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 maid service Northbrook ..Just a few years ago, when one thought of a... Read More
You're pretty proud of yourself! After all, only four months... Read More
When pressure washing heavy equipment each piece of equipment has... Read More
Winning small and home based businesses today must continually shake... Read More
After over thirty years advising small business it still comes... Read More
Have Some Time to Yourself One of the most important... Read More
Washing the exterior of a truck. Sounds easy right? Well,... Read More
How do you sponsor an event and get personal introductions... Read More
What's your job profitability? Do you know?Many business owners are... Read More
You see it often in large shopping complexes. Customers seem... Read More
It is most fascinating to study how entrepreneurs spot opportunity... Read More
In the Truck Washing Business every single type of vehicle... Read More
What unspoken message are you sending your clients and customers?... Read More
Where would a business be without a business plan? A... Read More
Many of us have noticed how some nearby communities seem... Read More
Whether it has been thrust upon you by external market... Read More
Top 3 Ways to Maximize Your Small Business Server Consulting... Read More
Starting the blind cleaning business is one of the best... Read More
There is much competition in the mobile auto detailing business.... Read More
You've always liked flowers and you think the idea of... Read More
The following are six essential skills to business success. You... Read More
American small business is again in transition. Many employees, now... Read More
A common hazard faced by new entrepreneurs is a lack... Read More
If you run a pressure washer business you need complete... Read More
SBIR vs. STTR: If you are participating in the SBIR... Read More
reliable maid service Highland Park ..If you are worried about how many different business cards... Read More
Sacred cows take a long time to die. We get... Read More
To have one of the popular in home daycare businesses.... Read More
Purchasing a franchise has become one of the most popular... Read More
Nothing can drive a business down faster than customers who... Read More
It's just like a marriageTo expect a bank manager or... Read More
I am simply amazed at the problems some of my... Read More
It has been discussed allowing Franchising companies to electronically disclose... Read More
The Federal Trade Commission decided to sit down and revamp... Read More
Administrative and clerical tasks are the bane of every industry.... Read More
What is in an information plan?Before you even meet with... Read More
There are many factors to be considered when you are... Read More
One of the biggest excuses franchisees of home based and... Read More
All legitimate home business entrepreneurs insist and announce loud and... Read More
We're birds of a feather, public relations and small business.... Read More
The goals of businesses have undergone much evolution from the... Read More
1. TargetYou are not all things to all people. Decide... Read More
With all the cabinet refacing business opportunities out there, you... Read More
So often small service businesses fail to exploit niches, which... Read More
You can provide affordable health care plans to your employees.... Read More
If you ask most small business owners what priority CRM... Read More
Do you have a Business Plan? Congratulations, but you are... Read More
Have Some Time to Yourself One of the most important... Read More
Attorneys and Lawyers are ruining the franchise industry. It is... Read More
To get approval for your small business loan application, you... Read More
Small Business |