Written By: Sonia Naik
A
technical writer? Me? Well I never thought I was one until one fine day I woke
up to a pile of reports, essays and research papers all pointing to one thing –
when did all this happen and how?
For
starters I have always been a voracious reader. More of those ‘ l love the
smell of new books’ or ‘Oh I would love to be a librarian’ or ‘ Books are my
best friends’ were always a part of my vocabulary. I wrote…a lot, whether it is
my own expressions to fill my diary pages, edit the college magazine or
complete the thesis. Each one was dealt with renewed vigour and unbounded energy.
However it was not until completion of my Masters and joining a planning firm
that I actually ventured into what is called a technical report. Having started
my tryst into ‘serious’ report writing in an UK based firm the standards of
writing, content assimilation, analysis and overall output were very high.
Since the past 8 years I have gained a more in-depth outlook towards writing such reports and have come up with my own unique formula to crack the case! The BARCODE as I call it. It has helped me simplify my thought process and deliver a product to the highest quality and standard. In addition, it has built my own resource bank to explore opportunities in making writing as a skilled career choice.
1.
Broadcasting
one’s skills
First
thing first…no one is going to employ you unless they know what your base talent
is; especially when it includes field-specific core skills. It is important to find
the right platform to promote your knowledge base. A good resume with sample
writings on key web portals, intensive networking and branding would instantly
improve outreach and visibility and enhance chances of landing a writing job.
2.
Applications
So
you think you have a great report with the perfectly formulated content? Well
just half the battle won. It cannot be stressed enough on the idea of making it
look good. Many or most times any content backed with the right graphic imagery
will draw attention of the reader. It is this ability to see through a fine
glass, sieve out photos and colours to convey the report that will see people
actually enjoy reading what you write. And yes, this applies to a technical
report too. Who said such a report has to be a boring one?
3.
Research
& Knowledge base
Correct
research is a game-changer. It differentiates a mediocre piece of work from a
well-articulated and confident article. A college degree to that effect would
go a long way to hone one’s skills. Pulling out the right sources, collecting
data and analyzing to generate solutions/views pretty much guarantees an
accurate end product. Being internet friendly is a definite plus here and you
can Google away to glory!!
4.
Content
Writing
OK,
so now comes the crucial part of actually delivering the content. When it comes
to technical reports there is no place for anything superfluous. Every
statement is a culmination of in-depth research and analysis and resultant
conclusion. It has to be concise and well-structured.
An impressive body of text would pretty much nail your identity as someone who
writes with clarity and cohesion.
5.
Opportunities
Try,
try and try till you succeed as they say. But this is easily said than done
unless you punch the right keys and connect with the right people. This has
been stressed a million times and I repeat - one has to be at the right place
at the right time!
6.
Desire
for a long term career
This
one is important for it will simply make or break the idea of establishing
yourself in the tech writing regime. A need for dedication, passion &
perseverance combined with raw talent is essential to keep delivering a quality
output. Sometimes it is this X-factor within that will catapult you from a
person wanting to make money to a highly successful and respected tech writer.
7.
Engagement towards Continuous Learning
A
constant urge to explore avenues, subjects, learn and unlearn, create and
recreate is of utmost important to keep freshness in your writings whilst
delivering a straightforward and readable document. It is this knack for curiosity;
intuitive understanding of words and wish for lifelong learning that could find
you firmly on the path of a successful technical writer.
To
conclude, yes…it is indeed possible to make a living out of this profession and
a highly successful one too. All you needs is to get on track, set goals and create
a niche clientele for yourself. So get BARCODE-ING and there is no way anyone can
write you off!!!
Sonia Naik is an Urban Planner by
profession with over 8 years of experience in writing tech reports. A
self-confessed foodie, avid reader, movie buff and writer she loves to explore
the finer nuances of life through her writings. She is inspired by nature and
people-watching. She is passionate about graphic design and looks for ways
to convey her words through strong imagery.
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