Looking for a document editor? I offer a document editing service across all kinds of publications – newsletters, brochures, reports, websites. Whether it’s writing, editing or project managing you need, I can help. Here are just a few publications I have worked on. Scroll down for an article on how to write effective content for publications.
Adelaide City Council Annual Report 2013-14
Adelaide City Council
Roadmap to Wellness
National Institute of Integrative Medicine
WorkCoverSA Annual Report 2009-10
WorkCoverSA
Adopt a dolphin
& Adopt an orca
Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society
How to write effective content for publications and documents
Your publications and documents are a reflection of your company and what it has to offer in the marketplace. So it pays to take your content writing and content editing seriously – and maybe consider hiring a document editor.
Brochures
A marketing brochure is an important marketing tool, particularly for a small business. It is generally in the format of a glossy tri-fold DL or a stapled booklet.
Make sure your brochure gives context to your company – how you got started, what you offer, how you can help the customer. Know your target audience, and make sure your content is aimed at them.
Keep your copy short and concise. Choose visuals to match the content, and make sure the words explain the visuals and your service.
Avoid jargon and technical writing. Be as simple as possible. And don’t forget your call to action at the end.
Fliers
A flier is like a brochure, but it is generally a single page, rather than being folded. It may be printed on one or both sides.
While fliers may be used for a variety of purposes, they are best for short, concise messages. Fliers are most often used for event announcements, openings, handouts and inserts.
Your content should grab a potential customer’s attention immediately. You don’t have a lot of space to work with, so write an effective headline; it’s arguably the most important part of your flyer.
Put yourself in your customer’s shoes and tell them how you can solve their problem or issue, or meet their needs, quickly and effectively.
Newsletters
A newsletter is a great way for you to increase awareness and understanding of your company.
Whether you choose print or digital, you can promote your products and services to your potential customers. You can write content about what your company has to offer on a greater scale than you could in an advertisement or promotional email.
Newsletters can give a bigger picture of what your company is all about. They are also a great opportunity to demonstrate your expertise.
Don’t forget to include calls to action – with links to more detailed information on your website.
Reports
What exactly is a report? A report is a short, sharp, concise document which is written for a particular purpose and audience. It generally sets outs and analyses a situation or problem, often making recommendations for future action. It is factual and needs to be clear and well-structured.
Reports usually have numbered sections and subsections, and a clear contents page listing each heading. Page numbering is important.
Make sure you know what the brief is, and that you keep it in mind: who are you writing for, and why are you writing.
Plan to include an executive summary, introduction, the main body of the report. You should also include a section containing conclusions and recommendations.
When writing a report, aim to be absolutely clear. It should be easy to read and understand, even to someone with little knowledge of the subject area. Avoid jargon and use plain English as much as possible.
Fact sheets
A fact sheet is a one-page document that provides basic information on a specific topic in an easy- and quick-to-read format.
Fact sheets should be written in lay terms. Use words that the average person (someone without professional training in the subject area) can understand.
Ideas should be simplified as much as possible. Write in the present tense and keep text brief.
Your first paragraph should contain the most important information – what the issue is, what action is needed, and the main message.
Hire a document editor
Your publications will benefit from being read more than once. They should be edited for sense and style, relevance, grammar, consistency and spelling. Consider hiring a document editor to help.
The Style Manual: For Authors, Editors and Printers (6th Edition, published in 2002 by John Wiley & Sons, Australia) provides guidance for anyone preparing material for publication in either print or electronic format. It is currently being revised.