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IT CAREER GUIDES

Technical Writer Career 

What is a technical writer.

Sometimes referred to as technical communicators, technical writers create a bridge between highly technical information and accessibility for individuals. They tailor their writing to fit a specific audience and understand the  nuances between job titles  to create better content for the right people. 

No matter the industry, these writers are highly skilled and can understand complicated information. In every project, they must understand who their audience is and the best ways to communicate information. Many projects combine text and media to better interact with consumers.

If you’re interested in technical writing, you will need a bachelor’s degree in English, communications, or a degree in a technical field such as IT, computer science, healthcare, or engineering.

sitting at desk doing IT

RESPONSIBILITIES

What Does a Technical Writer Do?

Technical writers have a wide range of job responsibilities that may differ depending on the industry, seniority, and area in which the writer works. Some general day-to-day responsibilities include: 

  • Writing how-to guides  based on products and services.
  • Interview product developers  to create diagrams of the product design. 
  • Write supporting content  for services and products.
  • Create and use animations, graphics, and photographs  to illustrate content. 
  • Receive feedback from editors  and rewrite content.
  • Collect feedback from consumers  to update content and create new content.
  • Manage the flow of information  in group projects. 

As a technical writer, you will be working with teams of computer specialists, software developers, and product designers to collect and present information to the consumers. Your goal is to create clear content that explains the purpose of a product or service.

What Is the Difference Between a Content Writer and a Technical Writer?

Content writers and technical writers are often confused with one another. Both careers require communication, research, and writing skills, but the main difference is the type of projects completed. 

While technical writers often create tutorials, user guides, and manuals, content writers create articles, blogs, and landing pages that are aimed at consumers and search engines. Content writing also includes other skills such as SEO. 

Like many careers, content writing and technical writing may have overlapping responsibilities. In short, technical writing is project-oriented and simplifies complex topics. Content writing is audience-driven and aims to draw consumers towards websites to create new customers and clients for businesses. 

Where Do Technical Writers Work?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists  four main industries where technical writers work . These industries include: 

  • Professional, scientific, and technical services: The BLS reports that 35% of technical writers work in this industry, writing white papers, research papers, and other extremely technical or scientific projects. 
  • Manufacturing: About 15% work in manufacturing to create how-to guides and help consumers better understand the purpose of products. 
  • Administrative and support services: About 9% work in administrative services, where they use their skills to clarify communication channels both within and outside of the business. 
  • Publishing industries: About 6% work in publishing and use their skills to create product descriptions, arrange page layouts and type, and ensure consistency across all publications. 

technical writing career reddit

EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES

What education and qualifications does a technical writer need.

Technical writers often have a bachelor’s degree in English or a related field. However, there is a wide range of education options for those interested in becoming technical writers. Additionally, a technical writer’s education will likely vary depending on their interests. 

For example, an individual who loves writing and who is interested in technology and computers should get a  bachelor’s degree in IT  to better understand the specific technological elements they will be writing about. Earning a  higher education degree  can open more career options and advancement options for technical writers and allow them to move into management positions.

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Best Degrees for a IT Managers

Award-winning coursework and value-add certifications make this online...

Award-winning coursework and value-add certifications make this online program a top choice.

  • Time:  70% of graduates finish within 48 months.
  • Tuition:  $3,625 per 6-month term.
  • Courses: 36 total courses in this program.

Certifications included in this program at no additional cost:

  • CompTIA A+ 
  • CompTIA Network+ 
  • CompTIA Security+ 
  • CompTIA Project+ 
  • CompTIA IT Operations Specialist
  • CompTIA Secure Infrastructure Specialist 
  • Amazon AWS Cloud Practitioner
  • ITIL®*^ Foundation Certification
  • LPI Linux Essentials

Job titles this degree may prepare you for include:

  • Application developer
  • Business systems analyst
  • Database administrator

A degree for experienced IT professionals ready to lead....

A degree for experienced IT professionals ready to lead.

  • Time:  72% of graduates finish within 20 months.
  • Tuition:  $3,940 per 6-month term.
  • Courses: 10 total courses in this program.

Included in your program—at no extra cost—is the opportunity to earn the valuable  PMI Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification .

There are many job titles this degree can prepare you for, including:

  • IT director
  • Information systems manager

Maximize the opportunities that your IT career path has afforded you—earn your master's and keep moving up. 

Earn both your bachelor’s in IT and master’s in IT management at a faster...

Earn both your bachelor’s in IT and master’s in IT management at a faster pace with fewer courses.

  • Time: Approximately 5 years.
  • Tuition : $3,735 per 6-month term for the bachelor's degree; $3,940 per term for the master's portion.
  • Courses: 42 total courses in this program.

This program allows students to earn their bachelor's degree in IT and move directly into a master's degree in IT management, cutting down on the total number of courses to complete.

IT Management – B.S. Business Administration

IT managers are needed in nearly every organization:...

IT managers are needed in nearly every organization:

  • Time:  70% of graduates finish within 43 months.
  • Tuition:  $3,755 per 6-month term.
  • Courses: 40 total courses in this program.

Some careers and jobs this business degree will prepare you for:

  • Vice president of risk management
  • Product security incident manager
  • Vice president of technical services
  • CTO and CIO
  • Director of IT

Key competencies of these online courses align with industry needs: management and leadership, networks and security, and information systems management.

technical writing career reddit

How Much Does a Technical Writer Make?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that technical writers earn an average of $74,650 a year. The lowest 10% earn less than $45,510 a year, and the highest 10% earn more than $199,040 a year. Technical writing wages may vary depending on the industry. In addition, your level of experience working in the industry and your willingness to  stand out in your career  will also affect your salary.

technical writing career reddit

What Is the Projected Job Growth?

