Already a member?
Welcome to Brazen Careerist!
Emily Ma is using Brazen Careerist to share ideas. Join now to become a member and start networking with Emily Ma and other professionals just like you. Learn more.
Brazen careerist
Where ambitious young professionals connect and grow
Email
Print
Writing is a creative process. Every client gets a different end result and pays you accordingly for your time. At least, that’s what we like to think. But the truth of the matter is that some certain types of writing can look very similar from client to client. You could even create a template for such pieces and at least start with filling in the blanks.
A good example is a press release. When a client comes to me, asking me to write a press release, I’ve got a form that I ask him to fill out. A lot of it is basic organizational information and standard details I need to know in order to create the press release. But each line on that form corresponds to a line in my press release template. When I get the information back from my client, I just plug it in to the template.
Of course, that doesn’t make for a great press release and I would never send a client a fill-in-the-blank press release. But it gives me a starting point that lets me get my work done a lot faster than starting from scratch each time. It’s like a very detailed outline — you know that you’re going to have to move stuff around, but you know everything you want to get across and you have a general line of thought you want to follow.
There are plenty of opportunities to use this sort of template as a starting point:
- Resumes
- Marketing letters
- Some blog posts (like big lists)
I can even think of a way to turn a template into a marketing tool: release it to your customers, free of charge and then let them see why just filling in the blanks doesn’t result in a solid piece of writing. They’ll see that they need you to take their project to the next level. Of course, you’d need to refine the strategy a bit for specific customer bases, bust as templated marketing method, it’s not too bad.
Are there any other ways that you may use templates to speed up your writing? Or have you used templates in other ways to build your business?
For more timely, relevant, and engaging articles,
subscribe to Brazen Careerist.
- How To Find a Writing Partner Who Can Help You Achieve Your Goals and Make More Money
- The Anti-Stalker’s Guide for Converting Online Contact into Real World Collaboration
- A New Kind of Business Mover and Shaker
- Continuing Education: Extending Learning Beyond Your Campus Years
- Why You Might Be Better Off Without a Job After College
Comments
02.06.10
Template writing is a good idea and I think it is more born out of the need for efficiency.
I do the same thing when consulting with clients that want me to build a website for them. Most of the time I do the filling in, but I ask the questions. It helps me determine exactly what the clients needs and expectations are. In your situation it helps you to figure out exactly what needs to get across in a press release.
Think a template would work for blog posting? If only to make sure you aren't all over the place? :D
02.06.10
Although it isn't entirely as restraining as resumes or press releases, something else to think about is the format or layout for books or movie scripts. You have a general time line, or limit to think of, and then depending on your plot, you know what the structure is going to be like.
02.06.10
Oh great post! I think templates are often overlooked but definitely beneficial. I've used them for reporting as well as articles in newsletters, magazines and even blog posts. I think there is a reason why we have tested-and-proven templates. They do work. And if you're creative, you can put your own spin on the writing so it doesn't really feel like you're reading just another boring template. In fact, it shouldn't translate that way to the reader at all - if you're careful about it ;o)
Got Something To Say?
Got Something To Say?
Not a Member? Brazen Careerist is a career management tool for next-generation professionals. Set up a free account today to comment on this post and start sharing your ideas. Learn more.
Login to view your networks!
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
