PegMulligan.com

Hello, and welcome to Content for a Convergent World. I'm Peg Mulligan, a technical writer, who has worked in the Boston area for more than ten years, in both permanent and contract roles.

Curently, I also contribute to MarketingProfs Get to the Po!nt newsletters on search engine marketing and was included in C.B. Whittemore's e-book, Social Media's Collective Wisdom: Simplifying Marketing With Social Media.

Experience

My experience includes writing from scratch, or updating in maintenance mode, a wide variety of technical documents, including administration guides, installation guides, user guides (including online help), and release notes. 

I've also written web page content, product descriptions, white papers, style guides, and online marketing newsletters.

As Lead Writer or the lone Technical Writer, I often participate on Program Management teams.

Education

I have a Masters in Technical and Professional Writing from Northeastern University, in Boston, MA, with a concentration in Writing for the Computer Industry.  

Additional coursework includes Human Factors, Usability Testing, and User Interface Design from the Information Design Certificate program (now known as the User Experience Design Certificate program), offered by Bentley University. 

Two summers ago, I completed Inbound Marketing Certification through HubSpot's inaugural Inbound Marketing University, with a focus on blogging, social media, lead conversion, lead nurturing, and closed-loop analysis.

Interests

I am passionate about the social web, and especially interested in best practices for technical communication in a social media world, inbound marketing, and search engine optimization. 

I write and host posts on using social media for good in the ongoing Live with Abundance series.

When I'm not blogging, I enjoy spending time with the family, hanging out with my labrador retrievers, cooking, camping, and listening to my iPod. I've been known to squeeze in a tap dancing class.

More Information

Multiple endorsements of my work are available on my LinkedIn profile. I'm also active on several Twitter accounts  (@ConvergentWorld, @socsearchnews, and @techcommnews).

To engage with like-minded content developers, see Content for a Convergent World on Facebook.

For more information about my availability for permanent or contract roles, or to ask general questions about this blog, please feel free to contact me at peg.mulligan@gmail.com. 

Note:

This blog is published for information purposes only, and the author is not responsible for any consequences that might arise due to use or misuse of any information herein.

The views expressed here are the author's alone, and they do not necessarily reflect the views of the author's employers (past, present, or future), or other organizations.

Odds and Ends: Week of 1/2 – 1/8

I used to be a prolific letter writer, as a kid. I had a few pen pals, usually friends who had moved away, or others whom I had met through pen pal organizations, as far away as China. Even as an adult, I wrote to relatives in Scotland for years, after a trip I took there with Kevin (now otherwise known as hubby), some eighteen years ago.   

At the time, my pen pal exchanges were such rewarding experiences, which really opened up my view of the world, and vicariously connected me to others in such rich, and often unexpected ways.   

That pen-pal tone is what I'm aiming for in this new series–"Odds and Ends" posts–in between the more resource-driven posts, which are a major part of my own professional development, and possibly useful to others, who share similar interests in content strategy, development, or management.

But in the spirit of making this blog more of a two-way conversation, I'm hopeful these "Odd and Ends" posts will let you, my readers (there are a few of you still lurking out there…thank-you!) in more on my little world, as well as provide a better way for me to get to know you, too.   

Perhaps in the process, the resources I provide here, will better meet your long-term needs.

I'd also like to learn from you and understand what questions you have about this blog's themes. Or whatever else is on your mind. I may not know the answers, but whatever you're thinking, some other reader is likely thinking as well, and it would be nice to tackle these topics together.   

I'm not sure how this hybrid approach is going to work, or how often I'm going to write these more personal "Odds and Ends" posts, in what I still intend mainly as a professional blog. But let's give it a try, shall we? (For starters, I'll let you know how I'm spending this weekend. Stay tuned.)   

In the meanwhile, what do you think about this new approach? Are there any topics you'd like to see covered, in the new year? What is your major reason for returning, if you've been here before?   

If this is your first visit, a warm welcome. How can I help you?  

 

I'm usually the least contrarian person there is, except when it comes to making New Year's Resolutions. There's something I annually resist about setting resolutions on a day I'm supposed to, just because everyone else is doing it.

The only analogy I can think to explain it are my in-laws–Depression-era and very frugal–married for more than fifty years, and the strongest example I know, of a couple who demonstrate what marriage is really all about.

It always still amuses me a bit each year, when they refuse to buy each other Valentines. According to them, the whole holiday is a lot of nonsense that the stores made up, just to make money. Instead of cards or extravagant gifts, they usually just write an affectionate or humorous note to each other, and leave it somewhere, for the other to find, unexpected.

Actions not words.

So, that's why I resist annual New Year's resolutions.  And also probably because of what my friend Marie mentions in her post, "How to Keep New Year's Resolutions,"—that being how many  of us set resolutions based on a negative, which almost always sets us up for failure. For according to Marie, we often set the wrong resolutions:

Perhaps the reason we stumble and fall short of the ideals to which we aspire, is often because we make the wrong resolutions, resolutions focused on what we don't like about ourselves. Instead, why not think about bringing alive something in you that wants to express itself?  

