Staying Updated With Emerging Trends in Technical Writing.
Emerging Trends in Technical Writing.
Technical writing is improving faster than any talented technical writer can keep up with. The risk of not keeping up with these trends gives any proficient technical writer a chill in the spine.
There are emerging trends in technical writing that will shape and curve the industry. Not staying on top of the latest developments isn't a good idea. There will be no derailment of the trend train anytime soon.
Here are emerging trends in technical writing:
The Use of Digital Tools and Platforms:
The tools used for publishing and authoring are evolving and producing better features than before. Some platforms have editing, publishing, and authoring tools in one place. This increases the efficiency of technical document production.
A variety of features are available with these tools, including analytics, auditing, and documentation.
Here are some: Google Docs, Document 360, Microsoft Word, and Apple Pages.
Publishing Platforms include Hashnode, Medium, and dev.to, WordPress, Ghost, as well as social media platforms including Linkedin.
The Focus on User Experience:
Most of the readers who view a technical document try to find the easiest way to understand something. The urge for technical writers to invest in a better user experience is irresistible. The trend has forced technical writers to start focusing on creating more understandable written technical documents and connecting with the readers’ persona.
The use of 3D models, images, gifs, code snippets, videos, graphs, charts, illustrations, and many more visuals. The trends have invoked the passion for writers to understand graphics and visuals for storytelling.
Animations and a good look and feel are also important to communicate using the audience style.
Infographic usage is also growing.
The Use of Link-building Techniques and SEO:
Link building - the process of acquiring hyperlinks from other websites/blogs to your blog or website.
SEO - search engine optimization - this is the optimization of the website to increase its visibility in Search Engines Result Pages (SERPs) and gain qualitative and quantitative traffic. This helps rank the pages in the highest order.
This is effective and helps technical writers get the most accurate results from how useful the audience considers their articles.
These trends have made technical writers invest time and resources in link-building and SEO for better results.
The use of Audio:
Podcasts are becoming a source of information, especially in the social media age. People are looking for information from many sources. Some readers even prefer listening to the technical write-ups rather than reading them. Many features are being rolled out by apps that allow users/readers to play audio or voice notes to extract information from written documents.
From text-to-speech tools, voice assistant tools, and audiobooks.
The Use of Automation Tools:
The hassle of doing the whole technical writing job is becoming an old story at a speedy pace due to the impulsive demand. A lot of tools that can be used for technical writing are being rolled out and are evolving as time goes by. These automation tools perform tasks like paraphrasing, editing, grammar checking, formatting with standards, and many more.
AI tools are now bringing a fresh vibe to the technical writing industry. In the past few years, platforms and tools for technical writing have become more efficient and facilitate the creation of more versatile content. These tools have increased the productivity of professional writers, whether they have limitations or not.
As well, we can see a trend of IOT (Internet of Things) and AR (Augmented Reality) that gives us precise information about something.
Use of Ads(adverts) and Promotion Strategies:
The idea of most technical documents or writeups is to help the user/ readers efficiently use products and services. Brands are coming up with innovative ways to build trust and a community that they can influence. Most brands are now using technical writing as a marketing tool for their businesses or sponsored business deals.
Here are a some: Media.net, Amazon Associates, AdThrive, and Google AdSense.
Evergreen Content Production:
This is a kind of technical writing that stays relevant for a very long period. It is not written on an impulse of something that is happening at the moment but on what will be applicable in the coming times.
This kind of technical writing has increased and surfaced as a trend for a long time because it thrives at all times. The only shortcoming of evergreen content is that it does not provide instant or precise results in a particular niche. This trend is used mostly for research and technical writing that can be useful over time.
Please note that I have given the above tools according to my preferences or experience. You can use your preferred tools.
What impact have these trends had on the craft of technical writing?
High demand for technical writers - The job market is growing hence the demand for technical writing professionals.
The productivity of technical writers has increased - Focus on the research and packaging of the information is their biggest priority.
Reach and access a bigger audience - Through SEO and link building.
Access to valid and relevant information - clear, accurate, and concise information delivery.
Client satisfaction. - The users/readers are satisfied with how to use a product and the service rendering process.
High client conversion rates - good results from marketing, branding, and advertising.
What is the importance of staying up to date with these trends?
Technical writing productivity.
A lot of collaboration, effectiveness, and efficiency are achieved when looking at various trends.
Resume boosting.
While looking at various trends in technical writing, good professional work is achieved and the writers ‘ portfolio is better than it was previously. A lot of job roles are on the rise when it comes to technical writing. From API and software documentation, research papers, product reviews, manuals, and many more.
Enhanced performance.
various trends are fostering great work in terms of creativity and content delivery to the readers or consumers of various products and services. The workflow is better since a lot of methodologies are implemented e.g. Agile.
Expanded audience reach.
Trends are evolving and one great achievement is how to communicate. A large audience is yielded as these trends are helping cover a large audience.
Good storytelling and delivery.
Automation tools provide analytics on various structures of storytelling. The analytics tools provide reports, hints, and information on the process of delivering information.
Good visuals.
Editing software is part of the trends that are making technical documents look appealing. This is because of the good graphics implemented. When it comes to products, the 3D visuals are luring readers to reading more about the product. Graphics are important in this age of scanning information and content. They don't need to read but they can follow up on visuals and have a clear picture of how to use them.
Manuals excel at utilizing visual imagery to effectively illustrate a step-by-step procedure.
Ease of monetization.
The digitization and demand for good technical writers are helping the industry of technical writing to grow. Companies are investing in documentation, manuals, whitepapers, research, and many more to promote and get feedback on their products and services.
Community and audience building.
Technical writing is growing due to collaboration in the industry. Different audiences and readers are uniting to better the experience when it comes to products and services. This also involves attracting a loyal following of individuals interested in certain content or niche.
Curb misinformation.
When it comes to fake news and wrong information, there is a new trend of verification. The use of specific standards and citations to verify certain information. Some research papers have strict standards to stop propaganda.
How to keep up with the trends.
Read technical writings from other professionals and network with them in the industry.
Analyse reactions and comments from readers with a positive mindset.
Constantly Engage with the audience of the technical write-ups.
Last, but not least, keep learning and trying new things.
Conclusion
Technical writing is evolving. Like a train, you have to select and book a train to the destination you would like to go to. Our goal with emerging trends isn't to rush into things but to help us understand how we can achieve more results. Ignoring trends and burying your head in the sand is a bad idea.
Understanding your tools is important. To achieve great results, the most talented woodcarvers know how to use their tools efficiently with minimal effort. The trend will be a fast-moving train. When you miss a train, you book the next one and ensure not to be left behind.