The BLS reports that the employment for technical writers is expected to grow by 7% by 2029, adding more than 4,300 new positions. Technical writing careers align closely with the projected job growth in the technical and scientific fields. As technical businesses grow and expand, the demand for technical writers increases as well. Technical writing is a great career path for those who are looking to work in IT and English. It is a stable, fast-growing industry with growth opportunities. 

What Skills Does a Technical Writer Need?

As a prospective technical writer, you will need to develop several important skills to excel. Some of the most important skills needed for technical writers include: 

  • Critical thinking skills:  This skill allows you to develop strategies in your writing to better communicate with your audience.
  • Technical skills:  This skill means that you can understand and communicate complex information.
  • Writing skills:  This skill means that you have excellent grammar, and an understanding of written language.
  • Teamwork:  This skill means that you can work with a team and complete projects with designers, illustrators, and editors. 
  • Creativity:  This skill means that you are inventive in your writing and can convey complicated ideas through interesting phrasing.
  • Communication skills:  This skill means that you can convey concepts to coworkers and your audience with ease. 

To begin a career as a technical writer, you must have a complete understanding of the industry you chose to work in. You will be expected to understand high-level concepts with ease and communicate to those with little or no experience in the industry. 

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Interested in Becoming a Technical Writer?

Learn more about degree programs that can prepare you for this meaningful career.

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How I Broke Into Technical Writing—and Why You Should Too

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High rates and straight-forward assignments are just two of the benefits

technical writing career reddit

Before I delved into how to start technical writing, I thought the field was about drawing up instruction manuals or legal documents. Maybe at a higher level, some of these people got to write NASA reports or top-secret government stuff. Still, for someone like me, the options for finding a technical writer job were probably limited to explaining how to assemble a cabinet or work a coffee machine.

Despite what I thought was a complete lack of technical knowledge, I landed a contract job writing eLearning course material that teaches sales representatives how to sell software. Weird, right? The gist was this: I would read through a bunch of source documents, try to make sense of the information, and structure it into four lessons based on an outline provided to me.

Also on Mediabistro

technical writing career reddit

But let me go back. When applying for the job, I was asked to complete a “writing assessment” that all contractors must take to determine their skill level. I almost gave up before even starting. When I read the instructions, I didn’t understand half the words onscreen, let alone what I was supposed to do with them.

So I just did my own thing; I wrote a marketing blurb about the company, based on its website content and whatever else I could find online. I hoped to show them I could at least research and put words into grammatically acceptable sentences.

I guess it was good enough. A few days later, I was given a technical writing assignment for which I would be paid more than I’d earned in the last six months.

Then, I saw a job posting that told me the company was looking for a full-time writer. I jumped at the opportunity—and got the job. That first project was challenging . I cleared my schedule and locked myself in my office for an entire weekend. When I finally finished it, I got paid promptly. I was asked to do another project that made the difficulty of my first akin to something called “How to Zip Up Your Fly: A Post-Urination Guide.”

But the more I familiarized myself with the industry jargon, the more this type of writing started to feel natural. Although I still have plenty to learn, I’m now twice as fast at completing an assignment as I was when I started. New projects became open to me: editing a PowerPoint slide, writing catchy marketing copy, and performing quality assurance on a completed course.

Here are some of the things I’ve learned about being a technical writer:

There will always be technical writing work.

We’ve been hearing talk about the changing face of journalism , but technical writing isn’t going anywhere. Companies will always rely on the written word to communicate, teach, and sell.

Although my ability to extract critical business issues from an SME transcript may be less romantic than, say, my novel about low-income, spirited lesbian waitresses struggling with addiction (that’s a real—unpublished—thing I wrote), the former pays the bills, promises growth and affords me new joys in life.

As a technical writer, you learn as you go.

I’m not Steve Jobs; I’m just a person who pays close attention to what she reads and asks a lot of questions. I still don’t 100 percent understand the difference between a switch and a router, but I’m not ashamed to ask a colleague. And there’s a hidden benefit to ignorance: If, by the end of my writing, I can understand something complex, I am fairly certain my audience will understand it too.

The work of technical writing is straightforward.

Although there are creative aspects to technical writing, most of the writing I do is black and white. “In this lesson, we’ll cover a, b, and c,” or “When selling to this type of person, discuss a, b, and c.”

It’s nice to have clear expectations and a process to follow rather than feel like every day is a desperate attempt to flag down the muse. Plus, it leaves some breathing room in my creative well at the end of the day for the types of writing and art that bring me true joy.

Technical writing is a lucrative option.

The tech-writing industry pays between $30 to $50 an hour, with salaried writers typically making between $50,000 and $70,000 a year. For contractors, pay may be project-based rather than hourly, which for me had ranged between $400 and $2,500 per project.

Do I think it’s fair that technical writers get paid more than journalists and novelists? No. I don’t think technical or sales writing is intrinsically “worth” more than beautiful prose. But I won’t deny that the income eases a ton of the stressors of my past life (especially as the sole income-earner in my family, with a toddler and a husband who just went back to school).

Money may not be a motivating factor for all writers, but for those who, like me, have a degree but few professional skills beyond writing, it’s reassuring to know my words are worth more than a handful of peanuts.

Getting started as a tech writer

Basically, technical writing all day every day isn’t the facepalm-migraine it sounds like, and that’s why I recommend it to anyone who wants to write for a living. My suggestion is to dip your toes in. Search for jobs that are a little bit out of your comfort zone. Google technical writing jobs or sales writing jobs.