Invest. Reimagine. Connect.

I like Marie's approach of building on positives that we're already working on or good at, as well as the approach a lot of Boston bloggers take, inspired by Chris Brogan's example of choosing three words to define your direction in the new year. This approach projects us forward into a new year, without saddling us with last year's negatives.

So here are my three words, for 2011. I provide examples mainly from my online networking and blogging effort here, but the spirit of these actions apply to my broader professional and personal goals as well.

Invest. For example, on Twitter, I'm finding I get the most ROI for my time, in both a networking and professional development sense, by participating in more pre-defined chats, as opposed to random tweeting. In a similar way, I can think of at least a half dozen people online, whom I've already identified as more relevant to my blogging goals and immediate professional interests than others, and have started a dialogue, which I should cultivate. Or existing professional development memberships or networks (most especially my LinkedIn contacts) that I'm not making the most of, in my job-search, or small business initiative. That's where I should concentrate my efforts. Both online and off, I must make a conscious choice to narrow down my options and invest more in the opportunities, people, and repeated actions that are most likely to yield results.

Repurpose|Reimagine. On its most basic level, this applies to using the same source material in different ways, what the authors from Content Rules suggest as repackaging and reimagining content. I've built up a good body of work here, and I want to start leveraging that content on more platforms. For example, I intend on building up a much better presence on SlideShare, which would help launch more speaking opportunities, a direction I've probably always (at least unconsciously) intended, as a former teacher. 2011 is also the year I'd like to publish my own e-book.

In a broader sense, reimagining is such a wonderful metaphor for anyone looking for that next opportunity…what's transferable from our experiences, skills, and other life assets, that can carry over into that next big step?

Connect. For me, connect means continuing to make connections between different disciplines and seemingly unrelated ideas, including ways we can learn from each other. This applies to Web 2.0, reimagining content, and inter-connected uses for technology. It also means connecting more directly, whether that means attending more events in person, picking up the phone, or commenting on others' blogs. And helping others feel more connected here, by exploring different types of writing & topics, offering more video/audio, or asking more questions.

How About You?

Do you make resolutions? Do you keep them? What do you think about Marie's approach, of focusing more on bringing out something alive in us, as opposed to focusing on something we don't like about ourselves? What are your three words? How do we ensure these intentions become goals?

 

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More Background on PegMulligan.com

PegMulligan.com, subtitled "Content for a Convergent World," stands as a longtime fixture in the intersectional space between technology, writing, communications, and the ever-evolving digital landscape. Launched in 2009, it captures the changing role of technical communication and its widespread convergence with technology, social media, usability, and interactive user experiences. Both a personal blog and a professional resource, the website encapsulates the intellectual pursuits and career journey of Peg Mulligan—an accomplished technical writer and content developer rooted in Boston, Massachusetts.

This article provides readers with an in-depth look at PegMulligan.com, exploring its background, focus areas, authorship, digital presence, accolades, and significance in the broader landscape of digital content and knowledge work. We will outline the aims and structure of the blog, highlight its impact and community, and address its history, reputation, social importance, and notable features.

Ownership and Authorship

The driving force and sole author behind PegMulligan.com is Peg Mulligan herself. Wearing multiple professional hats, Mulligan brings to her website over a decade of industry experience within high-technology, as well as years spent as an instructor in educational and governmental contexts. Her range encompasses technical writing, documentation, marketing, information design, and social media management. This multidisciplinary background allows her to approach technical communication holistically, emphasizing learning and the sharing of knowledge as core values.

Peg Mulligan's Credentials

• Education: Holds a Master’s degree in Technical and Professional Writing from a major Boston university, concentrated on the computer industry. Additional advanced coursework rounds out her credentials in Human Factors, Usability Testing, and User Interface Design through a recognized university program focusing on Information and User Experience Design.

• Professional Contributions: Regular contributor to respected marketing newsletters and featured in industry e-books. She has practical experience with inbound marketing, social media, and search engine optimization.

• Certifications and Endorsements: Has completed training in Inbound Marketing (blogs, social media, lead conversion, lead nurturing, data analysis). Her expertise and reliability are reflected in multiple independent endorsements, particularly in professional settings such as LinkedIn.

History and Development

Launch and Early Years

PegMulligan.com started as a space for Peg to express her love of teaching, writing, and lifelong learning through digital means. The original vision was to share practical advice, insight, and resources relevant to technical writers, content strategists, and digital communicators.

Over time, the blog grew in scope, reflecting broader developments in content marketing, user experience design, and the increasingly social nature of information exchange online. While technical communication remained the core, Mulligan explored adjacent domains, from instructional design to social media best practices.

