Evangela Gerlach :: Professional Portfolio

I am an accomplished trainer and technical writer with 14 years of experience. I have experience with copywriting, technical and procedural documentation, Web development as well as site promotion and social media. I am able to meet tight deadlines, multi-task, and prioritize a heavy workload. I have a vast training and technical writing career that covers all phases of documentation and promotional materials from document template design, to content creation, proofing and editing, to training the topic in an invigorating, inspiring manner.

This online portfolio highlights various examples of my expansive body of work. When you call me for an interview, I will provide you with the portfolio in its entirety which includes Web site work, as well as more examples of training materials, technical writing documents and an array of other writing and media samples I have completed in my career. Enjoy!

TRAINING

This Quick Reference guide is for hotel engineers to help them use their handheld software that keeps track of work orders, preventative maintenance, rounds and inspections. When printed, it is one page, front and back and is laid out so they can easily find the feature of the software they need to use. As a supplement, there is an online blog with much of these instructions outlined with screen prints and step by step instructions, as well as tips and tricks to keep them on track with their work.

To train the TV Cable Warehouse workers on their software, I created this Power Point presentation to show them how to use the software that kept track of cable equipment going in and out of the warehouse, into repair, into containers, and performed count reconciliation of their inventory. This presentation could also be printed and used as handouts and cheat-sheets for the users. Quick Reference Guides similar to the one above were also provided.

For advanced users of the hotel industry’s PM software, I created this handout that offers additional insight and features that were not traditionally discussed in first time training sessions. It covers the basic features as a refresher, but then provides instructions on system maintenance and guidance on how to keep current with their scheduled work. This handout was used in larger class sessions and was occasionally used in part for first time users.

At the end of each training session, I was evaluated by the client as to the effectiveness of the training sessions. These examples are a testament to the effectiveness of my training classes. During each class, I took questions throughout, took their busy schedules into consideration, and managed time so that they could receive the best training possible, but not have to ignore outside emergencies and meetings as they occurred. I considered my job to help the users, not hinder their daily work.

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TECHNICAL WRITING

I create attractive, easy-to-follow user guides in my technical writing. I believe that if they are well laid out and eye-catching, the reader will be drawn to it, will read it, and will understand it. I strongly believe that the key to good documentation is the ability to engage the reader. This manual is a quick guide to show the user how to effectively use their software and hardware to complete a task.

This is just one section of one of many user manuals that I have created throughout my career as a technical writer and trainer. This particular one explains how a corporation can keep track of many sites throughout their organization and allowed them to organize sites by group or region as well as create and manage users and activate handheld devices online.

While I worked at ARC I created the Web layout standards for the company site. Web development was still fairly new and many departments wanted to be showcased on the site. Everyone had different ideas of what they wanted, which nearly led to a site that was full of buttons and flashing text. To calm the fray, it was my job to design the site and keep all new content in accordance with the new design and this became the standard for all departments to follow.

I have created quite a few Web sites for artists and musicians to help support their work. In most cases they would understandably want to be able to maintain it themselves and create new content as needed. Paint Shop Pro was an inexpensive graphics program that many of them used. In order for them to help them help themselves, so to speak, I created this guide to show them the basics of Paint Shop Pro. I have included this guide as the writing style has a more relaxed feel than what is normally required in a professional setting.

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COPYWRITING

An owner of a small private vineyard wanted to be able to share a glimpse into the process, fun, and hard work that goes into making his wine. I created BedlamVineyard.com to help make this happen for him. This site shows the concept behind the vineyard, and displays the joy that it brings to him and his friends and family as they harvest the grapes and create the wine. In this case, I worked with the owner to develop the Web site as well as the written content.

A friend of mine was in need of a liver transplant, and because he has no insurance to pay for it, I organized some fundraising events to help him out. One of them, Liverpalooza, featured a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle, live bands and barbeque at a venue in Ybor City. To showcase the event, I created the Liverpalooza program. It tells his story, describes how a silent auction and a 50/50 raffle works and what happens to items not sold in the auction. Also in the program is information about the National Transplant Assistance Fund and organ donations in general. At the end of this venture, we raised $10,000. He is now healthy and living with a successful transplant.

In order to promote my friend’s story, a Web developer friend of mine and I created BrandNewLiver.com. This site promoted the events and gave users a place to donate funds via the Web. We also used this site to thank local people and businesses for their help in our quest to get him a new liver. I worked with the developer and provided all written content for this site, which has generated over $10,000 in private donations.

Product Releases for Southwinds Magazine

While working at Southwinds Sailing Magazine, it was my job to gather product press releases and rewrite them to bring the products alive. These were written with humor to attract the reader and make him want to know more about each product. The editor at the time of these writings was often stopped at trade shows and events from readers complementing this section of the magazine due to their wit and information.

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