Empower and Encourage

Their noses wrinkled, eyes squinted, mouths puckered as if they’d just licked the salt, drank the shot of tequila, and sucked a sour lemon. They despised the word empower because they’d heard it for years in the workforce.  

“We should encourage,” they said. “We should encourage others to succeed, never quit, to go for what they want.” 

“Okay,” I replied, “consider the proverb ‘Give a man a fish and feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime.’ I can encourage anyone to fish, but if they don’t have the resources to learn how, they can’t feed themselves. I empower them by teaching them how to fish and obtain the resources they need; thereby, enabling them to feed themselves. During the learning process, I’m encouraging each step of the way. We should do both.”

*crickets chirping*

When we speak of empowering people, we give them authority or power to do something, or enable them to do something. By giving someone a rod ‘n’ reel, a little bait, and instructions on how to fish, we’re enabling them to feed themselves .  They have authority and power to do something about their circumstances.

Encouragement, on the other hand, provides hope or confidence, or support and advice to someone. In essence, we’re “encouraging results.”  While they’re learning to fish, we encourage them to continue on, imparting confidence that they can do it.

Throughout my career, I’ve considered my role as a technical trainer and professional educator to be that of a conduit who provides the tools and information learners need, whether I’m teaching adults or teenagers. I help to empower people with knowledge and the necessary skills, and encourage them to apply what they’ve learned to the job or their studies.

I see encouragement as a complement to empowerment, knowing that the two go hand-in-hand.

Empower or encourage? I say we do both.

Resources

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/empower

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encourage

Web Content Series: Write Descriptive Links

Your content is concise and scannable, and now you want to add value to the reader experience. You can do this by using links to help readers find content related to the topic.  Links are maps to information, and must be clear and concise so that readers arrive at the correct destination.The following guidelines can help ensure that links describe exactly what the reader wants.

• Use the title as the link.
• Don’t use a long URL in the title or description. In fact, I suggest not using a URL at all, but if you must, try free services like bitly.com to shorten URL links. When using shortened URLs, consider the possibility of link rot, that they could be blocked or misconstrued as spam or questionable content, and other issues.
• Avoid phrases like “click here,” “here,” and “more info.”
• Four words or less ensures that links are easy to scan.
• Provide links to resources and related information; don’t summarize.
• Provide cross-references.
• Use key words—what people search for—to improve scannability as well as the chances of your content ranking higher in search engines.

Is it possible to describe a destination in four words or less? When is it better to link to the URL?

Copyright 2012 by Lisa Hodson

Previously on Web Content Series

Web Content Series: Make Content Scannable, 13 Apr 2012 

Web Content Series: Organize Your Content, 20 Apr 2012

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Resources: Microsoft Manual of Style, 4th Edition.

Is it possible to describe a destination in four words or less? When is it better to link to the URL?

Web Content Series: Organize Your Content

In my early years as a technical writer, the most common approach for developing documentation was to tell readers what you were going to tell them, tell them what you want them to know, and then tell them what you just told them. This approach produced content-rich information that end users and readers had to sift through before they found what they needed, which was usually how to perform a task or procedure. Readers don’t make time for much these days—deadlines loom, multi-tasking is the norm—and frankly, neither do I. Getting to the point benefits both the readers and me by improving usability and decreasing time to market. The following guidelines can help you get to the point quickly without sacrificing quality.

• Put the most important content first using key words in the headings, subheadings, and the first sentence of each paragraph.
• Give readers the who, what, when, where, and why in the first sentence or two, or paragraph.
• Communicate in plain language and use short paragraphs that focus on a small chunk of information.
• Provide links to related information. (Don’t over do it.)

In my post, Carl Albert Public Internship Program: Real Experience, Lifetime Connections, the most important content is in the heading and the first paragraph, as well as in a link to the CAPIP web page.

Carl Albert Public Internship Program: Real Experience, Lifetime Connections

Interested in public service? Want to build a network of professionals in your area of interest while getting paid? Consider becoming a Carl Albert Public Intern or an Executive Fellow. The Carl Albert Public Internship Program (CAPIP)  is open to undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled in an accredited university. This Program is ongoing; hence, there is no application deadline.

