Working from Home
Download the "Work From Home and Make A Fortune" report and discover how I made $27,724.35 in 7 days on the Internet...and how you can too!"
Make Money Blogging
Discover how a full-time social worker generates $2000 - $3000 of pure extra income every single month... with only one simple blog
Instant Article Wizard
Create high quality articles on virtually any subject in just minutes!
NewNovelist Software
Let NEW NOVELIST (novel writing) software help you complete a novel. NewNovelist software breaks down the process of writing a novel into manageable chunks ...
|
Earn Money Writing
$3,780 In Freebies for Writers
Find Freelance Jobs
English Grammar Checker
| |
If you have specialized knowledge other than how to be a great writer, then technical
writing may be for you.
Technical writing combines your writing talent with a specific area of expertise, such
as IT, graphic design, education, engineering, the automotive industry, etc. You could be
writing for others who are already familiar with the field, or you could be writing to teach
others.
How much does technical writing pay?
Freelance technical writers often get paid very well, anywhere from $40 to $100
per hour or more. Technical writers command a higher rate of pay because it takes much
more than polished writing skills to do the job.
Where can I find technical writing jobs?
The Internet is the ideal resource, especially if you're just getting started. Check out
freelance tech jobs from Online Writing Jobs and Writing Bids. These sites offer
many postings by companies seeking freelance technical writers in a variety of industries.
I also recommend you post your resume on an employment site like
CareerBuilder.com or Workopolis.com. Because you have a specialized skill set, know that
there will be people actively looking for you. Having your resume on this type of website
will greatly increase your chances of getting a well-paid technical writing gig.
Another technique is to do some brainstorming. Ask yourself if you have a
specialized skill set or knowledge base. If so, what companies are in your area that could
use a writer with skills like yours? Contact those businesses directly with your resume and a
letter explaining how difficult it can be to find a good technical writer and that you're
available to help with any upcoming projects they may have.
What type of work will I be doing as a freelance technical writer?
In IT, technical writers are often creating software or hardware manuals from
scratch, or writing about coding. In the education field, you may be writing textbooks or
creating PowerPoint slides for online learning programs. You could also be writing
assembly manuals for machines, preparing reports for a pharmaceutical company, or
creating do-it-yourself manuals for home repairs, etc.
In any technical writing job, you'll need to have good writing and communication
skills on top of your area of expertise. Technical writing projects are often collaborative,
meaning you'll have to deal with other people and complete the project as a team. Even if
you're working alone, your client will want to know how you're progressing and whether
you're on track with what he or she is looking for. Expect lots of communication, either
over the Internet or by phone.
How do I respond to an ad for a technical writer?
To maximize your chances of success, your response should include:
• A note about how valuable you feel the company is.
• A summary of your qualifications in the field of expertise.
• An overview of your superior writing ability.
• Any related experience you may have.
You could respond with a cover letter and resume or with a competitive bid on
a freelancing website. Read the sample ad below to see if you could make a compelling
candidate:
We are an online learning company specializing in business skills. We teach
administrators, HR people, etc. to effectively coach employees and streamline day-to-day
business. We design online courses and downloadable presentations. We need a writer to
help us with our upcoming courses for next year.
|
To make maximum impact, your response needs to hit each of the four
points above. For example, you might respond like so:
Dear Sir/Madam,
I've looked at your website and I must say that your material is very impressive!
It's clear that you provide a lot of value to the businesses that use your services, and I
would welcome the opportunity to join your team.
I hold a Bachelor of Commerce with a Human Resources designation. Throughout
my education I designed various studies of employee behavior. Recently, I've been working
as a consultant helping companies optimize employee productivity. I believe my skills may
benefit you and your company.
In addition, I am an accomplished writer. I have written articles, reports, and web
content. My clients are always pleased with my work because it is grammatically flawless,
concise, and easily accessible to readers.
Thank you for considering me for this position.
Sincerely,
(Your name)
|
That's it! Just remember that you have a unique combination of highly sought-after
skills, and you'll have your first technical writing job in no time.
| THE END | 
|
|
