What is Freelance Technical Writing?
The demand for freelance technical content writers is increasing.
In this article, we’ll go over technical writing, how to become a freelance technical writer, tips for success, and the top websites for finding freelance technical writing jobs.
Let’s dive right in.
What is Freelance Technical Writing?
Freelance technical writing is when a technical writer works with clients rather than working full-time at a company to convert technical concepts and information into digestible content.
It’s different from article writing, report writing, and blogging because it involves using complex information and certain writing styles.
Bloggers, copywriters, and content writers may be able to write blogs and articles about information technology, HTML, SEO, social media, and other topics. Still, they might be unable to develop user manuals and other technical documentation.
Some examples of technical writing include instruction manuals, case studies, white papers, orientation manuals, API documentation, release notes, financial reports, company documents, FAQs, and more.
Technical writers need complete technical knowledge of the subject matter and excellent writing skills. They may also require direct technical skills, communication skills, and years of experience in the industry.
Technical writers follow a style guide, but some technical writer jobs may require using unique templates. In any case, tech writing requires you to be familiar with various writing styles.
Freelance technical writing became popular because many small businesses found it hard to hire full-time or even part-time technical writers. That’s primarily because the average technical writer salary is above the national average wage.
As a result, you will find several writing freelancers on various sites. You’ll find countless new job postings on different sites with people looking for high-quality freelance technical writing experts. Some jobs require complete technical writing tasks, while others require proofreading tasks.
In any case, many technical writers today prefer freelance remote work, especially because it helps them develop a strong and diverse portfolio.
How Can You Become a Freelance Technical Writer?
Becoming a freelance technical writer would be hard if you have no prior experience in technical writing or writing. However, if you’ve worked as a technical writer at an organization or in technical communications, it would be easier to get into freelancing.
You don’t necessarily have to focus all your efforts on freelancing; you can do it alongside a technical writer job. That’s because freelancer technical writing jobs can have extremely varying pay ranges.
To become a freelance technical writer, you just need to start finding projects online. You can find several freelance projects on different freelancing websites. Alternatively, you can make a profile on sites like LinkedIn and sell your services by showcasing your portfolio and getting leads.
While large organizations prefer hiring in-house remote technical writers, thousands of small businesses rely on freelancers. That’s especially true for hundreds of websites, small SaaS companies, and other online ventures that show up each day. They rely on freelancers for their writing needs.
Therefore, you’ll always find freelance technical writing work at all times. You might be writing user manuals, website FAQs, release notes, or even financial documents; however, you will always be able to find some technical writing tasks.
If you have a strong portfolio, you can negotiate the prices of these freelancing jobs. The stronger the portfolio you have, the better rates you get. It also helps to get some technical writing certifications to showcase your skills and abilities.
To become a freelance technical writer, you don’t necessarily need to know everything from the start. You learn as you complete projects and develop a better freelancing profile.
Top Websites for Freelance Jobs/Technical Writing Jobs
The best way to find freelancing jobs for technical writing is to look into different freelancing websites. While you may be able to find leads by making a website or profile on LinkedIn or other forums, the best way to find several jobs is on freelance websites.
There are tons of websites that offer technical writing jobs and offers. However, building a freelance profile takes time and effort, and it’s best to stick to any platform at any given time. The more focus and effort you put into one platform, the better the freelance profile you develop. As a result, you’ll get more lucrative jobs and offers.
You can consider any of the following freelancing websites to start your freelance technical writing career. It’s best to make a profile on each platform and try it out to figure out what platform works best for you.
1. Upwork
Upwork is one of the most well-known freelancing websites used by millions in the United States and the world. You can practically find jobs for every task that can be potentially outsourced. You’ll also find job posts for location-based tasks.
At any point, you’ll find hundreds of technical writing jobs in the US alone. They may pay a fixed price per project or on an hourly basis. However, you’ll find that the hourly rate for technical writing ranges between $30-$50.
Sometimes, you’ll find that technical writer jobs are often categorized under the content writing and content marketing category. Therefore, it’s also best to check out those categories for technical writing jobs.
