I am working with Nick to get a new and updated version of the Positive Spin volunteer manual and the executive handbook. This is a chance to keep a similar format, but targeted for different audiences.
The volunteer manual is the easiest because I am in that audience. I should be simple, easy to read, have lots of pictures featuring volunteers, and set ground rules and guidelines. Nick had most of what was written, but it wasn't very visually appealing. The history section was two large paragraphs that I broke down into four. I did this so readers would have an easier time with it and eliminate white space. Short paragraphs also translate better as a form of reference. I also used more bullet points, check boxes for the checklist, and checked consistency.
The executive handbook is in a similar format as the volunteer manual, but needs different pictures. The audience is influential members of the community. This includes government, the university, and businesses. Nick has some specific names in mind.
The pictures for executives should show Positive Spin members helping the community and not just fixing bikes. Their is not much writing done yet because Nick wants to put in his 5 year business plan. The challenge is in not sounding desperate (which I will check for). What is the mutual gain?
I will update more as soon as I have Nicks rough draft to develop and edit.
FINAL Creative Gallery
15 years ago
2 comments:
its really good that you notice the need to write differently for different target audiences. You also realized you do not have to change the entire thing to do this. It sounds like you are doing a great job, keep up the good work :0)
You provide some good discussion of specific design and formatting decisions you've made for these two manuals. I'd be interested in hearing, though, your understanding of the specific purpose of these two different documents, purpose both in terms of you as a writer and what you want to accomplish vis-a-vis your audiences, and purpose in terms of your audience and what they want to accomplish as readers/users of the booklets. How do your specific design and formatting and textual strategies help you to achieve these purposes? What other strategies might you consider employing to meet these ends?
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