Not your ordinary band of writers

When you join the ranks of employed wordsmiths across the globe, it goes without saying that your expertise regarding language and writing is unquestioned by those paying your (albeit paltry) salary. My inbox is regularly frequented by queries concerning apostrophe usage, pleas for proof-reading and Shakespearian dilemmas – ‘to hyphenate or not to hyphenate’ is a question that is very much in vogue at the present time.

I shall make no attempt to hide the fact that being consulted as the ‘expert’ when it comes to writing, language and grammar serves to massage my ego; a welcome by-product that any writer relishes. However, even the most ‘authoritative’ of sources can be found to fall short when scrutinised more closely. Any craftsman (or crafts ‘person’ if we’re being politically correct), will admit that they’re always learning their trade and writers should be no different.

In the early days of my writing career, I feigned ignorance on more than one occasion, happily glazing over a particular turn of phrase or unknown word in order to save face and remain the ‘expert’ that I hoped my employers were taking me for. But in reality, whilst saving career face, what was I actually gaining in the long run? Answer? Not a lot.

A particular instance this week pointed out just how far I’ve changed my thinking in terms of accepting the limitations of my so-called ‘expertise’. A manager used the phrase ‘luddites’ to refer to some colleagues he was exasperated with when trying to push through a new agenda at work. Now, whereas the copywriter of old would have glazed over this and happily got the gist of the overall message, the first thing I did in this instance was to check my dictionary.

For those of you not au fait with emails concerning petty office politics (you lucky things), ‘luddite’ refers to:

“A group of British workers who between 1811 and 1816 rioted and destroyed labour-saving textile machinery in the belief that such machinery would diminish employment.”

This unfamiliar word now clarified, I immediately understood my manager’s difficulty in passing a digital marketing proposal, adding a new word to my vocabulary in the process.

So you see, whilst we may enjoy playing on our ‘literary expert’ status amongst peers, ignorance isn’t always bliss. The English language is growing daily, and as writers, we need to ensure that our vocabularies are added to just as quickly. Pretending that we know a word may save face in the short-term, but when the alternative is learning and actually expanding the very expertise we’re trying to portray, the option is simple – ignorance is for the ignorant.

About the author: British clientside copywriting never looked so good... from SEO and digital marketing to print advertising, strap-lines, content, journalism, social networking, viral marketing and blogging, Callum works in-house and at home. www.callumsaunders.co.uk

How often do technical writers wonder about what to do next in their career?

There hardly ever is a very well defined career path for documentation professionals especially in the technology companies. First you’re a junior writer, then a technical writer, then a senior writer or a specialist, but then what?

Those interested in people or project management will probably find a way to become team leaders, documentation project managers or group managers. It may not lead you much higher, though, as in the organizational hierarchy the documentation teams are often under other groups, such as R&D, and to become an R&D manager it takes a bit more than background in technical writing. No harm in trying, anyway!

Others may notice that training material creation is their passion, and it can lead to them becoming professional trainers or competence transfer specialists. Add a bit of user experience expertise and tech savvy, and you can become a master in creating fancy e-learnings and tutorials.

In the Agile environment, the role of Scrum Master could open up totally new career paths for technical writers. It does not require as much of technical knowledge as the role of software project manager or test manager, but it does require thorough understanding of the development environment and processes. Your company may offer the possibility of attending Scrum Master training and obtaining the official certificate. If interested in a more technical path, just talk to your manager and go for it!

In the product management teams, there may be entry-level roles such as product specialist or junior product manager. Technical writers are used to scanning product requirements, reading feasibility studies and responding to change requests, and at the same time keeping the customer point of view in mind. If you’re interested in becoming one of the people who set the requirements and understand the customer point of view in greater detail, make your way towards product management as the next step in your career.

If your company is hiring documentation consultants from a subcontractor, there may be need for more contract management specialists or subcontractor managers. As a technical writer, your negotiation skills should be excellent, and you’ll have great attention for detail - skill that will take you far in the contract management role.

For inspiration and more options, share your own thoughts and career choices!

About the author: Ritva Siltanen is a technical communications professional in the telecoms industry. Interested in social networking and web user communities as a phenomenon. Married with two kids and two cats.

As working writers, the majority of our days are occupied with drafting witty, inspiring and clever copy for products / services / websites that ironically, are far from witty, inspiring or clever. More often than not, the personal motivation to be found in ‘work’ copywriting stems purely from the (paltry) paycheque to be had at the end of every month.

It’s a well-known adage that the majority of writing professionals get their kicks from their personal projects, whether that’s writing a book, blogging, writing about hobbies or enthusing about causes dear to their hearts. It’s only a lucky few of us that manage to command vast sums for writing we genuinely enjoy; the rest of us simply ply our trade writing adverts for toilet rolls and pet insurance whilst harbouring dreams of becoming the next Dan Brown – mmmm, film rights…

Whilst this is a pragmatic outlook upon our trade as working writers, I’ll readily admit that, to use a turn of phrase dear to you Americans, work can sometimes ‘throw you a curve ball’. I may not be au fait with baseball, or many American sports for that matter, but I am familiar with the joy to be found when your creative talents are let off the lease and handed permission to roam the wilderness of an unregulated page.

