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Content & Writing Job Description Templates

Technical Writer Job Description

A technical writer is a competent communicator of information whose job is to transmit information between two or more parties through some means that promotes information transfer and understanding in the best way possible. Via a variety of distribution channels (electronic, printed, audio-visual and even touch), Technical Writers study and build information. 

Online support, manuals, white papers, concept requirements, project plans and program test plans are examples of information categories. Technical writers are rapidly engaging in the development of educational training materials with the emergence of e-learning.

Similar Job Titles:

Tech Writer, Technical Author

What Does a Technical Writer Usually Do?

In order to share detailed and specialized knowledge more effectively, technical writers prepare instruction manuals, how-to guides, journal articles, and other supporting materials. Via the contact networks of an entity, they also create, collect, and disseminate technological knowledge.

Below is a rundown of a Technical Writer’s monthly tasks:

  1.   Ascertain the most applicable medium of documentation for the assignment
  2.   Assemble project brief by analyizing client information
  3.   Collaborate internally with the technical department to understand company products and strategy
  4. Review / rework internal content

Ascertain the Most Applicable Medium of Documentation

Technical writing is used if it is necessary to express technical details through simplified text. Scientific or technical knowledge will be broken down and explained in the text and the reader will be able to use the information in an easier manner. 

Technical writing is particularly popular thanks to the technological shifts seen in the workplace and day-to-day life. While text may still be the most popular form of relaying information, as a Technical Writer, you will need to decide what format will be best suited for the users’ needs, i.e. graphic, audio or illustrated.

Text may be best for scientific papers, and basic instruction manuals. Technical Writers may need to collaborate with internal graphic designers to shift the medium to a visual aid, or even work with the sound department to produce an audio guide. This versatility is key to becoming a successful Technical Writer.

Assemble Project Brief by Analyzing Client Information

Depending on the company industry, different clients will require different content. If you’re working in the science industry, client briefs may require you to simplify scientific papers for the general public to access, or schools to use in their textbooks. 

You could also be working on instructional pamphlets for Lego blocks. This is why it’s important as a Technical Writer to gather resources and information on the customers’ requirements, and then take this info through to the internal team to collaborate on.

Collaborate Internally with The Technical Department

Technical Writers often collaborate with multiple internal departments. In order to monitor the way knowledge circulates across the organization and to clients, Technical Writers consult with the technical department, as well as marketing, management, and other technical personnel. This also allows consistency to remain at maximum, thanks to multiple experts providing feedback on tone and ease of use.

While Technical Writers don’t always need to be in the office in the modern work environment, this specific function will require regular conference calls and group meetings in order to stay within the same company “voice”.

Review / Rework Internal Content

In the same way that Technical Writers create content based on information they’ve received, the team you’ll be working with also creates content. Just as a Technical Writer submits their work to be reviewed, you’ll also be required to analyze, edit, and submit suggestions for the work your peers submit. This process helps keep the content consistent, simple, and ultimately suitable for the targeted audience.

Roles a Technical Writer Typically Collaborates With

Depending on the corporation’s structures, Technical Writers often collaborate with varies aspects of the business. The most common are:

Roles Technical Writers Collaborate With
Marketing Director Advertising Director Customer Experience
Creative Director Public Relations Social Media Manager

Technical Writer Salary

A Technical Writer’s median salary in the United States is around $60,500. 

A Technical Writer’s annual salary ranges between $42,000 and $87,000, depending on skill level, industry experience, and the company.

What is the Technical Writer Pay Difference by Location?

Annual salaries for a Technical Writer vary across the major U.S. cities:

City Average Annual Salary
San Francisco, CA $83,456
Seattle, WA $76,624
Denver, CO $61,558
Austin, TX $63,290
Washington, DC $66,807
Milwaukee, WI $49,343
Boston, MA $67,934
New York, NY $72,092

What is the Technical Writer Pay Difference by Experience?

Experience levels also determine a Technical Writer’s salary. Below is a table of the average wages for Technical Writers based on years of experience:

Years of Experience Average Annual Salary
< 1  $49,000
1–4  $55,000
5–9 $65,000
10–19  $71,000
20+ $73,000

Technical Writer Job Description Template

[Company Name] is actively seeking a motivated, accurate and detailed technical writer to assist with creating user-friendly content from complex resources.

To improve product transparency, engagement, and accessibility, your role will require you to develop user-friendly content and supplement documentation for products. A solid knowledge base and the willingness to collaborate with other departments cooperatively are a must.

Technical Writer Responsibilities:

  •         Ascertain the requirements of technical documentation consumers
  •         Research trial outcomes and collaborate with designers and product designers where needed
  •         Collaborate internally with the technical department to make it easier to understand instructions and products
  •         Create or rework supportive product material where needed
  •         Rework content from internal team where needed
  •         Ensure the content contains the appropriate visual stimulus in order to make understanding the concept easier
  •         Decide on the best means of communication (video, text, audio etc.) for the message
  •         Ensure content is uniform across all content channels
  •         Gather and analyze feedback from users in order to enhance or rewrite content

Technical Writer Requirements:

  •         Be patient, dedicated, and be committed to the role
  •         Must be able to communicate excellently
  •         Be able to take complex information and rewrite it into simplified, easy-to-follow descriptions

·         Have working experience with 3D illustrations, graphic design, typography, as well as the complete printing processes from start to end

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Content & Writing Job Description Templates

Copywriter Job Description

For a broad variety of products and services, copywriters are responsible for writing compelling marketing and promotional materials. Such products can range from product packaging and labels to brochures and blog posts, to copies of emails. Furthermore, by writing, editing, and proofing materials, copywriters help define the brand voice and ensure that all copies are consistent with this voice.

