Editorial Style Guides–Types of Guides and How to Create One

editing

Writers use style guides (also called style sheets) to effectively and clearly communicate with their audiences; editors use style guides to make sure they’ve done that!   There are essentially three kinds of editorial style guides–the guidelines on how text, tables, images, video, and layout should consistently appear in your publications. In this post I [...]

Read the full article →

10 Factors to Consider When Sizing (or Estimating) Your Writing Projects

contracts: estimating and quoting

One of the most difficult things to do, especially when you are getting started as a technical writer, is to size, or estimate, a writing job. And that is exactly what management and clients want you to do right up front: tell them how long it will take you to create the documentation from start [...]

Read the full article →

How to Set Rates & Fees

contracts: estimating and quoting

Great copy abounds on making it as an independent contractor. Andréa Coutu is the founder of ConsultantJournal.com and a blogger about how to achieve success as an independent consultant. I discovered her on the Metafilter site, specifically through the "freelance" tag on AskMeFi. The single-most (personally observed) sought-after information by independent consultants is the answer [...]

Read the full article →

How to Hire a Writer

contracts: estimating and quoting

Great copy abounds on making it as an independent contractor. Independent contractors are always "pen-ready"; that is, they always have these tools in grabbing-location when a client says, Yes! Let’s roll! Proposal and Statement of Work Contract Nondisclosure Agreement (NDA) W-9 Down Payment Invoice John White, marketing writer for venTAJAmarketing, discusses each of these documents [...]

Read the full article →

What is the Difference between a Goal and an Objective?

editing

Goals state what must be accomplished to meet a vision or mission. Objectives state what actions must be completed to accomplish the goals. Definition Example: Smart Goals & Objectives Write Tasks to Achieve Goals & Objectives Summary Definition Use goals and objectives to achieve something that requires a change in behavior, mindset, or practice. Goals [...]

Read the full article →

What is Indexing?

editing

…an editorial service I’m very excited about—a thing of beauty, and a great utility. While indexers use indexing software, there is no replacement for human decisions in choosing what is included in an index and how it is articulated and organized.   This blog post written by Judy Gordon;Writer, Editor, Indexer; Denver, CO; http://judygordon.biz/ Perhaps [...]

Read the full article →

How to Prevent Scope Creep–A Writer’s Perspective

contracts: estimating and quoting

One of the signs of "arriving" as an independent contractor is receiving payment for every hour worked, and at your hourly or project rate—not some watered-down one because things took longer than you thought they would. You need only one experience of watching your hourly or project rate diminish to a fraction of what it [...]

Read the full article →

What Should You Expect from an Editor?

contracts: estimating and quoting

Enthusiasm for and skill in tending to your content so your target audience can heed and act upon your message   On occasion I am asked to "just do a quick edit." That is like asking a marathoner to "just do a quick marathon–only run miles 11, 17, and 23." It can’t be done. Editors [...]

Read the full article →

How to Write for Your Audience

audience analysis

The skills you use to write for your target audience are no different than the ones you use to speak with your grandmother.  Aside from your sincere and engaging voice, you probably talk to your grandmother in a language she understands. Maybe you teach her an occasional hip word. But you likely carry on in [...]

Read the full article →

How to Analyze Your Audience

audience analysis

If you want your targeted audience to read or hear your recommendations, then remember and act upon them, express yourself in a vernacular that reflects your audience’s life experiences   Internet research makes audience analysis a pretty easy task. To get a close-up view of the people you’re about to write for, read content published [...]

Read the full article →