bookmark_borderMeetings and Contacts

A quick reminder to those of you in the West of Scotland, there is an open meeting this evening to which you are invited. No agenda, just a chance to meet up with fellow technical writers. We are meeting at 7 p.m. in the offices of Sumerian in Glasgow city centre, at 19 Blythswood Square, Glasgow G2 4BG. Tea & coffee will be provided.

Thanks Katja for organising this, I’m looking forward to it as it’s always informative and interesting to meet fellow professionals. As my career progresses (or perhaps just because I’m getting older) I start to understand the true benefits of, what has now come to be known as, networking.

It’s the same reason I joined the ISTC, and also why this blog exists. I’ve been blogging, on a personal basis, for several years and have made some good friends so I have my own proof that blogging works as a way to network, to communicate.

It’s not that hard to quantify either. Directly because of this blog I realised how enthusiastic I am about my line of work, which made me want to get more involved which prompted the writing of a monthly column for the ISTC Newsletter and which also lead to my invitation to speak at the TICAD conference. I’ve swapped emails with technical writers from around the world and, quite genuinely, can say that through the blogs I follow I learn something new, if not every day, at least every week.

It can be hard to find the time to write posts, it can be hard to find something that I can write about (I try to steer clear of company specific issues), but it is rewarding and, I hope, of some use to others.

Networking isn’t easy. In a way I’m lucky as I have an outgoing personality, but the internet makes it so much easier. In saying that, it still doesn’t beat face to face communications so, if you are in the Glasgow area this evening, please come along.