The company I work for is a sales consulting company. Still, most corporations have in-house writers and contractors who provide content for training, presentations, and other corporate materials. Also, mine your social media. I initially found this job through a status update of a friend of a friend. And then do your best. You may find that you’re way more capable than you initially thought. You just have to trust yourself to be great.

So if you’re exploring how to start technical writing, don’t hesitate to take the plunge. Search for jobs that push your boundaries, and don’t be afraid to leverage your social media connections. You’re more capable than you think, and all it takes is the courage to begin.

So what’s next after you’ve dipped your toes into technical writing? Take it from me: don’t stop at just being good enough. The field constantly evolves; you must keep up if you want to stay competitive. That means continually educating yourself. Attend webinars, take specialized courses, or even go for a certification in technical writing. Trust me, investing in yourself never goes out of style.

Let’s talk about networking.

I used to roll my eyes at the term, but hey, it works. LinkedIn is a goldmine for this. Connect with other technical writers, join industry-specific groups, and don’t be shy to slide into someone’s DMs (professionally, of course). A simple message can go a long way. After all, I landed one of my first major contracts by just asking, “Hey, are you guys looking for a writer?” Turns out, they were.

Get used to deadlines.

And then there’s the ever-so-daunting work-life balance. I won’t sugarcoat it; deadlines can be harsh. But guess what? Good time management can make you feel like a wizard. Block out your time for specific tasks and stick to it. You’ll find that not only do you get more done, but you also won’t feel like you’re constantly racing against the clock.

What about tackling more complex projects? Initially, writing about topics like blockchain or artificial intelligence can be intimidating. But don’t let the jargon scare you away. You’ve got the research skills; use them. The more you understand the topic, the easier it becomes to write about it. And the more complex the topic, often the higher the pay. It’s a win-win.

Don’t overlook the power of feedback. Constructive criticism is your friend, not your enemy. After completing a project, ask for feedback, and take it gracefully. If you keep your ego at the door, you’ll find these insights to be the quickest route to improving your craft.

Lastly, if you’re still pondering how to start technical writing, remember it’s never too late. I’ve met people who transitioned into this field in their 40s and 50s. So age, background, or experience shouldn’t be roadblocks. If you have a knack for writing and a willingness to learn, you’re already ahead of the game.

Amanda Layman Low is a freelance writer and artist. Contact her on Twitter @AmandaMLayman .

Discover new technical writing jobs and gigs on Mediabistro’s media job board .

FAQs on Breaking into Technical Writer Roles

1. what skills are essential for someone starting in technical writing.

Technical writing demands the ability to simplify complex information, strong research skills, attention to detail, and proficiency in grammar and style. While not initially required, familiarity with the subject matter is beneficial as you grow in your role. The ability to understand and convey technical concepts to various audiences is crucial.

2. How can I improve my chances of landing a technical writing job without prior experience?

Start by honing your writing skills and familiarizing yourself with technical writing principles through online courses or workshops. Create a portfolio showcasing your writing ability, even if it’s not directly related to technical writing—volunteer for technical writing projects, like creating documentation for open-source software, to gain experience. Networking, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, and leveraging your social media connections can also open doors to opportunities.

3. Are certifications necessary to become a technical writer?

While certifications are not strictly necessary, they can enhance your resume, especially if you lack experience or a related degree. Certifications from reputable organizations demonstrate your commitment to the profession and skill level. They can be particularly beneficial for those transitioning from other fields.

4. What types of industries hire technical writers?

Technical writers are in demand across various industries, including software and technology, healthcare, engineering, finance, and government. Their skills can benefit any industry that relies on complex products, services, or processes.

5. How do I find technical writing jobs?

Beyond traditional job boards, consider looking at industry-specific forums, social media networks, and professional networking sites like LinkedIn. Websites dedicated to freelance and contract work, such as Mediabistro, can also be valuable resources. Don’t underestimate the power of networking; sometimes, a simple message or connection can lead to an opportunity.

6. What is the expected salary for a technical writer?

Technical writer salaries vary widely based on experience, location, industry, and whether you work as a contractor or a full-time employee. Entry-level technical writers can earn between $50,000 and $70,000 a year, with contractors earning anywhere from $30 to $50 an hour, depending on the work’s complexity and the hiring company’s funding.

7. How can I stay competitive in the technical writing field?

Continual learning is key. Stay abreast of industry trends, new technologies, and advancements in technical communication. Participate in webinars, take specialized courses, and consider pursuing advanced certifications. Engaging with professional communities and networks can also provide insights and opportunities for professional development.

8. Can I transition to technical writing from a different career?

Absolutely. Many technical writers come from varied backgrounds, including journalism, teaching, and even fields unrelated to writing. What’s important is your ability to learn and convey technical content effectively. When applying for roles, highlight transferable skills such as writing, research, project management, and subject matter expertise.

9. How important is networking for aspiring technical writers?

Networking is crucial. It can lead to freelance opportunities, full-time positions, and valuable mentorships. Engage with other writers and professionals in your target industry through social media, professional associations, and conferences. A proactive approach to networking can significantly enhance your visibility and chances of success in the field.

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Technical Writing for Beginners – An A-Z Guide to Tech Blogging Basics

If you love writing and technology, technical writing could be a suitable career for you. It's also something else you can do if you love tech but don’t really fancy coding all day long.

Technical writing might also be for you if you love learning by teaching others, contributing to open source projects and teaching others how to do so, too, or basically enjoy explaining complex concepts in simple ways through your writing.

