Re: Happy to be a Tech Writer?

[Troy Klukewich <tklukewich -at- sbcglobal -dot- net>]

<quote>Wow, sounds like you could write for marketing.</quote>
 
Well, more than a couple of technical writers have been abducted by marketing departments. ;-)
 
<quote>Me, I write and edit. I hope what I produce is good.</quote>
 
As for me, I prefer not to hope that what I produce is good. I need to know. I'm a big believer in customer-generated metrics that verify whether the content is working or not. I dislike working in a vacuum. Also, how can I know if design changes or (hopefully) improvements are working without customer metrics to verify?
 
Fortunately, I started my career in on-site ERP implementations where documentation and curriculum were exposed to customers first-hand. When the written materials didn't work, the results were immediate and obvious. Writers then fixed the content based on direct user feedback. When the fixes worked successfully the results were equally immediate and obvious. 
 
The content was truly "customer-driven" to quote the marketing department. ;-) 
 
Probably one of the happier aspects during my career as a technical writer is getting that customer feedback to verify improvements.
 
Troy 


----- Original Message ----
From: "Cardimon,Craig" <ccardimon -at- M-S-G -dot- com>
To: Techwr-l <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>; Troy Klukewich <tklukewich -at- sbcglobal -dot- net>
Sent: Monday, April 2, 2007 12:55:03 PM
Subject: Re: Happy to be a Tech Writer?


<<I take great pride in architecting effective solutions that meet real customer needs.>>
 
Wow, sounds like you could write for marketing.
 
Me, I write and edit. I hope what I produce is good.
 
-- Craig
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