What Publications Should Look for in a Technology Writer

Written by David Geer


What to look for in a technology writer.

A good technology writer has a good portfolio. The writer you want will have samples that parallelrepparttar content you’re looking for. A good portfolio sample can be found at http://www.GeerCom.com/samples.html.

A good technology writer is a good investigator. A professional technology writer takes time to get to know you, your publication, and your goals. What do you really want to get out of this project? A great writer will ask because a disciplined professional needs to know.

A good technology writer is a team player. Professional writing requires top-notch communications skills on all levels, not just inrepparttar 128665 text of your articles and features. The writer you want should be able to carry on a dialogue with you and your team to discover your needs, and to make sure that they are met.

Q&A for Writers, Editors and Publishers - Thoughts from Your Peers on Life and Work, Part Two

Written by David Geer


Part Two

-- Question # Six - Editors, how do you locate that next position when it's time to move to a new publishing house, newspaper or magazine? How do you keep that great editing job once you have it?” --

Page Nine

Jenny Kasza –

“To keep a great job once you have it, you have to be creative with your time to getrepparttar most out ofrepparttar 128663 day. Plus you have to be creative withrepparttar 128664 covers and articles.

You also have to be flexible with others around you (graphics person, sales staff, president, publisher, other departments).”

Tudor Hampton –

“Success is about hard work but in any job, it is important to keep in touch with your colleagues, take interest in their work and show them respect when appropriate, even if you are competitors.

If you look to them for examples of how to do your job better, they will dorepparttar 128665 same for you and everyone fares well inrepparttar 128666 end. Our careers get stifled when we shut down, close doors, focus too much on ourselves and restrict our imaginations.”

Lori Widmer -

“Locatingrepparttar 128667 next position is as easy as networking.

When I was atrepparttar 128668 magazine, I networked not only withrepparttar 128669 clients, but also withrepparttar 128670 other magazines in that space. I got to know some key folks and kept in friendly contact.

Also, when I interviewed outsiderepparttar 128671 company, I kept in touch with every employer I connected with. It's helped me to find some projects since I've lost my job. I've also found a lot of leads through these same folks.

Other writers in these publications are also a great source. I've received two projects from former coworkers.

Page Ten

Also,repparttar 128672 clients I bothered to get to know (many of them) have been a huge help in finding me projects. I've received almost three projects in two weeks from former clients.

If you want to keep that great editing job, then you have to give them more than they bargained for. Make sure you're strong in both writing and editing.

Finding a person who can do both well is a dream come true for companies. If you're weak in one area, then do what you need to in order to become great at it.”

Tracy Owens –

“In order to enjoy continued success, an editor must always stay onrepparttar 128673 cutting-edge ofrepparttar 128674 genre that they work in -- be it news, music or business. Find your niche and further your education as it relates to that, with Internet research, conferences andrepparttar 128675 like.

I'm currently working as managing editor of a small trade publication, but have worked primarily as an editor/writer inrepparttar 128676 arts & entertainment industry, including stints at MSN.com andrepparttar 128677 now-defunct "Experience Hendrix" magazine (published byrepparttar 128678 family of Jimi Hendrix).”

-- Question # Seven - How do you succeed at freelance editing? --

Teresa Acosta –

“By meeting deadlines and accuracy; evenings or weekends or when I feel a need to write; create as many revenue streams as possible;”

Dana Cassell –

Page Eleven

“It's notrepparttar 128679 main part of my business, but what I have done over past several years has found me through writers-editors.com.”

Tracy Owens –

“Success in freelance work comes from tenacity, time management and talent.

The bulk of my freelance work assignments have come from former co-workers that are already familiar with my work (as well as writing strengths and specialties) and have moved on to other publications and are looking to hire writers or editors.

Other gigs have come from networking or media-specific job boards and listservs.”

Lori Widmer -

“Keep networking. Also, becomerepparttar 128680 reliable writer/editor in their stable of freelancers. Ask each client if they know of anyone else who might need your services.”

-- Question # Eight - How do you get freelance (writing) work of your own onrepparttar 128681 side when you want to? --

Dana Cassell –

“In past few years have only done freelance articles when those editors I worked with overrepparttar 128682 years call me with assignments. So I only do about 10 articles a year, none of which I have solicited - so this question probably does not apply to me.”

Anonymous -

Page Twelve

“The only freelance writing I do onrepparttar 128683 side is for a greeting card/social expression company, and I don't do a whole lot of that. I have written some short stories, but never really tried to sell them.”

Cont'd on page 2 ==>
 
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