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Basic Software Documentation Terms Every Tech Writer Should Know

Introduction It helps to know Basic Software Documentation Terms if you’re documenting any software product. It cuts down on your preparation time and saves you from getting those “funny stares” from the developers/engineers when it becomes apparent that you don’t know what you’re talking about. Rule of Thumb Always do your homework first and get…

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Job Prospects in Technical Writing vs. Copy Writing

An accountant/bookkeeper reader asked whether copy writing is a better alternative in terms of finding jobs than technical writing, especially in rural areas. The following was my answer to him: “I’d say the chances of finding a tech writing vs. copy writing job in rural areas is just about the same. The business that has…

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How to Get That Very First Technical Writing Job…

That very first technical writing job is the hardest for most writers and non-writers who are new to the field. Once that threshold is crossed, there’s usually no going back. The rest is usually a series of promotions or lateral and vertical moves from one company or assignment to another. For the freelancing “lone writers,”…

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Technical Writer Salaries by Hi-Tech Company

© Ugur Akinci Here is an interesting source that lists the salary range for various categories of technical writers by company: http://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/technical-writer-salary-SRCH_KO0,16.htm Since sometimes such web pages are removed from the server, let’s summarize the annual salary ranges for technical writers by hi-tech company: Cisco $76,000 – $107,000 CA Technologies $62,000 – $99,000 Microsoft $76,000…

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U.S. Federal Government as a Source of Employment for Technical Writers

The U.S. federal government is a major source of employment for technical writers, as the government employs more than 7,000 writers who produce manuals and instructions for federal agencies and departments. Technical writing is a field that requires an understanding of the subject matter being written about, as well as the ability to communicate clearly…

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