amanda e. grondahl
Writing
Editing
Design
"She had always been pretty sure that
given a typewriter and a nice tiara
she could save the world."
Words intended for print should be edited. Period. Why? Because you never get a second chance to make a first impression: Whatever the words, whatever the media, whoever the audience, once your message is out there in the world, there's no going back. And if the message isn't clear, engaging, and powerful, it can be worse than having written nothing at all. Further, most writing is persuasive in nature. That is, your aim as the writer is to elicit a specific response from the reader. And in order to get the reader to react the way in which you want them to, you must convince them that you are qualified and credible; you need the reader to trust you. If that happens, it's because your writing is well thought out, well crafted, and well edited. You create an opportunity for the reader to trust you and, in turn, you control how they react to what you've written. And nothing negates the efficacy of a persuasive piece of writing more than bad grammar. So grammar still counts? Yes! We are judged (immediately and often intractably) by the way we present ourselves to the world -- our style: how we walk, talk, dress, and enter a room. The quality of our writing is no different. So even though we live in a fast-paced, technologically-driven society where it may seem that what we say is vastly more important than how we say it, the message is lost when the writing isn't pitch-perfect.Nowhere is well-crafted, well-edited persuasive writing more important than in the Business World.In many cases, people know our businesses only through our writing. If the writing is sloppy, what does that say about our business practises? When our business writing is well-crafted and well-edited, we demonstrate respect for the reader and create an opportunity for them to trust us. Clients, banks, and associates take us seriously when they see we can deliver our messages with power, clarity, and precision. They equate our ability to communicate effectively with our ability to deliver products and services with equal success.Enter Amanda.Today Amanda works with Vancouver businesses and non-profits to create marketing and communications material that conveys their visions, goals, and messages in a clear and engaging way. The result? More attention, more contacts, more customers, and more money.
Words intended for print should be edited. Period.
Why? Because you never get a second chance to make a first impression: Whatever the words, whatever the media, whoever the audience, once your message is out there in the world, there's no going back. And if the message isn't clear, engaging, and powerful, it can be worse than having written nothing at all.
Further, most writing is persuasive in nature.
That is, your aim as the writer is to elicit a specific response from the reader. And in order to get the reader to react the way in which you want them to, you must convince them that you are qualified and credible; you need the reader to trust you. If that happens, it's because your writing is well thought out, well crafted, and well edited. You create an opportunity for the reader to trust you and, in turn, you control how they react to what you've written.
And nothing negates the efficacy of a persuasive piece of writing more than bad grammar.
So grammar still counts? Yes! We are judged (immediately and often intractably) by the way we present ourselves to the world -- our style: how we walk, talk, dress, and enter a room. The quality of our writing is no different. So even though we live in a fast-paced, technologically-driven society where it may seem that what we say is vastly more important than how we say it, the message is lost when the writing isn't pitch-perfect.
Nowhere is well-crafted, well-edited persuasive writing more important than in the Business World.
In many cases, people know our businesses only through our writing. If the writing is sloppy, what does that say about our business practises? When our business writing is well-crafted and well-edited, we demonstrate respect for the reader and create an opportunity for them to trust us. Clients, banks, and associates take us seriously when they see we can deliver our messages with power, clarity, and precision. They equate our ability to communicate effectively with our ability to deliver products and services with equal success.
Enter Amanda.
Today Amanda works with Vancouver businesses and non-profits to create marketing and communications material that conveys their visions, goals, and messages in a clear and engaging way. The result? More attention, more contacts, more customers, and more money.
Amanda E. Grondahl Amanda is a Vancouver-based writer/editor who has spent years practising and perfecting her craft. A passion for the written word, advanced training, a fresh perspective, real-world sales and marketing experience, and proven success combine to make Amanda truly unique in the industry. As a creative communications professional, Amanda's goal is to make text accessible to the audience and, as such, her focus is on clarity, consistency, and flow. She sees the big picture and then works on individual mechanics to ensure that they all function to achieve the greater goals of the piece. Education & ExperienceA 2006 graduate of the Print Futures: Professional Writing Program, Amanda is professionally trained in all aspects of research, writing, editing, and design (including substantive editing, copy editing, and proofreading, as well as corporate writing, technical writing, creative writing, and writing for the web).Amanda has worked as either writer, editor, or designer in the production of websites, web copy, training manuals, research reports, brochures, media kits, press releases, business plans, Integrated Marketing and Communications Plans, works of historical non-fiction, creative writing anthologies, course material, magazine articles, advertisements, and direct marketing pieces.Pro Bono WorkAn active member of the Editors' Association of Canada, Amanda volunteers her services as a member of the association's National Marketing and PR Committee.When she's not working to improve creative communications in corporate Canada, Amanda uses her skills to give back to the community: she facilitates a successful reading and writing program called Intrepid Pens for women in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside (www.intrepidpens.org).
Amanda E. Grondahl
Amanda is a Vancouver-based writer/editor who has spent years practising and perfecting her craft. A passion for the written word, advanced training, a fresh perspective, real-world sales and marketing experience, and proven success combine to make Amanda truly unique in the industry.
