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Ask HN: How to get started as a Technical Writer
I've been told that I am very articulate and explain technical things in a very easy to understand manner. I've also made several HOW TO Guides, Quick Start Guides both in blog format, as well as in Video / Screencast format.
So I was thinking of trying my hand at Technical Writing.
Can some of you Industry veterans give me some tips and pointer, DOs / DON'T relating to this? Some specific things I would like to know are...
1) Are there popular GitHub Open Source Projects that are sparse in Documentation? If yes, how do I filter / locate them and start contributing Technical documentation
2) What do you (as a hacker) expect to see, in terms of Documentation, whenever you come across a cool / useful Open Source Project, or a Commercial API / Software Product? What would be most useful to you when you come across a software or API or product that you want to use in your Projects?
3) Do Companies hire Technical Writers fulltime, or is it more like a fixed hourly contract type situation?
4) How is the market? Are there too many, or too little Technical Writers?
5) Is what I am looking to do called by any other name? The Title of the Professional i.e.
6) Anything else you might have insight on / inputs in?
Thanks so much!
~Sean
- itamarst 10y agoNot a technical writer, but: 1. "Instructional design" or "Training" is another job title/set of skills you might look into. Or for that matter "developer evangelist". All slightly different, but all overlap with your skills. 2. Sounds like you have a portfolio already, so you might want to just start applying for jobs that sound interesting and see how it goes.
- sean_patel 10y ago#2. Yes I have portfolio scattered around the net. It never occurred to me to just apply. Will look into that. :)
- dyeje 10y agoI would say talented Technical Writers are definitely in demand. I've seen both full time and contractor positions. I concur with itamarst, if you have portfolio pieces already just go for it.
- sean_patel 10y agothank you!
- peller 10y agoHosting companies for one have a vested interest in this stuff. Looks like DO is hiring: https://www.digitalocean.com/company/careers/#technical-writer https://www.digitalocean.com/company/careers/#technical-writ...
- sean_patel 10y agothank you!
- strongai 10y agoI'm a full timer but was a freelancer for ten years. As others have said, a portfolio is a great entry ticket. Try to flesh out your portfolio with further examples of the work you would like to do. Tech writing, like development, is a very broad church. Good luck!
- sean_patel 10y agothank you!