Imagine the possibility of earning a full-time income from freelance technical writing. It's not a far-fetched and elusive dream, but a very real possibility for dedicated and hard-working individuals. Are you ready to take up the challenges in freelance writer jobs?
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As a freelance technical writer, there are many specializations available for you to try out. If you are interested in computer technology, you can write hardware and software user manuals, online help tutorials or how-to articles. Likewise, you can take up writing assembly instructions for toys and appliances, business procedure manuals, training manuals, educational courses and much more. When you accept freelance writer jobs, you don't need to be an expert in a specific field, although it would be advantageous. Freelance technical writing isn't necessarily a job for a "technical person."
If you are thinking about starting a home business by accepting freelance writer jobs, learning a few basic details about operating a home business will be useful. The most important thing to start with is self-motivation. Many home businesses fail because the business owner's enthusiasm at the beginning doesn't continue when the work load gets heavy. Invest in a reliable and technologically up-to-date computer and it's best if you have broadband internet access. Your next step should be finding clients. While it's easier said than done, don't be disheartened if you are not able to get projects in the beginning. Most businesses don't become hugely Soundcore Bedienungsanleitungen successful until after six months or more.
Search the internet for freelance project boards. Check each website's credentials and authenticity before you create an account and start bidding on projects. Do some research on the acceptable project fees for different freelance writer jobs. Some jobs pay very well, while others don't and freelance technical writing project prices can vary from client to client. Define a good price structure prior to your hunt for freelance writer jobs and stick to it. Accept projects you are certain you can finish. Never miss a deadline, even if you have to work all night. Building up a business is not a walk in the park and you will need to work hard to become a successful entrepreneur.
If you're a freelance writer with a good all-round knowledge of technology, then have you considered becoming a freelance technical writer?
Admittedly, technical writing is much less glamorous than article writing and commercial copywriting. But it is always in demand. After all, somebody has to write the instructions for your HDTV and the manual that comes with your cell phone.
What is technical writing?
Technical writing refers to the skill of communicating a complex subject in a straightforward way. This could include user manuals for software, computing and electrical goods; assembly instructions for furniture; company documentation; reference guides, even training courses.
Many companies who need to produce large-scale manuals or guides will typically use a freelancer to produce it.
Working as a technical writer not only requires good technical know-how, but an ability to take the functions of a product, system or service and to explain them in a way that is simple and easy to understand.
In many respects, the writing must be 'idiot-proof'. In other words, it should aim to answer any technical questions the reader might have before the reader has thought to ask them.
Becoming a freelance technical writer
The key to good technical writing is knowing your audience. In fact, this is one of the core principles of good writing, applicable whether you are writing a magazine article about cooking or crafting an advert to sell solar garden lights.
A good rule of thumb for technical writing is to assume that your reader is a complete beginner. This allows a technical writer to embark upon a step-by-step teaching method that explains the functions of a product or the processes involved in a system.
This approach will often use various devices designed to break up large chunks of text, such as: sidebars, tip boxes, images, step-by-step walkthroughs, web links, real-world examples and chapter summaries.
The audience will always define the writing style and a freelance technical writer will typically be keen to nail this down as early as possible.
It's often useful to get a writing sample approved so that everyone agrees on what the style and approach of the project will be. What the client wants and what a reader actually needs could be very different.