Just for the "fun" of it!

In the not-for-profit world, when a group approaches you and offers to run an event and give your 501(c)(3) organization any proceeds, what would you say?  I think that is a rhetorical question - of course "YES"!

Such is the case for a non-profit theatre, Steel Beam Theatre, where I volunteer some of my time.  The Adventure Bureau is a group of young guys that have started a small business -  planning and managing events to create excitement and providing any profit from the event to a not-for-profit group like Steel Beam.  Steel Beam was their inaugural "adventure" and we were pleased to participate in helping promote their 5K "Ghosts vs. Ghouls 5K Faceoff" in October 2014.

Although I enjoy "slowly jogging" in organized runs, I am no "runner".  But, I "ran" (and I use that term loosely) the CARA-timed course as well as offered, on behalf of Steel Beam, costumes and makeup at the event to add to the "Halloween-themed" morning.  Meanwhile, Steel Beam Theatre's 4th annual 3D Haunted House,  KC Scaregrounds, was in full-swing.  We utilized this generous Adventure Bureau opportunity to promote the haunted house, located just minutes away at the Kane County Fairgrounds. As a matter of fact, each of the 60+ runners received free admission to the Scaregrounds later that evening!

Of course, while I was at Mount St. Mary's Park in St. Charles for the 5K, I randomly shot some video, photos and interviews of some participants.  Then, just for fun, quickly created and posted to the KC Scaregrounds Facebook page to thank our friends at The Adventure Bureau and wish them success in their future endeavors.  It looks like this "fun" partnership will see a second annual 5K Faceoff next year!

"Old News" is "No News"

As a journalist trained in broadcast media, I have always had an issue with calling a news release a "press" release.  Although there is no harm in giving credit to the "printing press" for being one method of distributing information, in today's digital world, the term "press" has an "old school" ring to it.  So, I prefer referring to these kinds of communications to the media as news releases.  

It is no coincidence that the word "new" is in "news"!  A story can be "news" as long as the writer leads with a current finding, information or fact.  For example, I write a weekly news release for a nonprofit theatre.  Each news release focuses on the most current "happening" and is quickly drafted, reviewed and then distributed. Long involved approval processes make "new news" old!  Accuracy, however, must remain the top priority.  News releases should be brief, focused, simple and timely.  Avoid complicated terms and complex layers of data and information.  The more current the event, the more interesting, engaging and relevant for the reader.

Here is an event I attended today!  By this time tomorrow, this news release should be reviewed, approved, distributed  and no longer a "draft".  The bottom line is, it really doesn't matter what you call it, it is what you do with it! http://bit.ly/ZClDd9

Are White Papers Always White?

When you meet a person who wrote a "White Paper",  you probably picture an Einstein look-a-like in a white lab coat, with white hair holding a mechanical pencil atop a two-foot stack of white paper. If this were true, would you read it?   Probably not!

It is true - technical writing is not for the verbose, who flaunt colorful language and prose filled with adjectives and description.  Less is more - and writing less is more challenging.  I believe it was Mark Twain who once said, "Give me short notice to write a long story; but give me endless time to craft a well-thought answer."

Technical writing can be a "white paper", an article addressing a specific issue (usually technical in nature) or even a sales sheet, a MSDS (material safety data sheet) or instructions could fall into the "technical writing" category. Today, "white papers have become popular marketing tools for corporations especially on the Internet since many potential customers search for information on the Web.  Corporations use white papers to sell information or new products as solutions that would service their customers needs." For more detail on "white papers" and technical writing check out this resource.  https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/546/01/  .

I, myself, have samples of "technical" writing,  always keeping in mind the audience.  Just because you may be communicating complex topics, doesn't mean your "technical piece" needs to be on white paper filled with multi-syllable words.  The most important element is that you state facts simply and present the information your audience can (and wants to) learn about.

 

Technical writing can educate customers AND employees.  Here are some examples of technical sales sheets to train ComEd Sales and RR Donnelley Marketers on various products and services.

So technical writing audiences don't always wear WHITE lab coats!