How Do I Become a Technical Writer

From LoveToKnow Freelance-Writing

How do I become a technical writer? If you have a way with words and a passion for subjects relating to science and technology, you may find yourself wondering how to find the answer to this question.

Technical writing can be lucrative.

About Technical Writing

Technical writers are professionals who work to clarify technical jargon. They take language that is specialized and complex, then translate it into documents that are easy for the layperson to understand.

Technical writers can prepare a number of different projects, including:

Assembly instructions
Business guides
Contracts
Certification and accreditation activities
Corporate disclaimers
Maintenance and repair procedures
Installation guides
Reference documents
Release notes
Scientific reports
Specifications
Technical papers
Training materials
Troubleshooting guides
User guides
White papers

How Do I Become a Technical Writer?

When asking the question "How do I become a technical writer?" it's best not to focus on one particular way to build your resume. Many different types of people find success as freelance technical writers. Some study English or journalism in college, then apply their background to technical writing positions. Others gain work experience in a particular area, such as computer programming, then take a few supplemental classes to develop their writing skills.

Regardless of their individual backgrounds, technical writers must possess the following attributes:

Strong writing and editing skills
Ability to use a variety of research methods to gather the required information
Interest and knowledge of the particular subject area
Ability to work as a team with engineers, scientists, researchers, managers, and other professionals to complete a project
Basic graphic design skills to oversee the preparation of illustrations, photographs, diagrams, and charts
Solid computer skills, especially familiarity with FrameMaker or RoboHelp -- two programs often used for writing technical documentation.

Finding Clients for Your New Business

Technical writers can work in a variety of industries, including:

Healthcare
Computer hardware and software
Chemistry
Aerospace
Robotics
Finance
Biotechnology

Finding jobs for technical writers is obviously a very important part of becoming successful in this career field. Job hunting strategies to consider include:

Networking through professional organizations such as the Society for Technical Communication
Taking advantage of contacts made in previous employment history
Searching online job databases such as Poe War
Bidding for jobs on sites like Elance or Guru
Cold calling companies you would like to work for
Referrals from past clients

Career Prospects

Keep in mind that technical writing is expected to remain one of the most lucrative specializations for freelance writers. Demand for technical writers with a background in medicine, law, or economics is expected to be especially high because of the continuing introduction of new information.

The Society for Technical Communication reports that the median annual salary for entry-level technical writers is approximately $40,000. The median annual salary for mid-level non-supervisory technical writers was approximately $52,000, while senior non-supervisory technical writers reported earnings of $69,000 per year.

While a career in technical writing can be rewarding in its own right, the position is often seen as a corporate stepping stone. Successful writers can move into jobs as programmers, systems analysts, project leaders, or information architects.