Success
David Farbey – A Technical Communication Interview
© Ugur Akinci David Farbey is a senior technical communicator selected the 8th most influential technical communicator on MindTouch’s list of 400 Most Influential Technical Communicators. David’s blog “Marginal Notes” is at www.farbey.co.uk, and you can follow him on Twitter as @dfarb. QUESTION (1): How long you’ve been a technical communicator? Where do you work right now? How…
Read MoreCatherine Hibbard – A Technical Communication Interview
We’re kicking off the new year with a new series of interviews with veteran technical writers and communicators. Our first guest for this column in 2012 is Catherine Hibbard of Cypress Media, a veteran writer and trainer who offers Technical Writing Training and Writing Effective Policies and Procedures Training. In January 2012, she is selected…
Read MoreHow to Slide Sideways into Technical Writing
© Ugur Akinci “Ugur, I know technical writing is a good niche, it pays well, and I want to do it. But how and where do I begin? I have not done it before and any time I apply for a technical writing position they ask me to show what I did earlier…” is a…
Read MoreChris Brogan’s Rules of "Success with Peace of Mind"
Most of us run just too hard… We push push push, at the office, at home, while we drive, on so-called vacations… How many of us feel a little bit guilty that we do not devote as much time to our families, community and loved ones as we should? Armed with personal to-do lists, weekly,…
Read MoreGraphic Design & Single-Sourcing — Revitalize Your Technical Communication Career in the Post-Writing Phase
© 2010 Ugur Akinci Technical communication is a great exciting field full of material and non-material rewards. But if you’ve been in the business for 5 or over 10 years, things can start getting a bit stale. You’ll know when that time comes to push your career up to a new orbit. You can spark…
Read MoreUse Cases — Revitalize Your Technical Communication Career in the Pre-Writing Phase
© Ugur Akinci The first few years of a typical technical communication career are great. You’re full of enthusiasm for your well-paying job and happy to generate one user manual after another. Yet after 5 or 10 years some of us hit a plateau. All of a sudden, the same job is not nearly as…
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7 Principles of Effective Critique in Technical Communications
Introduction to Principles of Effective Critique The Principles of Effective Critique in technical communications is an important tool to improve the quality of content. Yet improper and ineffective critique is worse than no critique at all since it alienates the receivers and puts them in a defensive mood. From that point on all efforts for…
Read MoreShould You Get a Technical Communication (or Writing) Certificate, or Diploma?
© 2010 Ugur Akinci Here’s a question TCC readers ask me often: “Should I get a diploma or certificate in technical writing/communication?” I’m big on education and training. But my answer to this question is always: “It depends.” Let me explain. First off, if your current or prospective employer demands that you get a certificate…
Read MoreIs your Technical Communication career dying? How to revive it
A great article that I’m sure applies to the careers of some technical communicators offers some valuable advice for sagging careers. It starts with asking the following list of signs which might mean that you career is in trouble: You are unhappy with the nature of your work You aren’t growing You feel overshadowed You…
Read MoreBuilding Trust and Credibility for Success
(Excerpt) By Christina At an interview recently I was asked, “How do you build trust?” After thinking about the question for a moment, I answered, Building trust requires that you be honest and transparent. Also, delivering on your promises instills credibility and helps build trust. I think that was a pretty good answer for thinking…
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