Archive for October, 2008

What’s Up, Wordy? (Number One)

Monday, October 27th, 2008

This first edition of “What’s Up, Wordy?” is somewhat of a test trial in that I haven’t decided on the number of questions I will regularly post or how off-topic I’m willing to go in regards to questions about written communication, editing, and writing.

For now, we’ll answer five questions from readers and those who have emailed me. Perhaps I’ll be able to expand to more questions in a month or two.

Q. How many people do you think read your Wordszilla blog? There doesn’t seem to be a lot of comments.
—Katy, CA

A. I do have various methods for tracking visitors to the website in general, and I have seen the number of visitors for the blog page, but I couldn’t say for sure how many were actual readers. I have received more and more spam email and comments, which, of course, I delete. Most of the comments are through email.

There are a handful of friends, co-workers, and acquaintances that read the blog regularly, but I couldn’t put a definitive number on it right now. With all of that said, I would guess between 10 and 20 readers.

Q. Do you [Wordszilla’s custom writing service] create any original content or do you only edit and rewrite copy?
—A-Mac, Midwest

A. For the time being, Wordszilla just concentrates on editing and rewriting services. The main reason for this is the challenge of figuring out a good balance between the time it would take to fabricate the text, the level of quality of the text, the complexity of the text, and the cost-effective factor for consumers.

I have taken a couple of special assignments which involve original content creation, but at this stage, Wordszilla will focus on the enhancement and professionalization of existing text.

Q. Do you really like what you do?
—Anonymous, AZ

A. If you are asking about Wordszilla’s editing and writing service, yes. If you are asking about writing the Wordy’s Wisdom blog, yes. For me, it is enjoyable trying to provide a service that I know will be beneficial and help people in general.

Additionally, aiming to provide a blog that, as far as I know, doesn’t offer conventional tips for writing brings me a sense of satisfaction (as far as a vocation is concerned).

Q. There are many copy editing service companies, and blogs in general, so what will separate you [Wordszilla] from everyone else?
—G., UT

A. I feel the most important thing to highlight about Wordszilla’s difference from other editing services is the consideration for exactness for all texts. Individuals who truly appreciate error-free text will really enjoy their finished product.

Moreover, I want Wordszilla to steer away from simply spewing out generic text or messages. One of the goals for Wordszilla is to provide clients with a genuine, thought-out revision of their text and not be a company that will get it done just to get it done.

Q. [Would Wordszilla] offer services to other countries?
—J.M., Not Listed

A. Yes, as long as the individual from another country realizes that we will use American English and The Chicago Manual of Style. I understand that there are variant uses and spellings of words, but as long as the client is fine with our services and policies, then they are welcome to use Wordszilla.

Closing

Thanks to those of you who were willing to ask questions. For anyone who would like to participate in next month’s “What’s Up, Wordy?” blog post, email your questions to feedback@wordszilla.com or make a comment at the end of any blog post.

Ghostwriting Service - Copy Editing ServiceLuis D. Bonilla
luis@wordszilla.com
Wordszilla, LLC

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Guest Interview: Silicon Valley Tech Company

Monday, October 20th, 2008

For this first installment of the guest interview, I wanted to talk to someone that was in a very competitive industry…and that’s what I received. Due to policy issues, I had to keep some anonymity with his full name and company (i.e., fair or not, he would be looked on as speaking for the entire company, when in fact, he is just solely giving his personal opinion).

My guest is James H., and he works at a very reputable Silicon Valley technology company that provides an array of products that, no doubt, you are using or will use in the near future. The following is a Q&A session conducted via email, in which James offers his feelings about written communication within his industry.

The Goods

Luis Bonilla: What is your job title and what are you responsible for?

James H: I’m a team lead, and I manage a small group of people who support both our internal teams and external customers on a number of product offerings.

LB: In a percentage, about how much of your day-to-day communication during work is written? (It can include emails, presentations, letters, documents, forms, etc.)

JH: I’d say about 80%. Even if I have wall-to-wall meetings during the day, I’m constantly on email and chat. Email is probably the most important method of communication within my company and it takes up quite a bit of my time.

