Any advice would be appreciated

by TaraB
10 replies
I have been working in the gas industry for the past 4 months and have recently been asked to write press releases. The issue is that I don't understand the industry well enough. I was handed some bullet points and asked to write an article. I don't understand the subject well enough so asked someone for clarification on the bullet points. Instead of being helpful, my manager told me that I don't need to understand the subjects that I'm writing about. If I don't understand the topics, how am I supposed to write about them? Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you.
#advice #appreciated
  • Profile picture of the author TJoseph
    Do you have any interest in the gas industry?
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    • Profile picture of the author TaraB
      Not really, no.
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      • Profile picture of the author BigFrank
        Banned
        Originally Posted by TaraB View Post

        Not really, no.
        You've been asked to write a press release, not "War and eace."

        Stick to the basic formula, ask your manager for a point or two that he/she feels would be facts they would like to include and you should be good to go.

        When my clients give me absolutely nothing from their own point of view on any project I undertake, in any discipline, I have one line that gets them involved in the process. I tell them, "I am a magician, but I am NOT a mind reader." Works every time.

        Cheers. - Frank
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  • Profile picture of the author Adelaina
    I know what you mean Tara,

    Most of the time, writing about something you don’t really like or understand can be hard as hell. But, it doesn’t have to be impossible.

    In your case, you should get familiarized with the classic structure of a press release and try to connect the information you received through those bullet points with the main parts of a press release.

    It is one thing not to understand in depth what you are told, and another thing not to understand a word from what you are reading. You should be able to distinguish:

    The story you must write about;
    The essential parts of any story/news worthy subject: who, what, where, when, why and how;
    Quotes you can use to support your story;
    And a call to action in line with the purpose of sharing that story…

    Then you are pretty much good to go.

    Now I have no clue about the bullet points you received, but isn’t any way you could research more on the web, if your manager is dump enough to assume that you need nothing more than what he already gave you?
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    • Profile picture of the author TaraB
      Originally Posted by Adelaina View Post

      I know what you mean Tara,

      Most of the time, writing about something you don't really like or understand can be hard as hell. But, it doesn't have to be impossible.

      In your case, you should get familiarized with the classic structure of a press release and try to connect the information you received through those bullet points with the main parts of a press release.

      It is one thing not to understand in depth what you are told, and another thing not to understand a word from what you are reading. You should be able to distinguish:

      The story you must write about;
      The essential parts of any story/news worthy subject: who, what, where, when, why and how;
      Quotes you can use to support your story;
      And a call to action in line with the purpose of sharing that story...

      Then you are pretty much good to go.

      Now I have no clue about the bullet points you received, but isn't any way you could research more on the web, if your manager is dump enough to assume that you need nothing more than what he already gave you?

      Thanks for responding. My problem is I don't know what the customer sees as being the most important part and why. I would rather go to the subject matter expert and ask further questions rather than create something woolly. If I can give the customer more specific information, then I would like to. I just wanted to understand the subject better so that I could write the piece to the best of my ability. I got humiliated by my manager for asking for clarification.
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  • Profile picture of the author TB Ann
    research about it, you can probably watch youtube videos about it.
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    • Profile picture of the author TaraB
      Thank you for responding. Asking for clarification was my "research". Unfortunately, there aren't youtube videos on the specific subject, but thanks for the tip - might just do that if I have to write about any other tricky subjects.
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  • Profile picture of the author sethczerepak
    Originally Posted by TaraB View Post

    If I don't understand the topics, how am I supposed to write about them? Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you.
    You're not. Your manager sounds like a moron. You have to get into the subject material to do a good job. Unless, he just wants you to write fluff.

    Then, it's up to you to decide whether you want to submit yourself to doing something which will turn you into a mediocre writer.
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  • Profile picture of the author TypingPandas
    Hi there,
    First of all research, research, research. Second of all, you should really get more information on the subject from your manager. The phrase @BigFrank said might work: "I am a magician, but I am NOT a mind reader." If your manager is not able to answer your questions, then maybe you can find someone else who can. Get all the information you need before proceeding to the actual writing.

    If you can't obtain any, then the only thing left is to stick to those bullet points, expand on them a little bit and try to embellish them into a press release and that's it. It's not really your fault that you weren't given enough information. This way, they'll know that next time, if they want something better, they must supply you with more details.

    Best,
    Typing Pandas
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  • Profile picture of the author BrandyW
    If you're still working on your project, maybe this will help. If not, then maybe it will help in the future. I've been a freelance writer for quite some time now and, more often than not, I am asked to write something on a subject I know little about or have little interest in. I have a difficult time staying focused on stuff I have no interest in, so I found a system that works for me.
    I make a list of the relevant topics for the piece I am working on and put them in an order that makes sense to me. Once that's done I research each individual topic and write the most relevant information for each one. After that I put the content together and tweak it here and there so it all flows together.
    There are a host of websites that have the info you need. It just may take a minute to find just what you need. You can search for industry related sites and forums. Forums will give you a good idea of what people are talking about and wanting.
    You say you have bullet points so that is great. You have a list of the points you need to make. Do a thorough search for each of the bullet points and write the content for each one. Look up tips n tricks for successful press releases and follow the advice. Once you find the info you need and the proper layout to deliver the content, you should be good to go. When your done, edit your work and refine it, and I always like to check my works authenticity. Sometime we take in so much info we can spit it out like it's our own and not even realize it. Grammarly or copyscape are good places to check your work. Your next project will be easy peasy...
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    Brandy Werczynski
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