Comments on: Three Questions to Start Thinking Like a Content Strategist http://idratherbewriting.com/2009/07/21/three-questions-to-start-thinking-like-a-content-strategist/ The Latest Trends in Technical Communication Sat, 26 May 2012 12:14:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Defining Content Strategy, Part 2 http://idratherbewriting.com/2009/07/21/three-questions-to-start-thinking-like-a-content-strategist/comment-page-1/#comment-154821 Defining Content Strategy, Part 2 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:07:14 +0000 http://www.idratherbewriting.com/?p=4102#comment-154821 [...] my definition’s evolution. Today’s particularly thought-provoking definition comes courtesy of this post on the blog I’d Rather be [...] [...] my definition’s evolution. Today’s particularly thought-provoking definition comes courtesy of this post on the blog I’d Rather be [...]

]]> By: Content strategy – so much to learn | just write click http://idratherbewriting.com/2009/07/21/three-questions-to-start-thinking-like-a-content-strategist/comment-page-1/#comment-143530 Content strategy – so much to learn | just write click Wed, 02 Sep 2009 04:37:44 +0000 http://www.idratherbewriting.com/?p=4102#comment-143530 [...] enjoyed the post with notes about content strategy on I’d Rather Be Writing, Three Questions To Start Thinking Like a Content Strategist. The link list at the end is very valuable. Another fascinating set of links for learning is on [...] [...] enjoyed the post with notes about content strategy on I’d Rather Be Writing, Three Questions To Start Thinking Like a Content Strategist. The link list at the end is very valuable. Another fascinating set of links for learning is on [...]

]]> By: Joe (Utah) http://idratherbewriting.com/2009/07/21/three-questions-to-start-thinking-like-a-content-strategist/comment-page-1/#comment-142430 Joe (Utah) Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:53:04 +0000 http://www.idratherbewriting.com/?p=4102#comment-142430 There is a logical disconnect in my first paragraph; let me clarify my thoughts. What I was trying to say is that may Technical Communicators—because of the breadth of their experience—don't suffer the same tunnel vision that a Business Analyst (or Web Developer, or Software Engineer, etc.) would. Instead, we look at the communication strategy from a global, user perspective. And this often makes a Technical Communicator better at understanding content/information management. Doesn't it? There is a logical disconnect in my first paragraph; let me clarify my thoughts. What I was trying to say is that may Technical Communicators—because of the breadth of their experience—don’t suffer the same tunnel vision that a Business Analyst (or Web Developer, or Software Engineer, etc.) would. Instead, we look at the communication strategy from a global, user perspective. And this often makes a Technical Communicator better at understanding content/information management. Doesn’t it?

]]> By: Joe (Utah) http://idratherbewriting.com/2009/07/21/three-questions-to-start-thinking-like-a-content-strategist/comment-page-1/#comment-142429 Joe (Utah) Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:45:48 +0000 http://www.idratherbewriting.com/?p=4102#comment-142429 Delete the period at the end of the link to access the article. Delete the period at the end of the link to access the article.

]]> By: Joe (Utah) http://idratherbewriting.com/2009/07/21/three-questions-to-start-thinking-like-a-content-strategist/comment-page-1/#comment-142428 Joe (Utah) Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:44:36 +0000 http://www.idratherbewriting.com/?p=4102#comment-142428 As Technical Communicators, it is easy to see both the need and benefit of a strategic content/information management strategy. After all, many of us—especially those with degrees in Technical Communications—have done course work in Usability, Reading Theory, and Rhetoric. The problem (as I see it) is that management often fails to see these same needs or benefits. In the Application Development group at a top 5 PBM, I recently completed a rather large project only to discover that our Marketing & Sales team had produced a nearly identical document. What an incredible waste of resources. Alternatively, I can only imagine the team synergy may have developed if our organization had an organization vision for content and information management… especially if the vision encouraged team work and cooperation between business units. The STC published a terrific article on this in the May Intercom. Its title is "Measuring the Value of Technical Communication," and you may find it at the following address: http://www.stc.org/intercom/PDFs/2009/20090708_15-18.pdf. If anyone has thoughtful insights regarding how you can move an organization in this direction, I would love to hear your ideas and stories. As Technical Communicators, it is easy to see both the need and benefit of a strategic content/information management strategy. After all, many of us—especially those with degrees in Technical Communications—have done course work in Usability, Reading Theory, and Rhetoric.

The problem (as I see it) is that management often fails to see these same needs or benefits. In the Application Development group at a top 5 PBM, I recently completed a rather large project only to discover that our Marketing & Sales team had produced a nearly identical document. What an incredible waste of resources.

Alternatively, I can only imagine the team synergy may have developed if our organization had an organization vision for content and information management… especially if the vision encouraged team work and cooperation between business units.

The STC published a terrific article on this in the May Intercom. Its title is “Measuring the Value of Technical Communication,” and you may find it at the following address: http://www.stc.org/intercom/PDFs/2009/20090708_15-18.pdf.

If anyone has thoughtful insights regarding how you can move an organization in this direction, I would love to hear your ideas and stories.

]]> By: Gordon http://idratherbewriting.com/2009/07/21/three-questions-to-start-thinking-like-a-content-strategist/comment-page-1/#comment-142421 Gordon Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:24:44 +0000 http://www.idratherbewriting.com/?p=4102#comment-142421 Ohhh now that is a topic to get your teeth into. I think I may have, indirectly, started such an effort at my company, but with a different slant (the main selling point was consistency). Expanding that to encompass brand definition would be an excellent way to apply a common goal across all the levels of information we produce. My brain is buzzing now, great stuff, can't wait to hear the interview. Ohhh now that is a topic to get your teeth into. I think I may have, indirectly, started such an effort at my company, but with a different slant (the main selling point was consistency). Expanding that to encompass brand definition would be an excellent way to apply a common goal across all the levels of information we produce.

My brain is buzzing now, great stuff, can’t wait to hear the interview.

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