How to Become a Technical Writer

About Technical Writer

The advancement of content creation has accelerated in the modern world. Individuals are not only aware of its significance, but they are also evaluating it as a potential career choice. While it is a known profession in the West, it has gathered momentum in India over the years and is anticipated to grow.

A technical writer must be capable of writing clearly, eloquently, accurately, and effectively. While technical writing was once limited to handbooks and educational records, it has already extended to other industries. Electricals, technology, aerospace, healthcare, biotechnology, accounting, IT, and other industries are focussed on various types of technical accuracy to improve their product image and connectivity. The Internet's ease of access, as well as digitalization, have increased the demand for technical writing, as has web-based technical service.

Skills required 

Because of its rising popularity as a career option, various organizations have initiated content writing classes, as well as customized courses, to ensure that there are appropriate academic qualifications and employment prospects. A significant feature about technical writing is that no particular university education is required. All that is required is a strong command of authored and spoken English, excellent communication skills, and a strong willingness to work hard, study, gain knowledge, and thrive. Because technical writing and innovation go together, one requires perspectives and reports on inventions and technological launches, as well as the ability to perform research. Previous knowledge in the IT and software industries, a journalism expertise, a bachelor's in the English language, or a degree in Mass Communication are all advantageous.

Responsibilities of a technical writer 

The major responsibilities of a technical writer are given below:

• Determine the requirements of technical paperwork users.
• Investigate brand samples and consult with merchandise design professionals.
• Collaborate with technical employees to make goods convenient to use, resulting in fewer guidelines.
• Create and organize product-related content.
• Content compiled by other writers or institution personnel should be edited, standardized, or changed.
• Use photos, drawings, graphs, visual effects, and diagrams to help users in gaining better understanding of the subject matter.
• Choose the best medium for the message or viewers, such as guidebooks or videos online.
• Ensure consistency of content across portals and media.
• Collect user feedback in order to modify and optimize subject matter.

Eligibility to become Technical Writer

Two of the most important requirements for the technical writing profession are a quantitative mindset and the capacity to comprehend complex technical records and software development reasoning, as well as an outstanding command of the English language with reasonable efficiency, vocabulary, and grammar. Experience writer and its service guidebooks for high-tech electronic goods is obviously a plus.

Robust writing and editing qualities, verbal and written excellent interpersonal skills, digital production skills, knowledge in the subject material or focused goods and apps of the firm, and connectedness with the latest design process, publishing, and finishing technology applications in the market are other abilities companies seek for in a technical writer. Technical writers should be familiar with Windows desktop publishing. MS Office, Adobe Frame Maker 7.0, Adobe Acrobat 8, HTML, XML, Adobe Robo Help 8, Snag IT 7, and ASP knowledge are a plus.

Though a bachelor's in English Literature, Mass Communications, or Print Journalism is not required to apply for the post of a technical writer, it can boost your odds of getting hired quickly. A degree in the field of science or technological background will also help your chances. Technical writers with programming experience and a masters degree in CS or Information Systems may be sought by the IT industry, whereas data designers and scientific authors with a bachelor of engineering in their specific field may be sought by a production facility. Many technical writers, in fact, have a B.E., B.Tech, or MCA degree. There are establishments that provide specialized courses in Technical Writing and Information Design, which can be extremely beneficial in honing your skills.
 

Pay Scale/Salary of Technical Writer

In India, a fresher's income ranges from Rs 10,000 to Rs 14,000 per year. The  basic salary provided to a trainee may be around Rs 5,000 per month, whereas the highest payment given to a new technical writer may be as much as Rs 15 lakhs per year. A Technical Writer with 2-3 years of professional expertise or more reaps around Rs 35,000 per month, while the highest paid technical writers in the sector acquire around Rs 51 lakhs per year!

You can conveniently function in a part-time job as a technical writer. Technical writing offers numerous home-based and remote work opportunities. Most technical writing jobs are desk-based, but you may need to commute on certain events to deal with customers or technical staff to comprehend their requirements.
 

Books & Study Material to Become Technical Writer

Here is a list of main books that will help you in becoming a better technical writer and polish your comprehension and technical writing skills. 

• Technical Writing Process by Kieran Morgan
• Technical Writer Career Guide by ClickHelp
• The Insider’s Guide to Technical Writing by Krista Van Laan
• Managing Your Documentation Projects by JoAnn T. Hackos
• Technical Communication, 9th edition by Mike Markel
• Technical Writing for Dummies by Sheryl Lindsell-Roberts
• Managing Writers: A Real World Guide to Managing Technical Documentation 1st Edition by Richard L. Hamilton
• The Insider’s Guide to Technical Writing

Pros of becoming a Technical Writer

There are several pros of being a technical writer. Some of them are listed below:

1. They can make a good living by combining their creative thinking and excellent language skills.
2. By writing for diverse segments, they would always be open to learning while earning money.
3. Because  of their immense experience and exceptional empathy, they will eventually make an excellent counselor for any issue.
4. When interacting with each and every day client needs, a technical writer will be able to predict what a specific person needs from them and his game-strategies about the same.
5. Last but not least, they can do all of the above things while sitting on the couch. Yes, like many freelancers, they can work remotely and earn money as well as expertise.

Cons of becoming a Technical Writer

Here are some of the cons people need to go through before choosing technical writer as a permanent career choice:

1. They could become stuck in a repetitive way of life.
2. They may become dissatisfied if they  believe that this "translation job" does not have much potential as a career.
3. Unlike your programmer friends who copy and paste premade numeric codes from Google, you would have to do so many mechanical tasks.
4. They will be rewarded less than their coworkers who are developers and designers.
5. Finally, if they work as a freelancer, their work regularity may not always be consistent.