How to Become a Freelance Technical Writer
Technical writers work in every industry, from healthcare to the performing arts to engineering. Freelance technical writers work from a variety of locations, both on- and off-site, to complete technical documentation, websites, manuals and a variety of additional publications. They enjoy the financial and professional benefits of technical writing while maintaining a greater degree of freedom than their desk-bound counterparts. The following tips will help guide you in pursuing this rewarding career.
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Instructions
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Define your qualifications. As a new freelance technical writer, you are an unknown to potential employers. Write down the skills and experience that qualify you to be a technical writer. Include relevant professional experience, and don't underestimate the value of volunteer experience. The engineering website copy you wrote as a favor to your cousin might be just the type of experience an employer wants.
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Emphasize connections. Once you have listed your qualifications, draw specific connections between your experience and the work you hope to get. Employers may be hesitant to hire new freelancers, so be prepared to convince them that your experience will make you a valuable asset. Write out these explanations and save them, as they will be useful when writing cover letters and proposals.
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Determine your area of specialization. Technical writers often specialize in one field--healthcare, engineering or science writing. If you have spent the past 10 years working as a nurse, you will have an insider's understanding of the healthcare field and may therefore be well-suited to freelance projects for a hospital or medical insurance office. If you have worked in electronics retailing, you will understand the correct questions to ask when interviewing experts about a complex new cell phone technology.
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Build a portfolio. In the beginning, you may need to write for little or no money to build a professional portfolio of technical writing samples. This is particularly true if you are new to the writing field. Approach student groups or non-profits, who often have technical writing needs but no budget; they are often happy to have an inexperienced writer who is willing to work.
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Understand job search methods. Websites like Elance and I Freelance offer job postings and allow technical writing freelancers to bid on jobs, but beware of bogus job postings or employers looking to pay rates that are too low. When searching on other job sites, look for the words "contract technical writer" or "temporary technical writer." You might also consider submitting your resume, cover letter and portfolio to companies you are interested in working for in the future. That way if the company has too much work for their regular writers or an unexpected project, you'll be at the top of the list.
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Network. Employers like to work with people they know. Attend networking events in your area, and be sure to inform people you meet of your freelance technical writing ambitions. Better yet, attend industry-specific events for the area in which you would like to work. Send out email notices to existing contacts, letting them know that you are transitioning to freelance work. The more people who know you're available for freelance technical writing projects, the more likely you are to get work.
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