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For most writers their background is in English, Journalism, or Communications. However, when hiring a technical or Scientific freelance copywriter a different approach by the writer is necessary to make sure the information presented is accurate and the proper terminology is used.
- Hire a Writer that has a background in scientific or technical writing. technical writing is often considered dry by a freelance copywriter whose experience is mostly in sales copy or writing marketing copy for less technical products or services. If you hire a writer looking for a good time and hand them technical materials, you may find yourself reading copy that’s more fun than informative.
- You can’t go wrong with a good list. Provide the freelance writer with a list of terminology that should not have other terms substituted for the terms given. In many highly scientific industries certain terms have very specific meanings and synonyms that seem acceptable will actually refer to very different products or services than the one being written about.
- Make sure they get it. Hire a writer that is able to prove they understand the industry and the differences in terminology. Go over the list of specific terms that cannot be substituted with the writer before hiring to make sure they will be able to grasp the subtle differences in terminology that describe the specifics of the industry.
- Hire a writer, not a scientist or technician. Although a Scientist or Engineer may know the industry’s terminology better than anyone else they may not have the writing skills necessary when writing marketing copy for the web.
Jennifer Gniadecki is a freelance writer available on WriterAccess, a marketplace where clients and expert writers connect for assignments. WriterAccess is powered by ideaLaunch, a full service content marketing agency serving hundreds of clients and thousands of writers since 2000.
Tags: content marketing
This is a useful checklist for people who may be wondering how a technical copywriter can help their business.
re #1: “..technical writing is often considered dry by a freelance copywriter whose experience is mostly in sales copy or writing marketing copy for less technical products or services.”
I suspect social media’s adoption by the corp world and their customers/partners will further blur traditional boundaries between pre and post sales technical copywriting.
It’s an opportunity for writers too because the best of them will adapt and develop a skills matrix that includes technical, business/marketing and copywriting expertise.