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Ask HN: How to get started as a Technical Writer

4 points by sean_patel ↗ HN
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

8 comments

[ 2.8 ms ] story [ 28.2 ms ] thread
itamarst
Not 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
#2. Yes I have portfolio scattered around the net. It never occurred to me to just apply. Will look into that. :)
dyeje
I 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.
strongai
I'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!