You can sort out the jobs by getting the most relevant or the newest results. Furthermore, you must submit a proposal when you apply for a job. Including some past work and your portfolio is best since you’ll be competing with several other freelancers.
You can include additional tags and filters to find technical writing jobs related to your field or industry.
You can find the current list of freelance technical writing jobs on Upwork here.
2. FlexJobs
FlexJobs is a member-ship-based freelance website accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) with an A+ rating. Along with its partner sites, Remote.co and 1 Million for Work Flexibility, the site offers freelance jobs, company directories, and job search resources.
You can also find remote, part-time, and full-time jobs on the site and freelance jobs. When you search for technical writing jobs on FlexJobs, you’ll be bombarded with many job posts, including freelance jobs.
It’s best to set up more filters to get only freelance opportunities. You can also search according to job availability, location, featured jobs, industries, and even specific companies.
Ideally, familiarize yourself with how the freelance market works on FlexJobs. Consider signing up and sending a proposal for any technical writing job that seems to work for you.
You can check out all the freelance technical writing jobs on FlexJobs here.
3. Freelancer
Freelancer is one of the largest and oldest freelance marketplaces in the world. The site works similarly to most freelancing sites, where you make an account, put in some proposals, and work to develop your freelance profile.
It may be hard to start your freelance career on Freelancer, especially considering there are tons of people with firm profiles and years of experience. As a result, you may have to work with smaller and less-paying technical writing jobs at first. However, as you progress and complete more projects, you’ll be open to better, higher-paying freelance jobs.
You can search for freelance technical writing jobs on Freelancer using specific keywords. Keywords help you find jobs related to your industry, specialty, and writing type. You can also choose whether you want an online job or something geographically close to you.
You can filter your search by including minimum budgets, durations, and contests. Furthermore, you can also search according to the required skills and language if you specialize in a niche subject matter.
In any case, you can check out most of Freelancer freelance technical writing jobs here.
4. Fiverr
Fiverr is a massive freelance website that has gained considerable momentum in recent years. It became so large because it took a unique approach to freelance work. Rather than people posting jobs and freelancers applying to them, Fiverr reversed the process.
Therefore, freelancers develop pitches that showcase what they do and include a complete portfolio. Employers can scroll through several potential pitches and start a conversation with the freelancers they consider right for the job.
As a result, freelancers have to develop a pitch where they showcase their strong suits and the best of their portfolio.
You should upload your best technical writing pieces as a freelance technical writer in your pitch. If you’re new, you should keep reasonable prices; as you progress, you can increase your rates.
You can check out these pitches by other freelance technical writers to develop your pitch on Fiverr.
Tips on Becoming a Great Freelance Technical Writer
Becoming a freelance technical writer is one thing, but you’ll compete with thousands of other freelance technical writing experts. You need to be able to compete with them immediately to jumpstart your freelance technical writing career.
While having excellent writing skills, communication skills, and technical writing experience is mandatory, you should focus on some additional tips. If you want an in-depth look into these tips, check out our Technical Writing Certification Course.
The following tips can be used to give you an edge in freelance technical writing, especially if you’re starting.
1. Develop a Strong Technical Writing Portfolio
Having some experience under your belt is crucial when starting your freelance technical writing career. Since you need to be able to show your skills, the best way to do so is to develop a technical writing portfolio.
You should use any past work if you don’t have much experience. If you have much experience, choose the best work to showcase in your portfolio. If you have no previous work, you can create new samples so potential clients can check your capabilities.
You can develop new samples by creating supporting documents for famous apps, developing custom instruction manuals, or creating user guides for products you use.
In any case, it’s crucial to have a strong technical writing portfolio so you can always showcase your abilities.
2. Find a Niche You’re Good In
Every person tends to be more knowledgeable and sound in one industry or subject matter rather than several. It’s critical to find an industry you’re good in, where you can consider yourself an expert on various issues.
