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Document Creation Guidelines & Formatting Rules: Difference between revisions

From Daniliants Ventures
Created page with "== 1. Overview: Who These Rules Apply To == These rules apply to '''all team members''' who create or contribute to documents related to Daniliants Ventures, client work, and internal projects. They include full-time employees, freelancers, and any external collaborators who help produce or finalize deliverables. === Key Requirements: === * '''All important documents''' — client-facing, branded, or integral to company operations — '''must be created and owned''' wi..."
 
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If you create an important document from your personal email by mistake:
If you create an important document from your personal email by mistake:
# '''Share''' the document with [email protected] at the highest permission level.
# '''Share''' the document with [email protected] at the highest permission level.
[[File:Image15.png|thumb|center]]
In the Share settings, transfer ownership to that account by selecting “Transfer Ownership” from the drop-down next to the email address.
[[File:Image14.png|thumb|center]]
Make sure the new owner is shown as Primary Owner in the Google Drive share settings.
[[File:Image6.png|thumb|center]]
== 2. General Background & Rules ==
=== 2.1. Creating Documents ===
* '''Use Google Docs/Sheets/Slides''' based on your document needs:
** '''Google Docs''' for textual documents like audits, strategies, marketing ideas, etc.
** '''Google Sheets''' for data-heavy or spreadsheet-type documents (time estimates, semantic core/SEO data, logs).
** '''Google Slides''' for presentations (monthly reports, special pitch decks).
* '''Styling & Consistency''': Always adhere to the basic brand guidelines (detailed in Section 5) for logos, fonts, and color usage — especially for client-facing or branded documents.
* '''Document Language''':
** All documents intended for the entire team or for sharing with clients '''must be written in English'''.
** However, some client-specific documents '''may be in Finnish or Russian''', depending on the client’s requirements.
** Drafts and non-essential documents used internally among team members may be written in any language they are comfortable with.
** The only exception to this rule is translations, which can be created in the required language.
* '''Appropriate Naming Conventions''':
** Start with the '''project or client name''', followed by '''document title''' and, if applicable, '''version''' (e.g., "ClientName – Marketing Audit – v1.0").
** Include the '''date''' if time-specific or if it’s a repeating document (e.g., monthly report).
=== 2.2. Document Structure & Layout Guidelines ===
Regardless of document type, here are '''universal guidelines''':
* '''Structure the text logically''': title page → table of contents → introduction → main part → summary/next steps → contact us.
* '''Follow a logical hierarchy''' (Title H1 → Heading H2 → Subheading H3).
* '''Include a Table of Contents''' for documents over 5 pages or multiple sections, auto-generated via Google Docs → Insert → Table of Contents.
* All body text should be '''width-aligned''', and headings '''left-aligned'''. Titles, images, graphs and tables may be '''center-aligned'''.
* Use the default Google Docs settings for '''page margins and spacing''':
** 1" (2.54 cm) margins on each side.
** Single or 1.15 line spacing for the body text.
* Ensure '''consistent spacing above and below''' headings and between paragraphs.
* '''Text should always be easy to read'''. Use bullet points and well-structured paragraphs (short, concise and informative) for clarity.
* In multi-page documents, '''pages may be numbered'''. Page numbers may begin on the second page and be placed in the header.
* '''Enhance clarity with visual elements''':
** Use '''high-quality images, infographics, tables, and graphs''' with clear labels and explanations.
** Ensure graphs and tables '''align with brand color guidelines''', including headlines and accent lines.
* If you reference external data or sources or need to mention another document, '''include a relevant link''' directly within the text (e.g., "Download the monthly report [https://example.com here]").
* Each client-facing or external doc should end with a '''summary, next steps, or final remarks'''.
=== 2.3. Brand & Formatting Essentials ===
* '''Fonts''':
** '''Preferred Fonts''':
*** Titles/Headings: '''Montserrat SemiBold''' or '''Bebas Neue'''
'''''Bebas Neue'' is usually used in essential docs such as an [https://www.canva.com/design/DAGi1sGSbmU/ctbWcM5vtXpn-X0Doojuxg/edit?utm_content=DAGi1sGSbmU&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton annual report] or [https://docs.google.com/document/d/16clhGgjS5iFKgf651caCiIWYf0E_z11COnLzeHjT5tA/edit?usp=sharing large SEO audits]''.
[[File:Image19.png|thumb|center]]

