Breaking Into Technical Writing: How To Make $1000 On The Side As A Technical Writer

Today's section of the series talks about something that I never believed in myself that I would write, but I have seen that it has become important that I do.
Oftentimes, I am asked by people how viable being a technical writer is. I am asked about how financially rewarding it is, and if it is a career worth venturing into.
This article isn't to answer that question but to share my own story and my journey.
All the points and steps I listed here are the things that worked for me, and I am hoping to work for you as well.

Before I get into this article, I will say boldly that,

MY ABILITY TO HAVE ACHIEVED EVERYTHING I HAVE IS TESTAMENT TO THE FACT THAT GOD CAN LOVE A MAN; WHOLLY, TRULY AND COMPLETELY!

In my article, Congratulations, you have not been hired!, I shared my story and my journey with impostor syndrome.
Overcoming this hasn't been easy.
One of the things that has significantly helped me is pushing myself to run writing sprints, marathons or series.
The first series I wrote, Complete frontend web development tutorial helped boost my confidence.
Over time, I have ran a number of series talking about different topics from frontend web development to backend to APIs and more recently, technical writing.

Table of Contents

 1. How To 10x Your Portfolio As A Technical Writer

       1.1. Keep Writing

       1.2. Write About Various Topics

       1.3. Work On Your Resume

       1.4. Build Your Network

       1.5. Don't Stop Applying For Jobs!

       1.6. Optimize Your Social Media Profile
 2. How To Apply For Technical Writing Gigs
 3. How To Leverage AI As A Technical Writer
 4. Greatest Tip For Landing Technical Writing Gigs
 5. Conclusion

How To 10x Your Portfolio As A Technical Writer

Since this is a personal article, I will be sharing my own personal experiences and opinions.

Keep Writing

The primary way to 10x your portfolio as a technical writer is to keep writing.

It makes so much sense because your writing is basically your portfolio. Therefore, the more you write, the bigger and better your portfolio.

Write About Various Topics

One of the mistakes that I have seen technical writers make is to niche-down their writing.
Except you are what Kevin Powell to CSS is to technical writing, then you don't need a specific niche.
From my experience, niching down limits your reach by far. This is because; you might be a proficient Python technical writer, but the openings you keep seeing are for web scrapping or React writers.
You see that you are already at a disadvantage.
The easiest way to solve this is to make yourself as flexible as possible: trying out new technologies, stacks, or products.

Work On Your Resume

This has been the hardest for me to get around to.
It is important to tailor your resume to any job you want to apply to, be it contract or full-time.
I understand how time-consuming this can be, but the game is the game. I have missed out on a lot of opportunities simply because I was too lazy to put in the extra effort to modify my resume.

Build Your Network

Because the jobs I have gotten or have worked on aren't the most popular, I am often asked how I came across the opportunities. This is where building your network comes in. Your network isn't only the people you know on a personal level, it also applies to where you get your information from. That is; the kinds of groups, channels, or forums you join. I am in a couple of these channels, both on Discord and on Slack where I have seen the opportunities, and people that have helped me.
Join these forums and be active in them. Your next client is one exposure away.

Don't Stop Applying For Jobs!

I cannot emphasize this enough.
I understand how discouraging it can get when you keep applying for jobs and not getting any feedback. But you can't stop!
The truth is, if you don't apply, you won't get seen or noticed. No matter how discouraged or tired you get, do not relent in your applications.

Optimize Your Social Media Profile

I am more active on LinkedIn. Because of this, I have made my LinkedIn so that I don't always have to apply for jobs, recruiters reach out directly to me.
Whether it is on LinkedIn, X, Reddit, or Quora, make yourself out to be a subject-matter expert on the topic.

How To Apply For Technical Writing Gigs

There isn't a one-size-fits-all rule to applying to technical writing gigs, but the primary thing is always to put your best foot forward!
However, some tips helped me.

1. Always check the job requirements and send writing samples that closely align with them. This helps the recruiter judge your level of depth in the subject.
2. In your pitch or application for a gig or position, always sound confident in what you do or what you know. This is very important as it shows the recruiter that you know your onions. But don't sound overly confident so as not to look arrogant.
3. Have references. Applications carry weight when they can be verified by someone else or a source. References are necessary and come in various forms.
4. Do not put all your eggs in one basket. Some people apply for only one job and put all their hope in it. Not that this in itself is wrong, but it is possible that that that might not be your opportunity. In this case, it is possible for you to feel sad or discouraged. The whole principle is to not put all your eggs in one basket.
5. Use multiple job boards. Don't rely on just LinkedIn for your job search. This brings me to the point I made about building your network. Your network serves as a job board for you as well.
6. Write a lot; have a lot of projects. It might sound like I am repeating this one point, but it is so necessary. This is what sets you apart from the plenty of other people applying for the same thing you are.

How To Leverage AI As A Technical Writer

AI is your friend as a technical writer. Technical writers have a large arsenal of AI tools at their disposal, simply to make your work easier and more stress-free.
From grammar-checking tools to GitHub Copilot for coding ease, down to automation tools like Checklist or Notion.
As a technical writer, you shouldn't run from the advancements AI is making. What you should do is get on top of it and make yourself as relevant as you can.
Very soon, proficiency in some of these AI tools will become key job description attributes.

Greatest Tip For Landing Technical Writing Gigs

I purposely put this as a heading because it is the biggest tip I have learned.

Help and be helped.

In Nigerian lingo, I'd say, no hide update for person make person no hide update for you!

The more you help people, the more people help you. This help can come in various forms, whether it be by sharing someone's post, commenting, giving feedback, sharing hiring opportunities, or any way that you can think of that will benefit someone else.

Conclusion

I believe I have done enough justice to this topic from my perspective. I also believe I have answered some of the questions I get asked. Even as I was writing this article, I got two DMs asking the exact same thing.
The more I learn, the more I'd share. But that's all for today. Happy reading!

Let's connect on LinkedIn ❤