Re: Additional roles for technical writers

[Tony Chung <tonyc -at- tonychung -dot- ca>]

A content strategist is not a content strategist. There is a very active
Google Group where everyone in the CS biz comes from a different
background. Many perform content audits

On Fri, Dec 26, 2014 at 9:05 PM, Jodie Gilmore <jgilmor -at- pacifier -dot- com> wrote:

> I haven't been following the thread completely, but recently I moved from
> "senior tech writer" to "content strategist".
> That means that I need to be aware of ALL the content the company has
> created, and "connect the dots" for current and future content.
> As well as provide input on where the company is going with content.
>
> An interesting role that I'm still exploring - ramifications, challenges,
> best known methods...
>
> Anyone have any input on that topic?
>
> ----------------------------
> Jodie Gilmore
> Fulcrum Communications, LLC
> 360-335-8201
> Washougal, WA
> www.fulcrumcomm.com
>
> I wake up every morning determined to both change the world and have one
> hell of a good time.
> Sometimes this makes planning the day a little difficult. - E.B. White
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: techwr-l-bounces+jgilmor=pacifier -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+jgilmor=pacifier -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On
> Behalf
> Of Chris Morton
> Sent: Friday, December 26, 2014 7:24 AM
> To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: Re: Additional roles for technical writers
>
> When I'm able to do so without stepping on anyone's toes, I operate like
> Mike. I see something that needs attention, and because I'm affiliated with
> the organization and take pride in my work, often come up with a quick and
> low-cost (or no-cost) solution. Like Mike, these things usually get added
> to
> my plate, which is fine.
>
> Back in the other assignments area:
>
>    - Researcher
>    - Trade Show Co-Planner/Attendant
>    - Software Integrator
>    - Continuity Checker (especially in relation to overall company/project
>    branding)
>    - Specifier/Recommender
>    - Purchasing Agent
>    - Typographer
>    - Artist/Art Director
>    - Software/Hardware Development
>    - Printing Liaison
>    - Troubleshooter
>    - (Ad Hoc) Help Desk (sometimes feels like Mr. Know-It-All on *The Rocky
>    & Bullwinkle Show*)
>    - Writing Coach
>    - Banner/Poster Creator
>
> > Chris
>
> On Thu, Dec 25, 2014 at 12:01 AM, Mike Starr <mike -at- writestarr -dot- com> wrote:
>
> > I've done most of the things Chris and Erica itemized but a few that
> > haven't cropped up are:
> > mentoring
> > user interface redesign
> > testing utility development
> > creating bills of materials for documentation assemblies (back when
> > there were individual manual sections in 3-ring binders) building
> > custom displays for trade shows template development internal resource
> > for Microsoft Word VBA development for document automation in
> > Microsoft Word critic at large
> >
> > However, many of these functions weren't things I was asked to do...
> > in a lot of cases, I saw that they needed to be done and just went
> > ahead and did 'em. In other cases, I opened my big mouth in a meeting
> > and said something needed to be done and ended up being the one with
> > the task. I generally realize before I say something that it could
> > land on me and when I do speak up it's partially because I'm either
> > willing or anxious to do it because I know I'll do it the right way.
> > That's been the case a number of times with user interface design...
> > "if you're so smart, let's see if you can come up with something better."
> >
> > Best Regards,
> >
> > Mike
> > --
> > Mike Starr, Writer
> > Technical Writer   -    Online Help Developer   -   WordPress Websites
> > Graphic Designer - Desktop Publisher - Custom Microsoft Word templates
> > (262) 694-1028   -  mike -at- writestarr -dot- com   -  http://www.writestarr.com
> > President - Working Writers of Wisconsin
> > http://www.workingwriters.org/
> >
> > On 12/24/2014 4:06 PM, Craig Cardimon wrote:
> >
> >>  Hello and Merry Christmas, Whirlers!
> >>
> >> My manager told me he was pleased with how I've been doing, but that
> >> he would like to get me involved even more with the company.
> >>
> >> In your own experience, what kinds of corporate "chores" have you
> >> been asked to apply your skills to as technical communicators?
> >>
> >> I'll Google around on my own too, and see what I can come up with.
> >>
> >>
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