A dedicated group braved a dark and stormy night to attend the Tech Comm Café on March 9 at a café in Burnaby.
Announcements
– STC Canada West Coast chapter will host a seminar on “How the foundation for technical communication can lead to work as a business analyst” on March 19. Check https://stcwestcoast.ca/chapter/march-19-how-the-foundation-for-technical-communication-can-lead-to-business-analysis for details.
– Two job leads were shared.
– The chapter needs volunteers for Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, Programs Coordinator, and the Information Interview Service. Contact volunteer (at) stcwestcoast (dot) ca if you’d like to help.
Discussion
We discussed different types of technical writing, including work that technical writers do under different job titles such as proposal writing, financial writing, and copywriting. We agreed that copywriting is a somewhat different skill, since it requires persuasive writing — selling as well as explaining a product or service.
One writer asked about setting SMART goals: specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely. These were needed for an impending performance review but could also apply to a project in the early stages of planning. Some tips: Be sure that the goals show progression, with benchmarks to show growth and movement in the right direction. Use a series of small, achievable deadlines to measure incremental progress towards a goal. Don’t over-promise!
Documentation goals can be difficult to measure, but you can use standards such as number of errors reported, customer complaints received, or visits to a web page to create a rough estimate of usefulness and efficiency. One writer believed, however, that readers are “fussy, impatient, and busy,” so customer feedback isn’t necessarily complete or accurate. For a more objective assessment, consider entering an STC publications competition, in which senior writers evaluate printed or online technical documents and provide detailed and useful feedback to the author.
It was a good meeting, with interesting and wide-ranging conversation. One person e-mailed afterwards to express “joy and gratitude” for the opportunity to “talk shop with people who understand technical writing.” That’s the kind of feedback we like to see — thank you!
Next Vancouver-Area Tech Comm Café: Wednesday, April 13, 2016
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, April 13, 2016
Time: 6:30–8:00 pm Pacific Time
Location: To be announced. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to admin (at) stcwestcoast (dot) ca.
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.
Heather Sommerville is a senior technical writer and editor with over 20 years of experience delivering clear, concise writing for business and technical audiences. She is an STC Associate Fellow and has served in many volunteer positions with the STC Canada West Coast chapter.