Let's dive into the fundamentals and learn about what you should know and consider when getting started with technical writing.

Table of Contents

In this article, we’ll be looking at:

  • What Technical writing is

Benefits of Technical Writing

  • Necessary skills to have as a Technical Writer

The Technical Writing Process

  • Platforms for publishing your articles

Technical Writing Courses

  • Technical Writing forums and communities
  • Some amazing technical writers to follow
  • Final Words and references

What is Technical Writing?

Technical writing is the art of providing detail-oriented instruction to help users understand a specific skill or product.

And a technical writer is someone who writes these instructions, otherwise known as technical documentation or tutorials. This could include user manuals, online support articles, or internal docs for coders/API developers.

A technical writer communicates in a way that presents technical information so that the reader can use that information for an intended purpose.

Technical writers are lifelong learners. Since the job involves communicating complex concepts in simple and straightforward terms, you must be well-versed in the field you're writing about. Or be willing to learn about it.

This is great, because with each new technical document you research and write, you will become an expert on that subject.

Technical writing also gives you a better sense of user empathy. It helps you pay more attention to what the readers or users of a product feel rather than what you think.

You can also make money as a technical writer by contributing to organizations. Here are some organizations that pay you to write for them , like Smashing Magazine , AuthO , Twilio , and Stack Overflow .

In addition to all this, you can contribute to Open Source communities and participate in paid open source programs like Google Season of Docs and Outreachy .

You can also take up technical writing as a full time profession – lots of companies need someone with those skills.

Necessary Skills to Have as a Technical Writer

Understand the use of proper english.

Before you consider writing, it is necessary to have a good grasp of English, its tenses, spellings and basic grammar. Your readers don't want to read an article riddled with incorrect grammar and poor word choices.

Know how to explain things clearly and simply

Knowing how to implement a feature doesn't necessarily mean you can clearly communicate the process to others.

In order to be a good teacher, you have to be empathetic, with the ability to teach or describe terms in ways suitable for your intended audience.

If you can't explain it to a six year old, you don't understand it yourself. Albert Einstein

Possess some writing skills‌‌

I believe that writers are made, not born. And you can only learn how to write by actually writing.

You might never know you have it in you to write until you put pen to paper. And there's only one way to know if you have some writing skills, and that's by writing.

So I encourage you to start writing today. You can choose to start with any of the platforms I listed in this section to stretch your writing muscles.

And of course, it is also a huge benefit to have some experience in a technical field.

Analyze and Understand who your Readers are

The biggest factor to consider when you're writing a technical article is your intended/expected audience. It should always be at the forefront of your mind.

A good technical writer writes based on the reader’s context. As an example , let's say you're writing an article targeted at beginners. It is important not to assume that they already know certain concepts.

You can start out your article by outlining any necessary prerequisites. This will make sure that your readers have (or can acquire) the knowledge they need before diving right into your article.

You can also include links to useful resources so your readers can get the information they need with just a click.

In order to know for whom you are writing, you have to gather as much information as possible about who will use the document.

It is important to know if your audience has expertise in the field, if the topic is totally new to them, or if they fall somewhere in between.

Your readers will also have their own expectations and needs. You must determine what the reader is looking for when they begin to read the document and what they'll get out of it.

To understand your reader, ask yourself the following questions before you start writing:

  • Who are my readers?
  • What do they need?
  • Where will they be reading?
  • When will they be reading?
  • Why will they be reading?
  • How will they be reading?

These questions also help you think about your reader's experience while reading your writing, which we'll talk about more now.

Think About User Experience

User experience is just as important in a technical document as it is anywhere on the web.

Now that you know your audience and their needs, keep in mind how the document itself services their needs. It’s so easy to ignore how the reader will actually use the document.

As you write, continuously step back and view the document as if you're the reader. Ask yourself: Is it accessible? How will your readers be using it? When will they be using it? Is it easy to navigate?

The goal is to write a document that is both useful to and useable by your readers.

Plan Your Document

Bearing in mind who your users are, you can then conceptualize and plan out your document.

This process includes a number of steps, which we'll go over now.

Conduct thorough research about the topic

While planning out your document, you have to research the topic you're writing about. There are tons of resources only a Google search away for you to consume and get deeper insights from.

Don't be tempted to lift off other people's works or articles and pass it off as your own, as this is plagiarism. Rather, use these resources as references and ideas for your work.

Google as much as possible, get facts and figures from research journals, books or news, and gather as much information as you can about your topic. Then you can start making an outline.

Make an outline

Outlining the content of your document before expanding on it helps you write in a more focused way. It also lets you organize your thoughts and achieving your goals for your writing.

An outline can also help you identify what you want your readers to get out of the document. And finally, it establishes a timeline for completing your writing.

Get relevant graphics/images

Having an outline is very helpful in identifying the various virtual aids (infographics, gifs, videos, tweets) you'll need to embed in different sections of your document.

And it'll make your writing process much easier if you keep these relevant graphics handy.

Write in the Correct Style

Finally, you can start to write! If you've completed all these steps, writing should become a lot easier. But you still need to make sure your writing style is suitable for a technical document.

The writing needs to be accessible, direct, and professional. Flowery or emotional text is not welcome in a technical document. To help you maintain this style, here are some key characteristics you should cultivate.

Use Active Voice

It's a good idea to use active voices in your articles, as it is easier to read and understand than the passive voice.

Active voice means that the subject of the sentence is the one actively performing the action of the verb. Passive voice means that a subject is the recipient of a verb's action .

