Technical writing services are employed to explain the details of a topic in a way that is easily understood by the readers. In todays information age, technical writing jobs are increasingly common. One would think that, eventually, everything useful will have been written! This is not the case, however, and your home-based technical writing company probably has a better chance for success today than at any time in the past.
Business plans, technical report writing, grant writing, instruction manuals, and business correspondence are just a few of the more common types of technical writing jobs available. By becoming skilled with any of these (and other) topics, you can make extremely good money with your own technical writing company.
Start Up Costs and Financing Sources: Under $500
Basic operating costs are very modest, although research for some projects may be expensive.
You could spend weeks or months on a project before being paid, so keep adequate savings for living expenses during these times.
Pricing Guidelines for Service:
Set a reasonable hourly rate for yourself, such as $15-20 per hour to start. As you gain more experience and speed, this rate will increase. Base the estimates for your clients on this rate. Be very careful in estimating the time and resources a project will require. Your clients will expect to pay your quoted price, no matter how much time you actually spend on the project.
Prices are always a delicate issue. You want to ensure the maximum profit for yourself, but pricing your services too high could prevent a profitable, long-term relationship with a customer.
Advertising and Marketing:
Respond to help wanted advertisements seeking technical writers. Become affiliated with industry associations which may list you in their technical writing company directories.
For a fee, online venues will connect you with clients offering a variety of technical writing jobs.
Essential Equipment:
You should have a decent computer with quality word processing software installed. You don't need your own private library, but access to a good source of reference material will be very useful. Technical writing is usually done from your home office, but it is sometimes necessary to travel to a work site for certain resources, so keep reliable transportation available.
Income Potential:
$10,000 to $100,000+
At first, your income will be limited by the number of clients you can find. As you build your exposure and reputation, you might find yourself with more potential clients than you can handle. At this point you can set your rates to focus on more profitable projects, greatly increasing your income potential.
Target Market:
There are many markets that fall under the technical writing umbrella. Some of the more common situations you will encounter are:
Companies needing accurate and understandable training manuals for their employees.
Manufacturers needing useful instruction manuals for their products.
Entrepreneurs needing clear and focused business plans that appeal to investors.
Office workers needing letter templates for their day-to-day correspondence.
Researchers needing influential grant proposals to secure funding for their research.
Tips for Success:
Read, read, read! Reading publications similar to the type of technical writing you will be doing will help you to think with the correct mindset and provide the type of content your intended readers will be expecting. It is also easier to be critical of other people's texts, so you will be able to identify common mistakes and protect yourself from the same pitfalls.
Training, Skills or Experience Needed:
Technical writing requires very precise knowledge of linguistics and grammatical rules. Professional technical writers usually have a four-year degree in English or some sort of post-secondary training related to technical writing.
Unless you are already an expert in a technical field and limit the scope of your writing to that, you will probably be required to quickly learn the details of certain processes - even entire industries.
Research and evaluation skills are important. You must know where to look for all kinds of information and how to interpret the information once you have it.
? Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.
Randy has dozens of home based business articles such as best home based internet business, best home based internet business and best home based internet business.
scheduled cleaning services Winnetka ..You see it often in large shopping complexes. Customers seem... Read More
Every business regardless of size needs a "Business Image Manual"... Read More
If you are a small business you know that you... Read More
All cities have a purchasing office and/or a procurement officer.... Read More
Sometimes the simple businesses are the ones, which make good... Read More
We're birds of a feather, public relations and small business.... Read More
In today's fast paced marketplace it is easy to neglect... Read More
Sexual Harassment is a disturbing part of employment life in... Read More
1. TargetYou are not all things to all people. Decide... Read More
One of the great challenges for independent professionals and small... Read More
It is most fascinating to study how entrepreneurs spot opportunity... Read More
In your small business debt collection laws will eventually become... Read More
You are probably hard at work promoting your business (and... Read More
The FTC- Mighty Federal Trade Commission has unilaterally decided to... Read More
What was your aim when you went into business for... Read More
Every company has a value proposition. That is a statement... Read More
You can't imagine how many people ask me how I... Read More
The last time I spoke and went into a bit... Read More
Boston itself covers 50 square miles of concrete and traffic,... Read More
There are only a handful of car wash franchises in... Read More
No matter type of business you operate you've got to... Read More
Thankfully, most of us will never find out. That is... Read More
Gather round while I tell you the story of Kennebec... Read More
Those who are in the pressure washer business should not... Read More
If you're an entrepreneur responsible for your own small business... Read More
reliable maid service Lincolnshire ..Starting and growing a small business can be a daunting... Read More
My 16 year-old daughter said, "Gee Dad! You look just... Read More
Those who are in the pressure washer business should not... Read More
Is this you?You dreamed of owning your own business, doing... Read More
There have been many great points raised on both sides... Read More
Small businesses need Public Relations, possibly more than large corporations,... Read More
Here are some useful tips on what to consider before... Read More
A tongue-in-cheek look at the skills required to operate a... Read More
As you may already know, asphalt paved parking lots do... Read More
Business card size works well for invitations to special events.What... Read More
Sometimes when you run a business you feel as lonely... Read More
Hogwash!That's what I say to people who tell me that... Read More
Anyone in business today realizes both the natural dependency on... Read More
Your business is making profits, but where is the cash?... Read More
Your on-line success is based on your efforts and yours... Read More
Just a few years ago, when one thought of a... Read More
Contrary to popular belief, small businesses can survive a crazy... Read More
In the book Women and Small Business author gives all... Read More
It behooves every professional mobile auto detailer to stay up... Read More
Where do you look for the appropriate alliance?One of the... Read More
This is the tale of two business plans with very... Read More
The success of your business is critically dependent on how... Read More
Under the Securities Act of 1933, any offer to sell... Read More
The difference between rates and wages is not always clear... Read More
A solopreneur I know disappears from my radar screen for... Read More
Small Business |