Yesterday’s post showed you the downside of technical writing points, which are actually more your problem than ours (we tech writers, that is). We love what we do. And here’s why:
1. We can talk geek. Oh, honey. It’s sexy when someone opens up to a conversation with, “So, how are those captives of yours?” If your mind goes directly to offshore investing, you’ve just made a new friend. If instead you conjure up an episode of Gilligan’s Island, we’ll still talk to you because hey, who doesn’t think the Professor was hot?
2. If you tell us you like our robust platform, we’re not going to slap you. That’s because we know the insider jargon. Nothing is more impressive at a party than saying, “But they’re transferring their risks into protected cells! Isn’t that brilliant?” Well, perhaps the guacamole will impress them.
3. We get jobs others are turning down. Tell me the last time you applied for a job writing about Superfund sites or construction risk. Ooo. Never, huh? Too bad. While you guys are avoiding these topics, we tech writers are working.
4. Technical isn’t always technical. We love that people lump anything that’s not mainstream writing into the “technical” category. It means we have lots to work with. For instance, would you write a story for Cosmo or Elle about a drug with a side effect of lengthening eyelashes? Or how about articles on proper hand hygiene for Family Circle? You would? So why aren’t you writing it for the pharmacy mags and emergency physician mags that hire us to write the same stories? I’ve written “technical” stories that include reviewing accounting software, profiling businesses (profiles, people! They practically write themselves!), nurses working in war zones, and debt collection software reviews. Yet I’m not an accountant, CEO, nurse, or debt collector. Hmmm.
5. We get a lot more money. Our work requires someone who’s willing to learn an industry enough to write about it. For that we are well compensated. We’re talking buck-a-word rates in some cases. Nothing is sexier than cashing a nice check.
6. We get repeat business. Because not too many writers are willing to venture out of the comfort zone, we get the work others turn down. We’re rewarded with more work and more checks. We like that.
All you tech writers – what’s your favorite part of the job?
I like the challenge of taking a potentially dry/boring topic and writing about it in a way that makes it, if not scintillating, then at least not snooze-inducing.
Must be the money!
I enjoy research, so I like the aspect of researching technical topics, filtering the jargon down to something legible and then making it as clear and practical as possible.
I’m with you, Lori! Technical writing is sexy — almost as sexy as Gilligan’s professor …
He was hot. Raaaawrrrr….
Interesting post Lori!
In my opinion the sexiest part about it is that you are connecting with like minded people. Whats sexier than you and another person talking on the same level?
Another great point, Rick! It’s why we go to conferences. ;))