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Writing is all around us, and as designers and developers, we cannot be blind to its importance. However, the format and content of your writing will vary depending on the situation.
[MUSIC].
0:00
Understanding the fundamentals of writing
is essential.
0:05
And it can bring about many benefits
0:07
for your projects, your company,
especially your career.
0:09
So today I wanna provide some fundamentals
that
0:13
you should understand when it comes to
writing.
0:16
Especially if you're looking to get a job
in the
0:18
tech industry or looking to improve the
writing you do.
0:20
As part of the job you already have.
0:23
We'll discuss various types of writing you
should be prepared for.
0:25
How to improve each one.
0:29
Some common errors that people make, and
how to avoid them.
0:30
And some strategies that can help you
improve your work.
0:34
So it helps to ask this question.
0:37
How does writing impact us?
0:40
Well, writing is all around us.
0:43
And as designers and developers, we can't
be blind to the importance of it.
0:45
If you misspell a tag, or a piece of code,
0:49
something could break from a simple link
to the entire
0:52
site and if you include typos or show poor
writing
0:56
skills in the text that you produce on
your site.
0:59
You risk making a bad first impression.
1:03
Poor writing can be embarrassing and it
can
1:06
also be costly if we're talking about a
business.
1:08
So it doesn't matter if you're a student
learning how to code.
1:11
Or designing websites for a living or.
1:14
Writing posts on a blog or if you're
1:16
trying to sell something online, writing
is everywhere.
1:18
But the format and the content of
1:21
your writing will vary depending on the
situation.
1:23
So let's get into some of the online
writing types.
1:27
If you ever need to prepare.
1:30
A cover letter or a project proposal of
some kind.
1:31
You must understand how unique
professional writing tasks can be.
1:36
Now, this can include messages you write
1:39
to introduce yourself to clients
interacting with organizations.
1:42
It could be formal pitches to
universities.
1:47
Or even media outlets.
1:50
Now, if you're building sites or apps and
cranking out code,
1:52
you may be asked to prepare documentation
or instructional kinds of writing.
1:56
Directions, comments and other help text
is often needed for the front end design,
2:01
and notes for fellow project collaborators
can be helpful on the back end as well.
2:06
Corporate communications is another kind
of writing that you might get asked to do.
2:13
Sites need well written, keyword rich
effective copy, written for
2:17
its product pages, services and all the
other pages in-between.
2:22
And you'll especially know.
2:27
You'll especially need to know how to
prepare this if you're writing it for
2:29
your own site, or getting paid by a client
to do it for them.
2:33
And, one more type, in the age of social
media, it's important
2:37
to know how to prepare and adapt and
refocus the subject matter.
2:41
Of your writing for various online
platforms, like twitter or LinkedIn.
2:47
The same kind of writing is not always
effective across all channels online.
2:53
So knowing how to change things up will
give you an advantage.
2:58
As you try to reach out to different
audiences.
3:02
So these writing types should sound
familiar.
3:05
But it's important to recognize that each
one is tied to different kinds of goals.
3:08
And goals are essential for effective
writing.
3:13
Professional writing pieces like job cover
letters or project
3:16
proposals are done to improve a business
or a professional relationship.
3:21
You're looking to start a relationship or
partnership, or improve an existing one.
3:27
Instructional writing, like directions on
a web form, or comments
3:32
within your code or other documentation is
meant to educate.
3:37
And help.
3:40
You're hoping to inform the reader to make
their
3:41
experience easier and to enable them to do
something.
3:44
Corporate writing, like press releases or
product descriptions and other text found
3:49
on websites, is required to compel users
to take certain kinds of action.
3:54
You're hoping to appeal.
4:00
To there needs and to their interests with
writing that's going to influence them.
4:01
And writings done on social networks and
other online social
4:07
platforms is generally done in an attempt
to interact with others.
4:11
Sharing information in specific places,
sometimes.
4:15
Along with pictures and video and other
types of media can help position you
4:18
as an influencer, especially if the
content
4:23
that you write and share is valuable.
4:25
So whatever you write should have a
purpose, especially if you're writing
4:29
on behalf of a company or product or to
improve your own career.
4:33
If you can keep this various writing types
in mind.
4:37
You'll know what goals what your goals
should be,
4:40
as you prepare and publish each new piece
of content.
4:44
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