What is Technical writing anyway?Technical writers produce Documentation that describe products or services and explain how to use them.Instructional Writing/Advisory etc also falls into this categary.
Well it is like marketing the Product/Explaining the usability of Product.Well technical writing not only concerned with Products but sometime marketing your skills like(e.g.Repairing Cycle etc) comes under Technical Writing.
In Technical writing the material is for specific audience who wants to understand the Product. Technical writing should be clear accuarate, simple & easy to read. Manual/Tutorial writiers are usually part of Developer teams, So that they can understand thier audience better, cover most out of thier product support area. So the important skill for Technical writiers to grasp the subject and to present it in way so that any novice can understand the product.
It is Good part time job if you really think you need second job that suits your skill, Yes it is Better than MLM marketing.I hate MLM, anyway thats other part.
Where to start?
Well to start with you can write on the subject that interests you most.You can write it and present it in BBS/Forum that is Dedicated to that topic. This will bring a lot of feedbacks/Erors/Suggestions out of your writing. Improve in the areas where you think you need to.Well there are many online courses available for Tehnical Writing, Check https://raycomm.com/techwhirl/ or more sites to improve your skills.Do a search in Google for?technical writing? or?technical communications, ? and start browsing.’Technical Writing For Dummies’ & Developing Quality Technical Information’ are two great Books to start with. You can also attend a short term course in University on Subject’Technical Communication’.
Next Step for Writing
Well you need to learn to use variety of software to produce documentation.Available softwares are Adobe PageMaker, Microsoft Word, Visio, Doc-to-Help & Adobe PhotoShop, eHelp?s RoboHelp.My recoomendation is MS Word & Robohelp only.You will be hired on the skills of using on all above mentioned softwares.
Mix up in water
Well you will get this job only if you put your feets on the land.You have to be in touch with the peoples that can point you towards technical writing job.Join Organistaion like STC at https://stc.org/ it is good idea to learn from others at meetings, seminars, Monthly magazines etc.You can also set up your website and show off your skills to others. Write Manual/Tutorials for free softwares, Post sample articles, freeware downloads, online help project, a multi-chapter document, some graphics or animation or even Write short articles for Forums, whatever you do make sure it is your best effort. Your Own Web site/Free articles or Samples/Resume is good idea to present yourself. Also keep posting your resumes to companies on india.Monster.com or Naukri.com like websites, Who knows you may end up getting highly paid tech writing job:).
Make your resume attractive try few resume building websites.
Skills
Well You need some skills you need to become successful technical writer.
-Grammar/ vocabulary first of course!
-Passion to write.
-Clear thinking/Different style of writing.
-Audience Judgement & Grasping Power etc.
-Big Hard drive inside Mind to store the Data & Skill to Sort/locate/Manage it.:)
Well apart from skills I mentioned you must have other job related skills e.g.Interview skill etc. Well there are many resources about technical writing but I can’t forward you to one sure location for this.https://writersweekly.com is Nice website to hang out.https://writersdigest.com is excellent source of writer’s resources.
I’m not a Technical writer but If this article worth to let you know about Tech writing then give me feedback.Comments/suggestion all are welcome.