How to Turn Your Expertise into Marketable, Professional Text

Roberta J. Duffy Editor NAPM Communication

May 3, 2000 -- NAPM

Did You Also Know?

C.P.M. point Exposure for organization, self Tangible product Giving back to profession

May 3, 2000 -- NAPM

Todays Agenda
Editorial process at Purchasing Today Mechanics of effective writing Making writing easier

May 3, 2000 -- NAPM

Purchasing
NAPM member benefit Monthly 10 years Staff, freelance, YOU!

Today

May 3, 2000 -- NAPM

Where Do I Get an Article Idea?

Other articles Current research Experience, experience, experience Practice

May 3, 2000 -- NAPM

If you have an article youd like to write, the VERY best action you can take is.
E-mail a short description that identifies you, your credentials, and then main points of your article.

rduffy@napm.org
May 3, 2000 -- NAPM

Sample Query
My company has a unique supplier development program, where we promote joint training for our staff and suppliers staff in industry practices. We have found that this joint training gives each organization a better understanding of total supply chain issues and has also created a stronger bond between our two organizations. However, in order to implement this program, we had to overcome resistance from participants, and in some cases, leadership. I would be willing to share our experience, demonstrate how we overcame these challenges, and detail the benefits we have realized.
May 3, 2000 -- NAPM

I Have No Idea
You can be assigned an article Share experience with article coordinator Must stay with subject description

May 3, 2000 -- NAPM

From Your Mind to the Presses

Article ideas, internal and external Ideas approved and scheduled Find an author Sign volunteer author agreement Write and edit (write and edit, write and edit.) Production Approximately 5 months leadtime
May 3, 2000 -- NAPM

Commonly Asked Questions

What will my relationship be with the editorial staff? What if the article I write is unsatisfactory? What if my communication department wants to approve the article? Is my article guaranteed to be published as originally written?

May 3, 2000 -- NAPM

How Much do I Get Paid?

May 3, 2000 -- NAPM

Elements of Effective Writing

Know your audience Match your subject description Give them how to or take-away Know your tone

May 3, 2000 -- NAPM

Elements of Effective Writing

Write a good lead
Ask questions Promise the benefit Statistics Anecdote Usually shorter sentences

May 3, 2000 -- NAPM

Elements of Effective Writing

Pretend youre talking to your neighbor Manufacturing & nonmanufacturing Add credibility Editorialize appropriately

May 3, 2000 -- NAPM

Elements of Effective Writing

Vary sentence length, structure Passive voice vs. active voice
The recommendation was made by the president to proceed with the signing of the contract. The president recommended signing the contract.
May 3, 2000 -- NAPM

Elements of Effective Writing

Use visual aids if necessary Last year, there were 14 employees, 6 of which were parttime, but this year, there are 20 employees and only 2 parttimers.
May 3, 2000 -- NAPM

18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 1999 2000 Fulltime Parttime

Elements of Effective Writing

Be creative Make it clean Follow the styles you know Turn it in on time

May 3, 2000 -- NAPM

Plagiarism
Absolutely unacceptable Credit direct quotes and paraphrased statements When in doubt, ask permission

May 3, 2000 -- NAPM

Ways to Make Writing Easier

Guidelines, not rules Gather information, read, absorb Outlines Work in nuggets

May 3, 2000 -- NAPM

Ways to Make Writing Easier

Keep clip files Get something down on paper Dont play writer-editor Write like you talk

May 3, 2000 -- NAPM

Ways to Make Writing Easier

Change the tools Take five Call your editor

May 3, 2000 -- NAPM

Additional Materials
NAPM contact information Guidelines for Article Submission Recommended resources
Roberta Duffy Editor, NAPM Communication 2055 E. Centennial Circle Tempe, AZ 85284 800/888-6276, ext. 3085 (f) 480/752-7890 rduffy@napm.org
May 3, 2000 -- NAPM