Why I keep writing — and why you might too.
This post is part of our Being Human Series — reflections on empathy, values, and the ways we connect with one another.
I’m joined by Dirk Sperrfechter, Senior Director, Global Business Development at Kantar — who, as always, brings his blend of wisdom and crackerjack smarts.
When I Share that I Keep Writing, I Often Get a Certain Kind of Response
It usually comes from people I admire — accomplished and confident in their careers.
And their responses often sound like this:
- “Oh, I don’t post because I’m not into self-promotion…”
- “I don’t write because I don’t want to sound like I’m bragging…”
- “Writing is for other people. I’m happy with where I am in my career…”
And that’s the thing.
It’s interesting how quickly a mental link gets made between sharing something you’ve written and the notion of self-promotion.
The Assumption That Writing Is Self-Promotion
We’ve all seen posts that are more about image than insight. But the idea that writing must be self-promotion is off the mark.
I’ve never once walked into a library, looked at the rows of books, and thought:
“Oh wow, look at all these self-centered authors. That Voltaire — what a pompous show-off.”
Which brings me to something I learned in Mark Schaefer’s personal branding class.
One of the key ideas is that personal branding is not about you. It’s about how you uniquely serve others — through writing, video, podcasts, or whatever medium you choose.
So writing, in that sense, is a gift.
It’s a way to package your experiences and insights so they can travel farther and last longer.
As Schaefer puts it:
“It’s not just about what you know. It’s about who knows you — and what they know you for.”
— Mark Schaefer
That idea matters. And as Dirk puts it:
“Writing is not about ego. It’s about impact. If one person reads something I’ve shared and sees their challenge a little more clearly, that’s worth it.”
— Dirk Sperrfechter
Which leads to another assumption I hear.
The Assumption That “I Don’t Need to Write”
Writing is not just about career advancement. It’s about influence.
And influence doesn’t have to mean titles, followers, or a bigger stage. It means shaping conversations and helping others think differently.
Writing is one of the most effective ways to do that — because it scales your voice beyond the room you’re in.
When you publish something, you never know who might read it, or when.
Your words could land in the hands of someone you’ll never meet, at exactly the moment they need them.
Put another way: Being known and being of service can go hand in hand.
Dirk adds:
“I’ve seen how a single post can spark a conversation across teams, countries, and even companies. That’s not self-promotion, that’s connection.”
— Dirk Sperrfechter
I admire the fierce consistency — and discipline — of those who write and share regularly.
Even if I don’t read, fully understand, or enjoy everything they create, I value their commitment to showing up.
You Don’t Have to Call Yourself a Writer
You don’t have to call yourself a writer to benefit from writing. Just be open to share what you’ve learned, in the spirit it might make someone else’s path a little clearer.
And if that’s self-promotion… then I’m okay with that.
Have you ever hesitated to write or post because it felt like self-promotion? Maybe it’s time to reframe it:
You’re not promoting yourself — you’re promoting the ideas, lessons, and possibilities that might help others.
And Dirk says it best:
“Writing is how we scale trust. It’s how we make our thinking visible, and useful, beyond the moment.”
— Dirk Sperrfechter
Thank you for reading!
I regularly share stories, strategies, and insights from our work across Contact Centers, Customer Service, and Customer Experience. If this resonates, I’d love to stay connected.
You can drop me a line anytime, or subscribe via our website.
Daniel Ord
[email protected]
www.omnitouchinternational.com
