Writing about technology can seem intimidating from the outside. So many acronyms (yes, there are a lot), lots of technical terms and seemingly a whole new language that looks hard to crack.
But that’s not a reason to side-step this niche. As technology has assumed a role in more and more parts of our lives — work and personal — there’s a need for writers who can create clear, relatable stories that inform and engage.
I’ve been writing about technology, since our biggest worry was the Y2K bug. Today I work as a freelance technology journalist, covering cybersecurity, business technology and digital lifestyle, while also doing content writing.
If you’re considering trying your hand at tech writing or adding a tech angle to your existing niche, read on.
The different flavours of tech writers
Here are some of the different types of tech writers
- A technical writer responsible for drafting technical documents, manuals, guides and how tos for software, hardware, apps and so on for users.
- A B2B tech writer creating content for technology businesses that sell technology products or services to other businesses that addresses their needs, objectives and challenges.
- General tech writer creating content for individual consumers or users of technology products or services.
- Niche tech writer may specialise in a particular field of technology such as SaaS, digital transformation, cybersecurity, APIs and so on.
- UX writer creating content that targets the user experience of digital products, including in-app messages, microcopy and onboarding instructions.
- Content designers focused on designing and creating content to ensure clarity, usability and a seamless user experience across digital products and platforms.
- Content strategist working with marketing professionals, subject matter experts or executives to brainstorm ideas for content, design content around targeted goals and review performance.
What type of content do tech writers create?
In short, a lot! A mentioned above, there’s a wide variety of content that tech writers can create. For the purposes of this blog, I’m looking at a tech writer creating content marketing material. It covers this type of content:
- Reports, white papers and other long-form pieces that may incorporate survey data, technical product information, company information and other pieces of research and data geared toward a particular topic.
- Case studies or customer success stories that use an end-user (usually a company) that has a good story to tell about integrating the tech company’s product or service into their organisation.
- Op-ed or thought leadership articles that are ghostwritten by the tech writer for a company executive about a timely, relevant topic for their industry and peers.
- Blogs or articles that can be published on LinkedIn, the tech company’s website or as a contributed article to an industry website.
- FAQs, copy for help bots, training and course material, guides, training manuals and other instructions, software documentation, UX micro-copy and data sheets.
- EDMs or newsletter content about the company, it’s product, a new offering, survey or report that will go out to its subscribers.
- Email sequences for sales people, sales pitch decks, product sheets, brochures, video scripts, social media copy or other types of sales or promotional copy.
What skills do you need to be a tech writer?
To be a tech writer, there are some important skills you’ll need to develop.
- Strong writing and editing skills so you can create clear, concise content in a way that suits the target audience.
- A good handle on grammar, the different type of language needed for different types of content and audience.
- The ability grasp technical subject matter and translate complex ideas into readable, interesting copy.
- Being comfortable reading, writing about and talking to people in the technology industry.
- Research and information gathering skills from subject matter experts (SMEs), technical resources and other sources.
- Ability to design long form documents, handle complex edits and multiple different stakeholders.
- Ability to tailor content for different audiences, whether technical experts, general users, or business leaders.
- Flexibility to work on different types of content and willingness to learn about new technologies, tools or industry specifications.
- Analytical thinking when approaching technical topics and content projects.
- Particular skills that suit a niche such as understand of UX, sales and marketing funnel, step-by-step user processes or products.
- Ability to consult and engage with different stakeholders and experts including designers, engineers, sales or product teams.
- Interest in current events and industry conversations and ability to incorporate into content to ensure its timely and relevant.
- Adaptability to write for different formats and tones, from formal white papers to more conversational blog posts.
Okay, so how do I become a tech writer?
Whether you’re looking to transition into tech writing or incorporate as another strong to your writing bow, here are some suggestions to break into the field.
Is there a particular area of technology that interests you?
If so, this is probably a good place to start because you’ll have some motivation to learn more. This could then be a good starting point to look for tech content writing opportunities.
Get up to speed on technology
Consider a free online course in one more areas that you’re interested in through a platform such as Coursera, EdX or Udacity.
Consult ChatGPT and ask if to provide some explanations of some tech that you’re interested in, but do always cross-check it with other sources to ensure it’s correct.
If you want to learn about more about content marketing, consider the free courses provided by HubSpot or LinkedIn.
Consult informational sites such as LifeWire, DigitalTrends or TechRadar to read up on tech topics.
Find opportunities
Join freelance writing groups like Rachel’s List or Freelance Jungle to meet other tech writers, attend conferences to gain skills and insights to develop your skills and knowledge and find tech writing jobs opportunities.
Sign up for freelance writer newsletters. There’s quite a few from writers such as Jennifer Goforth Gregory, The Exptertish Freelancer and more.
Look for tech writing opportunities in the newsletter round-ups such as What Editors Want, Freelance Opportunities, TWJN Writing Opps, Write Jobs Plus, Alasdair Write at Home, Freelance Writing Jobs or Opportunities of the Week.
Look for the tech angle
Adopt a mindset that looks for the ‘tech’ element in other fields or in other parts of your field or niche to find more ways to expand into tech writing.
What software, digital platforms, online sites, apps and so on are used in this field? This will help get your mind turned towards the many and varied ways tech intersects with a certain industry or field.
Follow some tech news, considering joining industry groups, sign up for media releases, subscriber to tech industry newsletter, sign up to blogs or join LinkedIn groups.
Get some opportunities, then start to build your portfolio, ask for some recommendations and, above all, be persistent and adaptable.
Good luck and may the force be with you!
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