10 Tips for Tech-Writers
Tech-writing is a tricky business. It's not a very high profile industry, so there's not much support around. Follow these 10 quick tips, and you'll be well on your way to a satisfying tech-writing career. 1) Follow a sensible career path? - STEP 1: Start in a team
- STEP 2: Stay only just long enough
- STEP 3: Manage yourself
- STEP 4: Manage a team
- STEP 5: Go contracting (depends on the market)
2) Knowledge is your lifeblood ? learn the politics of your company. Know who knows what. Find someone who consistently gives you timely, reliable, technically accurate answers, and get their name tattooed on your shoulder! Every company has at least one. And they may not be in the project manager/product manager/customer/programmer roles. They are generally the people who've used the product in the real world, and dealt with real world customers. 3) Communicate WITH, not AT. Tech-writers don't have enough power to get away with communicating at. 4) Track stuff (take spreadsheet printout and write it up on the board). 5) Develop good product and domain knowledge ? The more you can figure out for yourself, the better off you'll be (and the more respect you'll get from the techies). 6) Find out who your users are, what they are trying to do, what they are having trouble doing, and how they want to be helped. Then provide this assistance. Help the user do what they are trying to do. Don't just tell them what the product can do? a help system is only helpful if it addresses the users' needs. 7) Treat everyone as a customer. Then manage their expectations and your commitments. Always ensure they know what you're doing. Tell them when you'll be finished. And pull out all stops to meet your deadline. 8) Provide a surrogate user testing mechanism for the development team ? providing usability feedback. 9) Work as hard as required to get good quality doco finished on time and to budget ? this is how you'll get the satisfaction out of work that you need. 10) Have fun with it. Don't become jaded and cynical by the high-tech, harsh, uncaring IT world. Use your smarts, and make the most of the resources provided. Most importantly of all, make work satisfaction your number 1 goal. It's the best way to stay happy and get ahead. About The Author * Glenn Murray is an SEO copywriter and Article Submission Specialist. He is a director of PublishHub and also of copywriting studio Divine Write. He can be contacted on Sydney +612 4334 6222 or at glenn@divinewrite.com. Visit http://www.divinewrite.com or http://www.publishhub.com for further details, more FREE articles, or to purchase his e-book, 'SEO Secrets'.
Related News
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Knowing Copywriting Basics - How To Get Ahead In Your Copy Writing Business
In order to get ahead in your copy writing business, you need to know copywriting basics. There are several things that all business owners need to know, and here, we will touch on just a few. In order to succeed, learn all you can about copy writing and careers in the field. You might just find one or two copywriting basics that you did not know about that may help you succeed.
Web Writing - Dont Lose Your Visitors Attention!
Did you know that your writing can have a huge impact on how successful your site will be? If you're trying to sell a product or a service, what you say and how you say it is extremely important because you don't want to lose your visitor's interest before they get to your order form.
Copywriting Goldmine: One of 20 Insider Secrets to Great Copywriting
Each weekday during my Red Hot Copywriting Bootcamp, attendees (or recruits) get a daily drill designed to reinforce the training I give on weekly phone calls. The drills are illuminating and fun. Plus these drills build your copy from the ground up. By the end of Bootcamp, you actually have a sales letter that would have cost you anywhere from $3,000 to $15,000 to have written professionally.
Can 97% of Netpreneurs be Wrong?
Why Some People's Ads Almost Always Make Money
Copyright, Copyrighting, and Online Copyright Abuse - Save Yourself the Headache by Reading This!
Lets start with copyright infringement.
Can You Become a Freelance Copywriter in Los Angeles?
Is it out there? The chance to be a freelance copywriter in Los Angeles? For those looking to become a copy writer, finding employment in various cities can be difficult. In fact, most freelance writers around the world struggle to find employment or jobs that are within their own cities and home towns. But, if you want to become a freelance copywriter, Los Angeles can add several benefits.
Six Reasons You Don?t Need a Technical Writer (and Why They?re Dead Wrong!)
I know, I know. Times are tough. You have to make due with the staff you have. It's a common and valid lament in today's workplace. You've got to do more with less, so an obvious place to cut costs is in your documentation efforts. After all, writers and editors are a luxury in lean times. You're a small company and you can produce your documentation in-house, right? Think again. Hiring the right freelancer to do the job correctly the first time around could save you hundreds or thousands in help desk calls, service calls, document revision, and distribution. Here's why.
3 Reasons why Content is Still King
Back in the late nineties, the phrase 'Content is King' was repeated and repeated and repeated by site owners and marketers alike. The belief was that the more content you had, the greater the number of visitors you would attract. Of course, the content had to be well written, relevant and easy to find. Many sites built very successful businesses as a result.
How To Make A Career Out Of Copyediting And Proofreading
Do you possess the qualities of a good proof reader? Are you good with details, spotting errors in spelling, grammar, and the flow of a piece and putting together quality work? If so, you may be able to make a career out of copyediting or proofreading. For those looking to get in to this field of copywriting, they may be stuck looking in if they do not know where or how to get established. So, is there a tried and tested method for getting your foot in the door? No matter how much any and all of us would like that; there is just no easy way to do so.
The Write Way To Grow Your Business
Hone your writing skills to project a more professional business image.
Freelance Business Writers - How To Get The Best From Your Writer
At times, it can be frustrating to find freelance business writers that are of good quality, dependable, and within your budget. The good news is that there are many people who can perform at the level you need. The question is, though, how do you find the best freelance business writers? To answer this, we need to learn what good expectations are for them first.
Ad Copy - Your 12 Point Inspection!
You're ready to launch that new product or promotion, & you're really counting on a piece of advertising copy to come through for you.
Increase Freelance Sales With an Online Resume!
Freelancing is a competitive business, especially in today's fast-paced, e-focused world.
Your Article Headlines will Make or Break Your Business
Most people with an online presence will have to regularly deal with the issue of coming up with an appropriate headline. The problem is that most people do not take it seriously enough. Many do not realize that the headline is so important that no matter how good the content is, it will never get read if the headline does not beckon surfers to it.
A Free Lesson On How To Easily Write Ads That Are Guaranteed To Make You Money
COPYWRITING
7 Powerful Sales Copy Writing Techniques!
Your sales letter is the most important component in your
web site or marketing campaign. It will introduces your
products or services to your visitors and how people react
(buy, bookmark, leave) is 80% entirely depends on your
sales letter.
11 Reasons Not to Hire a Freelance Copywriter (and Why Theyre All Poor Excuses)
Think you can take the Copywriting Challenge on your own? Allow me to convince you otherwise! Here are eleven reasons why business owners typically choose not to hire a writer, and my argument for each.
Its the Headline, Stupid! - Writing Powerful Headlines
"It's the headline, stupid," is the sign that hangs over my computer screen. It reminds me that to write effective articles, press releases, sales letters--whatever I want people to read--I need a powerful, grabber headline or title.
Power Keys To Writing Power-Packed Marketing Copy
In order to maximize your sales efforts and fully seize your greatest profit potential, these essential elements are a "must-have" and "must-apply" in all of your action-driven marketing communications.
Prevent Procrastination With Positive Pressure
My wife and I recently bought a house.
|
