Technical Writing - Nine Common Tech Writer Documents
"Writing is not like painting where you add. It is not what you put on the canvas that the reader sees. Writing is more like a sculpture where you remove; you eliminate in order to make the work visible. Even those pages you remove somehow remain."Elie Wiesel, 1928-, Rumanian-born American Writer"Technical writer" can sometimes be a very loosely used term. This is especially true if you're working for a small or medium sized business.As tech writers, we're often under the impression that we'll only be creating manuals, processes, and product specifications. But if you're working for a small or medium sized business, you could be asked to do a lot more than that.Let's look at nine of the most common documents you could be asked to create as a technical writer:1. Technical ManualsTechnical manuals are documents that present the prescribed method of performing a task related to a specific tool or process either mechanical or electronic. These documents are also called reference manuals/guides and installation or repair manuals/guides.2. User ManualsUser manuals are documents that provide instructions for the use of a product. The principal difference between a technical and user manual is the assumption that the user is not familiar with the operation of the product. The information is presented based on this assumption so it may be on a more elementary level than a technical manual. These documents are also called user guides.3. TutorialsA tutorial is a document that is related to a tutor or tutors. For example - course material on how to perform tasks.4. Product Descriptions and SpecificationsProduct descriptions and specifications are documents that describe the product on a detailed level. These documents could be a part of manuals and brochures.5. Executive SummariesThese are one page documents found in the beginning of reports and business documents. It summarizes the document and gives the reader a high level overview of what the rest of the document covers.6. RFPs and RFQsRequest for Proposal (RFP) and Request for Quotation (RFQ) are business documents that are submitted to companies asking them to bid for business.7. BrochuresBrochures are marketing documents which have one purpose - move the reader closer to a sale. For example - a brochure about a pest control service.8. Press ReleasesPress releases give information about a product. Press releases are marketing pieces masked in the form of news. There is a perception that news and press releases are more credible than marketing documents. So companies use them to market their products.9. Letters and MemosAs a tech writer you are most likely to write letters and memos for mailings to a large number of people either within or outside the organization. Note: memos are always meant for internal business communication.When you're working as a full time tech writer, you may not create all these documents. But you should be aware of them. If you're planning on becoming a freelance technical writer, knowledge of creating these documents can increase your client base.If you can write a simple sentence in English and organize your thoughts then technical writing may be a rewarding field. You can easily make it a second income stream in your spare time.According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average salary for technical writers is $60,380. Freelance technical writers can make from $30 to $70 per hour.The field of technical writing is like a golden city. It's filled with wealth, rewards and opportunities. After learning technical writing you can branch out into business writing, marketing writing and communications writing. All of these can become additional income streams.But to succeed you must learn how to market yourself to clients. You have to prove to them that you are an invaluable asset. That's where ProTech - Your Fast Track to Becoming a Successful Technical Writer can help. It's a technical writing course that does two equally important things:1. It teaches you the skills to become a technical writer in the shortest time frame. You'll learn to create manuals, procedures, tutorials, processes, proposals, spec sheets and other documents that businesses need.2. It shows you how to market yourself to clients so you can start your income stream as soon as possible.In fact, you'll get a complete marketing toolkit which has templates and technical writing job sites to get started immediately!You can download two sample lessons by clicking the link below.This could be your chance to create a prosperous future.Click the link below to download your two sample lessons.[https://www.techwritingcourse.com]Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bryan_S._Adar
Technical Writing - Nine Common Tech Writer Documents
"Writing is not like painting where you add. It is not what you put on the canvas that the reader sees. Writing is more like a sculpture where you remove; you eliminate in order to make the work visible. Even those pages you remove somehow remain."
Elie Wiesel, 1928-, Rumanian-born American Writer
"Technical writer" can sometimes be a very loosely used term. This is especially true if you're working for a small or medium sized business.
As tech writers, we're often under the impression that we'll only be creating manuals, processes, and product specifications. But if you're working for a small or medium sized business, you could be asked to do a lot more than that.
Let's look at nine of the most common documents you could be asked to create as a technical writer:
1. Technical Manuals
Technical manuals are documents that present the prescribed method of performing a task related to a specific tool or process either mechanical or electronic. These documents are also called reference manuals/guides and installation or repair manuals/guides.
2. User Manuals
User manuals are documents that provide instructions for the use of a product. The principal difference between a technical and user manual is the assumption that the user is not familiar with the operation of the product. The information is presented based on this assumption so it may be on a more elementary level than a technical manual. These documents are also called user guides.
3. Tutorials
A tutorial is a document that is related to a tutor or tutors. For example - course material on how to perform tasks.
4. Product Descriptions and Specifications
Product descriptions and specifications are documents that describe the product on a detailed level. These documents could be a part of manuals and brochures.
5. Executive Summaries
These are one page documents found in the beginning of reports and business documents. It summarizes the document and gives the reader a high level overview of what the rest of the document covers.
6. RFPs and RFQs
Request for Proposal (RFP) and Request for Quotation (RFQ) are business documents that are submitted to companies asking them to bid for business.
7. Brochures
Brochures are marketing documents which have one purpose - move the reader closer to a sale. For example - a brochure about a pest control service.
8. Press Releases
Press releases give information about a product. Press releases are marketing pieces masked in the form of news. There is a perception that news and press releases are more credible than marketing documents. So companies use them to market their products.
9. Letters and Memos
As a tech writer you are most likely to write letters and memos for mailings to a large number of people either within or outside the organization. Note: memos are always meant for internal business communication.
When you're working as a full time tech writer, you may not create all these documents. But you should be aware of them. If you're planning on becoming a freelance technical writer, knowledge of creating these documents can increase your client base.
If you can write a simple sentence in English and organize your thoughts then technical writing may be a rewarding field. You can easily make it a second income stream in your spare time.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average salary for technical writers is $60,380. Freelance technical writers can make from $30 to $70 per hour.
The field of technical writing is like a golden city. It's filled with wealth, rewards and opportunities. After learning technical writing you can branch out into business writing, marketing writing and communications writing. All of these can become additional income streams.
But to succeed you must learn how to market yourself to clients. You have to prove to them that you are an invaluable asset. That's where ProTech - Your Fast Track to Becoming a Successful Technical Writer can help. It's a technical writing course that does two equally important things:
1. It teaches you the skills to become a technical writer in the shortest time frame. You'll learn to create manuals, procedures, tutorials, processes, proposals, spec sheets and other documents that businesses need.
2. It shows you how to market yourself to clients so you can start your income stream as soon as possible.
In fact, you'll get a complete marketing toolkit which has templates and technical writing job sites to get started immediately!
You can download two sample lessons by clicking the link below.
This could be your chance to create a prosperous future.
Click the link below to download your two sample lessons.
[https://www.techwritingcourse.com]
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bryan_S._Adar
HEY 54: CNN tech writer Mark Milian @markmilian talks Google-Bing, Facebook and Egypt web traffic
No comments:
Post a Comment