How to create straightforward information your users will love you for
Cherryleaf helps you explain technical information in an easy to understand way
We work with:
- Developers of software and technology who are missing documents their users really need.
- Everyone struggling with documents that are unclear or just too difficult to manage and maintain.
- Technical communicators wanting to improve their career skills and find a new job.
But don't take our word for it
"Until now, I've never given them a testimonial for some work they did with me on the (DTI) Small Business Service Extranet Project. They essentially wrote a user manual on the product. It was quick efficient and delivered on-time and on-budget. They were pleasant to deal with and managed to keep me in order!"
Alan Rae, CEO, AI Consultants
"Cherryleaf is one of the best technical authoring houses in the business, and Ellis [the sales director] is profoundly knowledgeable, professional and approachable. Highly recommended for anyone requiring top-notch documentation or training services."
Julian Maynard-Smith, technical author and journalist
In a nutshell
Our technical writing expertise helps organisations reduce support calls and retain their customers. Depending on your situation, we can help you through our writing projects, recruitment, consultancy and training services.
At times, we're described as information designers, technical communicators, training courseware developers, documentation specialists, technical authors, technical writers, a training company and as a specialist writing recruitment agency.
It's easy to contact us - just phone 01784 258672 or send us an email.
Developers of software and technology: What if your documentation is dragging you down?
Picture this: you've just bought one of your own products. Would your documentation help you master your technology? Weak, unclear or badly written documentation stops users from getting the best out of your product. Imagine what will happen when you're asking them to renew if your great technical solution isn't used because you didn't invest in clear, concise user documentation.
"I had some basic instructions for my new online application, Opportunity Matrix™, but absolutely no idea how to turn them into a proper Help system. Carol at Cherryleaf was able to take my rough notes and turn them into a professional Help file. She worked through the application, suggesting appropriate changes where I was making assumptions that would have left users confused.
Once we were both happy with the file, Carol liaised very effectively with the programmer to make sure that the Help system worked perfectly right from the start.
The information and guidance from Cherryleaf was always top notch, so I always knew exactly where the project was, and what the (quite reasonable) budget needed to be. I shall have no hesitation in using Cherryleaf again, and in recommending them."
Andrew Horder, CEO, Opportunity Matrix™
Keeping customers for life and reducing the cost of support
"A product without knowledge is support waiting to happen"
Rod Caron, Microsoft.
We use a five step process to explain specialist knowledge and best practice, in a clear and effective way, to the users that need it. The result - higher productivity and less risk.
This could be an online Help file, user manuals, an online support community, performance support systems or IT Systems documents.
What if your new product was late to market...and what's that got to do with documentation?
How much of your profits would you lose? Documentation can tie up your programmers' workload with work that could be done better and more efficiently by our technical writing and courseware specialists. One of the bottlenecks that stops products from shipping on time is documentation, a problem that Cherryleaf can help you avoid.
With our with expertise in single sourcing (reusing content) and online Help, use Cherryleaf to reduce the risk of your projects failing and help keep customers for life.
"I'm very pleased with the enhancements to the Help System. You created very clear topics for some areas that I find difficult to explain. You also identified a number of 'bugs' with the current version that have now been fixed. This just continues to improve the product."
Bruce McNaughton, CEO, ProcessAssets
Contact us now - by email or by telephone on 01784 258672. If you can, please state the issues you are interested in fixing. We'll respond by email or phone. If you have a particular project in mind, normally, we'll also send you a short, one-page questionnaire. This helps you and us to understand the issues you face and work on the best solutions for fixing these.
Free writing test for you to use if you're recruiting a technical author
We offer a free writing test you can use to help you assess candidates. Contact us if you'd like a copy. Note: For prospective employers only - sorry, not available to candidates.
Struggling with documents? Announcing better ways to produce clear information, simply and efficiently
We work with organisations:
- That have inadequate documentation to help their business grow.
- Where talented staff leave without key information passed on to others.
- Where staff don't follow the correct procedures.
- Whose CEOs need to communicate their vision to others.
- Where poor documentation leads to failed projects, poor people development, inefficiencies and poor management.
- That don't have the time or systems in place to produce the document they need.
"I've heard only compliments on your professional approach and knowledge of single sourcing. Your presence had very much the positive effect that we had hoped for, and has helped considerably with our change management process."
Documentation Manager
Contact us now - by email or by telephone on 01784 258672 - for more information
Take the Cherryleaf 1 Minute Documentation Audit
e-learning and self paced courses
Writing sales proposals e-learning course, Basics of copywriting - an e learning course, Business writing and report writing online e-learning training courses, How to write a book - WriteNow DVD.
Technical Communicators: How to improve your career skills and job opportunities
Want to become a better writer? Our online shop offers:
e-learning and self paced courses
Estimating documentation projects, AuthorIT for Administrators, Using AuthorIT, DITA XML e-learning course and RoboHelp X5 home study.
Classroom courses
Classes on software applications include: Madcap Flare, FrameMaker, RoboHelp and Captivate.
Special Reports
So you want to become a technical author
"The workshop was very informative and well received by all of my colleagues. Matthew is extremely knowledgeable and effective in his training - we got everything we wanted out of him! Thanks for your organising too - you have been very helpful."
Jon Stevens, Training & Support Advisor, Surrey County Council.
Recruitment
#3092 Technical Author, South Manchester, Attractive
#3088 Technical Author, Exmouth, £30K
#3075 Part-time Technical Author, Abingdon, £25K-£32K pro rata
#3074 Technical Author, Jubail, Saudi Arabia, Negotiable
#3072 Contract Technical Author, 3-5 months, £28-£36/hour, Hemel Hempstead
#2971 Technical Author Stafford to £26K (will consider part time and some home based work)
#3042, Technical Author/ Junior Technical Author, London, £25K-£31K
#3034 Contract e-learning designers/technical authors, Sheffield or off-site, £negotiable
#2816 Technical Author, Worcestershire Competitive Salary
#2627 Technical Authors/Technical Writers, Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France, €40K-€45K
Contact us for more details. We will need a copy of your CV in Word format in order to put you forward.
So you want to become a technical author? - special report.
"I may add that Cherryleaf is the only organisation that has never disappointed me, and you have always behaved in an exemplary manner."
Email from one of our candidates