LB: What is your personal impression or thoughts when you read something from a co-worker that has horrible grammar, spelling mistakes, or a lack of professionalism?

JH: It doesn’t leave a very good impression, of course, but it also has the potential to waste my own time and energy. For example, if I’m sent an email or presentation that doesn’t make sense because it contains errors, it may require me to follow up when I probably wouldn’t have needed to if the person had edited their documents more closely. Because of this, I frequently ask my own reports to run any important material past me or by a peer to ensure these types of errors are caught.

LB: Are there any safeguards or quality control of outgoing documents to customers or business partners? If so, what are they?

JH: It depends on the outgoing document, but a lot of people have to sign-off on customer-facing material. Marketing, PR, and legal are the usual players. As a result, we’re able to keep any external documents very polished, even if it requires a bit of iteration and extra time beforehand.

LB: On a scale from one to 10, with 10 being extremely important, how important do you feel it is to have your company’s message or product clearly stated and free of errors on websites? Why?

JH: Again, it depends on what it is, but in most cases it’d be a 10. Even something as seemingly casual as our company’s blog is checked and re-checked to assure it’s error-free. This is not only important because of the professional message it conveys, but it’s also important because a spelling or grammatical error (depending on what it is) can lead to misunderstanding or confusion. Even small mistakes can cause a post to be taken the wrong way.

LB: What do you think would happen to your company’s reputation if they were to continuously distribute/display emails, documents, and other forms of written communication that had grammar errors?

JH: It would probably damage our reputation as well as our bottom line. For example, some of my co-workers spend time pitching our products to prospective clients. If the collateral that they used contained these kinds of errors, our sales people wouldn’t be taken too seriously and it’d hurt our ability to close deals. Because our industry is very tight and word spreads quickly, it’s safe to say that our reputation would take a hit fairly quickly.

LB: While researching companies for certain products or services, does their website text (or message) play a role in your interest? Would incomplete sentences or dearth of intelligibility cause you to search for alternative websites/companies?

JH: While it wouldn’t necessarily turn me off completely from a company’s product or service, it wouldn’t do them any favors either. In today’s extremely competitive market, when everyone is jockeying for position in growing, crowded arenas, I don’t think companies can afford to take that risk, personally. And if a client is making a choice between two offerings that are extremely similar, sometimes something as seemingly small as this could sway them in one direction.

Interview Summary

I’d like to thank James for his willingness and time for this interview. So, were my questions somewhat biased? Perhaps. But I feel that the questions allowed James to offer some key insights on how companies within the technology industry view the importance of clearly written communication on day-to-day tasks, as well as for company image.

Additionally, some of these questions aren’t really in the forefront of business people’s minds as they are writing website text, displaying products, marketing their ideas, and so forth. It is imperative to have your company (your brand) display professionalism, whether internally to save man-hours or externally to save clients and business.

Ghostwriting Service - Copy Editing Service
Luis D. Bonilla
luis@wordszilla.com
Wordszilla, LLC

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Writing a Unique Personal Statement for Medical School

Monday, October 13th, 2008
“It’s Dr. Evil…I didn’t spend six years in Evil Medical School to be called ‘mister,’ thank you very much.”—Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)

Congratulations! You’ve arrived at the cusp of higher learning in medicine. But, before you can embark on the great task ahead, you must prove worthy to admissions deans and various academic panelists—you must write a personal statement.

You hear and read the extensive list all the time: be creative…be concise…don’t be lengthy…don’t use clichés. Great, you know what the personal statement should be like, but how are you supposed to produce this exceptional, grandiose piece of precision?

Get Personal

Although there are many ways to write upon a particular subject, there is only one you. Nobody else can write about your own personal experience or elucidate an experience with your distinctive insight. This is what can separate you from other applicants…this is your opportunity to demonstrate how you are peerless.

Show the admissions department why studying medicine means so much to you. Don’t simply tell stories that you think they want to hear, but declare what sparked your passion for the field and the reasons you will represent their school—and future patients—with dedication and respect.

Additionally, it could be beneficial to demonstrate the ways you feel you are qualified for the school and the medical field in general. Merely listing personal characteristics or abilities will not be enough to ‘wow’ your audience. Instead, give examples of empirical events that have shaped your identity and will allow you to excel in medicine.

