The monthly Tech Comm Café met on May 13 at a restaurant in Metrotown, Burnaby.
Announcements: The STC Canada West Coast chapter council will hold a strategic planning meeting on June 27 to discuss ideas for events and seminars for the upcoming season. All members, volunteers, and non-members are welcome. Details: https://stcwestcoast.ca/chapter/june-27-strategic-planning-meeting-for-201516.
During the Q&A part of the meeting we explored two things: writing blog posts for clients and learning more about the technical communication field.
Blog posts can be a challenging deliverable. The conversation revolved around best practices and how to communicate with the client. Blog posts are typically short (200 to 300 words) but many companies want longer posts. How do you figure out what the client wants while keeping the audience’s attention? The group suggested focusing on document design elements (breaking up longer posts with subheads and bullet points) and remembering to write for the audience. If the client wants something longer and it can be split into shorter posts, suggest that and explain why. A large part of consulting and technical writing is to educate clients on best practices and the benefits of writing specifically for the audience.
We also discussed the broad scope of the technical communication field. For newcomers trying to break in, starting with a certificate or some core courses can be a good strategy. Finding a niche or using previous experience in a particular industry or subject area can help narrow the type of work you do. Focusing in this way doesn’t mean that opportunities are limited; there’s still a need for communicators to do multiple tasks. If your potential employers are looking for expertise in specialized software tools, learn them from free online demos or sites such as Lynda.com. Tools are always changing, but knowing one example of a tool, such as graphics software, is a great foundation for learning similar ones.
Thanks to Beverlee Bishundayal for chairing the meeting.
Next Tech Comm Café: Wednesday, June 10, 2015
The TCC provides networking opportunities, job leads, answers to work-related dilemmas, and a burst of professional energy to keep you motivated. We discuss technical writing tools and techniques, career planning, portfolios, and anything else related to working as a technical communicator.
We welcome anyone who’s interested in technical communication — contractor, in-house, student, long-time tech writer, STC member, non-member, career-changer, or recruiter. We hope to see you at the next meeting!
Date: Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Time: 6:30–8:00 pm Pacific Time
Location: BG Urban Café, 4575 Central Blvd, Burnaby. Close to the Metrotown Skytrain and bus loop. To the east of the mall entrance between the mall and Bonsor Park. Parking in the mall.
Agenda
- Introductions. Take 60 seconds to introduce yourself, your background, current activities. A good chance to try out that new elevator speech.
- Announcements and job leads. If you know of an interesting event or a job opening, or you’re looking for work, share it with the group.
- Brainstorming Q&A. Ask about a work-related problem and discuss potential solutions.
- Speed networking. Spend a few minutes with a new contact, exchange business cards, and discuss your professional backgrounds and goals.
