Nervous about hiring a contract technical writer? What if we told you there is no reason to worry because technical writers are in the business of producing high-quality documents? With advancements in technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), technical writers have more resources than ever at their disposal to ensure accuracy, consistency, and efficiency in documentation. There are several myths (and truths) surrounding technical writers that we want to address.
Let’s demystify the stereotypes surrounding writers. After all, most technical writers are not an elite force of black turtleneck, coffee-powered, word machines tapping away on ancient typewriters in a windowless office. Modern technical writers leverage AI-assisted editing tools, machine learning-based documentation software, and cloud collaboration platforms to deliver high-quality content efficiently. They adapt to your training and documentation needs, offering unique solutions to your business problems.
FALSE. While AI is a powerful tool that assists in drafting, editing, and organizing content, it cannot replace the expertise and human touch of a technical writer. AI-generated content often lacks the nuance, contextual understanding, and audience-specific customization that professional writers bring to documentation. Instead of replacing writers, AI enhances their efficiency by automating repetitive tasks and providing real-time suggestions, allowing writers to focus on higher-level analysis and content refinement.
MYTH: Writers don’t need to understand AI and automation.
FALSE. Keeping up with technology trends is an essential part of the job. As AI and automation continue to reshape industries, technical writers must stay ahead of the curve by understanding how these technologies impact documentation. Writers today use AI to enhance clarity, improve readability, and generate structured content more efficiently. Moreover, technical writers who specialize in AI-related documentation are in high demand as businesses need clear, user-friendly manuals and guides to explain complex systems to non-technical audiences.
FALSE. While writers are often creative, that does not mean they do not like or adhere to deadlines. A deadline is a writer’s friend, giving them a specific and realistic goal to work toward. Deadlines also ensure everyone on the project understands expectations. The best technical writers are mini-project managers, creating project plans with specific tasks and deadlines while factoring in flex time for risk factors and potential curveballs. Today, AI-driven project management tools help writers track deadlines and streamline workflows even more effectively.
FALSE. Technical writers thrive on feedback, both positive and negative. We like honesty from our clients. It’s a sign that we are doing our job as project managers and indicates a strong line of communication. Technical writers go out of their way to gather feedback from stakeholders. AI-powered analytics tools can even help writers identify common readability issues and suggest improvements before feedback is received. Criticism is a building block writers use to create a superior final product.
TRUE. Outsourcing your technical writing can save your company money. Less than 35 percent of companies believe their employees have the skills necessary to create technical documentation. Rather than stress and waste time and money finding the perfect candidate, consider enlisting a technical writer for hire. Contracted writers offer more flexibility in your budget. They can work on-site next to your existing team or offsite using AI-enhanced documentation tools that optimize content for clarity and consistency.
FALSE. Contractors may actually pay more attention to your company’s look and brand design than your full-time employees. Why? Because they are committed to producing projects that you are proud of. Style guides are our Bibles. AI-powered style guide enforcement tools can ensure that branding, tone, and formatting remain consistent across all documents. If you do not currently have a style guide, we can establish one that fits your design and enables the seamless integration of future writers or staff members on your team. We believe in the power of brand uniformity.
FALSE. MATC Group pairs your organization with writers whose professional background matches your industry. That means sending people with years of financial industry eLearning experience, for example, to build your eLearning training modules using industry standard tools. In addition, AI-powered research tools help technical writers quickly familiarize themselves with industry-specific terminology and best practices. A fresh pair of eyes can better pinpoint areas where an instructional manual is not as clear as it could be. Our writers present a bird’s eye view and offer a unique perspective and exceptional solutions.
TRUE. If you are unfamiliar with the role of professional technical writing, you might think that a particular technical writer is only suitable to write installation guides for engineering firms or medicinal specifications for pharmaceutical manufacturers. Contrary to popular belief, technical writers are not restricted to one field or type of document. With the rise of AI-driven content generation and document structuring, technical writers can quickly adapt to new industries and formats. That means the same person who writes installation manuals for an engineering firm may also write compliance updates in eLearning modules for a mortgage lender or edit websites for an advertisement group.
FALSE. We are in the business of clear communication. Writers are people persons. The documents we write are not the product of a single person’s efforts. The work we do is only possible through the collaboration of subject matter experts, editors, and stakeholders such as yourself. At the end of the day, you are looking for people who bring solutions to the table, not poor communicators who create problems. Modern writers also utilize AI-powered collaboration tools that facilitate seamless communication, real-time feedback, and version control. Our writers take the initiative and provide status updates, so you never have to wonder about the current state of your project; you will be in the know.
Technical writers are more than just document creators; they are strategic thinkers, problem solvers, and invaluable assets to any organization. With the integration of AI and modern technology, their role is evolving, but their core mission remains unchanged: to provide clear, concise, and effective communication. Rather than replacing technical writers, AI enhances their capabilities, allowing them to work smarter and deliver even higher-quality content. By dispelling some of these myths , we hope you can see the immense value that technical writers bring to your business. Whether you’re looking to streamline documentation, improve training materials, or enhance compliance processes, hiring a skilled technical writer is a decision you won’t regret.
Our writers are the perfect solution for your business needs. If you are on a budget, but you want a job done right the first time, give us a call. We match your organizational needs to the skill set of seasoned writers who have a background in your industry. Our writers are deadline-oriented, criticism-seeking, brand-aware, adaptable, eager to learn, and excited to write outstanding and effective documentation for your company. Contact us today to learn more!
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“14 Benefits And Drawbacks Of Using AI Tools To Write Business Content.” Forbes. 5/30/23. Accessed 1/30/25. https://www.forbes.com/councils/theyec/2023/05/30/14-benefits-and-drawbacks-of-using-ai-tools-to-write-business-content/
“Best outsourcing quotes from business leaders.” SixEleven. Accessed 1/30/25. https://www.sixelevenbpo.com/blog/best-outsourcing-quotes/
Muehlenberg, Bill. “C.S. Lewis on Writing and Writers. CultureWatch. 3/5/24. Accessed 1/30/25. https://billmuehlenberg.com/2024/03/05/c-s-lewis-on-writing-and-writers
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