Home > Writing
Writing for Business
I specialize in plain English, and simplifying difficult text.
Better writing is the most affordable usability improvement you can bring to your product or service. - Jeffrey Zeldman, "The Daily Report"
These days I write for a branch of the government of the province of British Columbia, Canada.
In prior years I've done writing and rewriting for corporations across North America and for small local Web sites. Most assignments have required background research, adapting existing material, and interviewing key contacts. Recent clients include:
| Reboot Communications | Writing, agenda management and content planning for major conferences including: Whistler, April 2002; Victoria, Oct. 2002, Sept. 2003, Oct. 2004; Calgary, November 2002; Victoria, February 2003; Florida, March 2003; Kelowna, June 2003 and June 2004; Ottawa, April 2004. |
| Upbound Resources, Singapore | Content for a brochure, Web pages and a promotional e-mail Dividends Dialogue at the 5th ASEAN Energy Business Forum, June 2004, Manila, Philippines ... Analysis reports for various marketing studies 2004-2006 ... Content for various Asia-based international Web sites. |
| Canadian National Railways | Articles on Website and Year2000 for employee magazine, general articles for employee annual report; articles and editing for management magazine. This included interviews and writing for the 1997 Employee Annual Review, which was so successful that CN Chairman Paul Tellier ordered a second press run so all CN shareholders could receive a copy along with the Annual Report. |
| Dial-A-Daughter Solutions Ltd. | Advice and substantial rewriting of content for Web site and brochure |
| Ontario Hydro Services Company | Articles for employee magazine in support of a change initiative |
| Centre for Curriculum Transfer & Technology, Victoria | Seminar on Writing for the Web |
|
Canadian Year2000 National Clearinghouse for Health (CYNCH) |
Editing and rewriting of on-line communications for various audiences |
| Success Stories, Inc., Framingham, Massachusetts | Marketing articles about computer products and services |
|
Information Technology Systems Division, Government of British Columbia |
Rewriting of technical material for customer audience |
See also: "Writing for the Web" presentations and seminar
At BC Systems (1983-1996) I wrote a guide to using e-mail effectively, plus a wide range of marketing and employee communications materials for delivery on the Web, by-e-mail and in print.
I also created the Hall of Shame, an attempt to fight the worst new trends in the mutilation of the English language. I haven't time to update it much, but it's still valid.
And just to encourage wordplay, I run a Fun Page.