Ivan Walsh

"Hi Facundo, As someone who’s writing a book, I have a few thoughts on this :)  One is that you need to develop a platform before you’ll get a deal with a publisher. Blogs are fine for doing this and work for some.  But, it does mean you’re up against many others who may have larger platforms, more reach and appeal.  What it means for writers - and writing in general - is that you’re success as a writer may depend on your networking and publicity skills that ‘raw’ talent. Also, many writers are not very sociable, which is why they like to write of course.  I feel many of them won’t make it sadly as less skilled but better networkers will develop more compelling platforms and crowd them out before they gain the followers they need.  At least in the business writing world. For other genres, it may be different.  Great post, by the way! Ivan" - Ivan Walsh

"Thanks for the kind words, Nigel. You're the second person who suggested a book recently... got me thinking :) Ivan" - Ivan Walsh

"Astro :) I feel the social media policies will be merged into employee handbook once social media becomes the norm, i.e. just media. As regards suing…. I’m off to find a legal team, maybe on Odesk, hahaha :)" - Ivan Walsh

"Hi Tyler, One of our friends is a teacher and made the point that schools aren't just about education, e.g. Learning math, but civilizing children. He meant that school was there to teach kids how to get together, even though learning may suffer as a consequence. I feel this is very unfortunate as teachers are relegated to crowd controllers rather than educators." - Ivan Walsh

"Hi Neal, Didn't know you lived in Japan for so long. We were there briefly and really loved the place. ...On the other hand, if you are trying to sell to a technical crowd or a B2B scenario, the traditional business style may be the best. That's a good point as to get 'respect' with technologists you need to speak their language and establish that you have deep subject matter expertise. This is probably the one place where jargon is accepted, if not encouraged. Ivan" - Ivan Walsh

"he dumbing down... in deed :)" - Ivan Walsh

"I have three grandchildren in high school, and they are all excellent writers by any measure. That's great to hear, Sharon. Do you that's because of their respective schooling or values they've picked up at home?" - Ivan Walsh

"Hi Charlotte, I think social media has changed quite a bit, especially the way we look to others (not authority figures) for recommendations. Business writers need to look at ways to use the 'voice to the crowd' to make their point and stop broadcasting at consumers. Ivan" - Ivan Walsh

"I think the underlying problem isn't writing per se but a corrosive attitude that accepts sloppiness and, in a weird way, sees it as a form of self-expression. Maybe it goes back to rap in the 80s and the beginning of dumbing down language, text, songs and what now. I was listening to Simon & Garfunkel recently and thought there is no way someone could write that today. Just wouldn't happen. Showing my age, huh :)" - Ivan Walsh

"Thanks Linda, Exactly, it's the continuity that makes it work. I'm a bit concerned that some kids I know aren't getting enough exposure to the structured writing techniques you mentioned. Our guy is very lucky and has a great English teacher. Of course, when he asks me what's a compound noun, I make a quick exit :)" - Ivan Walsh

"Hi Mairead, I guess it depends on what we define as 'foundations'. I heard of some 10 yos that were learning 'structured writing'. I thought this was great and wish more schools taught this instead of flowery prose, which is what I learnt and then had to kind of unlearn if that makes sense when I went into the biz world. Ivan" - Ivan Walsh

"Good points, Ryan. Social proof will also be very effective.  Ivan" - Ivan Walsh