Writing is one freelance option that offers many jobs in the market today. Technical writing is one branch of writing that offers substantial money early on in your career.
A certification and a love for writing can get you on the ‘write’ track. The culture of freelance work and the scope of its reach have increased it is a more viable and comfortable option to a run-of-the-mill desk job.
There are many reasons you should consider freelancing. Extra income, work from home, be able to take on multiple tasks, independence; the list goes on. Whatever your preferences, you can be assured it is a good career option.
Your duties as a Freelance technical writer would revolve around writing technical content. For instance, an IT organisation that makes banking software, may hire you to write the specific brief and technical specifications of a product.
Let us have an in-depth look at some of the duties that will fall under your purview, as a technical writer:
Technical writers must have similar skills to writers, but they also have some additional skills over the ones who develop copy, or pen novels. There are many skills that you will be needed to master, if you wish to become a technical writer. Some include:
There are many websites where you can learn these skills and are acquainted with the many tools that technical writers use. Lynda, Online-learning, Techwriter-certification and CSU edu offer both free and paid-for resources, and in some cases certifications for technical writing as well, where you can learn without having to move from your seat.
Freelance technical writing can seem like a lucrative job, where one gets to turn a hobby into a profession, come up with easier and more convenient styles of user manuals and listing technical specifications, and earn some money from the comfort of your couch. With experience, the ‘some’ money in question, rapidly evolves into handsome money.
More often than not, talent is not a determinant of success in any sphere. It is possibly truer for writers, with the freelance market insisting that talent combined with the relevant experience attracts generous prospective employers.
So how much do freelance technical writers earn?
Most of the revenue generated by technical writers as you depends solely on your ability to market your services and your credibility with previous employees.
Suppose you wish to get a pair of custom shoes stitched. Usually, you will prefer the experienced cobbler, to a new one whose only promise is to deliver a cheaper product.
The money in freelance technical writing is varied: Usually, freelance portals offer two generic kinds of payment models to freelancers. Fixed-price, where the price is usually pre-determined and a budget is sanctioned which you can bid for, and the hourly payment model where the employer decides on hourly pay.
A fixed-price model may range from $50-500 upwards, while you have to pitch for hourly projects, which usually range from $5-30 an hour, with average payments at $21 per hour.
Finding work in technical writing is not extremely hard, but it may require efforts on your part. Quite a lot of effort in fact, network with other writers and editors to build a responsive network. In the past decade, many portals exist where you can apply for jobs all over the world and offer proposals for international projects.
The most advisable course of action is to take the extra pain, go the extra mile, at the start of your career, at the least. It is important to remember that you are entering a market, as a freshman and thus, you must be willing to put extra efforts.
Websites like Odesk, Elance, Guru, Peopleperhour, and Freelancer offer many jobs to freelance technical writers globally.
There are many resources available for you to begin Freelance technical writing as a career. Some websites which offer study material online and host instructional videos include Lynda, Online-learning, Techwriter-certification and CSU edu, offering both free and paid-for resources and in some cases certifications for technical writing as well.
For more information on Freelance Resource please visit www.careerlancer.net