Are you interested in technical writing but aren’t sure what it entails? Luckily, we’ve got you covered. Here’s what you need to know before embarking on your technical writing journey.
The Industry Is Growing
Thanks to the internet and digital technologies, industries ranging from e-commerce to software development and maintenance are seeing a rise in the number of technical writers needed. If you’re looking for a career in tech writing, you can expect to find plenty of job opportunities.
According to the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A’s), the online marketing industry will grow by 19% year from 2020 to 2025.
The number of jobs in technical writing is projected to grow by 29% from 2020 to 2025. That’s according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). So if you’re looking to enter the field, you can expect to find plenty of work opportunities.
It’s A Great Career For Those Who Are Passionate About Technology
There are many opportunities for those who are passionate about technology. One of the best career paths for those who love numbers, graphs, and scientific data is technical writing. If you’re a data enthousiast, you can build a successful career as a technical writer. You’ll be gathering information, analyzing results, and presenting those findings to various audiences.
According to HubSpot, a marketing technology company, technical writing is one of the most in-demand occupations, and it doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.
“Technical writing is a highly skilled job that is in great demand within the marketplace,” said Avinash Kaushik, Professor of Marketing at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management.
“The ability to write clearly, concisely, and accurately is highly valued, as is the ability to research and synthesize complex information into an easily understood format.”
The Demand Is High For Experience
If you’re just starting out, you may want to consider pursuing a career in technical writing. However, if you’re looking for a more established career, you may want to consider applying for positions that require previous experience. Many companies prefer to hire candidates with experience, so if you’re aiming for perfection, start building your resume now.
According to a report published by the BLS in October 2019, published employment opportunities for technical writers and associated professions are projected to grow by 19% from 2020 to 2025. So if you’re looking for a fast-paced and exciting career, technical writing is a great choice.
A Tight Nailer Is An Indicator Of A Well-Written Document
If you’re new to the field, one of the best things you can do is educate yourself about proper document structure. If you’re reading this, I assume you’re already somewhat familiar with the mechanics of a written document, but there are some structural differences between a report and a novel or a short story. One of the things that separates a report from a novel or short story is that a report is meant to be concise while a novel or short story is meant to be long.
A concise report is one that is as detailed as necessary but doesn’t go on for hundreds and hundreds of pages. A concise report would be similar to a white paper or a brief. A white paper is a short research paper published by universities and research laboratories that examine a topic in-depth, typically focusing on a single aspect.
If you’re using a software program to write your report, you can use a quality template that makes your life easier while also presenting you with a polished and professional-looking final product. When you find one that suits your needs, use it and save it for later reference.
There’s no reason to reinvent the wheel, especially when your goal is to create something that’s going to stand the test of time. Investing in a good quality template will help ensure that your work is going to look as good as you can make it look. When you use a quality template, it will also be a whole lot easier to create an outline for your report, which leads to better organization and less wasted time.
Salaries Vary
Depending on your expertise, the pay for a technical writer can range from $32,000 per year to over $100,000 per year. The American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A’s) lists the average salary for a technical writer as $64,000 per year. If you’re looking for a relatively stable career with a good salary, technical writing is a great choice.
It’s A Great Place To Work
Working in a team environment is one of the best things about a job in technical writing. Depending on the size of the company, you may be working directly with the technical community or customers. This is one of the great things about the job. You’re going to be working with other professionals who are also passionate about technology and are helping to advance the industry as a whole.
“Technical writing is a very collaborative profession, where you’re often working in teams,” said Kaushik. “You’ll be supporting other members of the team as well as customers with your work, so it’s a great place to experience collaboration. You’re also going to be presenting your findings to various groups of people, so you’re going to be doing a lot of public speaking, which can be fun but challenging at the same time.”
If you’re new to the field, working in a team is one of the best ways to get started. Find a group of individuals who are willing to help you learn the ropes and are happy to help you make your career in technical writing. If you’re looking for a stable career with a good salary, technical writing is a great choice, and you can be sure that you’re not going to get bored.
The American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A’s) lists the average salary for a technical writer as $64,000 per year. If you’re looking for a stable career with a good salary, technical writing is a great choice, and it’s one of the most in-demand occupations, as you’ll soon discover.