Chris Morton is a marcom/technical editor, author, proofreader, layout artist, and publisher who has been engaged in the general B2B/B2C, IT, infosec, and medical device realms for over 25 years.
Independent Business Communications
▪ CopyWriter ▪ Copy EdItOr ▪ Content creator
▪ technical writer/editor ▪ GHOSTWRITer
▪ proofreader ▪ Graphic LAYOUT ARTIST
Known for raising the bar, I'd like to help turn your lead into gold. My writing and editing promote readability and retention in all forms of business communications. At the same time I dispense with mediocrity while serving in a quality assurance capacity.
Most importantly, for each piece I strive to help answer your potential readers’ most pressing question, “WIIFM?”
Being a 5th-generation Scripps family member to publish in the US (for 145 years), ink runs in my blood. Knowing how to present your messaging in a compelling way to promote your goods and services is intrinsic—whether it's on paper or on the web.
With more than 25 years' personal experience serving companies ranging from Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft to Medrobotics and MedQIA, and from cybersecurity providers Exabeam to Orca Security, I’ve dealt with requirements and issues enterprises and startups like yours face every day. This equates to my likely having a unique perspective regarding your communications goals.
►► Another perspective regarding your work yields better results. ◄◄
An editor doesn't necessarily need to be an expert in your subject matter. I excel at evaluating your content through the eyes of your clients, prospects, other targeted readers—and even your executives. This can be tremendously helpful in getting your messaging across in a succinct manner.
Retaining reader interest gets increasingly difficult as attention spans continue to decline (that of a goldfish in 2015 – Time, 5/14/15). That's why I strive to help you make.every.word.count. This is all the more important as the majority of content gets read on small mobile device screens.
I can also help you save face—such as the author who wrote "...alley their fears" when they meant "allay." No spell checker would ever have flagged that. Or how about the booth designer who had my client providing "quantitive image analysis?" Thankfully I had the opportunity to catch that error before an observant expo attendee pointed it out to them.
Inherently my service includes an on-the-fly gap analysis. I consider what's missing that could make your story more compelling or help its logic progression. And as an additional value-add proposition, often I'm able to suggest process improvements that might result in cost reductions or workflow efficiency gains (see my case studies).
“Chris is more than just a copywriter—he's a trusted business partner who provides solutions... He goes out of his way to ensure we are completely satisfied with each and every project.”
– Jim Fitzgerald
Marketing Communications Manager,
Philips Healthcare, Philips Lifeline
Marketing Communications Manager,
Philips Healthcare, Philips Lifeline
Marketing author and VP Tim Matthews chose Chris Morton from among 65 other professional wordsmiths to enhance Incapsula's content creation efforts.
My B2B/B2C Services
Here are some of the hats I wear as I help boost your B2B/B2C messaging across many disciplines:
✓ substantive editor
✓ copyeditor|copy editor
✓ writer
✓ ghostwriter
✓ proofreader
✓ content creator
✓ technical writer
✓ user experience
(UX) advocate
✓ graphic artist
Drawing equally from the analytical and creative portions of my brain, I've long had a foot in both the technical and marketing worlds. I'm adept at wordsmithing corpo-jargon and technobabble into language everyone can quickly parse.
While editing their work, I also enjoy coaching your aspiring writers regarding simple ways they might improve their craft (yes, writing is a craft).
Chris's Story >>
Why Work With an Experienced Pro
I assist executives, project managers, product marketing managers, engineers, and subject matter experts in meeting tight deadlines.
And it's always a tight deadline, right?
For you and your organization I’m able to create, edit, lay out, and/or proofread all types of:
✓ documents and reports
✓ operation manuals,
user manuals, and IFUs
✓ case studies, ebooks,
and white papers
✓ CxO letters and articles
✓ book manuscripts
✓ PowerPoint slides
✓ marketing collateral
✓ newsletters
✓ web content
✓ video and call scripts
✓ award-winning layouts
✓ voiceover work
Targeted readership ranges from physicians to engineers, CTOs to CIOs, developers to operators, and end users across many B2B/B2C realms.
Take Their Word For It >>
My Approach to Your Content
I strive to be a good steward of the English language while keeping an eye on changing trends. My style follows that of William Zinsser and the inimitable Sgt. Joe Friday—coupled with a bit of advertising legend David Ogilvy and Forbes founder Malcolm Forbes as appropriate.
And I'm a fan of linguist Steven Pinker—The Sense of Style author—who debunked many "rules" Miss Thistlebottom taught us in grade school (such as starting a sentence with "And"). He cites the "curse of knowledge" as to why smart people write poorly.
In effect I become a trusted extension of your staff—without your organization dealing with another employee compensation package. That's but one reason why marketing author and infosec VP Tim Matthews (now with Exabeam) chose me from over 65 EFA candidates in 2014 to assist Incapsula's (Imperva's) content creation team.
CASE STUDIES >>
Superior Applied Skill Set
Beyond providing outstanding writing, editing, and proofreading services, I've successfully wrangled many a Word, InDesign, and other software issue. To paraphrase the revered William Zinsser in his best-selling On Writing Well: "When I solve a business communications or niggling software problem it’s like a surgeon removing his 500th appendix—I’ve been there before." Meanwhile others readily seek my advice regarding similar issues they encounter.
“Chris has superb substantive editing skills and a top-notch work ethic. With minimal instruction, he has a thorough grasp of assignments and delivers on time without prompting. Plus, he charges a reasonable fee.”
– Aggie lotz, vice president,
the chemquest group
the chemquest group
Consummate Professionalism
"Chris makes a quick study of any new technology, ramps up, then takes the ball and runs."
– Sy Kaufax, Solutions Engineer, Binary Office