Handing your technical content responsibilities over to an outsourced company can be daunting if you’ve only ever handled the work in-house. But it’s well worth it when you consider just how much time you’ll be freeing up for your staff to focus on jobs that are much better suited to them.
If you’ve never used an outsourced technical content service before, you’ll find it helpful to understand what the process looks like before you get started. Here, we’re outlining everything to expect when you outsource your content requirements to a technical writing team, from getting in touch to receiving the final deliverable.
What’s Required From You?
The level of input required from you depends on the service you choose. For instance, if you work with a team of senior-level tech writers or a technical writing agency, you’ll be able to do less hand-holding and trust your writer(s) to have a high level of knowledge already.
That said, if you have a particularly niche product or service, or if you have materials that will be helpful for the writing team to have, any input you give will be welcomed. You’ll likely also need to provide a brief, or, at the very least, a short list of expectations for the content, so the team knows exactly what you’re looking for before getting started.
How Do You Make a Content Order?
There are a few different ways to order outsourced technical content online. Some services will allow you to order what you need as a product and pay for it upfront, but most will want to chat to you about your requirements and make sure they’re a good fit before any money is exchanged. It’s worth booking a free discovery call with a company if they offer this as an option. Speaking in-person is the easiest way to make sure everyone is on the same page while you’re still weighing your options.
Delivery Times and Formats
There’s no standard delivery time for outsourced tech writing, but most companies will deliver within 7 days, depending on the size and scope of the project. If you’re working to a tight deadline, make sure you’re clear about this from the start, and the writing team may be able to accommodate.
As for formats, your content may be delivered as a Microsoft Word document or a Google Doc, or as a PDF or something that’s more tailored to the type of content you’ve requested. There’s usually some flexibility here, so you should be able to request the format that’s best for you.
Getting Started
The only way to truly know whether an outsourced technical writing service is right for you is to order content. Some services may offer a free or subsidised trial for the first article, which can be a good option if you want to try multiple companies and have a limited budget.
If you choose a reputable service, you’re likely to have a positive experience and feel confident about using the team for your future projects.
