Finding a Technical Writer

[joshreif]

Hi, I'm posting this here because I'd like feedback from developers and technical writers.

I'm trying to hire a technical writer for my company. I get tons of applications from writers, but none really have the technical knowledge I'm looking for. I can find developers, but they don't have the writing skill or native English.

Please let me know where you think I should look for a writer of this quality.

Thanks

[1715540787]

1715540787

[RAMSHIVDEEPAK]

which type of writer you want ?? what type of technical knowledge, he should have ??

how much remuneration will you offer for this job ??

[joshreif]

which type of writer you want ?? what type of technical knowledge, he should have ??

how much remuneration will you offer for this job ??

I need someone who can explain blockchain protocols and write technical components of white papers. So, it's a depth of knowledge, but also writing ability needed.

Compensation will be on a project and per word basis. Writer will choose his/her per word fee and I will determine if I can afford that rate or negotiate.

[buwaytress]

Hi Josh. Technical writers are fading as a specialised profession. I know, I was for many years in the writing field. Used to manage teams writing up manuals for consumer electronics, so I can tell you that English command needs to be a little above average - you really want the writer to be able to properly communicate what could be quite difficult technical information (that's the point of a white paper these days it seems, as they're more marketing tools).

As you yourself experienced, you tend to get extremes on either side, but be prepared to pay an industry standard of $0.25 per word and up for above-average writing, $0.15 per word is the absolute minimum for decent writing. That's the reality of the writing business these days. There's cheap labour for sure, but you're going to get what you pay for.

So if you're looking at freelancers, that's the price range you aim for. $0.15 per word min and up.

[joshreif]

Hi Josh. Technical writers are fading as a specialised profession. I know, I was for many years in the writing field. Used to manage teams writing up manuals for consumer electronics, so I can tell you that English command needs to be a little above average - you really want the writer to be able to properly communicate what could be quite difficult technical information (that's the point of a white paper these days it seems, as they're more marketing tools).

As you yourself experienced, you tend to get extremes on either side, but be prepared to pay an industry standard of $0.25 per word and up for above-average writing, $0.15 per word is the absolute minimum for decent writing. That's the reality of the writing business these days. There's cheap labour for sure, but you're going to get what you pay for.

So if you're looking at freelancers, that's the price range you aim for. $0.15 per word min and up.

Hey, thanks for your input. I'm not sure why you say they are fading (lack of skill?) as it is my most requested service. I agree with you get what you pay for. I can't afford 0.25/word, but have no problem paying 0.15/word. And I've seen that's doable if they live in area with low cost of living.

Let me know if you know of anyone.

[buwaytress]

Hi Josh. Technical writers are fading as a specialised profession. I know, I was for many years in the writing field. Used to manage teams writing up manuals for consumer electronics, so I can tell you that English command needs to be a little above average - you really want the writer to be able to properly communicate what could be quite difficult technical information (that's the point of a white paper these days it seems, as they're more marketing tools).

As you yourself experienced, you tend to get extremes on either side, but be prepared to pay an industry standard of $0.25 per word and up for above-average writing, $0.15 per word is the absolute minimum for decent writing. That's the reality of the writing business these days. There's cheap labour for sure, but you're going to get what you pay for.

So if you're looking at freelancers, that's the price range you aim for. $0.15 per word min and up.

Hey, thanks for your input. I'm not sure why you say they are fading (lack of skill?) as it is my most requested service. I agree with you get what you pay for. I can't afford 0.25/word, but have no problem paying 0.15/word. And I've seen that's doable if they live in area with low cost of living.

Let me know if you know of anyone.

I mean fading as an actual profession/title, along with most specialised professions. In the field I was familiar with (consumer electronics), technical writers were being slowly phased out by software... every piece of documentation they wrote would be entered into a software that they would later just all go in to rate accuracy of all other writers' submissions. Eventually, writers wouldn't be needed, just a guy to check and edit automated manuals.

Now writers all need to diversify too, with cpw getting lower and more competitive.

Like you said, doable in areas with low cost of living. Though even remote workers know their market rate eventually. Good luck!

[enhu]

How technical do you mean?
Is it like they must have coding knowledge as to how they write solidity language and the knowledge of how mining works and the hashes?

Its so rare to find these people, but try on the mining section of this forum. In the mining altcoin and bitcoin section but they'd probably bid more than how much they are getting in mining.

[aliashraf]

No offense, but I think the whole idea of hiring a technical writer is bullshit.

We have researchers and innovators who discover or invent something and introduce it by means of a paper an article or a book. There is also room for critics, advocates, reviewers and so on but not for a technical writer.

Who the hell is a technical writer? A person who wraps garbages in a fancy fake paper full of bombastic phrases and buzz words to help scammers with their ICO shit?

[IgorDurovic]

I'm trying to hire a technical writer for my company. I get tons of applications from writers, but none really have the technical knowledge I'm looking for. I can find developers, but they don't have the writing skill or native English.

I'm always surprised by claims like these. Is your company based in a country where English isn't a commonly spoken language? I've worked and interacted with dozens of developers both in the blockchain space and the overall tech industry but I rarely come across people who aren't reasonably competent writers. It seems like this is more of an issue of market incentives than a shortage of skill. You're dealing with an economic contradiction where you want someone who has a deep understanding of the tech but aren't willing/able to pay them near what the market value is for those skills. If you already have developers then it's probably best to have them write up the technical details and have someone proof read for a lower rate. Good luck.

[buwaytress]

Who the hell is a technical writer? A person who wraps garbages in a fancy fake paper full of bombastic phrases and buzz words to help scammers with their ICO shit?

You've misunderstood what a technical writer does. The role you just described is the opposite of what a tech writer is supposed to do (if you paid attention to what I posted earlier). I agree that it's probably not necessary for most projects but if anyone has ever built something for consumers, you do want technical writers to at least go over your work to make it suitable for mainstream consumption.

Many of the devs and peer reviewers you talk about these days? They're the ones responsible for "bombastic phrases and buzz words". A proper technical writer tones that down.

I'm always surprised by claims like these. Is your company based in a country where English isn't a commonly spoken language? I've worked and interacted with dozens of developers both in the blockchain space and the overall tech industry but I rarely come across people who aren't reasonably competent writers. It seems like this is more of an issue of market incentives than a shortage of skill. You're dealing with an economic contradiction where you want someone who has a deep understanding of the tech but aren't willing/able to pay them near what the market value is for those skills. If you already have developers then it's probably best to have them write up the technical details and have someone proof read for a lower rate. Good luck.

This.