Publishing can help you develop a voice, though. I'm currently reading an interesting history of the 90s riot grrl movement (Sara Marcus's Girls to the Front), and from what I can tell, publishing zines was a big part of what helped them develop a community, find friends/bandmates, hone philosophies and possible lyrical ideas, etc. In fact a few of the bands existed only in concept until they got put on the spot by someone who liked their zine enough to book them to play a gig! (Then they had to finish learning to play instruments and write some songs.)

In part I think that's because some kinds of publishing, like zines and social media, are somewhat in between pure publishing and conversation; they're not just a polished finished product, but also a way to discuss ideas and meet people.