While it’s difficult to pinpoint the “next best” certificate after “Become a Technical Writer,” there are a few widely recognized and respected technical writing certificate programs that you can consider. Here are some popular options: Traditional Options for Technical Writing Certificates Society for Technical Communication (STC) Certification Program: STC is a professional association dedicated to the field of technical communication. They offer a multi-level certification program (Foundation, Practitioner, and Expert) that assesses your knowledge, skills, and experience. The certification ..read more

PS: A hands-on, real world technical writing course. Jump on the wait list: becometechnicalwriter.com After working 20 years in the New York City region, I’ve identified 7 personality traits of a good technical writer. They: Waldemar Brandt Unsplash Write and edit well Learn quickly and holistically Speak well and often (but not too often) Enjoy learning about technology Perform independent research Operate well in a support role (not the center of attention) and Take pride in refining their craft. Many people are shocked to hear that getting started as a technical writer does NOT requi ..read more

Bad Technical Writers How do I know about “Bad Technical Writers,” you ask? For over 22 years, I’ve worked with personalities resembling the  following “types.” But, if I’m going to be perfectly honest, I’ve occasionally resembled  these portraits. This is meant to be fun and enjoyable. Enjoy, Bobby It is absurd to divide people into good and bad. People are either charming or tedious. Oscar Wilde Please do not read the following if you lack a sense of humor. If you’re already annoyed, you may be sorely lacking a sense of humor. ?FONT FONDLERS Most of the following charact ..read more

Are you a new technical writer looking to enhance your skills and impress your readers? You’re at the right place! In this blog post, we’ve discussed 13 expert tips for new technical writers to help them sound smarter and more professional in their writing. From research and reviewing to mastering grammar, we’ve got you covered. Don’t miss out on these useful strategies to take your technical writing to the next level! Note: These observations are based on my direct experience unless otherwise noted. Don’t generalize. But if you do, admit you’re generalizing. “This may be a generalization, b ..read more

How many types of documents are there in technical writing? Most articles online don’t list them. They mention guides, manuals, and procedures without connection to an audience. Other articles address specific subjects (e.g., “software documentation”). Another way to look at documents? By intended audience. The following categorizes document types by audience. DOCUMENTS FOR NON-TECHNICAL AUDIENCES Most technical documents created by technical writers are not for technical audiences. Sounds strange, doesn’t it? But, in my experience, it’s true. I even wrote an article to support thi ..read more

Working with SMEs I’m convinced that how we interact with colleagues is just as important (maybe more important) to our job security than our actual work. We can do brilliant work but if we’re jerks, it’s “Exit, stage left!” Alternatively, we can do adequate work, but if we’re genuinely helpful and cooperative, others encourage us to do better, as friends or even champions. In 2022, “soft skills” are more important than ever. So what’s a SME and what’s important about working with them? SME, pronounced “SMEE”, is an acronym for “Subject Matter Expert.” This term is used in many industries ..read more

About a decade ago, companies found the antidote to hiring the wrong person: Temp to Perm positions. These are contract positions that convert to full-time positions if everyone is on board (the companies have agreements in place with staffing companies to smooth the transition). A Great Model for a Technical Writing Job A temp-to-perm (also called “try before you buy”) technical writing job is a way for both you and a company to try each other on for size. Companies vary so much in culture, pay, benefits, and overall health that it takes a while to understand whether it’s worth investing year ..read more

Introduction This is my take on a nearly 10-year-old post, “​Top 10 Most Frequently Asked Questions,” (About Technical Writing) by Tom Johnson. Most of what Tom says in his original post is valid today. His blog, I’d Rather Be Writing, is the most visited blog by a technical writer. (My online course was featured not too long ago.) 1. What technical writing tools should I learn? Tools! Tom begins with the always topical list of tools. He recommends learning a few programming languages, then lists about a dozen tools to learn. ME: INFORMATION OVERWHELM! Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash I ..read more

Ready to become a contract technical writer? Our expert guide will teach you how to become a contract technical writer and succeed in the freelance world! Not all technical writers understand contracting. Some have always worked as employees. They’ve never had to review a contract or understand what goes into one. Even if they’ve hired contractors, they’ve encountered only a slice of the contracting lifecycle. The following is based on my 20 years as a technical writing contractor in the New York City region. For this reason, this article is US-centric. However, I suspect practices are similar ..read more

Technical writing is a specialized form of writing that demands a specific set of skills and knowledge. To help you get started, we’ve compiled 11 essential rules for new technical writers. Find the tone patronizing or condescending? It shouldn’t be, especially if you understand one thing. These 11 items reflect issues I personally experienced when I began my career over 20 years ago. I suspect they’re relevant to nearly all technical writing roles, no matter the industry. 1) Be genuinely helpful Strive to be friendly and helpful (to those above and below you). This doesn’t mean you relax you ..read more