What is Technical Content Writing?
In simpler terms, technical writing is the process of simplifying complex concepts for the end-user and general audience. This can be conveyed in the form of reports, product descriptions, or instruction manuals. For example, consider how a doctor or chemist simplifies the language of some complex medical topics for their patients.
This form of writing is specifically used to convey information about specialized topics in software development in the form of user guides, setup instructions, etc. It helps instruct the general audience, keeping in mind specific environmental regulations, computer applications, or medical procedures.
According to a recent survey, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (US) anticipated a 10-11% growth for technical writing by 2026. In this article, we will discuss its importance, its main domains, and the technical writing positions available.
In this blog, we will discuss the importance of technical writing for SaaS products and companies, sought-after technical writing positions, essential skills to stand out as an applicant, and best practices to increase the list of clients.
What is the role of Technical Content Writers in SaaS-based Companies?
It goes without saying that all startups with SaaS products need a technical writer to reach the stage of exponential growth. While hiring developers, sales professionals, and support agents might seem like all there is, they still need well-written documentation to reach the general audience and end-user.
Experienced technical writers not only help them produce great products but also help them grow their list of clients and keep them happy. Here are some reasons to hire a technical writer in a SaaS product company.
An Excellent Product Documentation
Being the last stage of the software development process, product documentation sometimes fails to receive the recognition it deserves. In many cases, employees write it themselves without proper technical writing knowledge.
While developers are well equipped with the processes involved, it takes a technical writer to document it in a correct format, one that a beginner can also easily understand. On the other hand, professional technical writers avoid jargon and write based on the user’s needs. Companies do not want new users to walk away because they find the documentation too confusing, right?
Reduction of Customer Support Tickets
In their initial days, SaaS companies are often on a tight budget. It requires effective resource allocation to grow in the right direction. A good strategy for that is customer satisfaction and happiness.
An easy-to-understand instruction manual will decrease the number of customer support tickets, saving a company’s valuable time and resources. A technical writer knows about customers’ pain points and creates content according to their needs. They write everything from how-to-tutorials to FAQ sections and troubleshooting articles.
The boon to Content Marketing
SaaS companies often deploy content marketing strategies to attract new users and retain existing ones. It helps in brand awareness, lead generation, user engagement, customer retention, and more. Having a list of marketing tools is often confusing, but remember that technical writing does all the things at once.
For example, most users go to Google Search to find their answers. If well-written product documentation catches their eye, there are increased chances of gaining and retaining a new customer. Cherry on the cake? The happy visitors are likely to refer it to their friends, colleagues, and social media.
Sought-After Technical Writing Positions
Now that we have looked at the importance of technical writing positions in a SaaS company, readers should also know the fields that technical writing entails. Here are the top-performing technical writing careers to choose from:
UX Writing
UX writing aims to help users navigate an app, website, or other digital product. UX writers also create microscopies, support documentation, style guides, and more. Additionally, a UX writer must be aware of some specific skills like Figma, landing page design, user research, and more. The average annual pay for a UX writer globally ranges between $70,000 and $81,0000.
Documentation Specialist
As the title suggests, the primary responsibilities of these technical writers include creating, managing, and organizing a company’s documentation processes. They also handle multiple spreadsheets, serve as a point of contact, and make updates.
The average annual pay for a documentation specialist globally ranges between $57,748 and $66,261.
Content Strategist
All content teams require content strategies that plan, develop, and manage content to target the correct set of audiences and meet the company’s long—and short-term goals. Some of the primary skills a content strategist must have are knowledge of SEO, analytics, and project management. Content strategists are paid an average annual salary between $77,961 and $78,019.
API Documentation Specialist
They are also known as an API technical writer; API documentation specialists create and maintain documentation for Application Programming Interface (API). This instruction manual explains the use of an API and its services. These specialists are paid a whopping average salary of $20,500 to $97,000.
Growth Engineers
Growth engineers are helpful in designing and executing experiments. They analyze data to optimize user acquisition and retention. Growth engineers analyze and help improve the services. Hence, they also write technical content that serves the business needs.
How can you become a Technical Content Writer?
The primary skill a technical writer needs is to make complex technical terminologies easier to understand, helping users in the learning process. While critical skills differ depending on the technical writing positions, listed below are some basic skills that all technical writers must possess.