Revision as of 12:14, 29 April 2025

1. Overview: Who These Rules Apply To

These rules apply to all team members who create or contribute to documents related to Daniliants Ventures, client work, and internal projects. They include full-time employees, freelancers, and any external collaborators who help produce or finalize deliverables.

Key Requirements:

  • All important documents — client-facing, branded, or integral to company operations — must be created and owned within the official Google accounts:
  • Drafts and unimportant documents can be created from personal email accounts. However, if any draft or unimportant document becomes important, ownership must be transferred to [email protected].

How to Transfer Document Ownership

If you create an important document from your personal email by mistake:

  1. Share the document with [email protected] at the highest permission level.

In the Share settings, transfer ownership to that account by selecting “Transfer Ownership” from the drop-down next to the email address.

Make sure the new owner is shown as Primary Owner in the Google Drive share settings.

2. General Background & Rules

2.1. Creating Documents

  • Use Google Docs/Sheets/Slides based on your document needs:
    • Google Docs for textual documents like audits, strategies, marketing ideas, etc.
    • Google Sheets for data-heavy or spreadsheet-type documents (time estimates, semantic core/SEO data, logs).
    • Google Slides for presentations (monthly reports, special pitch decks).
  • Styling & Consistency: Always adhere to the basic brand guidelines (detailed in Section 5) for logos, fonts, and color usage — especially for client-facing or branded documents.
  • Document Language:
    • All documents intended for the entire team or for sharing with clients must be written in English.
    • However, some client-specific documents may be in Finnish or Russian, depending on the client’s requirements.
    • Drafts and non-essential documents used internally among team members may be written in any language they are comfortable with.
    • The only exception to this rule is translations, which can be created in the required language.
  • Appropriate Naming Conventions:
    • Start with the project or client name, followed by document title and, if applicable, version (e.g., "ClientName – Marketing Audit – v1.0").
    • Include the date if time-specific or if it’s a repeating document (e.g., monthly report).

2.2. Document Structure & Layout Guidelines

Regardless of document type, here are universal guidelines:

  • Structure the text logically: title page → table of contents → introduction → main part → summary/next steps → contact us.
  • Follow a logical hierarchy (Title H1 → Heading H2 → Subheading H3).
  • Include a Table of Contents for documents over 5 pages or multiple sections, auto-generated via Google Docs → Insert → Table of Contents.
  • All body text should be width-aligned, and headings left-aligned. Titles, images, graphs and tables may be center-aligned.
  • Use the default Google Docs settings for page margins and spacing:
    • 1" (2.54 cm) margins on each side.
    • Single or 1.15 line spacing for the body text.
  • Ensure consistent spacing above and below headings and between paragraphs.
  • Text should always be easy to read. Use bullet points and well-structured paragraphs (short, concise and informative) for clarity.
  • In multi-page documents, pages may be numbered. Page numbers may begin on the second page and be placed in the header.
  • Enhance clarity with visual elements:
    • Use high-quality images, infographics, tables, and graphs with clear labels and explanations.
    • Ensure graphs and tables align with brand color guidelines, including headlines and accent lines.
  • If you reference external data or sources or need to mention another document, include a relevant link directly within the text (e.g., "Download the monthly report here").
  • Each client-facing or external doc should end with a summary, next steps, or final remarks.

2.3. Brand & Formatting Essentials

  • Fonts:
    • Preferred Fonts:
      • Titles/Headings: Montserrat SemiBold or Bebas Neue

Bebas Neue is usually used in essential docs such as an annual report or large SEO audits.