Finding your industry and interest is the best way to find your niche. You should focus on one single sector, one single aspect, and work to improve yourself accordingly. The more defined your niche is, the better it is for you because you won’t be competing with many freelance technical writers. You’ll just be competing with a handful of technical writers who work in the same niche as you do.
Once you find your niche, you should focus on gaining more knowledge of that field, strengthening your writing skills accordingly, and finding permanent freelance clients.
3. Use Templates and Double-Check Everything
While technical writing requires specific knowledge, you must follow typical guidelines and formats. The best way to ensure you’re doing it right is by using templates. You can look at different technical writing examples, samples, and templates to understand how to proceed.
After you’re done, you should make a habit of double-checking everything, especially when you’re proofreading and editing your document. Cross-check your documents with templates and other examples to ensure the right format and writing style.
Making a Freelance Technical Writing Career
As technical writing freelancers, you must increase your knowledge of various topics. It’s crucial to stay on top of all the developments to develop a name for your industry.
As a freelance technical writing expert, you should be able to work under varying timelines, budgets, and different forms of clients.
It’s equally important to be able to understand what the client wants and to be knowledgeable about any given task.
In any case, it’s important to build your freelance technical writing career by taking on several projects and producing great results.
Conclusion
Freelance technical writing offers a unique opportunity for skilled writers to turn their expertise into a flexible and rewarding career. By combining technical knowledge with strong communication skills, freelance technical writers can create impactful documentation for diverse industries.
Whether you’re crafting user manuals, release notes, or white papers, the key to success lies in building a strong portfolio, finding your niche, and continuously improving your craft. With the right tools, platforms, and mindset, freelance technical writing can provide a steady stream of opportunities and professional growth.
Start small, stay consistent, and focus on delivering exceptional value to your clients. Over time, you’ll build a reputation that sets you apart in the competitive freelance landscape.
FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about freelance writing.
What is freelance technical writing?
Freelance technical writing involves working with multiple clients to create clear and concise documentation, such as user manuals, white papers, API guides, and FAQs, without being tied to a full-time role at a single company.
How do I start a freelance technical writing career?
To start, focus on building a strong portfolio showcasing your technical writing skills. You can find freelance projects on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer or by networking on LinkedIn. Gaining certifications in technical writing and identifying a niche can also help you stand out.
What skills are required for freelance technical writing?
Key skills include:
- Technical knowledge in a specific industry.
- Strong writing and editing abilities.
- Familiarity with style guides like the Microsoft Manual of Style.
- Proficiency with tools like MadCap Flare, Adobe FrameMaker, or Word.
- Excellent communication and time management.
How much can freelance technical writers earn?
Earnings vary based on experience, niche, and project complexity. Freelance technical writers typically charge between $30-$50 per hour or negotiate fixed project fees. More experienced writers with strong portfolios can command higher rates.
What platforms are best for finding freelance technical writing jobs?
Top platforms include:
- Upwork: Offers a wide range of technical writing jobs with filters for industry and pay.
- FlexJobs: Features remote and freelance technical writing opportunities.
- Freelancer: Provides diverse job listings with keyword and budget filtering.
- Fiverr: Allows freelancers to showcase services and portfolios to attract clients.
How do I build a strong technical writing portfolio?
- Include samples of past work, such as user manuals or case studies.
- If you lack experience, create mock documents for well-known tools or apps.
- Showcase your best work and tailor your portfolio to the industries you want to target.
What is the importance of finding a niche in freelance technical writing?
Specializing in a niche (e.g., IT, healthcare, or finance) helps you stand out and positions you as an expert in that field. It reduces competition and allows you to command higher rates for your specialized knowledge.
How can I ensure my technical writing meets client expectations?
- Use templates and follow style guides to maintain consistency.
- Double-check content for clarity, accuracy, and formatting.
- Communicate regularly with clients to understand their requirements.
- Leverage tools like Grammarly or ProWritingAid for editing and proofreading.
If you are new to technical writing and are looking to break-in, we recommend taking our Technical Writing Certification Course, where you will learn the fundamentals of being a technical writer, how to dominate technical writer interviews, and how to stand out as a technical writing candidate.