As a creative communications professional, Amanda's goal is to make text accessible to the audience and, as such, her focus is on clarity, consistency, and flow. She sees the big picture and then works on individual mechanics to ensure that they all function to achieve the greater goals of the piece.
Education & Experience
A 2006 graduate of the Print Futures: Professional Writing Program, Amanda is professionally trained in all aspects of research, writing, editing, and design (including substantive editing, copy editing, and proofreading, as well as corporate writing, technical writing, creative writing, and writing for the web).
Amanda has worked as either writer, editor, or designer in the production of websites, web copy, training manuals, research reports, brochures, media kits, press releases, business plans, Integrated Marketing and Communications Plans, works of historical non-fiction, creative writing anthologies, course material, magazine articles, advertisements, and direct marketing pieces.
Pro Bono Work
An active member of the Editors' Association of Canada, Amanda volunteers her services as a member of the association's National Marketing and PR Committee.
When she's not working to improve creative communications in corporate Canada, Amanda uses her skills to give back to the community: she facilitates a successful reading and writing program called Intrepid Pens for women in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside (www.intrepidpens.org).
Words are powerful: They can be weapons or bandages, olive branches or bridges. Are you using them correctly and using them well?CopywritingCopywriting is the creation of text (copy) for marketing material; the use of creative and compelling words to promote a person, business, or idea. Copywriting may include a significant amount of research (about the client company, the product/service, the competition, and the industry as a whole) to determine the best angle from which to approach the copy.Substantive EditingThis edit addresses the overall structure of a piece (concept, content, style, organization, and flow) to ensure that it says what the writer has intended to say. The editor will help the writer to define goals, identify the audience, and find clarity in the message. CopyeditingThis edit focuses on grammar, spelling, and the mechanics of style and ensures that text is clear, correct, concise, comprehensible, and consistent. This edit may include some substantive editing if it is determined that the message is not yet clear and engaging.Design (Layout)Here, design is the process of placing images and words into camera-ready copy; formatting a piece so that the text is accessible and engaging. Layout can be done using a variety of Desktop Publishing Programs (such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, or QuarkXPress).
Words are powerful: They can be weapons or bandages, olive branches or bridges. Are you using them correctly and using them well?
Copywriting
Copywriting is the creation of text (copy) for marketing material; the use of creative and compelling words to promote a person, business, or idea. Copywriting may include a significant amount of research (about the client company, the product/service, the competition, and the industry as a whole) to determine the best angle from which to approach the copy.
Substantive Editing
This edit addresses the overall structure of a piece (concept, content, style, organization, and flow) to ensure that it says what the writer has intended to say. The editor will help the writer to define goals, identify the audience, and find clarity in the message.
Copyediting
This edit focuses on grammar, spelling, and the mechanics of style and ensures that text is clear, correct, concise, comprehensible, and consistent. This edit may include some substantive editing if it is determined that the message is not yet clear and engaging.
Design (Layout)
Here, design is the process of placing images and words into camera-ready copy; formatting a piece so that the text is accessible and engaging. Layout can be done using a variety of Desktop Publishing Programs (such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, or QuarkXPress).
Truly superior and glowing work...Bruce Serafin - Writer/Editor"A brilliant project in every respect...so well articulated that is has a shapeliness to it, like rhymed verse; the ed's note is quick, vivid, engaging; the stories are without exception compelling and well-written; the art and display text, though again minimalist, are exceptionally clear, legible and beautifully designed...and the editing (last but not least) surpasses all my expectations. Truly superior and glowing work."I am delighted to recommend Amanda...Janice Fung - Business Analyst"I was commissioned to create and write UBC's first Online Business Analysis course last year. I hired Amanda as my editor. The course was technical in nature and Amanda had the ability to improve my content so that it would be easier for students to read and enjoy. The course is now being offered at www.tech.ubc.ca/ba. I am delighted to recommend Amanda and would be pleased to work with her on future projects."We owe so much of our success to Amanda...Captain Wayne - Eventide Luxury Yacht Tours Ltd."I could not have launched my business without Amanda's help and expertise. She helped write the business plan which got us the financing we needed, and she created all the marketing material we needed: business cards, brochures, website...She has done most of the marketing and PR for the company, including correspondence with our partners. We owe so much of our success to Amanda's hard work."Creativity and professionalism...Baljit Siekham, President - Alchemy Organizing"Amanda, thanks so much for creating our sensational new brochure. I really appreciated the level of creativity and professionalism you displayed. I look forward to working with you again on our other marketing pieces."Damn...S. Sumner - Writer/World-class Cyclist"Damn. Your critiquing is every bit as good as my poetry...perhaps a tich (my Mum's word - she also uses 'woozy') better. Yes, a tich for sure! That was...this is a gift. Thanks for your generosity; your acumen I don't need to thank you for. Obviously, it comes naturally."Amanda is a phenomenal writer...Julia Iriarte - Pampa Productions Vancouver"Amanda helped us with a very important marketing piece. Her writing really put the punch into it that we needed to reach new clients. She interpreted the company's vision in a very accurate way, adding passion and detail, synthesizing the points we were trying to communicate. It made me realize the importance of hiring a professional when it is time to put a message out. Amanda is a phenomenal writer."
