If you’re looking to invest in a content marketing strategy without having to expand your own internal team, you might have considered outsourcing the work to a tech writing partner. The best tech writing agencies won’t just handle the writing side of things—they’ll take strategy into their own hands, creating a content calendar, writing their own briefs, and editing work in-house before returning it to you.
But not all tech writers are equal, and you’ll need to know what to look for in a good writing team to avoid wasting your money. This guide breaks down X things you should look for when you’re choosing an outsourced tech writing partner to represent your business.
- Look at Their Industry Knowledge
Your tech writer doesn’t need to be the next Steve Jobs, but they should know your industry well enough to explain your technical products in a way that makes sense to the average reader.
Ask any writing teams you’re considering to share their portfolios, and check that they’ve worked for brands or products that are similar to your own. Ideally, they should display writing samples on their website, like outsourced technical writing services provider DevDocs. If they already have the experience, you won’t have to waste time explaining the basics, and the writer will need less direction to deliver the content you need.
- Check Their Writing Style and Clarity
A great writing partner should be able to transform technical jargon into something your audience can actually understand. When you’re evaluating their portfolios, check that they’re capable of breaking down complex processes using reader-friendly lingo.
You want someone who can write in a way that’s accurate but easy to follow, without confusing your audience to the extent that they stop reading altogether. If their work feels confusing to you, you can guarantee that it’s going to be even more baffling to your customers.
- Evaluate Their Ability to Adapt
Every business has its own branding and goals, and the right tech writing partner should be able to switch up their writing style to match your brand voice perfectly.
When you’re contacting potential writers, ask them how they approach new projects, and whether they can show you examples of how they adapt for different tones and formats (user guides, blog posts, marketing materials, and so on). If they can show that they’re flexible, you know that they can roll with your needs, even when your business decides to go in completely different directions.
- Consider Their Research Skills
As mentioned earlier in this guide, tech writing often involves taking raw technical information and turning it into something that anyone can read, regardless of their knowledge.
A skilled writer should know how to research properly and fact-check everything to make sure it’s all accurate. Ask how they gather technical details and check that they’re able to work closely with your subject matter experts when they need to. You don’t want someone who just wings it and hopes for the best.
