In my past few posts, I’ve written on network virtualization, CBRS and DOCSIS, topics I heard discussed at this year’s SCTE-ISBE Cable-Tech Expo. As a tech writer, that’s just part of what I do.

For several years, I’ve also played another role upfront, helping companies that attend Expo convert their accepted abstracts into finished conference papers. The SCTE receives many more proposals than it can accept. Deciding which ones make it can be difficult, as I recall from serving on the program committee. What happens next is also a challenge.

You Got Accepted, Now What

If your proposal was successful, congrats. It’s an honor and an opportunity. And a lot of work. You’re going to need to expand those few paragraphs into a finished and formatted conference paper. You were eager when you submitted, but now? You may have a few more pressing items on your plate.

Not only is your time limited, but your assets might be scattered or incomplete. Or the conference paper could be residing mostly within the brain of one of your team’s subject matter experts (SMEs). It takes gathering and extracting information just to get started.

Completing a paper poses additional challenges. In some cases, organizations produce a document, but still need help. If it was a group exercise, the tone, style and message could be inconsistent. Meeting SCTE standards and serving your readers may require more editing and even rewriting.

Tech Writer, On Call

Conference papers are only one kind of writing that I do. (Here are others.) And I attend other shows. But I’ve been to 19 Expos, first as an editor and then representing my own business. I know this industry pretty well and the conference-paper delivery process from start to finish.

So, if you’re aiming to deliver a paper in New Orleans next year, best wishes. If they accept your proposal, however, there may come a moment when you wonder how you’re going to get it done. If that happens, you may need a tech writer. Give me a shout. I can probably help you out.