Restoration and Archiving

Recognizing the site’s significance as a cultural snapshot and a resource for digital communication professionals, PegMulligan.com was awarded a restoration grant. This grant enabled a formal archiving effort to preserve the blog’s original content for educational purposes and historical record. The archiving was handled by a prominent digital preservation consultancy known within the fields of SEO and web restoration. As a result, PegMulligan.com often features in course material and seminars dealing with technical communication, content strategy, and the digital transformation of knowledge work.

Location and Digital Presence

Based in Boston, Massachusetts, the blog radiates both local character and global relevance. Peg herself is active on several professional and social media channels, using Twitter profiles dedicated to content strategy, social search, and technical communications. There is also a presence on platforms such as Facebook and LinkedIn, where Peg interacts with broader communities of content developers and digital professionals.

The blog is intended to be openly accessible, engaging a worldwide audience interested in technical writing, content marketing, user experience, and related fields.

Mission, Vision, and Goals

At its core, PegMulligan.com seeks to explore and illuminate the ongoing convergence between communication and technology. The blog’s declared mission is to serve as a hub where value-adding information, interactions, and real-world experiences can be shared—a place where practitioners can build affinity with audiences essential to professional and business success.

Thematic Focus

• Technical Communication: Regularly features in-depth posts on documentation, manuals, and communication best practices.

• Content Strategy and Marketing: Examines how brands can use various forms of content not just to inform, but to truly engage and assist their users.

• User Experience & Usability: Delves into design thinking, usability testing, and creating customer experiences that are intuitive, helpful, and memorable.

• Social Media: Analyzes how social platforms can be harnessed for good, with case studies, how-tos, and discussions about online communities.

• Personal Development and Inspiration: Through series like "Live with Abundance," the blog spotlights positive uses of social media, inspirational stories, and cause-driven digital initiatives.

Notable Features and “Menu” of Content

PegMulligan.com operates on a blend of structured and spontaneous content, offering both recurring series and one-off deep-dives:

“Live with Abundance” Series

• Monthly highlight focusing on the human spirit and the positive impact of digital tools.

• Encourages guest bloggers, adding variety and different perspectives.

Odds and Ends

• More personal, letter-style posts inspired by the writer’s history with pen pals.

• Offers glimpses into Peg’s personal life, routines, and her world outside professional topics. These posts help foster a two-way dialog with readers, who are invited to shape the blog’s direction.

How-to Guides and Conference Reports

• Posts summarize industry conferences, webinars, and virtual sessions, providing valuable recaps and professional commentary.

• In-depth guides focusing on technical writing, content repurposing, and building online networks.

Professional Reflections and Inspirational Posts

• Explorations of professional resolutions, practical goal-setting, and positivity in career development.

Community and Audience

The content is curated for a wide-ranging audience, including:

• Technical communicators and writers

• Content strategists and digital marketers

• User experience and instructional designers

• Product and program managers

• Social media professionals

• Anyone interested in the interplay between technology and communication

The blog’s approachable, conversational style and willingness to engage readers on a personal level have helped foster an active and supportive community. Readers are encouraged not only to consume content but to participate—commenting on posts, suggesting new topics, and even guest-blogging.

Press, Recognition, and Cultural Impact

PegMulligan.com is recognized within several industry circles, especially those focused on technical communication and digital marketing. Its longevity and breadth have motivated institutions to archive its content and utilize it as a case study in training sessions and academic coursework related to content strategy and digital literacy.

The restoration of the site was motivated by its status as a digital time capsule, capturing the evolution of online communication and professional development in the first decades of the internet era.

Several of Peg’s articles have been referenced in industry-wide e-books and newsletters, underlining her status as a credible voice on content, inbound marketing, and knowledge management. The site’s influence extends to online seminars, professional meetups, and social media chats dedicated to digital work and content creation.

Reviews and Reader Feedback

The feedback PegMulligan.com receives from readers highlights the utility, warmth, and relevance of the content. Many describe the blog as a trusted resource for both technical expertise and encouragement. Its practical takeaways are often cited in professional circles, while readers appreciate the blog’s commitment to exploring digital work’s “human side.”

Endorsements for Peg’s work can be found on her professional profiles, where colleagues and clients note her reliability, breadth of skills, and innovative approach toward content in a convergent world.

Legacy and Significance

Beyond the scope of a typical professional blog, PegMulligan.com embodies an era of rapid change in how we communicate, collaborate, and adapt to technological change. Its successful restoration and use in education underscore its value as both an instructional tool and a cultural artifact.

Peg Mulligan herself exemplifies the versatile, lifelong learner and teacher who thrives at the intersection of technology and communication. Through her writing and engagement, she has cultivated a space where continuous learning and the drive to “connect, invest, and reimagine” are central.

 

PegMulligan.com remains relevant thanks to its blend of hands-on expertise, commitment to community, and authentic voice. It is a valuable resource for anyone navigating the converging worlds of technology, communication, and digital engagement today. For those seeking a comprehensive understanding of technical writing’s new frontiers and the evolving nature of digital work, PegMulligan.com offers both inspiration and actionable knowledge—a testament to the power of content to inform, empower, and unite.

 

PegMulligan.com