Previous resolutions advocate making a firm decision to write, and then sitting down to actually do it ... employing the time-honored practice of “Train of Thought” writing, as appropriate, to get something – anything – down on paper ... and then taking breaks from both the physical and mental stress of this deceptively arduous task.
As explained many times over recent months in this space, that’s the easy part. Yes, at the risk of beating a dead horse: Writing is Easy ... it’s the process of rewriting and editing that’s hard.
It’s hard, in the sense that it demands commitment and the sweat from the writer’s brow – and it’s hard because it’s hard to acquire the book-learning, mentor-taught, experience-honed skills required.
We can talk about these valuable skills later.
Leave for another day, a full discussion of the fine distinction between a “new-player list” and his “new player list” (the former being a list of new players, the latter a list that’s new).
... for another time, the rationale for never, ever referring to an item as “extremely unique” (it’s like being a little pregnant).
... for another chapter and verse, a discussion of over-capitolization and mispellings (intended or not).
These skills are much-needed in revising or editing a document.
But like the automobile commercials that caution “Professional Drivers on a Closed Course” or the slapstick clown who warns “Now kiddies, don’t try this at home,” it sometimes is simply best to leave the editing to a professional.
Corporate marketers know that outsourcing a writing project is apt to yield copy that’s wildly off the mark from a content and “voice” standpoint – not to mention a copywriting invoice that rivals the national debt (well, not really ... but BIG).
But how about doing the “writing” in-house (the easy part), and contracting out the hard parts?
Outsourcing only the editing, rewriting and/or proofreading tasks gives the marketing executive substantial control over text and tone, while investing in a much smaller commitment to the professional writer/editor.
Put together a rough draft and send that puppy out for polishing.
You and a writer could spend three hours in meetings just to hash over nebulous options for the language and structure of a “from-scratch” manuscript – and you’d still pay for several hours of the writer’s time. Or, you can lock yourself in a room, compose a substantially complete rough draft in an hour or two, and let the pro spend a couple hours correcting, revising and polishing.
You’ve got the right content up front. You generally like the way it sounds. And you avoid screwing with the corporate identity brand.
The writer? He avoids an aspirin bottle full of headaches, and frees himself up to work with all those other clients who don’t have their collective acts together.
And oh, by the way, should you need a professional, contact me by clicking the link at the top-right of this blog (www.fixadocument.com), or email fixer@fixadocument.com ....
You’ll be glad you did.
Next: Resolved (Part 7)
[For personal writing assistance, go to www.fixadocument.com]
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