One client that I have been working with for a long time is now in the process of setting up a new venture. Admittedly, this didn’t sound like an immediate cause for celebration, but then that was before I had been briefed on the project. I was told the news that every copywriter longs to hear – no, not “that’s perfect – no need to re-write”, but the fact that I had creative license to be as opinionated as I wanted to.

The client in question has always used a very corporate, safe tone of voice, which although a good source of income, hardly inspires a copywriter who’s itching to try something different. So as you can imagine, when I heard that they had partnered with a new firm that is a lot more risqué and my services were to be outsourced a few days per week, the excitement I felt was heartfelt.

Corporate copywriting stabilisers well and truly off (well, for a few days per week), I’ve been turning out pithy articles, writing opinionated columns and living up to my licence to be controversial. The effect this has had on my other copywriting has also been noted. I’ve been lucky enough to land a short-term gig that’s inspiring and has restored within me the joy of writing.

I fully intend to make metaphorical hay whilst the sun shines – after all, paid work this good can’t last forever, can it?

About the author: British clientside copywriting never looked so good... from SEO and digital marketing to print advertising, strap-lines, content, journalism, social networking, viral marketing and blogging, Callum works in-house and at home. www.callumsaunders.co.uk

I want to begin with a quote by James Allen from, As A Man Thinketh. “Not what he wishes and prays for does a man get, but what he justly earns. His wishes and prayers are only gratified and answered when they harmonize with his thoughts and actions.”

There are many pieces of prose that stir and move me; more than half of them are from this tiny book alone, but these two sentences hold a lot of power for me. Each word moves me gladly to the next. As I read and understand it, we don’t get what we wish and pray for, but what we justly earn. To have our wishes and prayers answered they must be in harmony with our thoughts and actions. Basically, if you’re all over the place you’re not focusing on the right thoughts and actions.

If your wish and prayers are of writing full time and being able to pay your bills (and then some), why are you forever wondering why you have not accomplished what you want?

If you make part time money writing, then maybe that’s what you justly earn. I know what you’re thinking…If you were a writer full time, would you get to that level you are praying for? The unknown is why some freelancers have a full time job. There are bills to pay and you have to eat at least every now and then. In this rather scary economy, you would think having a full time job would take some of the worry away…now you worry about your writing.

Your thoughts and actions are not in harmony with your wishes, prayers and dreams; no harmony, but plenty confusion as to why you’re not getting where you want to go.

I know it involves taking that big leap of faith, and faith is hard to come by when you’ve barely survived this life of lay-offs, debts, no remaining retirement account, and ever declining economy. Being just shy of living under a bridge in a cardboard box is not the direction you want to go.

Consider your steps carefully so going ‘on your own’ makes sense to YOU. If it’s just not something you’re comfortable with at this point, then do your very best to remember wishing and praying isn’t enough. There has to be continuous thoughts and actions that are in harmony with your dreams.

About the author: Penny Martin has been writing and publishing for 20 years and lives in the North Dallas area of Texas. Currently, she is running her own freelance business. Contact her at www.martinpenny.com

First of all, I apologize for the long absence. We had something of a family emergency to deal with and then I started writing a new book and then the place I’m doing a contract at has blocked all social media and then…

But enough of that. I’m tapping this post out on an iPhone so there is always a way around obstacles.

A few weeks ago I asked my colleagues on linkedin what makes them share a link or video, forward an email or retweet something.

I honestly didn’t know what to expect. I received 41 answers, almost all of which contained multiple answers, mostly of the “I will pass something along if it is X, Y, and Z.”

I decided to share the results here as many of us are involved in creating content. What I did was count mentions of various words or phrases, taking the time to do some broad impromptu groupings (for example, humorous and funny go in the same bucket).

1. Is it relevant or useful to the recipient? (32)

2. Is it funny? (23)

3. Is it interesting, unique or different? (15)

4. Is it timely? (4)

5. Is it shocking or profane? (4)

6. Is it for a good cause? (2)

After that we have a whole bunch of one votes: it has to be easy to share, it has to come from a trusted source, it has to be inspiring/emotional/poignant, or it had to be consistent with your own personal brand.

My take away on all of this? If you’re a content creator, there’s no percentage in making mass appeal type content. Focus your efforts. Talk to a well defined group of folks. Add some humor, some verve, and your own spirit.

Doing all this will help you, despite what the killjoys in marketing say.

About the author: Thomas Myer is an author, consultant, and coder living in Austin, TX. He runs From Geek to Peak and Triple Dog Dare Media. He is married to Hope and has Marlowe and Kafka under foot.