Re: marketing chick

[Christi <christi -at- sageinst -dot- COM>]

on 6/1/00 12:35 PM, Lisa Wright wrote:

> One way to look at it is that part of research for writing is to gather all
> the available written materials, technical manuals included. So, her request
> may not be out of line. Marketing folks have to understand the features of
> the software, and the way to get that is to read the documentation.

> Marketing chick may not understand what
> the features are if she has to figure them out herself from interviewing
> technical folks.

I've notice from several posts, especially more recently, that there seems
to be a very distinct opinion that "marketing" is NOT "technical writing".

In a week and a half I am changing companies and jobs. Currently, I do a lot
of the 'traditional tech writing' - user guides, admin guides, etc. My new
job will have much more "marketing" in it - app notes, press releases
(editing them if not writing), specs.

But the new company makes a very technical (electronics and hardware)
product. So even in press releases (for example) there's a lot of technical
stuff.

I too have had the "Oh she's just a marketer" opinion of some co-workers.
But I've also had serious respect for some marketers that had the technical
knowledge.

Where am I going with this? Well, I'm not sure. I guess I'm wondering if
anyone out there on this list is in a more 'marketing-esque' role. Or if
anyone works with marketing people who _are_ technical.
Of if you have any randomly related thoughts...

thanks,

Christi Carew
Technical Writer

christi -at- sageinst -dot- com
p. 831-761-6565
f. 831-761-2452

Sage Instruments
240 Airport Blvd.
Freedom, CA 95019
www.sageinst.com

They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who
only dream at night. -Edgar Allan Poe