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A technical writer can
By Carsten Bjerregaard, Marketingcapacity.dk (Link to the article. Copying/publishing without agreement is not allowed)
A Technical Writer can familiarize themselves with your technical material and explain it so others can understand it. For example, for user manuals, customer service explanations, offers, terms and conditions, websites, emails, presentations or Q&As. Anywhere your business needs outsiders to understand - and act on - what you produce and offer. A trained Technical Writer can ask the relevant questions to technical product specialists and experts. This technical insight also means that some Technical Writers can work directly in your CMS or product systems. Experience in your industry - or a related industry - will naturally be an advantage.
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What is a technical writer?
A technical writer is a writer with a special flair for explaining complex products and issues in an educational way - often combined with an interest in technology in general. In other words, a writer who specializes in making material that might otherwise be difficult to access more accessible.
What is the Technical writing course?
In principle, there is no difference between technical writing and any other type of copywriting. But in practice, there is. Different types and temperaments often play different roles. You will often find that a technical writer is, to put it simply, a bit nerdy. He goes in-depth with the explanations. He reads the manuals himself, familiarizing himself with how things work and don't work. On the other hand, he is less concerned with making his texts impress. They have to help.
What else is a technical writer called?
This type of copywriter doesn't always call themselves anything other than a copywriter, writer or journalist. Not all technical writers are specialized and only write technically. So look carefully at what the writer has written in the past if you're looking for a technical writer.
How does a technical writer create value?
This type of writer adds value in many places and in many ways. For example, it could be in:
Product texts within e.g. electronics, white goods, B2B products, etc. From the online shop to the offer writing in the complex B2B sales process.
Customer service textsthat help customers install a product, troubleshoot and perhaps teach themselves how to use the product. These can be huge sums of money when it comes to large companies. The goal in many of them is for customers NOT to call in. This requires texts that are thorough, clear and easy to understand.
Warranty texts, insurance conditions Just as it's important that customers understand what they're buying and that they can use what they've bought, legal documents can prove to be just as important in the end.
So the writer can create value in many ways. First and foremost, value for customers because they become more competent to buy and use the products, and secondly, value for the company because good writing can free up company employees from redundant customer service.
What types of technical writers are there?
There are as many as there are copywriters in general. But if you had to categorize their differences, this would be it:
- What technical area does the person have experience in?
- What types of tasks does the person have experience with (sales, service, explanation, manuals, etc.)?
- How does the person write (geeky, popular, correct, legal)
- Experience in general
- How self-driven is the writer?
- What languages does the copywriter speak?
What should a technical writer be able to do?
While there are different types, some basic skills need to be in place:
- A technical writer must be able to write error-free and grammatically correct
- The writer must be able to understand technical material
- The person must be able to explain fairly complex material to your target audience as well as to the layman
- The person must have a distinct flair for how the text is to be used and in what context. For example, is this for a brochure where we need to convince people of the product's features and benefits, or is it for a manual that the reader will use to assemble the product?
Not all technical writers are up to date with Google and other search engine algorithms, but it is of course an advantage if the writer can support your SEO optimization. This means working with keywords, keywords and rankings.
Examples of good technical writer work
Can you understand a letter from your water utility? Then it's probably the work of a skilled technical writer. Can you switch your gas boiler from summer to fall after looking in the manual? And if you can change the fuses in your car after looking it up online, then you've probably read some good technical writing. These types of texts are often characterized by:
- You don't think about the fact that they are well written
- You don't think about who wrote them
- You read the text effortlessly
- You know what to do after reading the text
- You feel well supported - without really thinking about why
A good technical writer is able to suppress their ego and control their desire for recognition, instead making themselves available to the user. And takes pride in helping.
Why a freelance technical writer?
Most people don't need a full-time technical writer. On the other hand, it's worth its weight in gold to have someone who you can tie closer and closer to the company over time. That way, the person learns the lingo, products and tastes of the company.
How do you find a good freelance technical writer?
If you don't already have one, contact Marketingcapacity.dk. We have a number of technical writers who have mastered the technical details of an area. If we don't have someone with knowledge in your specific area, we certainly have someone with flair and experience in an area that borders yours.
