Technical Writing – The Magic Of Lists

“To simplify complications is the first essential of success.” -George Earle Buckle, 1854-1935, British Journalist
Today, let’s talk about one particular tool to make your writing simpler and effective. It’s using lists.
Using lists breaks down your writing into smaller chunks or ideas. It also helps you organize and manage your thoughts. Let’s look at an example of making information easier to read by using bullets.
“By selecting VB Communications for developing your website you’ll get a site that ranks high in search engines – our team includes search engine optimization experts. You’ll also save time and money as our rate is $20 per hour lower than our competitors. Plus we have a track record of delivering projects 20 percent ahead of schedule.”
Here’s the same information in as a bulleted list.
“By selecting VB Communications for developing your website you will:
1. Get a site that ranks high in search engines – our team includes search engine optimization experts.
2. Save money – our rate is $20 per hour lower than our competitors.
3. Save time – we have a track record of delivering projects 20 percent ahead of schedule.”
Breaking down the paragraph into a list makes the message easier to grasp. Note that each bullet has only one idea or thought.
Types of Lists
There are three types of lists – numbered, lettered and bulleted.
– A numbered list ranks items in order.
– A lettered list is also used when ranking items in order. Generally, a lettered list is used as a sublist of a numbered list.
– A bulleted list- like this list you’re reading
– is used for items that have no priority or order of importance.
When to Use Lists
As a technical writer you can use lists in:
– Processes and instructions
– Proposals, executive summaries and reports
– Letters and memos
– Brochures, information articles and product descriptions
– Manuals and tutorials
– Resumes and cover letters
Using lists should be a part of your strategy. It breaks down ideas, thoughts and processes. And making things simple is what technical writing is all about.
If you can write a simple sentence in English and organize your thoughts then technical writing may be a rewarding field. You can easily make it a second income stream in your spare time.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average salary for technical writers is $60,380. Freelance technical writers can make from $30 to $70 per hour.
The field of technical writing is like a golden city. It’s filled with wealth, rewards and opportunities. After learning technical writing you can branch out into business writing, marketing writing and communications writing. All of these can become additional income streams.
But to succeed you must learn how to market yourself to clients. You have to prove to them that you are an invaluable asset. That’s where ProTech – Your Fast Track to Becoming a Successful Technical Writer can help. It’s a technical writing course that does two equally important things:
1. It teaches you the skills to become a technical writer in the shortest time frame. You’ll learn to create manuals, procedures, tutorials, processes, proposals, spec sheets and other documents that businesses need.
2. It shows you how to market yourself to clients so you can start your income stream as soon as possible.
In fact, you’ll get a complete marketing toolkit which has the templates and the technical writing job sites to get started immediately!
You can download two sample lessons by clicking the link below.
This could be your chance to create a prosperous future.