Here's an example of passive voice : The documentation should be read six times a year by every web developer.

And here's an example of active voice : Every web developer should read this documentation 6 times a year.

Choose Your Words Carefully

Word choice is important. Make sure you use the best word for the context. Avoid overusing pronouns such as ‘it’ and ‘this’ as the reader may have difficulty identifying which nouns they refer to.

Also avoid slang and vulgar language – remember you're writing for a wider audience whose disposition and cultural inclinations could differ from yours.

Avoid Excessive Jargon

If you’re an expert in your field, it can be easy to use jargon you're familiar with without realizing that it may be confusing to other readers.

You should also avoid using acronyms you haven't previously explained.

Here's an Example :

Less clear: PWAs are truly considered the future of multi-platform development. Their availability on both Android and iOS makes them the app of the future.

Improved: Progressive Web Applications (PWAs) are truly the future of multi-platform development. Their availability on both Android and iOS makes PWAs the app of the future.

Use Plain Language

Use fewer words and write in a way so that any reader can understand the text.‌‌ Avoid big lengthy words. Always try to explain concepts and terms in the clearest way possible.

Visual Formatting

A wall of text is difficult to read. Even the clearest instructions can be lost in a document that has poor visual representation.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. This rings true even in technical writing.

But not just any image is worthy of a technical document. Technical information can be difficult to convey in text alone. A well-placed image or diagram can clarify your explanation.

People also love visuals, so it helps to insert them at the right spots. Consider the images below:

First, here's a blog snippet without visuals:

step2-1

Here's a snippet of same blog, but with visuals:

step1-1

Adding images to your articles makes the content more relatable and easier to understand. In addition to images, you can also use gifs, emoji, embeds (social media, code) and code snippets where necessary.

Thoughtful formatting, templates, and images or diagrams will also make your text more helpful to your readers. You can check out the references below for a technical writing template from @Bolajiayodeji.

Do a Careful Review

Good writing of any type must be free from spelling and grammatical errors. These errors might seem obvious, but it's not always easy to spot them (especially in lengthy documents).

Always double-check your spelling (you know, dot your Is and cross your Ts) before hitting 'publish'.

There are a number of free tools like Grammarly and the Hemingway app that you can use to check for grammar and spelling errors. You can also share a draft of your article with someone to proofread before publishing.

Where to Publish Your Articles

Now that you've decided to take up technical writing, here are some good platforms where you can start putting up technical content for free. They can also help you build an appealing portfolio for future employers to check out.

Dev.to is a community of thousands of techies where both writers and readers get to meaningfully engage and share ideas and resources.

devto

Hashnode is my go-to blogging platform with awesome perks such as custom domain mapping and an interactive community. Setting up a blog on this platform is also easy and fast.

hashnode

freeCodeCamp has a very large community and audience reach and is a great place to publish your articles. However, you'll need to apply to write for their publication with some previous writing samples.

Your application could either be accepted or rejected, but don't be discouraged. You can always reapply later as you get better, and who knows? You could get accepted.

If you do write for them, they'll review and edit your articles before publishing, to make sure you publish the most polished article possible. They'll also share your articles on their social media platforms to help more people read them.

freecodecamp

Hackernoon has over 7,000 writers and could be a great platform for you to start publishing your articles to the over 200,000 daily readers in the community.

Hacker Noon supports writers by proofreading their articles before publishing them on the platform, helping them avoid common mistakes.

hackernoon

Just like in every other field, there are various processes, rules, best practices, and so on in Technical Writing.

Taking a course on technical writing will help guide you through every thing you need to learn and can also give you a major confidence boost to kick start your writing journey.

Here are some technical writing courses you can check out:

  • Google Technical Writing Course (Free)
  • Udemy Technical Writing Course (Paid)
  • Hashnode Technical Writing Bootcamp (Free)

Technical Writing Forums and Communities

Alone we can do so little, together, we can do so much ~ Helen Keller

Being part of a community or forum along with people who share same passion as you is beneficial. You can get feedback, corrections, tips and even learn some style tips from other writers in the community.

Here are some communities and forums for you to join:

  • Technical Writing World
  • Technical Writer Forum
  • Write the Docs Forum

Some Amazing Technical Writers to follow

In my technical writing journey, I've come and followed some great technical writers whose writing journey, consistency, and style inspire me.

These are the writers whom I look up to and consider virtual mentors on technical writing. Sometimes, they drop technical writing tips that I find helpful and have learned a lot from.

Here are some of those writers (hyperlinked with their twitter handles):

  • Quincy Larson
  • Edidiong Asikpo
  • Catalin Pit
  • Victoria Lo
  • Bolaji Ayodeji
  • Amruta Ranade
  • Chris Bongers
  • Colby Fayock

Final words

You do not need a degree in technical writing to start putting out technical content. You can start writing on your personal blog and public GitHub repositories while building your portfolio and gaining practical experience.

Really – Just Start Writing.

Practice by creating new documents for existing programs or projects. There are a number of open source projects on GitHub that you can check out and add to their documentation.

Is there an app that you love to use, but its documentation is poorly written? Write your own and share it online for feedback. You can also quickly set up your blog on hashnode and start writing.

You learn to write by writing, and by reading and thinking about how writers have created their characters and invented their stories. If you are not a reader, don't even think about being a writer. - Jean M. Auel

Technical writers are always learning . By diving into new subject areas and receiving external feedback, a good writer never stops honing their craft.

Of course, good writers are also voracious readers. By reviewing highly-read or highly-used documents, your own writing will definitely improve.

Can't wait to see your technical articles!

