The Value of Adding Images to Technical Documentation

Written by V. Berba Velasco Jr., Ph.D.


Continued from page 1

A few carefully chosen images, with suitable captions, can go a long way toward preventing that. When I saw thatrepparttar junior programmer was stripping away allrepparttar 128737 screen capture images, I cautioned him against that. “These images may not be strictly necessary,” I said, “but they help clarify a lot of details. For one thing, they showrepparttar 128738 user exactly which button to push, or which window to select. This makesrepparttar 128739 instructions much easier to understand, and reducesrepparttar 128740 likelihood of a human error.” To this day, I wish that he had heeded my warning.

Wererepparttar 128741 users intelligent enough to understandrepparttar 128742 manual, as he claimed? Certainly—but intelligence is no guarantee against human error. Couldrepparttar 128743 images have been construed as talking down torepparttar 128744 user? Perhaps—but in my experience, sophisticated users seldom respond that way. Rather, most of them seem to understandrepparttar 128745 value that these images bring torepparttar 128746 table. Perhaps it’s because most of them know what it’s like to be frazzled and pressed for time, and how easily important details can be lost inrepparttar 128747 text.

So remember—a picture paints a thousand words, and a single screen capture can be worth more than a dozen pages of text. It’s a lesson that’s worth learning.

V. Berba Velasco has a doctorate in Electrical Engineering and has been practicing his trade for nearly a decade. During that time, he has repeatedly found that good technical writing skills are almost as critical as good engineering skills. Dr. Velasco currently works as a senior electrical and software engineer for Cellular Technology Limited, a biotech company in Cleveland, Ohio.


Telling Your Story: The First Ten Seconds Are A Make Or Break

Written by Catherine Franz


Continued from page 1

"Where" may seen easier than "when." Maybe you are thinking that you just add your address. Not so. Use your imagination for a moment: you are having a party and want a friend to come. You give directions, draw a map, and provide him or her with allrepparttar right and left turns.

If your marketing piece requires your customers to find a location, give them complete information. (If you are sending an e-mail, give them a link to an on-line map). Add helpful details like: "look forrepparttar 128736 blue awning" or "we're across from 'x' restaurant." Be sure to include information about parking. You do not want someone to get frustrated about parking and go home.

"Why" is often overlooked fromrepparttar 128737 prospect’s viewpoint. . Many otherwise good marketing pieces fail atrepparttar 128738 "why." "Why" addressesrepparttar 128739 importance ofrepparttar 128740 event orrepparttar 128741 uniqueness ofrepparttar 128742 product.

Don't forget that your prospect is looking for a good reason to toss your information. People have more information today than they can handle. You need a persuasive "buy now" reason inrepparttar 128743 "why" part. The answers need to tell them why they need to hear/learn about this now.

There are only two powerful "buy now" elements that trigger action: (1) scarcity, and/or, (2) a limited time to act. Either you are going to run out of product or you are doing something for a compressed time.

Before an event there needs to be two or three weeks with limited (scarcity) offers alongrepparttar 128744 way. Item pricing will not pull an event along, but a good general selection story will. A story like "further reductions" works, but only if it is true. Your prospect will know if you are "fudging"repparttar 128745 truth, even if your customers don't.

Your employees, who are your first line of contact with customers, will certainly know. Rememberrepparttar 128746 "going out of business" signs that show up several times a year? Maintain your integrity and your customers will stay your customers.

"How" are your payment or credit terms. Tell your customers about them only after you have sold them on your product or event. Don't yell "one year interest free" or "no payments until July of 2004" until they are excited about what you are offering. Present your special terms after they have decided they want it.

In summary, long copy is a good choice after you fulfillrepparttar 128747 10-second requirement ofrepparttar 128748 six W’s. This way you allow both "I want to know a lot" and "give it to me fast and straight" to get what they need.



Catherine Franz, a Certified Professional Marketing & Writing Coach, specializes in product development, Internet writing and marketing, nonfiction, training. Newsletters and articles available at: http://www.abundancecenter.com blog: http://abundance.blogs.com


    <Back to Page 1
 
ImproveHomeLife.com © 2005
Terms of Use