High-Traffic Q&A ProjectNew Editor Training

March 5, 2015

Agenda

1.Project overview

2.How to use the

checklists

3.Common errors

4.Summary

5.QuestionsYour Q&A project team!

Project Overview

Q: Who is the client? A: One of the largest Q&A websites online today

Q: What is the project? A: 100- and 200-word answers to questions

Q: Why is the client doing this? A: Improve search engine visibility and content quality

Q: How many Q&As does the client want?A: 20,000 in March alone

Q: When is this project over?A: We are producing answers through the end of 2015—and potentially into 2016!

Using the Checklists

Edit ChecklistWhen to Use: Any time an answer can be passed along to the client after your edits

Purpose: Evaluate writer performance and provide automated feedback to the writer

How to Use: 1) Mark only hard errors (no stylistic changes)2) Count each error type only once on the checklist3) Ensure that the error directly corresponds to the

checklist item4) Provide personalized feedback for clarity

Warning: Failure to accurately mark the checklist could result in your restriction from the project.

Flag ChecklistWhen to Use: Any time an answer violates major guidelines and has to be rewritten

Purpose: Identify low-quality answers that are outside the scope of simple editing and cannot be sent to the client

How to Use:1) Choose the most appropriate flag

reason2) Provide personalized feedback for

clarity

Warning: Failure to accurately mark the checklist could result in your restriction from the project.

Common Errors

Passive Voice

Passive voice: The action (verb) is performed upon the subject.

Example: Maytag washer manuals can be found on the company’s official website.

Active voice: The subject of the sentence performs the action (verb).

Example: Maytag’s official website provides manuals for its washing machines.

Second Person vs. Passive Voice

Second person: The grammatical point of view used to address readers directly.

Rule: Second person is only allowed if the question is asking how to do something.

Example: How do you troubleshoot a GE appliance?

Rule: Do not use the passive voice (“it can be done”) in order to avoid second person.

Second Person vs. Passive Voice

Question: Where can you find Maytag washer manuals?

Third Person Passive Voice: Maytag washer manuals can be found on the

company’s official website.

Second Person Active Voice: Find Maytag washer manuals on the company’s

official website.

Third Person Active Voice: Maytag’s official website provides manuals for its

washing machines.

Future Tense

Future tense: A verb form that indicates the action described by the verb hasn’t happened yet, but will happen in the future.

Example: Most scrap metal has some cash value, but scrap yards will still recycle metal that does not.

Present tense: A verb form that indicates the action described by the verb is happening in the present time.

Example: Most scrap metal has some cash value, but scrap yards still recycle metal that does not.

First Sentence ≠ Direct Answer

Rule: Content must provide a direct, factual answer immediately in the first sentence whenever possible.

Rule: Answers should be short, sweet and to-the-point. Do not pad answers with generalities or filler text.

Rule: Use two to three sentences total.

1) “Answer” section

3) “Additional

Details” section

2) Click Know More

First Sentence ≠ Direct Answer

Question: Where can you find Hamilton Beach hand mixers?

First Sentence Indirect/Contains Filler: Many places sell Hamilton Beach hand mixers. Some of those

places are Amazon.com, Wal-Mart, Target and Hamilton Beach’s official website.

First Sentence Incomplete/Contains Filler: Amazon.com sells Hamilton Beach hand mixers. Wal-Mart,

Target and Bed Bath and Beyond carry Hamilton Beach hand mixers as well. Hamilton Beach’s official website also sells

these mixers.

First Sentence Direct, Complete & Concise: Amazon.com, Wal-Mart, Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, and Hamilton Beach’s official website sell Hamilton Beach hand mixers. The company’s website also sells replacement parts

and accessories for all of its hand mixers.

Summary

1. Mark the edit checklist as accurately as possible.

2. Use the flag checklist to identify sub-par content.

Note: Any answers that aren’t flagged are considered client-ready.

3. Remember that second person is only allowed for how-to questions.

4. Avoid using passive voice and future tense.

5. Ensure that the question is answered as directly and completely as possible in the very first sentence.

Questions?workforce@crowdsource.com

support.crowdsource.com

Know someone who wants to write or edit on this project?

crowdsource.com/workforce