Adding Plain Language Services to Your Business

When:  Wednesday, March 19, 7:00 to 8:00 pm PDT

Where: Online through Zoom

Cost:    Editors Canada members, free; non-members, $10; student non-members, $5

For the past few years, plain language has been gaining momentum. Standards bodies like Editors Canada are publishing guidelines based on a growing mass of evidence about how people read and process information. Readers are increasingly demanding the right to understand the material they need for various purposes. Communicators are seeing the benefits of using plain language to reach their target audiences. And organizations of all kinds are looking for more plain language support.

For editors, this momentum means more opportunities to offer plain language editing, writing, training, and coaching services—but it’s crucial to do so professionally. This session will cover recent developments and trends in plain language, and where and how to build your plain language skills, knowledge, community, and client list. The session is aimed at editors who are fairly new to plain language, though we welcome more experienced editors to come and share their wisdom with the group.

Join us as we speak with panelists Lana Okerlund, Lucy Kenward, and Rowena Rae, partners of West Coast Editorial Associates (WCEA). Since 1992, WCEA has provided writing, editing, and training services for a wide range of clients in government, business, publishing, and the non-profit sector. Our panelists are also active members of Plain Language Association International (PLAIN), Plain Canada, the Center for Plain Language, Clarity, and Editors Canada.