Content Coaching
Our Approach to Content Coaching
We believe that good writing comes from good planning. As such, we help teams develop detailed outlines, or content plans, centered around messages before they ever begin writing. This is a tried-and-true method that avoids many of the pitfalls that emerge when writing from scratch. Moreover, we recognize that writing is a continuous process, so we provide iterative tools to help teams refine their messages and easily adjust the organization of their reports, ensuring the content responds to management’s needs or reviewer feedback. Our content coaching is adapted to the needs of every team.
The Coaching Process
1. Brainstorm and Identify Main Messages
We begin by coaching teams to identify and extract main messages from their data and findings. The aim here is to clarify the writing’s purpose, ensuring that the core ideas are well-defined and serve as a strong foundation for the content that follows.
2. Develop a Content Plan
We assist authors in developing a content plan, which is an annotated outline detailing the main sections and lead sentences of the entire report. This plan acts as a roadmap, guiding authors in their writing journey. It helps authors write manageable, paragraph-sized sections, and avoids the overwhelming feeling of having to craft a lengthy document from scratch. This approach to organizing reports inherently limits repetition and keeps the report focused on its main messages. The content plan also encourages teams to cite their data sources for each message, ensuring that every paragraph is well-substantiated and based on strong evidence.
3. Facilitate Virtual “Wall Sessions”
We facilitate virtual “wall sessions” to help teams collaboratively refine their messaging throughout the writing and editing process. These interactive sessions allow teams to revisit their messages after they have developed initial drafts. It helps them develop a logical narrative that makes their report easy for the reader to follow and comprehend. These sessions help teams continuously shape and adjust their drafts according to shifting management demands or reviewer feedback. This ensures that teams deliver high-quality final products that are relevant and interesting to their audiences.