There’s much more to the post, but the basic key points, or takeaways—name of the internship, network, get paid, and no application deadline—ensure that if readers don’t read further, they have what they need. A link to the source is also included and serves as a visual cue that tells the reader, “Hey! Click me to learn more.”

It’s not about you or me; it’s about the readers’ experience. Getting to the point in your content gives readers what they want without sacrificing quality, and they are more likely to visit again.

Previously on Web Content Series

Web Content Series: Make Content Scannable, 20 Apr 2012 

______________________________________________

Resources: Microsoft Manual of Style, 4th Edition.

How do you organize your content for ease of use? 

Web Content Series: Make content scannable

Readers scan online content—titles, headings, paragraphs, links—and decide quickly if content is meaningful to them. When they find what they need, they’ll continue reading. The following guidelines can help you write and deliver content that the reader needs, right when they need it.

• Use keywords in headings and subheadings
• Provide links in the Table of Contents
• Create lists in bullet format
• Write content in concise, short paragraphs, or chunks
• Include adequate white space between chunks of information
• Place the most important content at the top of the web page or on the first screen
• Eliminate the need for the user to scroll through content by reducing word count or dividing content into separate topics on individual pages

More in this series

Web Content Series: Organize Your Content, 23 April 2012

Web Content Series: Write Descriptive Links, 27 April 2012

_____________________________________________

Resources: Microsoft Manual of Style, 4th Edition.

What other strategies do you use to make text scannable?

Carl Albert Public Internship Program: Real Experience, Lifetime Connections

Interested in public service? Want to build a network of professionals in your area of interest while getting paid? Consider becoming a Carl Albert Public Intern or an Executive Fellow. The Carl Albert Public Internship Program (CAPIP)  is open to undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled in an accredited university. This Program is ongoing; hence, there is no application deadline.

Benefits

You get paid. All CAPIP undergraduate internships and executive fellowships are paid opportunities, some with the potential for permanent job placement upon completion of the internship period. Some Executive Fellows (graduates) may be eligible for health insurance and leave benefits. The most important benefit of becoming an Intern or Executive Fellow is the experience and exposure in your field of study, meeting like-minded professionals, and making connections that last a lifetime. You may just find your calling.

Determine Your Eligibility

• Undergraduates must have completed 24 semester hours with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 in all undergraduate-level courses, and be currently enrolled in an accredited college or university.
• Senior Undergraduates must have completed 90 semester hours with a cumulative GPA of 2.5, and be currently enrolled in an accredited college or unversity.
• Executive Fellows (graduates) must have completed an undergraduate degree and 6 hours of graduate-level courses with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or 7.0 on a 12.0 scale in all graduate courses, and must be currently enrolled in an accredited college or university.

Gather Supporting Documents

• Your current resumé
• A nomination letter from a faculty member in your current degree program
• Three letters of recommendation*
• Your current transcript and verification of current enrollment

Apply to the CAPIP

Do not email your application and supporting documents.

There are two ways you can apply to the CAPIP:

• Download the application and mail it, along with your resumé, letter of nomination, all recommendation letters, and current transcript and enrollment verification to the address on the form; or,
• Apply online and upload your supporting documents.

Find an Internship/Fellowship

You’ve applied, now what do you do? Internships and fellowships won’t find you; you have to find them. State agencies looking for CAPIP Interns and Executive Fellows advertise openings on the State of Oklahoma website. Start with the  Current Employment Opportunities page and go from there.

My Story

I was in my last semester of undergraduate studies when I heard about the CAPIP. After learning more about the program, I wanted to be an Executive Fellow and find an opportunity to do some technical writing, to see if it was something I’d enjoy. I applied to the CAPIP and searched for almost a year when UCO Career Services advertised a job opening for a technical writer. Since I was registered with Career Services, I applied for the position.

Upon walking into the interview room, I saw the CAPIP application on the table. I’d already applied. My future boss walked in with his current intern, who I knew from my public relations’ courses. Things fell into place, and I’ve been a technical writer, editor, and trainer in the IT/software industry for the past 11 years. I’ve also had the opportunity to publish software reviews for two national publications, and worked in several industries and with  people from all over the world. The opportunity to be an Executive Fellow has opened many doors for me, and I cherish the experience.

What are you waiting for? Apply now!

*State of Oklahoma employees must submit one letter of recommendation from their current Appointing Authority.

Copyright 2012 Lisa Hodson

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