KEY ADVICE AND SERVICES
Join me socially
  • Welcome
  • Services
  • Training
  • Key Blog
  • About
  • Get in Touch
    • Media Centre

Communication convergence survival strategy

10/29/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Author Roberta Rich (R) ), writer Frances Peck (Centre) and publishing editor Paula Ayer (L) discussing industry developments at Communication Convergence 2015.
Fawn Mulcahy at Communication Convergence 2015Dawn Mulcahy shared thoughts on how tech affects talk.
 
Communications convergence is here. Are you ready? Do you have a strategy? Find out what this group of experts in writing, editing, publishing, education and digital media had to say at Communication Convergence 2015 in Vancouver recently.


Communications Convergence 2015 Vancouver, organized by Cheryl Stephens and Katherine McManus, looked at how new media is changing how we communicate with and relate to our audiences.
 
Writers, editors, educators, publishers, authors, digital media experts joined forces to examine: Coping with the New: from distribution channels to audience expectations. Many questions were asked. A few conclusions were drawn.
 
How technology affects how we use language?

Public Relations professional Fawn Mulcahy lifted the lid by saying LOL (laugh out loud) that technology doesn't affect language. We are communicating with clients in new ways, often due to technology.  But, we need to build these words, technology and social media into our client communication strategies. What now? We need to go back to the drawing board and create new paradigms.
 

How does the new reality affect communication teams?

 
Panelists Paula Ayer, writer-editor, Frances Peck, communication consultant and writer, and Roberta Rich, author explored how their fields are changing. The consensus – publishers want more, better, faster. 'Much like our audiences.  Creative teams need to work more efficiently and effectively than ever.
 
Who is today's audience?
 
Cheryl Stephens, clear communication consultant, delved into The Hidden Intricacy of the Modern Reading Audience. Forget your concept of the client as a person, much like you, using simple demographics. We need to think about culture, language, health, literacy, stress, social situation and more. The 'general public' is not amorphous. Again, participants agreed we need to 'invest more' in getting to know our audiences, and at the early stages of the strategic planning.
 
Are Audience Expectations Changing Now That All Communications Is a Conversation?
 
I, with my clear communication consultant and trainer hats on, lead the whole group discussion looking at the change in audience expectations driven by the prevailing mode of communication – the conversation. The fusion of fictional and factual story telling is not new. What is new is that our messages are no longer linear. They are circular. We are all interacting and being interactive. We are listening and responding.
 
Participants suggested audiences, publishers and writers want communications to be:
  • Directive
  • Immediacy
  • Transparency
  • Accountable
  • More democratic.
Passive behavior is so 20th century. We have to keep pace with the publics we serve.
 
We are all publishers now
 
Blake Desaulniers, writer, photographer, videographer and content marketer, issued this challenge: 'get with the digital, social, new media world we live in' and make it work. The Internet has made everyone a publisher, from social media messages, to blogs. 
 
If you are not doing keyword research, don't publish. SEO, keywords, digital media stats are now the threads that make or break our communication strategies. 'Engagement' and 'measurement' will determine the winners in today's complex and challenging marketplace.
 
His advice about developing a complex marketing persona, exploiting social media delivering higher quality engagement and integrating new metrics was thought-provoking.
 
Today we are looking at the new. Coping with creating effective strategies for our next move. And, our audience relationships couldn't be more competitive, challenging and complex.  But, the answers are in taking the time to build personas, track behaviours and build messages that tell stories our readers are keen on.  At your next meeting ask 'Who is our audience?' and see if your members are in tune with today's clients.
 

Picture

With support from Simon Fraser University Continuing Education, Society for Technical Communicators (STC),BC Region, and Douglas College Communications Certificate Program

0 Comments

#30plainwords for IPLDay

10/13/2015

0 Comments

 
I celebrated International Plain Language Day 2015 by posting #30plainwords—one each day for the 30 days leading up to Oct 13. We can all use plain language resources. As words are at the heart of plain language, this list can be a starting point. It may be the beginning of a style guide for your organization, encouraging people to choose their words carefully.
Don't Use, Choose

1. anticipate, expect
2. attempt, try
3. As a consequence of, because
4. accordingly, so
5.commence, start
6.consequently, so
7.demonstrate, show
8.determine, decide
9. expedite, speed up
10.in the event of, if
11.facilitate, help
12.however, but
13.in accordance with, with
14.in relation to, due to
15.in the amount of, for
16.it is requested, please
17.at this point in time, now
18.modify, change
19. numerous, many
20. operate, use
21.prioritize, order
22.for the purpose of, for
23.prior to, before
24.regarding, about
25.represents, is
26. subsequently, after or then
27.therefore, so
28.transmit, send
29. with reference to, about
30. our office, we

Remember: Every word counts, and costs.


Take the #WriteClearly2015 Challenge. Choose a document or project for your organization to change to plain language. Set up a team. Draw up a plan. Test it. And, learn from it. Then keep going. But, if it's possible, post your before and after documents and share the link on Twitter with the hashtag #WriteClearly2015. join our IPlainDay Oct 13 tweet-up 9amPT #talkplain2015.
0 Comments

Take the International Plain Language Day Challenge

10/9/2015

0 Comments

 
Starting your first plain language project—or initiating a new one—can seem like a big mountain to climb. But, it simply takes a step-by-step approach to get started, go the distance and achieve success. On International Plain Language Day Oct 13 we are inviting you to take the 'Write Clearly 2015' challenge. Here are tips to help you get started.


Join the IPLDAY Oct 13 Tweet-up #talkplain2015 at 9am PT

Seven tips for project success
Successful plain language projects have these seven characteristics in common:
1. the team - strategically choose people who can help you reach your goal.
2. SMART goals - reduce the volume of content in a document or simplify the writing.
3. clear guidelines - create a style guide for the project so everyone has the same information.
4. carefully select document or information collection - keep it manageable.
5. user or reader feedback -  helps drive the project forward.
6. training - for team and staff.
7. evaluation strategy - track all key developments.
Whether you are doing one document or an organizational overhaul, these steps are important. Success depends on excellent project management and team leadership. You can do it!

Take the IPLDAY2015 #WriteClearly2015 Challenge.
Choose a document. Give it a plain language make over.
Share on Twitter by posting a link to your example with the #WriteClearly2015 tag.


Seven steps to plain language

1.Select your document or group of documents.
2.Use plain language checklist to assess what clear communication guidelines are being used. Are missing?
3. Establish project style guide for everyone to use.
4. Carry out one or two readability or usability tests.
5. Edit document to style guide and test results.
6. Proof and re-test.
7. Finalize and design for readability.

When you reach the top of the mountain you will have a great view! Every project is a great learning experience. Expect a few surprises along the way. But, plan to celebrate the project and use it as a template in going forward.

If you need advice - get in touch.
0 Comments

    Author

    Kate Harrison Whiteside has over 25 years experience in plain language, writing and editing, training and consulting.

    Archives

    February 2023
    July 2021
    June 2020
    February 2020
    October 2019
    September 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    November 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    January 2017
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    February 2015
    June 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    March 2013
    January 2013
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    March 2012

    Categories

    All
    Blog Tips
    Consulting
    Essential Skills
    Iplday
    Iplday2015
    Keyq3
    Literacy
    Online Content
    Plain2013
    Plain Language
    Plain Language Academy
    Podcast
    Readability
    Readabilityguidelines
    SME And Social Media
    Social Media
    Story Telling
    Training
    Trends
    Usability
    Web Content
    Web Development

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.