Introduction to Technical Writing ‌‌

How to structure a technical article ‌‌

Understanding your audience, the why and how

‌‌ Technical Writing template

I hope this was helpful. If so, follow me on Twitter and let me know!

Amarachi is a front end web developer, technical writer and educator who is interested in building developer communities.

If you read this far, thank the author to show them you care. Say Thanks

Learn to code for free. freeCodeCamp's open source curriculum has helped more than 40,000 people get jobs as developers. Get started

Technical Writing

  • Technical Writing
  • Português – Brasil
  • The Profession

Becoming a Technical Writer at Google

Technical Writers provide a key link between Google engineers, product managers, marketing associates, developer advocates, as well as client developers and users, tying together many vital but disparate parts of the Google ecosystem.

Who can become a technical writer at Google?

There is no single path to becoming a technical writer at Google. Although a few have earned degrees in technical writing, most technical writers come from other worlds. For example, you'll find plenty of software engineers, development operations engineers, journalists, physicists, lawyers, and teachers now working as technical writers at Google. Despite the wide range of educational and professional backgrounds, this diverse bunch share the following skills:

  • Write clearly in English. We don't care whether English is your first language or your tenth; we only care about the quality of your writing in English.
  • Learn complex technologies relatively quickly.
  • Explain complex technologies in useful ways for the target audience.
  • Wield strong interpersonal skills.
  • Understand code.

Technical writers are rare hybrids, possessing an uncommon mixture of talents.

What if I don't have professional experience as a technical writer?

In some cases, applicants have the requisite talents but don't have demonstrable professional experience. If you don't yet have a technical communication portfolio, we recommend contributing documentation to open-source projects. Your documentation portfolio should ideally meet the following criteria:

  • Represent a variety of documentation types.
  • Adhere to a well-known style guide .

What do Google's technical writers document?

Although some Google technical writers focus on hardware and others on consumer products such as Google Docs, most Google technical writers document programming products, including:

  • Google Cloud
  • Google Maps

Helping developers use these technologies or platforms might involve traditional documentation, code samples, videos, slides, or any other media that gets the job done. Technical writers are seldom bored.

How can I become a Technical Writer at Google?

To apply for a job as a Technical Writer at Google, do the following:

Go to the Technical Writer page on the Google Careers website.

Read through the positions and click Apply on those that interest you. (Note that you must click Expand in order to see the Apply button.)

Complete the application form.

Actual humans review every resume that comes through. To optimize your chances, highlight your experience documenting technical topics.

Except as otherwise noted, the content of this page is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License , and code samples are licensed under the Apache 2.0 License . For details, see the Google Developers Site Policies . Java is a registered trademark of Oracle and/or its affiliates.

Last updated 2023-12-19 UTC.

Technical Writers: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more

Technical writers, also called technical communicators , prepare instruction manuals, how-to guides, journal articles, and other supporting documents to communicate complex and technical information more easily. They also develop, gather, and disseminate technical information through an organizations communications channels.

What do Technical Writers do?

Technical writers typically do the following:

  • Determine the needs of users of technical documentation
  • Study product samples and talk with product designers and developers
  • Work with technical staff to make products easier to use and thus require fewer instructions
  • Write and organize supporting content for products
  • Edit, standardize, or make changes to material prepared by other writers or establishment personnel
  • Use photographs, drawings, diagrams, animation, and charts that increase users understanding of the material
  • Select appropriate medium for message or audience, such as manuals or online videos
  • Standardize content across platforms and media
  • Gather user feedback to update and improve content
  • Revise content as new issues arise

Technical writers create paper-based and digital operating instructions, how-to manuals, assembly instructions, and frequently asked questions pages to help technical support staff, consumers, and other users within a company or an industry. After a product is released, technical writers also may work with product liability specialists and customer-service managers to improve the end-user experience through product design changes.

Technical writers often work with computer hardware engineers , computer support specialists , and software developers to manage the flow of information among project workgroups during development and testing. Therefore, technical writers must be able to understand complex information and communicate the information to people with diverse professional backgrounds.

Applying their knowledge of the user of the product, technical writers may serve as part of a team conducting usability studies to help improve the design of a product that is in the prototype stage. Technical writers may conduct research on their topics through personal observation, library and Internet research, and discussions with technical specialists.

Technical writers are also responsible for managing the consistency of technical content and its use across business departments including product development, manufacturing, marketing, and customer relations.

Some technical writers help write grant proposals for research scientists and institutions.

Increasingly, technical information is being delivered online and through social media. Technical writers are using the interactive technologies of the Web and social media to blend text, graphics, multidimensional images, sound, and video.

Careers for Technical Writers

  • Content developers
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  • Documentation specialists
  • Information designers
  • Information developers
  • Manual writers
  • Policy writers
  • Technical communications specialists
  • Technical communicators
  • Technical illustrators
  • Technical trainers
  • Web writers

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Home › Career › What Does a Salesforce Technical Writer Do?

What Does a Salesforce Technical Writer Do?

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  A Salesforce technical writer creates copies that explain how Salesforce’s customer relationship management software works. But besides presenting the product to end-users, technical writers also have other responsibilities.

The article will explore what a technical writer does at Salesforce, the benefits, the average salary, and what it takes to become a Salesforce technical writer. Let’s start.

A Salesforce technical writer writes copies that straightforwardly communicate complex product details. Technical writers write content for both the end-user and coworkers inside the company.

