s a way to discover them.

So if you’re learning something new, that’s not just a reason to stay quiet. That’s the perfect excuse to write.

The internet rewards people who think out loud. Not because their thoughts are always right, but because they’re willing to share them before they’re fully formed.

Why This Matters More Than Ever

This idea, that your internet presence can change your career sounds abstract until it happens to you. You post something. Someone reads it. They reach out. A new door opens. And you realize: this isn’t magic. It’s just math. You are increasing the surface area of your luck.

We’re living in a time of fast change. Roles are evolving. Skills are getting outdated. But with every shift comes an opportunity, if people can find you.

You Don't Need to Be a "Creator"

It’s worth mentioning: this isn’t about becoming a creator. You don’t need to be an influencer. You don’t need a newsletter or a YouTube channel. You just need to write things you care about, where other people can see them.

You don’t need 10,000 followers. You just need the right 100 people to see what you’re doing. The right reader is worth more than a thousand likes.

Just Do It ✔️

It’s a weird time to be working. But that’s also what makes it a good time to try things. Especially things like this - simple, cheap, low-risk habits that can quietly change everything.

Write something. Post it. Repeat.

Your future self will thank you.