Do you want to be a technical writer or an open-source contributor but don't know where to start?

Or are you already writing but need to improve your skills?

Don't worry; I've compiled a list of platforms and course materials to help you do well as a technical writer.

But before we proceed, below are the contents you will understand in this article.

WHAT IS TECHNICAL WRITING?

Technical writing is a unique communication method involving documentation for products and services.

Technical writers help people understand how to use products correctly by putting detailed information in a way that is easy to understand.

Technical writing also deals with science, engineering, and technology.

In contrast, a good technical writer makes a difficult task easy and can quickly explain complex information.

So basically, having the ability to explain complex information, documentation, products, and services makes you a good technical writer.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF TECHNICAL WRITING

Technical writing is grouped into four major categories:

1.) Technical Writing Communication

Technical communication is an aspect of writing that deals with marketing communications and covers the area of B2B (business-to-business) writing.

The writer uniquely explains business products to draw attention and help customers understand them.

2.) End-User Technical Writing

End-user technical writing is when the writer explains how a product works and how to fix common problems.

3.) Expert-Expect Technical Writing

This writing involves communication written to a knowledgeable audience.

This aspect of writing is mainly done by experts who dive into more complex topics. It includes a research summary, business reports, and scientific outlines.

4.) Process Documentation Writing

Process documentation is writing down step-by-step instructions for a job or task.

It involves employee onboarding checklists, performance review guidelines, how-tos on content publishing, customer support guides, and software documentation like API documentation.

Some common examples of technical writing include:

•API documentation

•Reports Writing

•Brochures Writing

•White papers

•Online articles

•Medical technical writing

WHAT IS YOUR CAREER FIELD AS A TECHNICAL WRITER

Technical writing careers are growing faster than average, at 12%.

The question comes in: how much do technical writers make?

Well, the salary range of a technical writer varies.

According to Salaryexpert.com, a technical writer's average base salary in the UK is around £47,827 (GBP) per year.

WHAT DOES A TECHNICAL WRITER DO?

Technical writers help businesses move quickly with their sales, documentation, products, and services.

Here are the few roles technical writers play in an organization:

• A technical writer helps plan documentation procedures in a company.

• They do extensive research on products and services.

• Develop and edit a documentation outline.

• Organize documentation in the database.

ONLINE PLATFORMS THAT OFFER FREE COURSES ON TECHNICAL WRITING

I looked for free courses on technical writing to help you improve your technical writing and communication skills.

1.) ALISON

Alison is an Irish online learning platform for higher education, teaching skills for the workplace, and trying out new things. It offers certificate and accredited diploma courses.

It was founded on April 21, 2007, by Irish social entrepreneur Mike Feerick, in Galway, Ireland.

Alison offers a free online technical writing course to help you understand technical writing.

2.) TECHNICALWRITERHQ

Technical Writer HQ is the largest community of technical writers. It offers people worldwide free online courses and programs to learn the basics of technical writing.

3.) UDEMY

Udemy, Inc. is a company that uses technology to help people learn and teach online. It was founded in May 2010 by Eren Bali, Gagan Biyani, and Oktay Caglar.

They offer free introductions to technical writing.

You will learn everything you need about technical writing and discover if it's the right career for you.

4.) COURSERA

Coursera Inc. is an online course provider based in the United States. It was started in 2012 by computer science professors at Stanford University, Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller.

Coursera works with universities and other groups to offer free online courses, certifications, and degrees in a variety of subjects.

Apply for financial aid on any of their technical writing projects and kick off your career.

CONCLUSION

Remember that if you want to be a successful technical writer, you will need advanced grammar skills, extensive research methods and practices, a clear and informative writing style, and the ability to make different types of technical documents, such as reports, memos, white papers, instruction manuals, and analyses.

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