Skip to main content
Footer-logo Scripted-horizontal-dark
Products
Platform
Technology
Ai content writing
AI Content Writing
Efficient AI-powered content generation.
Scripted analytics
Scripted Analytics
Analyze content performance easily.
Scripted for teams
Scripted for Teams
Collaborate with in-house and freelancers writers
Products
Blog posts
Blog Posts
High-quality, SEO-friendly posts.
Webpage
Web Pages
Engaging pages to boost traffic.
Webpage
Content Tune Ups
Revitalize your existing content.
Ebook
Ebooks
Drive engagement with detailed ebooks.
Workflow
Keyword research
Keyword Research
Analyze conversion rates.
Content strategy
Content Strategy
Plan your content journey.
Content creation
Content Creation
Manage and oversee content production.
Publishing
Publishing
Simplified, effective content publishing.
Performance
Performance
Track and refine content for better results.
Talent Network
Find writers
Find Writers
Browse our SME content writers.
Hire writers
Hire Blog Writers
Professional writers for your blog.
Hire ebook writers
Hire Ebook Writers
Access top-notch ebook writers.
Become writer
Become a Writer
Join our talent network.
Ready to get started? Sign up for free
Pricing Chat with sales
Solutions
By Business Type
Enterprise
Enterprise
Scalable business solutions.
Agency
Agencies
High-quality content partners.
Smb
SMBs
Empowering SMB growth.
By Industry
SaaS
Streamline your messaging.
ABM
Drive ABM with great content.
E-Commerce
Amplifying your e-commerce presence.
Media Publishers
Enhancing media publishing outcomes.
Resources
Scripted Blog
Read our latest posts.
Glossary
Understanding content marketing terms.
AI Philosophy
Our AI-driven approach explained.
AI Resources
Everything we know about AI.
Ready to get started? Sign up for free
Pricing Chat with sales
Free Tools
Free Tools
Headline generator
Headline Generator
Attention grabbing headlines, in seconds.
Smart content brief
Smart Content Brief
AI-driven SEO content outlines.
Ai content writing
Blog Ideas
Browse AI generated industry specific blog ideas.
Ready to get started? Sign up for free
Pricing Chat with sales
Plans 1 (866) 501-3116 Log in Get Started
Menu button
x Close Menu Products Platform
Technology
Ai content writing
AI Content Writing
Efficient AI-powered content generation.
Scripted analytics
Scripted Analytics
Analyze content performance easily.
Scripted for teams
Scripted for Teams
Collaborate with in-house and freelancers writers
Products
Blog posts
Blog Posts
High-quality, SEO-friendly posts.
Webpage
Web Pages
Engaging pages to boost traffic.
Webpage
Content Tune Ups
Revitalize your existing content.
Ebook
Ebooks
Drive engagement with detailed ebooks.
Workflow
Keyword research
Keyword Research
Analyze conversion rates.
Content strategy
Content Strategy
Plan your content journey.
Content creation
Content Creation
Manage and oversee content production.
Publishing
Publishing
Simplified, effective content publishing.
Performance
Performance
Track and refine content for better results.
Talent Network
Find writers
Find Writers
Browse our SME content writers.
Hire writers
Hire Blog Writers
Professional writers for your blog.
Hire ebook writers
Hire Ebook Writers
Access top-notch ebook writers.
Become writer
Become a Writer
Join our talent network.
Solutions
By Business Type
Enterprise
Enterprise
Scalable business solutions.
Agency
Agencies
High-quality content partners.
Smb
SMBs
Empowering SMB growth.
By Industry
SaaS
Streamline your messaging.
ABM
Drive ABM with great content.
E-Commerce
Amplifying your e-commerce presence.
Media Publishers
Enhancing media publishing outcomes.
Resources
Scripted Blog
Read our latest posts.
Glossary
Understanding content marketing terms.
AI Philosophy
Our AI-driven approach explained.
AI Resources
Everything we know about AI.
Free Tools
Free Tools
Headline generator
Headline Generator
Attention grabbing headlines, in seconds.
Smart content brief
Smart Content Brief
AI-driven SEO content outlines.
Ai content writing
Blog Ideas
Browse AI generated industry specific blog ideas.
Plans
1 (866) 501-3116
Log in Get Started
  1. Blog Home
  2. Content Marketing
  3. Evan Stewart
  4. How to Write For Technology Blogs

