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A few ideas for "freebie" self-education in MarComm:
White papers -
Read white papers about products/industries that interest you (google a
company name/product name & white paper - you'll find loads).
Then "recreate" them. It will help you get a feeling for the form & style.
After learning the form, you could write up a white paper about the product
you've been documenting (on your own time), and offer it to the marketing
department there. It may get you another deliverable with them, and even
give another boost toward extending your contract.
Marketing Training -
If you have curriculum development/training skills, you could look at
developing training for the sales group (how to market/position the tool
when selling it, etc.).
Along similar lines, if you have any skill in developing presentations,
expand it into designing sales presentations (in PowerPoint, HTML, or the
e-learning tool of your choice). Again, this is an area where it helps to
view how other companies are presenting their information to get some ideas
for form/style. Then create your own.
Copywriting -
Pick up a magazine, or go online, and look at the ad copy for the product(s)
of your choice. Study the points that seem to make it work.
Rewrite/redesign those that don't work.
Apprenticeship -
As you start to feel comfortable with the process, hook up with a skilled
MarComm writer and offer your services at a lower rate in exchange for a
little mentoring.
I'm trying to think of a good book to recommned, but nothing is coming to
mind.
good luck,
L
-----Original Message-----
From: Rose -dot- Wilcox -at- pinnaclewest -dot- com
Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2003 12:43 PM
>>Hi Bruce,
>>
>>So if I ever have to write marketing (God forbid), sounds like technical
>>marketing would be the way to go.
>>
>It's not so bad. Try it. Come over to the dark side....
...<snip>...
Do you have any suggestions for how I could position myself for a switch
from technical writing to marcom? I've done proposals, presentations, and
press releases in previous jobs, but nothing much in those lines recently.
Are there any tools that would be good to learn? Any freebies that you
would suggest I look into writing during these ensuing months? Any learning
resources you find indispensable?
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