Creative Staffing Tips
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Creating A Web Based Training Program: Step 4
The final step in creating a Web based training program is the review and revision process. Once people have gone through the training you can begin to address any issues that arose as the program was used. Sometimes these may simply not be apparent until the training is underway--or finished. Once identified, these issues can be adjusted and it will strengthen the training program overall. It can help to think of any revisions as a positive step.
There are many ways to review a Web based training program. User feedback is one tool that you can use to uncover any problems that may have come up along the way. You may also want to sit down and have a discussion with the web design training professional that set up the system to see what their thoughts are. They can often pinpoint any issues or see any potential problems that may be coming up down the line.
The Copy Editor
Copy editor jobs are a popular choice for professionals who are searching for freelance work. Many companies will outsource this type of work to contractors on a part-time or full-time basis rather than create a position in-house. This creates a good situation for both freelance editors and corporations. Freelancers can enjoy all the flexibility that comes with the lifestyle and companies have the advantage of not having to pay for benefits. This typically means a higher rate of pay for the freelancer as well.
Copy editors proofread and adjust copy before it goes to print (or on the Web), paying special attention to things such as style, spelling, and usage. Specific duties will vary depending on the project and the company. Some copy editors will write captions and titles, while others will even have a hand in designing the page. As a freelancer, the more experience you have doing a variety of these things, the better your chances for landing work with a company in a contract position.
Creating A Web Based Training Program: Step 3
Once you have come up with an idea for a Web based training program and created the design for it, it's time to roll it out for people to use. If you have done all of the preparation, this step should be a fairly smooth one.
Based on the information you came up with in step two, you'll know if everyone will be doing the training at the same time, or if you will do so in stages. You can split people up by department, do it alphabetically, or in any other way that is convenient. If possible, try to choose a slow time for the training so that it won't overload anyone with extra work.
Sometimes not everyone in the company may need to complete the particular training program you have created. For example, Web developer training will probably not be extended to those in the sales department, unless it relates to their job as well. This type of specialized training may be a bit easier to implement, as it won't require a large-scale effort.
Writing Your Profile
If you're trying to land one of the coveted Chicago or New York design jobs, you'll need a strong portfolio and a sharply written profile to get your foot in the door. If you're not a writer by trade, you may want to consider hiring one to create your profile for you.
If you decide to go this route, you'll need to provide the writer with the tools to get the job done. This means giving them all of your information. Start by providing a resume, samples of your work, and other details to help them get the "big picture." Then take the time to sit down with the writer and talk a bit about your life, your design philosophy, and your career highlights.
Before hiring a writer to do this type of work, you may also want to ask them a few questions, such as:
- Have you done profiles before?
- How long have you been writing?
- Do I get more than one draft of the profile for the fee you charge?
- What do you know about the design industry?
Creating A Web Based Training Program: Step 2
The second step in creating a Web based training program is to actually create the material as it will be used on-line. This step will be implemented by your Web professional, although you will undoubtedly want to review and approve the final content. It is during this portion of the process that you will need to address issues such as bandwidth demand, ease of access to the material and storage.
At the beginning of the Web programming training issues may arise, such as overall speed and loading times. You may need to adjust the materials to fix these problems, and the best time to do it is during this phase. Once the training program is live, it will be more difficult to change.
Be sure and communicate with your Web professional and make any tweaks to the overall picture before you begin using it with employees. You may want to run through the finished program yourself to review it, or have a few select employees test it before you sign off on the final product.
Creating a Blog
One of the more common freelance Web designer jobs out there these days is setting up a blog for a client. This type of communication has become extremely popular on the Web, and more companies have decided to include a blog on their websites for marketing purposes. Blogs allow for a personal "voice" and continually provide fresh information for the site. Designers may be asked to create a blog from scratch, or to embed a blog that already exists into a website.
There are various templates that can be used for blogs, but Web designers may want to create a custom design for the client to help set them apart from the competition. Much like setting up a regular website, things such as color, font, and images should be taken into consideration, and you may want to include the company logo or other branding information in the design. Professionals who can create a blog will have an edge, as this is rapidly becoming a staple feature on many websites, particularly in corporate culture.
Creating A Web Based Training Program: Step 1
If you are thinking about using some type of Web based training for your employees, the very first step is to come up with any information that you will want to include. This step is the same regardless of whether you are working on a Web page design training program or a grammar review for writers. It can help to write out the idea and your objectives for the training as well.
Once you have an idea and direction, you will need content for the training program. You may choose to hire a content writer to pull this all together, or you can always have someone in-house write the material. Content writers generally have expertise in writing for the Web, which can be an advantage in this type of situation. They may be able to package the material in a way that is more user-friendly than someone who hasn't done much writing for the Web.
Once this step is complete, it is time to talk to your Web designer about where to put the information and how to present it to your employees.
Brand Management
If you're employed in the marketing field, specializing in brand management can be a good way to help ensure career longevity. Brand managers work to establish a particular product in the marketplace and then maintain its visibility. Adding this type of skill to your arsenal is a good way to increase your appeal to potential employers when looking for work in the field. It's also something freelance marketing professionals may want to focus on to increase their reach.
Brand managers help position products by working on attractive packaging concepts, reviewing and evaluating the competition in terms of product placement, and increasing the brand's overall recognition. They will be involved in any re-branding campaigns, product launches, and advertising campaigns. Since not every marketing professional is a specialist in brand management, this can be a great niche to explore and add to your resume.
Hiring A Content Writer
A content writer is someone you may want to consider bringing on board if you are putting together a Web based training program. These writing professionals are experts in packaging writing for the Web and can help make the process of developing a training program on-line much easier.
The content writer may be willing to sit down with the Web developer and talk about design. They can help in areas such as phrasing questions well, keeping a consistent pattern or theme and making sure instructions are easy to understand. They can also help keep things concise by using bullet points, numbered items and other "Web friendly" tools.
There are many different types of content writers out there, so when hiring, make sure the person you select is right for the job. Ask if they have had any prior experience writing training materials, and see if they are willing to work with you on revisions down the line if needed.
Quality Training
If you're going through the time and trouble to set up a Web based training program, you'll want to be sure it is a quality offering. There are some factors that you can take into consideration that will help you stay on-target for this. Here are some questions you can ask about the program to see if it measures up:
- Is the program centered on the learner and not the content?
- Is the material interesting?
- Is the training interactive?
- Does the training address different learning styles?
- Is the training easy to access?
- Is the material that is being presented organized well?
- Does the material help people apply what they have learned?
- Is the training user-friendly?
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