I HELP HEALTH CARE COMMUNICATIONS TEAMS ACROSS ONTARIO TELL THEIR STORIES.
WHAT’S YOURS?
ABOUT YOU.
3 Key Ingredients for Good Communications Writing
Communications departments have an on-going need for content. And it has to meet three key criteria: It has to be of good quality, relevant to the organization's business needs and above all interesting to readers.
I build content by first understanding my client’s needs. That’s why I only work with a handful of clients. I maintain long-term relationships with the organizations I service to provide them with informed advice about their written communications. In short, I view myself as a partner invested in your project’s success.
what i do.
Overworked marketing and communications professionals in charge of departments across Canada have called on me to help get that writing project off their desks and in front of an audience – where it belongs.
HERE ARE SOME OF THE TYPES OF PROJECTS I HANDLE
• Content marketing projects
• Impact reports
• Advertising and brochure copy
• Website writing
• Speaking notes and speeches
• Government funding proposals and policy submissions
• Video scripting
• Company newsletters
• Magazine profiles and articles
• Annual reports
• Blog planning and strategy
• Technical manuals and guidebooks
FRENCH SPEAKING
I’m fluently bilingual, though not a French writer – so I can coordinate English-French translations and work on alternative format adaptation as needed.
ABOUT ME.
I’m a corporate communications writer and publications consultant with 15 years of experience working with senior executives and communications teams.
A former magazine editor, I use my research and project management skills to produce high impact communications projects for health care clients and hospitals.
Since 2005, I have served as a writing resource to the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) having developed guidebooks, video scripts and web content. I have worked on over 20 OHA publications, including a 400-page guide to improving operating room supply chains that became the seminal resource for this type of work in Ontario hospitals.
My background includes developing content for professional associations, corporate blogging, speechwriting and supporting the corporate communications and annual report production for a Fortune 500 company.
ORGANIZATIONS I HAVE WRITTEN FOR INCLUDE:
FAQs
WHAT KIND OF PROJECTS HAVE YOU WORKED ON?
Patient journey guides and case studies
Annual report for a public health agency
Annual reports and corporate blog posts for a Fortune 500 company
Hospital strategic plan
A 400-page guide on revising operating room supply guidelines
A quarterly 24-page bilingual magazine featuring companies across Canada
User manuals and a service manuals for medical washers and sterilizers
72 one-page resumes of hospital improvement projects
100 scripts (each, exactly 140 words long) for the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards
And then there are also journalism assignments, like construction project profiles: Ryerson’s Maple Leaf Gardens and Bridgepoint Hospital’s redevelopment of the Don Jail are two examples (and yes, I think the jail is haunted).
Regular articles for Hospital News, including a number of cover stories
HOW DID YOU START WRITING?
I started out as a magazine editor for Power Boating Canada. Before I could be exposed for the closeted windsurfer that I was, I moved into trade publishing to be the editor of Office Life Canada. Despite the dreary title, it was a great magazine to work on because it connected with the reality of how organizations use space strategically – so I wrote about interior design, architecture, lighting, and ergonomics as well as human resources and hiring trends.
That’s around when I began my communications writing business. Now I share office space with a graphic design firm in midtown Toronto.
WHAT ARE YOU LIKE TO WORK WITH?
I’ve written hundreds of business profiles and at one point, I was profiling a lot of ad agencies. When you look at agencies objectively, they all pretty similar. Some of the people I interviewed talked about processes scientifically designed to yield measurable results, but one plain-spoken firm principal put it best: “We just get along well with our clients.”
I’ve worked with the same few organizations for much of my 15 years as a communications writer because my name keeps getting passed around inside those organizations. I work collaboratively, I observe deadlines, I manage budget expectations and I give my clients what they need.
WHAT ELSE DO YOU DO?
When I’m not writing, my wife and I take our daughters skiing and canoeing (not in the same day). I also enjoy a robust Côtes du Rhône, daylight savings, car batteries with 800 or more cold cranking amps, and doing minor repairs to my east end Toronto home.
WHAT OTHER, UNRELATED WORK EXPERIENCE DO YOU HAVE?
Search and rescue crew for the Canadian Coast Guard
Tree planter in Northern Ontario
Security guard at the Molson Indy
Boat driver for the Queen City Yacht Club
Tour guide in downtown Toronto
Luxury car detailer
Manual labourer for my friend Jim
TESTIMONIALS
Yvan was a freelancer for my magazines for a number of years. He consistently delivered high-quality feature stories on target, written to spec and on deadline. He is easily one of the best and most reliable freelance writers I have ever worked with. Yvan won my magazine more KRW Awards than any other contributor.
– Nathan Mallett, Instructor at Sheridan College
Easy to work with and very personable, Yvan is a great corporate writer and researcher who loves the thrill of the chase. His ability to accept challenges in the midst of changing specifications and blurry details and still deliver the goods is remarkable. Working with Yvan is an enjoyable experience. His creative problem-solving skills
have proven very effective on many occasions.
– Andrew Schalk, Communications Specialist
Yvan is able to take a concept and draft exactly what we were looking for with minimal input. He kept and organized files and drafts, even when things are chaotic in-house. He also has very eloquent writing style that is entertaining and informative to read. I would jump at the chance to work with Yvan again.
– Irene Chen, Product Manager at BD
Yvan’s aptitude for learning and understanding project needs quickly
and accurately makes him a valuable communications contractor to any marketing department. He’s a versatile writer and editor who can take charge of newsletter projects, writing of annuals, brochures, white papers and video scripts. He is attentive to detail, asks the right questions, and regularly delivers complex content in an understandable writing style.
– Jaymin Patel, P. Eng. Solution & Product Manager at Kapsch TrafficCom North America
At all times Yvan has been a reliable hard-working and conscientious consultant. Among his many talents Yvan pays close attention to what you say during consultation sessions and captures the essence of your requests making sure that his work reflects the values of the products and organization. Over the years Yvan has provided an outstanding level of service, professionalism and follow through.
– Gabriel Neagoe, PMP, Senior Project Leader, Software Group Leader at SciCan
Throughout the course of 18 months, Yvan consistently provided the OHA with strong writing and editorial input as we worked towards the development of a highly technical guidebook for a hospital and supply chain audience. Yvan was able to take technical concepts and 'translate' them into easy to read and follow chapters that are benefitting hospital professionals. Above all, Yvan's work and demeanour were always of the highest quality.
– Peter Roman, MBA - Business Consultant
I worked with Yvan on several projects while at TMG International and found him to be professional, personable and dependable. He is by far one of the best business writers I have ever worked with. In addition to his excellent writing skills, he is an effective collaborator, and is capable of understanding complex ideas and translating them into audience-appropriate content. He consistently contributes great ideas, advice and insights, and delivers high quality, well thought-out work. I would gladly work with him again!
– Cathy Diamond, Marketing Communications Consultant at Purolator; Board Of Directors at Hospice Vaughan