Advanced Communication Skills
Simplifying complex technical jargon is an essential requirement in technical writing, but it cannot be done without possessing great communication skills. This means that one needs to present the information received from a client or subject matter expert clearly and concisely. Someone starting out must learn it from practice and by consulting seniors about the quality of the work.
Technical Expertise
Technical writers must be aware of the various aspects of the product they are writing about. Knowledge of technical principles not only helps them create better content but also helps clients and readers access it effortlessly. It helps establish the writer as a subject matter expert and builds credibility for the brand.
Research Skills
Regardless of their technical writing positions, writers must do their research thoroughly. They should learn about the latest industry trends, best practices, and developing technologies while keeping the content body factual. Writers can source such information from academic papers, documentation, subject matter experts, and customers’ queries.
User Analysis
Technical writers must understand that the effectiveness of their content is directly based on their customers’ requirements. If the content body does not address customers’ pain points, it is of no use, despite how well-written it is. User analysis helps shape the tone, language, and complexity, bridging the gap between complex technical jargon and accessible information.
Helpful Tools in Technical Writing Positions
Companies seek proficiency in several documentation tools when hiring for technical writing positions. These tools serve a range of purposes, including authoring, drawing, image manipulation, and more. Below are some tools that one can learn to augment one’s technical writing journey.
- Publishing: Document360, Adobe FrameMaker, RoboHelp
- Authoring: Microsoft Word, Notepad/Notepad++, Google Docs, Markdown Editor
- Screen Capture: Snipping Tool, TechSmith SnagIt, FireShot
- Image Editing: Adobe Photoshop
- Spell Check: Grammarly, Acrolinx Desktop Checker, HyperSTE
The 4 Basics of Technical Writing
While all the mentioned steps are a must-have and essential when applying for technical writing positions, there are some things that differentiate ‘Technical Writers’ from ‘Successful Technical Writers.’ Listed below are best practices that one must follow to create top-notch technical content.
User-Centered Content
In all fields of content creation, the first rule for creating valuable content is to study one’s audience. The content must add some value to their lives and make them more accessible, helping them navigate through complex technical jargon. If a content body doesn’t address customers’ issues, it is of no use despite its well-fabricated language.
Clear and Concise Documentation
As we have repeatedly talked about, technical writing must convey technical jargon in layperson’s language. Hence, the documentation should be clear and concise. The writer must refrain from flowery language, difficult-to-understand words, and complex sentence structure.
Visual Resources
Technical documentations often require stepwise instructions, making it important to add images and videos for better comprehension. Technical writers must note that it is equally essential to resize visual resources for better page load speed. Including images also improves content quality, helping it rank better on search engines.
Latest Industry Trends
As a technical writer, one must be aware of the trending topics for their niche. Including information on trending topics in documentation results in brand awareness, lead generation, and better ranking on several search engines. One must always remember one’s target audience, focusing on their pain points and troubles.
Conclusion
In summary, technical writing augments the growth rates of SaaS companies, helping them communicate complex ideas in a simpler language. Therefore, hiring technical writing positions becomes essential for them to create meaningful products and reach the right audience.
The field of technical writing has immense potential and covers some emerging fields, including UX writing, documentation specialization, content strategy, and more. Technical writers must possess the required technological skill sets to excel in these roles.
Now, a new technical writer can’t help but wonder, ‘Where can I learn all these things from?’ Infrasity is the answer. As we live in the digital age, it becomes essential to refer to trusted sources for information. Infrasity is one of the leading companies in the technical content space, helping companies drive more traffic and user signups and empower modern infrastructure.
Infrasity has various blogs on various aspects of technical content writing, ranging from modern marketing techniques to future trends in content marketing. Visit https://medium.com/@infrasity.com for more information.
Commonly Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is a technical writing position?
Technical writing positions refer to the posts technical writers are hired for. A diverse range of technical writers specialize in specific technical communication. Some of the technical writing positions one can choose from are UX writer, product documentation specialist, and API documentation specialist.
2. What are the jobs of a technical writer?
The primary job of a technical writer is to study their audience and simplify complex technical jargon for them. This requires knowledge of several components, such as editing and proofreading skills, technical expertise in various software, and analytics.
3. What are the technical writer levels?
Technical writer levels describe a writer’s proficiency in their field. The technical writers at the first level are termed ‘Technical Writer I,’ which becomes ‘Principal Technical Writer’ at level 9.
4. Is technical writing an IT job?
While technical writers are not directly related to the production process, they help at the final stage. They are responsible for creating documentation and instruction manuals to assist users in navigating digital products.