Remember: You are the only person to experience your life and its lessons. Exploit this advantage that you have over every other applicant. Make certain to reveal your story’s significance to the field of medicine and, of course, your character.

Tie It Up

One of the most important things to accomplish in your medical school personal statement (or for any field, really) is to connect your personal anecdote or theme to the conclusion. Having the best introduction and story is a moot point if it is not relevant to or is conflicting with the closing statement.

Explain why your desire for medical school stems from your matchless experience of playing the didgeridoo with the Aborigines during the Vernal equinox. Depict how your extraordinary event changed your perception of yourself—of life—and why you will be an asset to their school and the community. Add clairvoyance that cannot be found on the Internet, but only through living what you underwent.

Check, Examine, and Change

Rewriting and correcting your personal statement is a must. It won’t be perfect on the first go-around. Have the grammar and writing center at your school read it over. Employ professional assistance for personal statement editing. Get a professor to offer his recommendations. Go over your personal statement until you feel it’s perfect…and then edit it one more time.

The deans or committee chairmen on the admissions counsel don’t know you personally. They haven’t gone out to lunch or shot a round of golf with you. The only glimpse into your personality and your mind that they have will be your personal statement. Detach yourself from the thousands of other applicants by doing something no one else can…be you.

Ghostwriting Service - Copy Editing ServiceLuis D. Bonilla
luis@wordszilla.com
Wordszilla, LLC

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Effective Website Content for Attorneys and Law Firms

Monday, October 6th, 2008

Blam! A drunk driver carelessly slams into a car. Yelp! A bicyclist runs over a beloved pet’s leg. Yoink! An “entrepreneur” in Florida uses a copyrighted, New Mexico-based business logo for his company’s gain. Hordes of people search the Internet for attorneys and law firms each day for accidents—all of them faced with deciding their best option for legal advice.

After exploring dozens of websites, they finally come to your firm’s home page. It has a decent layout, good colors, and pictures of seemingly trustworthy attorneys and lawyers…just like most of the other sites.

What makes your message distinctive? Why should someone trust you with their case and their hard-earned money?

Originality

One tactic that will not separate your law firm’s website text is using written content from a template (usually from a Web designer). It actually surprises me how many sites feature the exact same message describing the law firm’s qualifications—from the same city no less!

How are prospective clients supposed to develop confidence in your services if you have the same tired descriptions as other websites?

  • “We provide the highest quality legal services.”
  • “Every client is treated as if they were our only client.”
  • “We are second to none with legal experience and will get the job done.”
  • “We stay current on all [insert type] laws and are committed to our clients.”

I could go on and on. These types of regurgitated sentences will cause most Web viewers to zoom to the next website. Be novel and forthright with the descriptions of your services. Tell others exactly why they should come to you for legal advice and show that you care how your website embodies your practice.

Prominence

If I were searching for a quality attorney, I’d want to know exactly how you would offer quality legal advice; is it one-on-one counsel or a team? I am interested in how many cases you’ve won; I would like to read something that makes you stand out from the competition.

Have you been practicing law for 30 years? Great, put that down. So, you’ve won the largest case in Los Angeles since 1994? Awesome, list that too. Your firm earned an award for excellence? Nice. Give me your firm’s celebrated accomplishments (but save the long-winded material for the ‘About Us’ page) that no other law firm can emulate. This way, your firm is unique to me and gives me the ‘how’ and the ‘why’ for my decision.

Results

Having innovative descriptions and one-of-a-kind achievements depicted on your home page won’t guarantee greater conversion rates. (What can?) But, won’t you feel more confident in your law firm’s website presentation with text that is original and conforms only to your practice?

I’m not saying that you necessarily need a custom writing service or copy editing service to perform this responsibility, but you will need someone to spend time crafting Web content to suit your specific law firm. Just as you—as an attorney or lawyer—wouldn’t defend a client with generic counsel, don’t offer people common, copy-and-paste text that doesn’t adequately represent your value.

Ghostwriting Service - Copy Editing Service
Luis D. Bonilla
luis@wordszilla.com
Wordszilla, LLC

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