“Technical writer" is an easy-to-remember term that many people apply to anyone who writes about technology topics.
Among writers however, "technical writer" has a specific definition, with experience and skills that typically aren't suited to sales materials, PR projects, and other marketing communications.
Instead, you may need a "technical copywriter" -- someone who blends technical knowledge and marketing savvy.
These factors will help you determine whether your projects need a true technical writer or, more likely, a technical copy writer. (Note: Technical copywriters may use different labels, such as technology writer, white paper writer, technical articles writer, case study writer, success story writer, content writer, or technical marketing writer.)
|
Technical Copywriter |
Technical Writer |
|
|
Project Types |
Brochures, Web content, press releases, white papers, customer success stories, blog posts, and other sales material |
User manuals, online help files, release notes; sometimes very technical articles and white papers |
|
Organizational Fit |
Marketing, sales, or public relations groups |
Documentation or product development groups |
|
Knowledge of Technical Topics |
Maintains a high-level, marketing knowledge of technologies and products, focusing in-depth as needed |
Maintains an in-depth product knowledge with a highly technical focus |
|
Marketing Knowledge |
Maintains up-to-date information about market needs, competitiveness, and marketing techniques |
Marketing knowledge may be very limited because work is focused on post-sale communications |
|
Writing Skills |
Highly polished and creative skills expected for a variety of styles, audiences, and projects |
Writing styles are standardized and allow little opportunity for variety or creative messaging |
|
Communications Experience |
Projects cover the spectrum of customer communication, from attracting interest to motivating a purchase to sustaining loyalty |
Most projects are focused on post-sale user training and support |
|
Education |
May have a degree in advertising, marketing, public relations, or business |
May have a degree in English, technical communications, or a technical subject |
Your company likely uses both technical writers and technical copy writers, whether as employees, as agency writers, or as freelancers. The easy way to remember the difference:
- If you are writing a document intended to sell a product to a customer, you need a technical copywriter.
- If you are writing a document to help a customer use your product, you need a technical writer.
How to find the right technical writer or technical copywriter
When searching for a freelance writer on the Web, use the "technical writer" and "technical copywriter" terms as appropriate for your project. By using the factors above to review the person's project experience and skills list, you can easily verify whether that candidate is the best match to your needs.
About the Author
Janice King is an award-winning technical copywriter who helps large, global technology companies produce clear, compelling sales and PR materials. Learn more about Janice's technical copywriting services at www.writespark.com.
You'll also want to explore Janice's groundbreaking book, Copywriting That Sells High Tech.
Comments