tech
January 8, 2026
The Heyday of the Writing-first Practitioner
How some of the world’s most famous investors and operators stand out—and why AI sharpens this edge
TL;DR
- Writing-first practitioners use public writing to sharpen thinking, build networks, and attract opportunities.
- Examples include Fred Wilson (VC), Julie Zhuo (ex-Facebook), Alex Danco (Shopify/Andreessen Horowitz), and Warren Buffet.
- Writing helps professionals make better decisions by forcing them to take intellectual stances.
- AI may enhance, rather than diminish, the advantage of writing-first practitioners.
- Writing creates leverage in fields where results are hidden, networks drive profit, industries are fast-moving, or clients lack expertise.
- Writing demands a discipline of thought and commitment to a viewpoint that podcasts may not.
- Consistently writing publicly builds trust and signals competence, even when AI can produce content easily.