Top quality technical writer wanted

Discussion in 'Copywriting' started by Foggy, Aug 7, 2006.

  1. #1
    No, not someone who knows a bit about computers and can string some words together to make barely readable sentences. No, sir. If your able to claim only basic Engilsh competency then it's unlikely I'm interested in your work. However, if you are so tuned to the nuances of the languages that mistake/s in this post are already bothering you, it's likely we'll get along well together. Yes, I should of mentioned this earlier but if your able to do research on IT-related technical subjects, and simplify complex technical concepts into easily digestible snippets/short articles, then I'm interested.

    For the purposes of this job there is a slight preference for someone who can write in British English rather than that American mish-mash. Only kidding, only kidding! :) (No, not about the fact that there's a preference for English English.)

    You can work from home but you need to be able to spend a minimum of 40 hours per week on my project. Do you believe you meat all the requirements? If yes, PM me with

    1. What you believe are the four most blatant mistakes in this post (no repetitions allowed).
    2. Links to at least three pieces of technology writing you've done.

    You can disqualify yourself simply by posting, "Please send me details by PM." It would demonstrate a less than fantastic grasp of the English. ;)
     
    Foggy, Aug 7, 2006 IP
  2. Foggy

    Foggy Link and Site Buyer

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    #2
    (Please don't ruin the thread by publicly posting the mistakes.)
     
    Foggy, Aug 7, 2006 IP
  3. qwestcommunications

    qwestcommunications Notable Member

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    #3
    This is a full time job. 40 hours is just about the number of hours worked in a FT job. Are you paying by the articles, salary, or what?
     
    qwestcommunications, Aug 7, 2006 IP
  4. Foggy

    Foggy Link and Site Buyer

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    #4
    40 hrs is a bit more than most full time jobs in the UK.

    Money is not really the issue. Let's say that the right person will be perfectly happy with the arrangement.
     
    Foggy, Aug 7, 2006 IP
  5. Arkserver

    Arkserver Banned

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    #5
    I'm a qualified technical writer but i'm not interested in spending 40 hours/weekly because of my job as software engineer. I have written technical guides, reports, tutorials for junior & senior cs students(mostly coding related cpp) etc.

    I want to follow this topic and see how it goes but i'm not interested in being a tech writer.

    Good luck.
     
    Arkserver, Aug 7, 2006 IP
  6. jimmylee

    jimmylee Guest

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    #6
    I'm qualified technical writer too...
    the issue i see here is, what will we be writing about??
    tech papers may take much more time than 40 hours week depending of the subject.

    please be more specific.... there are much more technologies than computers.
     
    jimmylee, Aug 8, 2006 IP
  7. DBomb26

    DBomb26 Banned

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    #7
    Hello,
    I have sent you a PM and am very interested in this job. Please get back to me as soon as possible. Thanks,
    DBomb26
     
    DBomb26, Aug 9, 2006 IP
  8. Sunshine

    Sunshine Peon

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    #8
    Hi,

    When looking for a technical writer, you may want to look for someone who can:

    1. design a document that looks good both on paper and on line
    2. design a document that can be updated easily
    3. write instructions that are easy to understand

    Now, before I continue, I should point out that there are many experienced technical writers who vehemently disagree with me. They believe that hiring writers with experience in a particular industry is more important than hiring people who can write well. If you are an experienced technical writer yourself, then certainly make industry knowledge a primary qualification for your candidates. You will be able to use your own writing skills to improve those of the person you hire.

    Sunshine
     
    Sunshine, Aug 9, 2006 IP
  9. jimmylee

    jimmylee Guest

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    #9
    Sad but true.... but it goes little deeper than that.
    industry knowledge is a wide term here... he just mention IT and no further details.
    There are many IT guys out there who has no knowledge of PBX networking, or people who just work MS servers and know nothing about unix servers and so on...

    40 hours weekly is full time job; even if you are sit on your bed with a laptop and hasn't take a shower in the hole day; so for someone that may be interested (in thsi case... I do) there's the need for more info and offcourse, the need to know the benefits.
     
    jimmylee, Aug 10, 2006 IP
  10. Foggy

    Foggy Link and Site Buyer

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    #10
    Sunshine, the project involves the writer getting familiar with areas of technology in which s/he'll have no previous experience.

    jimmylee, thanks for all your comments but I don't seem to have received a PM from you. I'll answer all your PM questions if you cut the mustard.

    DBomb26, thanks for your several PMs. You look promising. I have sent you an invite to talk to me outside of DP / to see the project.

    Note: I haven't decided on a "winner" as yet and am still entertaining PMs.
     
    Foggy, Aug 10, 2006 IP
  11. DBomb26

    DBomb26 Banned

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    #11
    Hello,
    I have contacted you outside of DP, waiting for a reply.
     
    DBomb26, Aug 10, 2006 IP
  12. Foggy

    Foggy Link and Site Buyer

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    #12
    Thanks DBomb26. I've sent you an email. Sorry it didn't work out.

    The position/s is still open.
     
    Foggy, Aug 10, 2006 IP
  13. DBomb26

    DBomb26 Banned

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    #13
    Thanks for the opportunity and I wish you all the best. If you would be willing to reconsider I would be ecstatic.
     
    DBomb26, Aug 10, 2006 IP
  14. neo2525

    neo2525 Peon

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    #14
    Interested in this job, PM being sent.
     
    neo2525, Aug 10, 2006 IP
  15. Ganceann

    Ganceann Peon

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    #15
    I would have considered this although I have not written any technology specific pieces and therefore lack the experience. I am aiming to improve my writing and hence starting to follow some of the threads here to pick up tips and examples of quality work.

    As a learning aspect would be involved, I would still appreciate a chance to see the quality guideline expectations. I have various articles written on many topics that I have no experience in, and as each topic is tackled my writing skills are improving.

    English english is my primary english, while my online article writing english is normally altered in microsoft word to make it american english. If you feel I should pm you with examples anyway, then let me know.
     
    Ganceann, Aug 10, 2006 IP
  16. TechWriter

    TechWriter Peon

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    #16
    Hello,
    I am new to DP but am very interested in this position. I will send you a PM with further details.
     
    TechWriter, Aug 11, 2006 IP
  17. Foggy

    Foggy Link and Site Buyer

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    #17
    The position/s is still not filled.

    Admission: I'm being very fussy. The audience will be senior management of large enterprises and they are pretty unforgiving if your presentation is less than 100%. The odd mistake here, the funny syntax there, the verbosity elsewhere may work for most sites but not for this particular project.

    Several of the applications received offered sample articles that were riddled with mistakes. For future PMs I am going to either invite you to talk via email or politely decline and not enter into reasons/explanations for why I've turned you down.

    A bit more about the project:

    It would involve research on terminology related to enterprise class software/hardware, and putting that together into concise, informative articles for people who value their time by the second; they want information, they want it brief, they want it accurate.
     
    Foggy, Aug 11, 2006 IP
  18. DBomb26

    DBomb26 Banned

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    #18
    If you are still looking you may want to reconsider our minor misunderstanding...
     
    DBomb26, Aug 12, 2006 IP
  19. ablaye

    ablaye Well-Known Member

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    #19
    Wow, that's a little harsh. Best of luck in finding the person you need.
     
    ablaye, Aug 12, 2006 IP
  20. Foggy

    Foggy Link and Site Buyer

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    #20
    ablaye, the ability to read and understand complex technical documents is part of the brief. If someone wants the job but can't be bothered to read the job advert then s/he is not right for this position. That's not harsh, that's common sense.
     
    Foggy, Aug 13, 2006 IP