Why Is Writing Important? It Makes You Recession-Proof [See How]

As I write this, layoffs are sweeping through industries we once thought were stable. Inflation still bites. And many people are quietly realizing that “job security” was always a myth.

What’s missing from the conversation isn’t another forecast or budget tip—it’s a deeper understanding of how we, as individuals, can become truly recession-proof. The solution isn’t hoarding cash or chasing another credential. It’s increasing your market value by showing you're not a commodity. And one of the most overlooked ways to do that? Writing.

Writing isn’t just about content. It’s about credibility. It’s about positioning. And in a competitive, chaotic economy, it’s one of the few skills that can multiply your perceived value overnight—if you know how to use it strategically.

Why the Economy Punishes Commodities — and Rewards Communicators

In every downturn, the same pattern repeats: people with generic skill sets get cut first. Why? Because they’re replaceable. Their work is commoditized. They haven’t built a visible, defensible edge.

This is where writing comes in—not just as a skill, but as a positioning tool.

Most people think the recession is about rising costs. In truth, it’s about declining value. Yes, groceries are more expensive. But the bigger problem? If your work is indistinguishable from anyone else’s, your value in the market is dropping fast—whether or not you notice it yet.

The professionals who thrive in any economy don’t just do great work. They communicate their value in a way that makes it impossible to ignore. And the best vehicle for doing that—especially in the knowledge economy—is writing.

When you write well, you make your thinking visible. You demonstrate clarity, conviction, and originality. You stop being one of many and start becoming one of one.

My Wake-Up Call: Being Laid Off as a Commodity Worker

The only time I’ve ever been laid off was from a minimum-wage job I never even wanted.

It was at an Apple-authorized repair store in downtown Montreal—nothing glamorous, but as a university student, I needed the income. The job came with promise: steady work, a foot in the tech world, and a team that seemed to like me. I had left a Starbucks role I actually enjoyed to take this one. The move felt like a step forward.

Until it wasn’t.

Just before the holidays, I went to ask for time off to visit a friend. Before I could get the words out, my manager hit me with the news: they were letting me go.

His exact words still echo in my mind:

“You’re just not indispensable enough.”

Not skilled enough. Not experienced enough. But more importantly—not visible enough. That sentence made one thing crystal clear: in their eyes, I was a commodity.

That job—and that moment—marked a turning point for me. I realized I was building my life around being agreeable and hardworking, not around becoming irreplaceable. And without any visible authority or expert positioning, I had no leverage. No options. No defense.

It wasn’t just a job loss. It was a reality check.

That experience planted the seed for everything I teach and coach today: if you don’t show your value in writing, the market will assume you don’t have any.

Writing Helped Me Rebuild My Value From the Ground Up

After that layoff, I didn’t suddenly become an expert. I still had to finish my degree. I still lacked experience. But I made one key decision that changed the trajectory of my career: I committed to improving my writing skills—and publishing my ideas.

At first, nothing happened. I applied to over 50 jobs during one summer and didn’t get a single interview. I had solid experience and was confident in my ability to communicate, but still—no traction.

Then I started writing publicly.

I published posts on LinkedIn about what I was learning in writing, communication, and storytelling. I wrote about process, mindset, and lessons from the field. These weren’t polished essays. They were raw ideas, written in my voice. But they worked.

Suddenly, recruiters were reaching out to me.

And more importantly, I wasn’t just getting attention—I had leverage. I was turning knowledge into visibility, and visibility into opportunities. I landed my first job out of university without even applying. Later, I earned a Fulbright Fellowship from the U.S. State Department, which opened even more doors.

That would not have happened without my writing. Not just good writing, but visible writing—writing that demonstrated my critical thinking skills, communicated value, and showed proof of expertise.

You can have all the qualifications in the world, but if no one knows who you are or what you stand for, you’re still invisible in the market.

Writing helped me fix that. Permanently.

Writing Isn’t Enough—You Must Publish to Position Yourself

Let’s be clear: writing alone won’t recession-proof your career.

I’ve worked with over 130 professionals—CEOs, consultants, lawyers, coaches—and some of them are excellent writers. But even they weren’t fully leveraging writing. Why? Because their work was stuck in private documents, journal entries, or dusty Google Drives. None of it positioned them publicly as a leader.

To build authority, you need to publish.