The most common types of content are:

  • How-to manuals
  • Technical reports
  • Release notes
  • Case studies
  • Technical datasheets
  • Implementation guides

What sets a Salesforce technical writer apart from other industry writers, such as copywriters, is that while copywriting aims to sell, technical writing aims to inform. Salesforce wants their customers to use their product effectively since the more usability the customer gets, the greater the revenue. Technical writers ensure that customers attain familiarity with the product efficiently.

To do that, writers need a specific skillset. Besides stellar writing, they also need to have a technical understanding. Since tech writers at Salesforce communicate between developers and consumers, they need the developer’s knowledge and the copywriter’s textual engagement.

For that reason, many technical writers are previous developers or engineers who decided to change careers. Tech writers work closely with product managers and other writers while helping create detail-oriented copies.

Salesforce Technical Writer Qualifications & Responsibilities

Since Salesforce spreads across multiple states, you can find different open positions in other cities. Based on candidate experience, you can land jobs as an associate, senior, lead, or staff technical writer.  No matter what position you decide to join Salesforce, you’ll focus on customer success.

Besides helping users understand the product, you’ll also help them see the benefits. For example, just because a person knows how to drive a car doesn’t mean they understand how a car benefits them. The correlation is even more obscure with software documentation .

Many startups and small companies struggle with customer engagement and customer retention. While they likely know about customer relationship management solutions, they usually lack time to engage with one.

If you’re running a company, you likely don’t have much time to learn something new, no matter how helpful it might be. In other words, if a technical writer can save even a single hour from the user’s time required to experience benefits, it means a lot to Salesforce.

As such, Salesforce offers equal pay and various inclusive benefits and inclusive programs for its employees, but what does it take to get the job?

Qualifications

Qualifications vary depending on your experience. For example, if you want to apply as an associate technical writer, you need 2+ years of experience, while a lead tech writer needs 10+. While qualified applicants don’t need any formal education, it likely helps to have a college degree in communication, English language, or a tech writing certificate.

Technical Writing Certifications

You can boost your hiring chances even further if you have experience with AI, machine learning, and similar fields. Note that you don’t do machine learning as a writer, but you need the understanding to write about the topic.

Besides the specifics, here are some general requirements:

  • Fantastic research and writing skills
  • Communication skills
  • Project managing skills
  • XML tools experience

If you have experience creating content but lack technical knowledge, you can still land the job. Salesforce offers a vibrant work environment to help you evolve as a technical writer. Part of your job is working with different teams. Meaning, as long as you’re capable of absorbing new knowledge and putting it into practical use, you stand a chance.

With requirements in place, let’s check some of the responsibilities you might have.

Responsibilities

Since the core of any CRM solution is to simplify customer engagement, Salesforce users must understand the platform and services as quickly as possible. If a customer has trouble understanding how to benefit from the service, it automatically reflects on the CRM’s core functionality. If Salesforce can’t effectively explain their product, then likely, the product itself isn’t straightforward either.

Although it might sound simple to explain a product such as CRM or its updates, it’s more than meets the eye. We as users have trouble accustoming to something new, and it takes a while to go from a product being a nuisance to a valuable commodity. Technical writers are here to make that trip painless.

As a technical writer, you’ll create tech documents and copies that help users understand the product. As such, you’ll work with other writers,  product teams, product managers, and the marketing team.

Naturally, your responsibilities will grow the higher your position is. Still, as an associate tech writer, you’ll mainly focus on writing, while lead tech writers need to develop solutions and content plans.

Besides classic copies, you’ll help create in-app help manuals, release notes, and videos.

Technical Writer Salary at Salesforce

The average annual compensation for a technical writer at Salesforce is $102,300 , including the base salary and bonus. This makes it above the national average of $74,650 .

Remember that the average considers different tech writing jobs inside the company. As an associate technical writer, your salary will be $59,936 and grow as you move up the ranks.

Although technical writers make more than junior product managers, they earn less than product managers, marketing, and other senior product positions.

Finally, the annual compensation is the same based on gender and ethnicity.

Salesforce Employee Benefits

Before exploring the benefits, it’s worth mentioning that Salesforce has several employee resource groups. To make the experience more than just a job, job category products at Salesforce allow employees to join different resource groups and drive equality depending on their core values.

By offering an equal employment opportunity, Salesforce welcomes candidates no matter their gender perception, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, or disability status.

According to Comparably , benefits at Salesforce have an A+ rating, and 91% say that they are satisfied. Here are the core benefits you get as an employee:

  • Health insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Vision insurance
  • Gym membership
  • 401K retirement plan
  • Stock purchase plan
  • Paid holidays
  • Maternity/paternity leave

Now that you are familiar with benefits, let’s check average job salaries at Salesforce.

What’s great about the Salesforce technical writer position is that you don’t need a decade worth of tech writing experience. You can apply even if you’re starting your tech writing career.

Nevertheless, you still need some experience. One way to gain knowledge is by taking technical writer online courses. Not only do they create a solid foundation, but some also offer certifications as proof of your capabilities. Although not essential, certificates usually provide the necessary edge to stand out amongst other candidates.

SaaS is a booming industry for technical writers, so it’s always a good idea to start sooner than later. Good luck.

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about technical writers.

Is a technical writer a good career?

More and more companies are looking for capable writers to help them present their products or service to their users. The overall market scene is vastly different than it was three decades ago. While previously, a business would rely on benefits to sell a product, today, the product is the sales pitch. That means creating clear communication between the company and users, making the tech writing a possibly fruitful career choice.

What does a technical writer do?

Generally speaking, technical writers create informative copies that help users understand how to use a product and get the benefits as instantly as possible. Depending on the company’s niche, technical writers create how-to manuals, reports, science papers, press releases, etc. But overall, it’s the technical writer’s job to simplify the communication between the product creators and the general audience, including users and other employees.

