Many businesses find themselves in need of some form of instructional material, from frequently asked question (FAQ) pages to how-to guides or blog posts.
Instructional or procedural materials involve a different approach than general content writing. These kinds of documents tend to be more about information and less about promotion, although promotion can be subtly worked in where appropriate.
Sometimes the perspective of an outsider can help when preparing this kind of content. When you are very close to a product or topic, it is easy to assume knowledge that your readers might not have. A professional writer knows how to structure instructional or training materials and ensure all relevant steps are included.
Structure helps with comprehension, ensuring that things flow in a logical order and text is broken down into sections. Simple, short sentences are also important. In an online environment, links can be used to provide further information for those who need more background or explanation.
My Approach to Instructional Materials
I am happy to edit existing documents, checking for any gaps in explanatory material or structural issues. If writing procedures or FAQs, I will:
- research the topic or product thoroughly and run through any procedure being explained
- communicate regularly with you if I have questions
- structure the document or procedure with short, easily understood sentences and ensure there is a logical flow to the content
Contact me for a free consultation to talk more about writing for your how-to guides, FAQs or other instructional content.
Photo of Tannoy radio by Crystal Smith, taken at the Diefenbunker Museum.