It’s the publishing that creates leverage. The publishing that builds trust. The publishing that attracts referrals, podcast invites, speaking gigs, and client inquiries. Until your writing is out in the world, it’s just potential energy. Publishing is what turns it into a business asset.

This is where most professionals get stuck. They assume writing needs to be perfect. Or they think they’re “not ready.” Or they fear judgment. So they stay quiet—and stay invisible.

But publishing isn’t about perfection. It’s about creating a consistent first impression that signals authority and expertise. Whether it’s LinkedIn posts, blog articles, newsletters, or books, your written communication is your best salesperson—working 24/7 to shape how others perceive your value.

That’s why good writing skills aren’t enough. You also need the courage—and strategy—to hit publish.

Writing Skills Are Essential Skills for Leadership

If you want to lead, you need to write. Period.

Writing isn’t just a communication tool—it’s a leadership tool. It forces clarity. It reveals gaps in your thinking. And it makes your ideas scalable. A single well-written piece can align a team, close a deal, or move a market.

That’s why writing skills are essential skills in today’s economy. The higher you climb, the more your job becomes about influence, not execution. And influence depends on clear, persuasive communication.

Every leader I’ve coached eventually reaches this point: they realize that writing isn’t just helpful—it’s a core part of how they solve problems, motivate teams, and grow their business. Whether they’re drafting an internal memo, outlining a keynote, or working on a book, they’re using writing to clarify strategy and drive outcomes.

Good leaders think clearly. Great leaders write clearly. Because writing is thinking in public—and the better your writing, the sharper your thinking becomes.

This is also why critical thinking and problem solving are baked into every writing project I work on with clients. It’s not about grammar or style—it’s about sharpening your ideas until they cut through the noise.

Writing Helps You Build Frameworks, Not Just Content

Most people think writing is just about sharing thoughts or publishing content. But that’s surface-level thinking.

When done strategically, writing helps you build original frameworks—the kind that differentiate you from competitors and make your expertise transferable, teachable, and scalable.

This is especially true for founders, consultants, and coaches. Writing allows you to take everything you’ve learned through experience and turn it into clear mental models and processes that others can use. That’s how you go from being a smart individual contributor to a thought leader with IP that attracts business.

In fact, one of the first things I do with clients is help them develop proprietary frameworks through writing. These frameworks become the backbone of their books, their signature talks, and even their offers.

Writing isn’t just for one purpose—it serves different purposes: clarity, marketing, training, sales, and more. It allows you to generate new ideas, refine old ones, and establish a repeatable way of thinking that scales beyond you.

This is where writing becomes a valuable skill in your business—not because it’s polished or poetic, but because it gives form to your thinking.

Frameworks don’t just inform. They transform.

You Don’t Need to Be a Great Writer — You Need a Strategy

One of the biggest myths I hear from leaders and professionals is this:

“I’m just not a great writer.”

But here’s the truth: You don’t need to be.

Some of the most successful thought leaders I’ve worked with don’t consider themselves good writers at all. What they do have is a strategy—and often, the right support. They either work with someone like me to turn their thinking into compelling writing, or they follow a process that makes their communication repeatable and effective.

Excellent writing is helpful. But strategic writing is essential.

You can write poorly and still get results if your message is strong and your positioning is clear. On the other hand, I’ve seen technically good writers publish forgettable content that goes nowhere because it lacks structure, audience awareness, or authority.

If you want to lead, scale, or grow your brand, you have two options:
→ Hire a skilled writer to turn your expertise into content
→ Learn to write strategically yourself

In both cases, you need a framework—because writing without a purpose is just typing. It doesn’t matter whether you're working on a book, launching a blog, or building a presence on LinkedIn. The goal isn’t to enjoy writing—the goal is to write in a way that moves your business forward.

And if you’re exploring freelance writing as a career or side income stream? This same principle applies. Strategy beats style every time.

5 Practical Ways to Leverage Writing to Grow Your Career or Business

If you’re serious about building visibility, credibility, and leadership in your field, writing must become a core part of your strategy.

Here are five practical ways to start using your writing more effectively—whether you're a founder, executive, or subject-matter expert:

1. Build a High-Impact Blog That Attracts Search Traffic

A blog isn’t just a content outlet—it’s a strategic tool for attracting long-term, organic visibility. Publishing regularly helps you clarify your thinking, create evergreen value, and rank for relevant terms on Google.

Need a starting point? Learn how to use psychology in writing to influence readers and how long it should take to write a book when you're turning your ideas into content.

