Guidelines for writing a Radio magazine Applied Technology

APPLIED TECHNOLOGY:

Length: about 1,000 words

Graphics: one or two photos of technology in use. Do not include shots of someone posing with the product while smiling for the camera. People are OK to use in the photo if they are using the equipment.

Copy deadline: 60 days prior to month of publication.

Structure
1) Describe the problem, issue, challenge. What needed to be solved or improved? Spend 100 to 200 words describing this area.

2) Describe your company’s particular solution/product. Mention product name. Describe key benefits, features, options. 100 words

3) Detail what the technology is, how it works, what makes it better/faster/whatever. Use about 500 to 600 words here. This is where you teach the reader about what’s under the hood. Let the reader understand the basic technology/process you use. It's okay to say that because of your particular circuit, "speed is improved 20 percent," or "storage is 15 percent greater." Do not make comparisons between other company products. Be sure you justify your claims in the test.

4) Summarize product and benefits. Spend 100 to 150 words.

5) Include one product photo, any needed block diagram or drawing can be done here. All we need is a sketch or photocopy. Our artist will redraw diagrams to meet our style.

6) General writing style is tutorial. Write as though you were talking directly to the reader. Don't sell the product or use PR pitch. Such copy will be removed. Limit product name mentions to less than six. Use generic equivalents in the remainder of the story. Examples; unit, modulator, switcher, router, console. Think of an Applied Technology article as a mini-white paper.

Talk to the editor before you start the story. These stories run on a first-in, first-out, space-available basis. If your story won't run for four months, there's no need to push the article through. Also, call the editor to confirm that you want to produce the story and tell him when it will be available.

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