In the ever-evolving world of technology, innovation, and artificial intelligence, there's always a new frontier to explore. For almost 15 years, I've had the privilege of navigating this landscape, and my journey has taught me one crucial thing: the best way to truly understand a topic is to teach it to others. It's a journey of continuous learning, and today, I want to share a topic that's been on my mind for a while now—the art of technical writing. It's not just about sharing information; it's a powerful tool for personal and professional growth. So, let’s dive in and discover how this practice can deepen our knowledge and connect us with a wider community.
Why writing this article
My journey into writing technical articles began about three years ago, and it has proven to be one of the best career decisions I've made. I decided to dedicate this edition to the topic because I believe it holds immense value, not just for the readers, but for the writer as well. As professionals, we are constantly looking for ways to improve our skills and knowledge. Technical writing offers a unique avenue to achieve this, as the act of explaining a complex subject forces us to deepen our own understanding. It's a rewarding process where you teach others while simultaneously reinforcing your own expertise.
- One of the most significant benefits I've experienced is the ability to learn topics better. The principle is simple: the best way to learn is to teach. When you write a technical article, you are essentially teaching, and in doing so, you solidify your own grasp of the subject matter.
- Beyond the learning aspect, technical writing also opens up doors for networking. You get to connect with a diverse group of readers and fellow writers, which can lead to new opportunities and a broader perspective.
What type of article you can write
In the world of technical articles, there are several common types you'll encounter.
- First, there are "How-to" articles, which provide step-by-step instructions on a specific programming task, such as utilizing a particular Python package or framework. This format is incredibly rewarding because it allows me to share practical knowledge that can be immediately applied by others.
- Another type involves testing and reporting on new releases, a popular format especially in the AI space where new models like Qwen 3 or Grok 4 are constantly emerging. I find these useful to read to stay on top of everything happening in the AI space and to understand the performance of different models.
- Lastly, there are articles that teach about a broader topic, providing either an introduction or a deep dive for more experienced readers. These can be introductory guides for those new to a subject or deep dives for experienced readers. While these articles are often the most time-consuming to produce, they can represent some of the highest-quality content available online. These articles help readers get into a new topic or stay on top of topics they're interested in, providing a comprehensive overview that "how-to" guides don't always offer.
Find your spot
When you start writing, it’s essential to find your niche. Finding your niche as a technical writer is perhaps one of the most critical steps in establishing a consistent and rewarding practice. It's the unique intersection of your passion, expertise, and the needs of your audience. When you find this "sweet spot," writing becomes less of a chore and more of a genuine pleasure. To help you in this process, here are some key considerations and strategies:
- Follow Your Interests: The first and most important rule is to write about what you genuinely enjoy. Your enthusiasm for a topic will be palpable to your readers and will make the writing process much more sustainable. What are the technologies you love to experiment with? Which concepts do you find yourself discussing with colleagues? Use these as your starting points.
- Leverage Your Expertise: Your professional background and day-to-day work are invaluable sources of content. Writing about topics you already know deeply gives you a significant advantage. It not only provides a solid foundation of knowledge but also offers real-world examples and insights that are hard to replicate. For me, this has been writing "how-to" articles on AI-related topics like context engineering, which are directly tied to my job.
- Experiment with Different Formats: Don't be afraid to try various types of articles to see what resonates with you and your audience. You might start with "how-to" guides, then move on to reporting on new software releases, and eventually tackle more in-depth, educational pieces. This experimentation will help you pinpoint the format that you find most engaging and that generates the most positive feedback from your readers.
- Listen to Your Audience: Pay attention to the comments, questions, and reactions you receive. What topics are your readers asking for? What problems are they trying to solve? Tailoring your content to their needs will not only grow your readership but will also provide you with a constant stream of new article ideas.
- Find Your Unique Voice: In a crowded space, your voice is what sets you apart. Technical writing doesn't have to be dry and academic. Infuse your personality into your writing. Use humor, tell personal anecdotes about challenges you've faced, and be transparent about your learning journey. This human element is something AI can't replicate and is what will build a loyal and engaged community around your work.
- Start Small and Be Consistent: Don't feel pressured to become a prolific writer overnight. Start with a manageable schedule, whether that's an article a month or one a week, and stick to it. Consistency is more important than volume. Over time, you'll find your rhythm, and your skills will naturally improve with each article you publish.
What I learned
After three years of consistent writing, I've gathered a lot of insights that have shaped my process and improved the quality of my work. Think of these learnings not as rigid rules, but as guiding principles that have helped me navigate the often-challenging world of technical writing.
- The Power of Incremental Improvement: I've always aimed to improve something specific with each article I write. It's like a sculptor who focuses on a single detail—a curve here, a texture there—until the entire piece is a masterpiece. This consistent focus on small, incremental changes has led to vast improvements over time. My first article was a simple block of text, but by focusing on one element at a time—like adding better headers, using more illustrative code blocks, or refining my tone—my later articles became more polished, coherent, and engaging.
- The "Idea Reservoir": The creative well can run dry, and waiting for inspiration to strike can be a frustrating exercise. My solution? An "idea reservoir"—a simple list in Google Keep where I jot down any and every idea that comes to mind. It might be a topic I'm working on at my job, a question I saw on a forum, or a random thought I had while taking a walk. . This practice ensures that when I sit down to write, I'm not staring at a blank page. Instead, I have a menu of options to choose from, making the process much smoother and less stressful.
- The Blueprint: Article Outlines: Before writing a single sentence, I create a detailed outline. This acts as a blueprint for my article, much like an architect's plan for a building. It helps me to: Maintain Coherence: An outline ensures a logical flow from one section to the next, preventing the article from becoming a disjointed collection of ideas. Stay Focused: It helps me scope the content, deciding what to include and what to leave out, which keeps the article focused and on point. Simplify the Process: With the structure in place, the writing itself becomes a matter of filling in the gaps, making the task feel less daunting.
- Minimizing Interruptions with "TODOs": I've learned that getting into a writing rhythm is key, and interruptions are the enemy of that rhythm. When I'm in the middle of writing and remember something I need to add—like a link to a resource or a specific code snippet—I don't stop. Instead, I simply write a "TODO" note and continue writing. This is like putting a bookmark in a book; I can come back to it later without losing my place. This method has made me a much more efficient writer, ensuring that my creative flow remains uninterrupted.
- The Power of a Checklist: There are so many small, but crucial, tasks to remember for each article: adding a featured image, proofreading with Grammarly, ensuring proper syntax highlighting for code blocks, and sharing the post on social media. I maintain a checklist that I go through for every single article. It's my safety net, ensuring that no detail is overlooked and that each piece of content is published in the best possible state.
- Consistency is the North Star: Finally, I've learned that consistency is the most important factor in this journey. Whether it's once a week or once a month, finding a schedule you can stick to is crucial. It's like training for a marathon; you won't see results overnight, but with persistent effort, you will eventually reach your goal. Over time, this consistent effort will lead to vast improvements in your writing and a growing readership.
Conclusions
Writing technical articles is a journey of continuous improvement and sharing. It's a powerful tool for learning, networking, and solidifying your own expertise. Consistency is key to success, so find a schedule that works for you and stick to it. Finally, remember that creating an outline and a checklist can make the entire writing process more efficient and the final output more polished.
If you want to delve deeper into this fascinating topic, please download the episode from my podcast: MODA - Modern Digital Architecture. Follow my podcast also on Spotify and YouTube now! For my international listeners, there's also an AI-Generated English version available on Spotify!
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