Similar Job Titles:

Public Relations Officer, Public Relations Specialist, PR Officer, PR Marketing

What Does a Copywriter Usually Do?

A copywriter is somebody who writes advertising, also known as salesmanship in print. Copywriting is the craft of writing persuasive ads, letters on other content which get people to purchase the company’s products or services.

Here’s a rundown of tasks usually conducted by a Copywriter:

  1. Produce error-free content that adheres to the company’s style guidelines
  2. Interpret creative direction and adapt points from creative briefs into persuasive copy concepts
  3. Simultaneously manage multiple projects with short deadlines
  4. Propose copy concepts and present underlying strategic thinking to business leader

Produce content according to the company’s style

Copywriting is about persuading an audience into being able to understand, communicate and connect with the business, and it is about having the versatility and skill to shift the writing style from customer to customer and from project to project. A copywriter’s ultimate purpose is to control the actions of people by their words.

Interpret creative direction and create persuasive copy

Some copywriters can concentrate on copywriting for business-to-consumer (B2C), working on materials aimed at general consumers as opposed to companies. In order to make goods and services sound exciting, appealing, and important to their lives, these authors need to be able to get into the minds of people and understand what makes them tick.

Simultaneously manage multiple projects

Copywriters are commissioned to help increase sales, generate leads, enhance brand awareness, and articulate internal corporate communications. Their talents are called upon to help businesses and other organizations achieve diverse and specific goals.

While business-to-consumer (B2C) writing may be one avenue of the business’ audience, the company may also require Copywriters to focus on business-to-business (B2B) prejects. This will usually require a different approach when creating copy. These writers need to be able to understand basic business operations, as well as alter their marketing approaches, so they can make products and services sound interesting, attractive, and relevant to the individual businesses. 

For various brands, they need to write in different voice tones; for instance, an ad for a soft drink calls for a different tenor than an ad for a car. Copywriting from business to business (B2B) lets companies market to other companies. Copywriters working in this profession need to be capable of describing the characteristics and benefits of goods and services, while also conveying the company’s personality they endorse and having an emotional bond with the reader.

Propose copy concepts and propose strategies

A copywriter proposes new concepts or ideas, and may take the concept of the client and give it substance and direction. Copywriters are hired on a freelance or permanent basis by agencies, and also work alongside art directors and as part of a design team.

Roles a Copywriter Typically Collaborates With

Copywriters work closely with several different departments depending on the company’s structure. The most common are:

Roles Copywriters Collaborate With
Marketing Director Advertising Director Customer Experience
Creative Director Public Relations Art Director
Social Media Consultant Online Marketing Consultant Online Marketing Manager

Copywriter Salary

The average annual salary for a Copywriter in the United States is around $52,000

Depending on industry experience, current skill set, and the corporation, a Copywriter’s annual salary ranges between $38,000 and $75,000.

What is the Copywriter Pay Difference by Location?

The average annual salary of a Copywriter varies in major U.S. cities:

City Average Annual Salary
San Francisco, CA $78,002
Seattle, WA $57,582
Denver, CO $54,226
Austin, TX $53,531
Washington, DC $49,191
Milwaukee, WI $43,610
Boston, MA $58,460
New York, NY $62,293

What is the Copywriter Pay Difference by Experience?

Skill levels also determines the pay of a Copywriter. Below is a table of the average wages for Copywriters based on years of experience:

Years of Experience Average Annual Salary
< 1  $41,000
1–4  $50,000
5–9 $59,000
10–19  $60,000
20+ $58,000

Copywriter Job Description Template

[Company Name] is a growing e-commerce company in search of a copywriter that can use various platforms to communicate with our client base.

You’ll be responsible for designing marketing documents, descriptions of goods and direct email in this position. We function in a fast-paced market that often demands irregular work hours and rapid turnarounds, so versatility in this role is crucial for success. We are searching for an individual who is imaginative, inventive, and able to respond quickly to sudden shifts in customer tastes. This role will require you to work in a team atmosphere and use data to make marketing decisions. We concentrate on delivering a best-in-class customer service, and you can play an important role in helping us attain that goal.

Copywriter Responsibilities:

  • Write content for a variety of media including social, print, video, and online
  • Edit and proof work to ensure high editorial standards are met across all outputs
  • Collaborate with internal teams to assess project needs and help with messaging
  • Manage brand consistency across all communications
  • Develop and implement brand guidelines
  • Stay up to date on trends and competitors within the editorial sphere
  • Be in control of projects through the whole creative lifestyle

Copywriter Requirements:

  • Be highly creative, imaginative, and have an eye for detail
  • Be able to understand other people’s views and receive feedback
  • Work well in a team and with a range of creative people
  • Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills
  • Be skilled in writing clear, concise, and grammatically correct copy
  • Possess good leadership, people, and project management skills
  • Understand the different language styles that appeal to various target markets
  • Be able to work under pressure and manage workloads effectively
  • Be highly self-motivated and organised
  • Work within strict budgets when required