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Rapid-fire Feedback Loops

Before the Internet, writers had to try to figure out what worked and what didn't within
their writing with very slow, manual, squeaky wheel feedback loops. A writer would work
on a draft of their novel or short story, bring it to the local pub, and see if any drunkards
would be willing to listen to them read a page or two. How they learned if the writing was

"working" was whether audience members doubled over laughing or crying, or found the
work so boring and repulsive they forcibly shoved a mug o' ale in their faces and told
them to shut it. (Not exactly an easy way to learn.)

As a result, writers would spend months or years working a piece of material. Then wait
months (or years) for a magazine or publishing house to consider it. Then wait months

for editors to comb through it. Then wait months for the piece to finally be published.
Then wait some more to gauge the public's reaction.

One entire cycle of feedback could take anywhere from a year all the way up to a
decade.

In the Digital Age, writers don't have to suffer this way anymore.

Digital Writers can publish a 280-character Tweet and instantly get feedback as to
whether or not their idea has merit. If it does, and readers are clearly engaging with it,

they know that idea is worth exploring. And if readers don't, and their idea falls on deaf
ears, they know to move on. These rapid-fire feedback loops have transformed the way
writers learn what works in their writing and what is engaging audiences.

In fact, there's no reason to spend 1-5+ years working on a piece of writing today,
wondering whether or not readers will like it. With rapid-fire, digital feedback loops, you

should be able to validate every single one of your ideas as you write—allowing you to
learn faster, grow your audience faster, and create a writing style that engages readers,
faster.

Build Your Audience As You Write Online

The second major benefit to writing online and living as a Digital Writer is that instead of
working on a piece of writing and then trying to figure out how to get people to read it,
you can find your readers as you explore and refine your ideas.

We call this Practicing In Public.

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How To Start Writing Online: The Ship 30 For 30 Ultimate Guide