7 Benefits of Joining a Writers Group

By Ugur Akinci

“If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.”— Stephen King A writers group can help writers stay motivated and accountable. It is easy to get lost in the world of self-doubt and writer’s block. A writer’s group provides support, encouragement, feedback,…

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A Great Freelance Writing Niche to Specialize In

By Ugur Akinci

Consumer Electronics is an ever-expanding hot frontier for Freelance Writers. It’s a huge field that covers anything from TVs and home entertainment sets to video game consoles, computers, and mobile phones. We watch these electronic wonders, carry them on us and use them 24–7. And we spend good cash for them too. Not only the number of gadgets…

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Technical Communication Certificate Program at NOVA, Northern Virginia

By Ugur Akinci

© Ugur Akinci Here is yet another Technical Communication Certificate Program at NOVA, Northern Virginia Community College. “Professional Writing for Business, Government, and Industry Certificate“ The NOVA catalog reads: “This certificate program prepares participants to write with expertise in professional contexts. The curriculum provides skills needed by currently employed or potential writers in business, government, and…

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Top 10 Trends Driving Technical Communication Industry Forward Today

By Ugur Akinci

© Ugur Akinci Here are top 10 trends identified by Christian Gravelle, Senior Technical Analyst, and reported by Maxwell Hoffman in an Adobe blog: Trend #1: Adoption of Structured Documents Trend #2: Shift Towards Single Source Publishing Trend #3: Added Complexity in Multi-Format/Multi-Channel Delivery Trend #4: Providing for Mobile Delivery Trend #5: Increased Demand for…

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How to Get That Very First Technical Writing Job…

By Ugur Akinci

That very first technical writing job is the hardest for most writers and non-writers who are new to the field. Once that threshold is crossed, there’s usually no going back. The rest is usually a series of promotions or lateral and vertical moves from one company or assignment to another. For the freelancing “lone writers,”…

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Violating Document Specs May Cost CA County $548 Million

By Ugur Akinci

© Ugur Akinci I forgot the number of times I’ve emphasized the importance of clarity and accuracy in technical documentation in this blog and the dire consequences that can arise from such errors. To my online course students that’s something I make clear right away: a technical document must be correct and accurate above anything…

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Arnold Burian – a Technical Communication Interview

By Ugur Akinci

© Ugur Akinci Arnold Burian is a technical communicator from Chicago, IL. He is the founder of Technical Writing World, the social network for technical communicators. In January 2012, Arnold is selected the 63rd most influential technical communicator on MindTouch’s list of 400 Most Influential Technical Communicators. QUESTION (1): How long have you been a…

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Catherine Hibbard – A Technical Communication Interview

By Ugur Akinci

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…

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Survey: British Office Workers Hate Business Speak

By Ugur Akinci

If you’re miffed to hear hackneyed expressions like “think outside the box” you’re not alone: a lot of office workers in Britain reported they also can’t stand the expression, according to a British survey of 2,000 cubicle dwellers. Tweny five percent of those surveyed ranked “blue sky thinking” and “hit the ground running” as number…

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