What Defines A Good Tech Writer?
The gig economy has been a big employer to people from all walks of life, and estimations indicate that it will generate a revenue of 455.2 billion U.S. dollars by 2023. The gig economy refers to a set up where employers hire freelancers on a short-term basis or through contracts.
Content writing has been one of the most popular subsectors of this set up where employers hire freelancers on a short-term basis or through contracts. Content writing is extensive and encompasses creative writing, copywriting, academic writing, article writing, eBook writing, blog post writing, and technical writing, among many more others.
Technical writing is the art of writing process documentation or instructions. Technical writers provide clear and concise information to the readers. How does this happen? Do you need to be a techie to succeed as a technical writer? Must you use the said products or interact with them to produce compelling content? These are some of the common questions among people who are new to technical writing. The short answer is no. Let us explore what it takes to become better at technical writing:
Choose a niche
The technical world is broad, and you cannot cover everything. Some of the most common subsectors you can pick include artificial intelligence, big data, machine learning, blockchain, and cloud computing. Do not follow the crowd but choose something you are passionate about and learn the basics. You can also select a few niches that are closely related. However, overstretching yourself is not a good approach as employers want experts on various topics.
Create a portfolio
Bearing the title ‘technical writer’ is not enough. You need to prove to people that you are knowledgeable and can deliver to their expectations. But how do you go about this if you are just starting and haven’t built a portfolio yet? You can use platforms such as LinkedIn and Medium to publish technical content. Some companies will let you publish content under your name, which helps a lot. Ensure that you always give your clients the best and get stellar reviews.
Use plain language
This point seems to be contradictory as you are writing technical content. However, the end-user is not always a techie. For instance, when you write a guide for the newest smartphone in the market, the target market will be the average buyer in the market. It helps to write in such a way that it is understandable even for people who are not tech-savvy.
Focus on the task
Every technical writing assignment will be different. There are days that you will write guides, review products, create opinion pieces, or compare products. Each of these tasks requires a different writing style and presentation of ideas. Understand what every project requires, do some research and then give it your best.
Create a persona
What is the target market for the content you want to produce? If it is technical department heads then your content will have to be different from what you create for consumers. Analyse the age, educational background, gender, and even social status of the target group. Write and review your language with this persona in mind.
Use attributions
it is always a good idea to add references to your articles and make it easy for your readers to get the whole picture. This approach allows readers to research more relevant details. Readers who want to get extra information can check the references, while those who do not, can read the content without interruptions.
Use illustrations
Communicating complex details using simple language is not that easy. Consider using graphs, diagrams, charts, and infographics to explain and clarify. For instance, if you create a user guide on how to change the operating system of your computer, it makes sense to include screenshots. Developing technical information does not have to be technical. Familiarise yourself with the niche, focus on the topic at hand, and then use simple, short, and clear sentences. Make learning a continuous process and follow industry leaders.