Truly superior and glowing work...
Bruce Serafin - Writer/Editor
"A brilliant project in every respect...so well articulated that is has a shapeliness to it, like rhymed verse; the ed's note is quick, vivid, engaging; the stories are without exception compelling and well-written; the art and display text, though again minimalist, are exceptionally clear, legible and beautifully designed...and the editing (last but not least) surpasses all my expectations. Truly superior and glowing work."
I am delighted to recommend Amanda...
Janice Fung - Business Analyst
"I was commissioned to create and write UBC's first Online Business Analysis course last year. I hired Amanda as my editor. The course was technical in nature and Amanda had the ability to improve my content so that it would be easier for students to read and enjoy. The course is now being offered at www.tech.ubc.ca/ba. I am delighted to recommend Amanda and would be pleased to work with her on future projects."
We owe so much of our success to Amanda...
Captain Wayne - Eventide Luxury Yacht Tours Ltd.
"I could not have launched my business without Amanda's help and expertise. She helped write the business plan which got us the financing we needed, and she created all the marketing material we needed: business cards, brochures, website...She has done most of the marketing and PR for the company, including correspondence with our partners. We owe so much of our success to Amanda's hard work."
Creativity and professionalism...
Baljit Siekham, President - Alchemy Organizing
"Amanda, thanks so much for creating our sensational new brochure. I really appreciated the level of creativity and professionalism you displayed. I look forward to working with you again on our other marketing pieces."
Damn...
S. Sumner - Writer/World-class Cyclist
"Damn. Your critiquing is every bit as good as my poetry...perhaps a tich (my Mum's word - she also uses 'woozy') better. Yes, a tich for sure! That was...this is a gift. Thanks for your generosity; your acumen I don't need to thank you for. Obviously, it comes naturally."
Amanda is a phenomenal writer...
Julia Iriarte - Pampa Productions Vancouver
"Amanda helped us with a very important marketing piece. Her writing really put the punch into it that we needed to reach new clients. She interpreted the company's vision in a very accurate way, adding passion and detail, synthesizing the points we were trying to communicate. It made me realize the importance of hiring a professional when it is time to put a message out. Amanda is a phenomenal writer."
Contact Amanda at:
604.565.3752
778.773.8088
a_amandagrondahl.com
www.amandagrondahl.com
Or send a note using
the interface below.
Downtown Eastside Reading & Writing ProgramsAmanda is a passionate writer/editor. But her passion to effect positive change in the world trumps her passion for the written word. During the spring of 2009, Amanda realized that the opportunity to marry those two passions existed just up the road in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside (DTES).The DTES, Vancouver's most infamous neighbourhood, is widely considered the country's poorest postal code. But it also boasts the highest concentration of artists per capita in the country. It's just crying out for programs that give a platform to the many powerful and diverse voices there.Today Amanda facilitates a Reading & Writing Program for women living in the DTES at the Downtown Eastside Women's Centre (DEWC). The Program includes a Creative Writing Circle, a Book Club, and a Business/Resume Writing Seminar. In December, Amanda established a relationship with several BCTLA union locals who now act as sponsors for the DEWC Book Club and read together, inspired by the DTES group. In response, Amanda launched an online forum so that the groups could interact with one another across municipal borders. Click the below link to visit the on-line forum, and to post your own feedback.Much impressive creative writing results from participation in the Reading & Writing Programs. Amanda created a blog to showcase this work, called Intrepid Pens. (Intrepid seemed the best title to sum up the work of these talented program participants - it means bold, brave, and courageous and these writers are all of those things. They have an awful lot to say and they deserve our attention. View the blog by clicking the link below.Click here: http://www.intrepidpens.org
Downtown Eastside Reading & Writing Programs
Amanda is a passionate writer/editor. But her passion to effect positive change in the world trumps her passion for the written word. During the spring of 2009, Amanda realized that the opportunity to marry those two passions existed just up the road in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside (DTES).
The DTES, Vancouver's most infamous neighbourhood, is widely considered the country's poorest postal code. But it also boasts the highest concentration of artists per capita in the country. It's just crying out for programs that give a platform to the many powerful and diverse voices there.
Today Amanda facilitates a Reading & Writing Program for women living in the DTES at the Downtown Eastside Women's Centre (DEWC). The Program includes a Creative Writing Circle, a Book Club, and a Business/Resume Writing Seminar. In December, Amanda established a relationship with several BCTLA union locals who now act as sponsors for the DEWC Book Club and read together, inspired by the DTES group. In response, Amanda launched an online forum so that the groups could interact with one another across municipal borders. Click the below link to visit the on-line forum, and to post your own feedback.
Much impressive creative writing results from participation in the Reading & Writing Programs. Amanda created a blog to showcase this work, called Intrepid Pens. (Intrepid seemed the best title to sum up the work of these talented program participants - it means bold, brave, and courageous and these writers are all of those things. They have an awful lot to say and they deserve our attention. View the blog by clicking the link below.
Click here: http://www.intrepidpens.org