2. Show Up Consistently on LinkedIn

LinkedIn is one of the most underrated platforms for professionals who want to be seen as thought leaders. Posting once or twice a week can lead to job offers, client leads, and podcast invitations. The key is consistency—and clarity.

If you’ve ever struggled with consistency, try applying a writing consultant’s approach to build your voice strategically.

3. Turn Your IP Into a Thought Leadership Book

Books are still one of the most effective ways to establish instant credibility. They give your message permanence—and authority. Even if you don’t think of yourself as a writer, the right method can take your ideas from scattered to structured.

If you’re wondering where to begin, explore the Easy Book Writing Method or see how to write a book to grow your business.

4. Use Writing to Attract Media, Speaking, and Podcast Opportunities

When you articulate your thinking clearly in writing, people take notice. Event organizers, podcast hosts, and journalists are always looking for articulate, insightful guests—and your articles, blogs, or posts can serve as a powerful first impression.

This is especially true if you’re building a platform around thought leadership or specialized expertise.

5. Create Frameworks That Scale Your Expertise

Your value as a professional grows exponentially when you can teach others how you think. Writing helps you turn your methods into replicable frameworks—something I help clients do all the time.

If you want to lead with clarity and structure, it’s worth studying how to finish your book and codify your knowledge in a way that stands out in your market.

Writing isn't just about expression—it's about leverage.

What I’ve Learned From Coaching 130+ Clients to Write Authoritative Books

Over the last few years, I’ve helped more than 130 clients write books that showcase their expertise, attract business opportunities, and clarify their ideas.

Here’s what I’ve learned: most people think they need to become better writers—but what they really need is a better process.

The professionals I coach don’t all come in with excellent writing skills. In fact, many are terrified of the blank page. But they know their stuff, and that’s what we build on. Through structured coaching, they learn to extract their intellectual property, build original frameworks, and organize their message in a way that resonates.

This isn’t just about putting words on the page. It’s about creating lasting authority.

Some clients write books. Others create content series, strategic blogs, or long-form articles. But in every case, the process improves how they think, communicate, and lead. They gain the confidence to speak, pitch, and publish without second-guessing themselves.

If you’ve ever thought about writing a book, but felt overwhelmed, I recommend checking out our memoir writing coaching if you have a personal story to tell—or leadership writing coaching if you’re building authority in your field.

Either way, writing will stretch you—and change how others see you.

Writing Is the Most Transferable Skill in a Recession

In a shaky economy, most people focus on tightening expenses or acquiring “safe” credentials. But in reality, the most recession-proof professionals aren’t necessarily the most qualified—they’re the ones who can communicate their value clearly and persuasively.

That’s why writing is one of the most transferable skills you can build.

Think about it. Writing shows up everywhere:

• In your cover letter for a job

• In the LinkedIn profile that recruiters scroll through

• In the client proposals and emails that drive revenue

• In the investor pitch or executive summary that determines funding

When done well, your writing becomes your first impression. It speaks on your behalf when you're not in the room. And in a world of AI-generated content and templated resumes, good writing skills that reflect critical thinking and communication skills will always stand out.

Yet most professionals never invest the time to sharpen these tools. They don’t work with a coach. They don’t learn the frameworks. And they don’t see how much opportunity they're leaving on the table.

If that’s you, you’re not alone—but it’s time to change it. Writing isn't optional anymore. It’s an asset you carry with you into every role, every business, and every season of your career.

Want to improve fast? Learn how to improve your writing skill or explore our editing services to refine your existing content.

Ready to Lead? Here’s How to Build Authority Through Writing

If you want to stand out in a crowded market, be taken seriously as a leader, and future-proof your career or business—writing is how you get there.

You don’t need to be a literary genius. You need a system. A process. And the willingness to share your thinking in a written form that creates trust, opens doors, and builds long-term credibility.

You can build that system yourself—or you can work with a coach to accelerate it. That’s what I do every day with founders, consultants, executives, and emerging leaders: I help them develop the thinking, structure, and voice that positions them as authorities.

If you’re ready to take writing seriously, visit our full list of services to find the support that fits your goals

Because in today’s economy, it’s not enough to be great at what you do—you have to show it. Writing is how you do that.

*This article is adapted from the Leadership Writing newsletter, which you can find here on LinkedIn  or by subscribing to our email newsletter.