TSN #22 - Specialized Technical Copywriting

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Hey! 👋

Let’s move into something more digital this time!

The idea I'm sharing today focuses on niching down. I explored the concept of "niche," and it turns out that niching is an excellent starting point for something new. Additionally, having a niche often means you can charge more, and it is usually easier to find your first customers.

Enjoy!

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🎬 The Pitch

Imagine building a specialized copywriting agency that can charge 2-5x regular content rates by focusing solely on complex technical niches that regular writers won't touch. We're talking about areas like blockchain protocols, certification/compliance docs, AI model documentation or my personal favourite, aviation/aerospace content.

Here's the concept: Instead of competing with thousands of general copywriters, you position yourself as the go-to expert for a specific technical vertical. Companies in complex industries desperately need someone who can understand their technology AND write clear content about it. With the right niche selection and positioning, you could start with €500-€2000 per article or documentation piece, multiple’s of that in longer engagements.

The best part? You can bootstrap this entirely, starting as a solo writer and gradually building a network of specialized technical writers as you grow. No need for fancy tech or huge upfront investments.

📊 Market Insights

The technical content market is booming, especially in specialized sectors:

• 76% of tech companies struggle to find writers who understand their technology

• Technical documentation market expected to reach $7.5B by 2026

• Specialized technical writers command 30-50% higher rates than general copywriters

• AI and blockchain sectors showing particularly high demand Source: Technical Writing Industry Survey 2023

💡 The Concept

• Productized service with clear packages:

  • Basic: 4 technical articles/month (€2000/month)

  • Pro: 8 technical articles/month + documentation (€4000/month)

  • Enterprise: Custom content plan + priority delivery

• Each package includes:

  • Technical review and fact-checking

  • SEO optimization

  • Custom illustrations/diagrams

  • Guaranteed delivery dates

• Risk-free trial: First article free if not satisfied

• Long-term contracts (3-6-12 months) with monthly/quarterly billing

• Specialized focus on one technical vertical with proven expertise

💰 Revenue Streams

• Primary: Monthly retainers (€2000-8000/month per client)

• Secondary: Technical documentation projects (€5000-15000 per project)

• Tertiary: Rush fees and custom illustration services

• Focus on 6-12 month contracts for predictable revenue

• Alternative play: you could niche down even further by specialising on one type of content within the topic. For example specialised newsletters of compliance documentation.

🛠️ Bootstrappability Score: 10/10

Zero startup costs beyond a laptop and website. Main investment is time to build expertise and portfolio. Launch it today by building a landing page with my favourite tool Unicorn Platform.

💻 Non-Tech Factor: 7/10

While you need to understand technology, you don't need to build any tech yourself. Stripe, landing page and internal workflow is pretty much all you need for it. Focus is on writing and client relationships.

🚀 Getting Started

1. Pick your technical niche (Web3, AI, aerospace, biotech, etc.)

2. Build expertise through research and possibly some certifications

3. Create a high-converting website with:

   • Clear pricing tiers

   • Money-back guarantee

   • Case studies

   • Content samples

   • Clear call-to-actions

4. Start with 2-3 clients at reduced rates to build case studies. Think warm-leads for the first few customers.

5. Create a streamlined onboarding process:

   • Technical discovery call

   • Content strategy workshop + deliverable

   • Editorial calendar planning

   • Style guide development

6. Build systems for consistent delivery:

   • Project management templates

   • Quality control checklists

   • Client communication protocols

7. Scale by hiring specialized writers and editors

💪 Pros & 😓 Cons

• Pro: High barriers to entry mean less competition

• Pro: Predictable revenue through retainers

• Pro: Specialization = higher value

• Pro: Can be a fully remote company

• Con: Requires deep technical understanding of your chosen niche

• Con: To scale you might need to hire around the world

🔍 Steal Somebody’s Homework & Dive Deeper

Want to explore this idea further? Check out:

• Draft.dev - Built a successful technical content agency for developer-focused companies

• API Documentation Services by Stoplight

• Technical Writing Hub by Google

• Watch an interview with Karl Hughes, a technical writer doing over $2.5m in yearly revenue

Thanks for reading! Let me know if you've seen any other interesting examples of specialized technical writing services :)

- Slavo