Technical writing is all about explaining complex concepts in simple language for people who are not familiar with them. The goal is to make technological terms easy and relatable to readers.
If you’ve ever thought about writing tutorials, documentation, or tech blogs, here are a few steps to help you grow as a tech writer.
1. Start by Understanding What You’re Writing About
You can’t explain what you don’t understand. So, before you start writing, take time to learn the basics of the technology you’re covering. You don’t need to be an expert, but you need to understand how things work and why they are important. You can do this by watching videos, reading documentation, and taking short courses. The more you know a concept, the easier it is to explain it clearly.
2. Write Like You’re Explaining to a Friend
This hack always works. When you write, imagine you’re explaining it to a friend who’s smart but knows nothing about the topic. Use simple words, short sentences, and relatable examples. Your goal is not to sound technical but to make sure anyone who reads your work understands it. The best tech writers are great teachers who simplify their words, not complicate it.
3. Read and Learn from Other Tech Writers
To be a better writer, you need to read other people’s work. Explore articles and documentation from tech companies like GitHub, Notion, or Vercel. Pay attention to how they break things down, how they structure their writing, and how they use examples. When you find a piece that clicks with you, study it and ask yourself what made it so easy for you to read. The more you read, the better your writing instincts become.
4. Start Writing Publicly
This can feel scary, but if you want to build a career in tech writing, you have to start publishing your work. Write about topics related to your interests or field. Platforms like Hashnode, Dev.to, and Medium are great for sharing your thoughts. The more you post, the better and more confident you become.
5. Ask for Feedback
Always share your drafts with friends, mentors, or tech communities before publishing. You need someone to read it with fresh eyes and share honest feedback. This helps you spot what to improve. Also, never take criticism personally, these feedbacks help you grow faster.
6. Learn the Tools of the Trade
A good tech writer should know tools like Markdown, Google Docs, and Notion. For documentation, learn tools like Read the Docs, Docusaurus, or GitBook. Editing tools such as Grammarly and Quillbot can also help make your writing cleaner and more professional.
7. Build a Portfolio
Your writing is your proof of skill. As you create more content, compile your best work into a portfolio. You can host it on Linktree, Clippings.me, Notion, or even a Google Drive folder. This is what you’ll show recruiters or clients to demonstrate what you can do.
Becoming a good tech writer takes time, research, curiosity and consistent practice. The more you write, the better you’ll get. Remember that clarity comes with practice, and your voice gets stronger each time you write.