What makes a good technical writer?

A good technical writer can inform and educate using as few words as possible. Experienced technical writers know that their job isn’t to sell but to educate. They need to use a friendly tone, vocabulary and avoid complex phrasing. Finally, a good technical writer usually specializes in a specific industry, and besides improving writing skills, they are constantly learning about the specialized industry.

What is Salesforce?

Salesforce is a customer relationship management (CRM) solution that helps companies engage and interact with customers. Headquartered in San Francisco, California, Salesforce is a global leader in CRM. Besides CRM, Salesforce also creates applications for marketing and analytics.

If you are new to technical writing and are looking to break-in, we recommend taking our Technical Writing Certification Course , where you will learn the fundamentals of being a technical writer, how to dominate technical writer interviews, and how to stand out as a technical writing candidate.

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COMMENTS

  1. Is Technical Writing a good career choice? : r/technicalwriting

    451757 Is Technical Writing a good career choice? I just turned 30 and I'm trying to choose a career path. It'll be my first time going to college and I have it narrowed down to 4 careers. I want a good paying career, one that offers plenty of opportunities and would allow someone to be able to freelance if at all possible.

  2. Technical Writing

    There are different types of technical writing. One can write medical and scientific documentation, repair manuals, technical white papers and eBooks, end-user documentation, or focus on how ...

  3. What is the Technical Writer Career Path?

    The job description of a technical writer involves drafting compliance forms and insurance agreements. It is recommended for you to obtain a compliance certificate that can vow on your skills. It is also preferred to know the insurance company's laws, rules, and regulations to secure a job in the insurance industry.

  4. How to Become a Technical Writer: Tips for Lucrative Work

    What kind of skills does a tech writer need? Mention "technical writing" and many people think of dense documents overflowing with acronyms, abstract concepts and jargon. In other words, not exactly pleasure reading. But the latest trend in tech writing substitutes hard-to-read gobbledygook for text that's accessible to all.

  5. How to Become a Technical Writer without Experience

    Web design and experience with primary programming languages like HTML, Javascript, and CSS aren't mandatory but can help you stand out from your peers. 3. Start Consuming Technical Content. Contrary to popular belief, a writer doesn't get better by just writing more. To polish your writing skills, reading is critical.

  6. Technical Writing Pays a Lot, but is it an Ideal Career for You?

    After several people told me I needed to get a good education to find better jobs, I looked thru a local university course catalog and stumbled on technical writing. I later got my BA in Technical and Professional Writing. I landed my first technical writing contract in 2002 and by early-2005, I was making $80,000 a year.

  7. How to Become a Technical Writer

    Technical writing careers align closely with the projected job growth in the technical and scientific fields. As technical businesses grow and expand, the demand for technical writers increases as well. Technical writing is a great career path for those who are looking to work in IT and English. It is a stable, fast-growing industry with growth ...

  8. Technical Writing: I Broke in as a Technical Writer

    There will always be technical writing work. We've been hearing talk about the changing face of journalism, but technical writing isn't going anywhere. Companies will always rely on the written word to communicate, teach, and sell.

  9. Technical Writing for Beginners

    Technical writing is the art of providing detail-oriented instruction to help users understand a specific skill or product. And a technical writer is someone who writes these instructions, otherwise known as technical documentation or tutorials. This could include user manuals, online support articles, or internal docs for coders/API developers ...

  10. Becoming a Technical Writer at Google

    To apply for a job as a Technical Writer at Google, do the following: Go to the Technical Writer page on the Google Careers website. Read through the positions and click Apply on those that interest you. (Note that you must click Expand in order to see the Apply button.) Complete the application form. Actual humans review every resume that ...

  11. How to Become a Technical Writer: Job Description, Salary, Skills

    Visual Communication. A technical writer will often work with visual elements, like diagrams, charts, and photographs, to complement the written text and aid in comprehension. 5. Writing and Editing. Crafting clear, concise, and accurate documentation is the bread and butter of a technical writer. 6.

  12. 8 Technical Writing Examples to Inspire You

    The different types of technical writing have unique characteristics that you can easily learn and master effectively. 1. User Manuals. User manuals or instruction manuals come with various products, such as consumer electronics like televisions, consoles, cellphones, kitchen appliances, and more.

  13. 11+ Technical Writing Jobs That Pay Well (Even for Beginners)

    on Jan 3, 2024 Think technical writing jobs are out of reach? Think again! Maybe you're not sure what technical writing is or what you do as a technical writer. Or perhaps you're wondering if technical writers need a degree, can make good money, or if this niche is even for you. Read on and we'll answer all those questions (and more).

  14. Technical Writers: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more

    Web design experience also is helpful because of the growing use of online technical documentation. Training Required Many technical writers need short-term on-the-job training to adapt to a different style of writing. Job Outlook The projected percent change in employment from 2016 to 2026: 11% (Faster than average)

  15. Technical Writers

    Technical writing jobs may require candidates to have knowledge of a technical field, such as engineering or computer and information technology. Work Experience in a Related Occupation. Some technical writers begin their careers as specialists or research assistants in a technical field. They eventually develop technical communication skills ...

  16. What Does a Salesforce Technical Writer Do?

    Vision insurance. Gym membership. 401K retirement plan. Stock purchase plan. Paid holidays. Maternity/paternity leave. A Salesforce technical writer creates copies that explain how Salesforce's customer relationship management software works. But besides presenting the product to end-users, technical writers also have other responsibilities.