Klinita Burke, Campus Webmaster at The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, is one of the 13 higher ed professionals presenting at the 2014 Higher Ed Content Conference.
Klinita is responsible for everything web at her school – from content planning to web design to server maintenance to content writing to training.
In this 3-question interview, Klinita tells us about a content challenge, a secret weapon to create better content and shares some advice.
1) What is the biggest challenge you face in your day-to-day work on higher ed content?
Acquiring content…and acquiring good content. To get content sometimes requires several follow-up calls and reminder emails after the initial request. Once received, we review and make suggestions to improve. In some instances we assist with the rewrite.
2) What is your secret weapon to get better higher ed content created?
Our approach is dependent on the department. It is dependent not only on the website’s content requirements but also on understanding the content/web editors. Our editors come from different backgrounds – they have different job responsibilities and skillsets – the support we offer is guided by this.
We always share our Web Writing Guidelines document and create a content plan for the department before the assigned web editors begin to gather content for a new website.
For some websites, creating content templates (a form that specifies exactly the details needed and the format) is a structured easier way to get content providers to compile content.
3) What piece of advice would you give to somebody who wants to improve digital content?
First thing…don’t get overwhelmed and don’t expect big changes overnight! Good content is as much about a culture shift – (traditionally academia and lengthy documents go hand in hand) as it is about understanding good content writing techniques. Arm yourself with knowledge, see what other universities are doing, remember your target audience.