How to Write For Technology Blogs

How to Write For Technology Blogs

How in the world am I going to write this so it makes sense? It's the question I asked myself when I was working on my first assignment for a tech website -- one that I still find myself asking from time to time whenever I take on a job from a brand new client. I'd even go so far as to rate crafting content for software and technology blogs as one of the most difficult writing skills I've picked up during my career.

Unlike more basic topics, where solid writing ability is enough to take care of most of the heavy lifting, working for tech blogs often requires both an ability to comprehend material from disparate focuses that can sometimes become complex and an ability to relay this information to individuals who might not be so tech-aware in a way they can understand it (among other things).

The experience and tips I've gathered over the years, some of which I'll share here, should be of use to any younger writers looking to make their first forays into the tech blogging sphere and should also provide some value to tech companies looking to undertake some content marketing who might need direction on how to create more readable blog posts.

Breaking It All Down


I already mentioned how writing for tech topics often involves breaking down complicated concepts into easily digestible language. Understanding and relaying the material effectively, I feel, requires three main elements:

  1. Time to read and comprehend
  2. A passion for the material
  3. A grasp of how to "make it make sense

The first two elements are self-explanatory, so I'd like to take time to expand on that final element a bit more. Two of the finest tips I ever received for writing for not-so-tech-savvy tech audiences came by way of Lifehacker:

  1. Make the content matter on a personal level.
  2. Explain concepts using easier, already understood concepts.

I'll illustrate that first tip with a brief quote, from the article:

"We tend to learn best when we're interested in something and we're interested in topics when they relate to us directly. When you're trying to explain a complicated topic to someone, it's best to play on that egocentric behavior and show what's in it for them. For technology, you can usually play off of people's desire for security, privacy, or simplicity."

In other words, it's a value proposition. By stating "what's in it for the audience," tech writers stand a better chance of crafting content that's engaging. When writing about a new gadget, for example, I won't just blather on about features and specs, I'll explain the utility those elements confer and why that product might hold an advantage over another. When going in depth about software on behalf of a client, I'll explain how using that software might help the average user save time or accomplish a task more easily. The list goes on, but relating it all back to the reader is the essential takeaway here.

As for the second tip:

"The idea of connecting ideas to what someone already knows has been a common teaching technique since Socrates, but it works because it's one of the best ways to explain ideas. Essentially, as the BBC notes, you want to find related information people already know and expand on that."

While it might require a few assumptions on the part of the writer, being able to explain one concept by way of another is one of the best ways to broaden the reach of tech post, as it cuts through the jargon and strips away the layers of technical mystery.

Note that these are but the two finest tips I've received in regards to writing about tech. The list goes on, and I'd urge anyone interested in improving their tech blogging skills to also check out this post from TechRepublic, which delves into another important facet: not talking down to the audience. It's a practice that almost always takes the fun out of reading, so I'd avoid it at all costs. There's a balance to strike between informing and making content accessible; I like to achieve it by making explanations neither too complicated nor too simple for the audience's tastes.

Keeping Up to Date on What Works


To stay effective as a tech writer, reading the work of other talented writers is a must. It's one of the first lessons I learned when I started working on assignments at TechVoid and other tech-centric outfits.

The sources of inspiration are numerous, but there are three I read on a consistent basis: Wired, Futurism, and Recode. They've got the essentials for writing tech concepts for a broad audience down to a fine art, and each offers a slightly different perspective on how to approach topics from a unique angle with a unique voice (another key facet in trying to break into writing or establish a blog that stands out from the pack).

A good example can be found in this article, Alexa Is Coming to Wearables Thanks to Amazon's New Developer Kit, from Futurism. In addition to striking quickly at the heart of the matter, the article takes time to implement some of those key tech writing tenets, like touching upon how the news might affect consumers down the road.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7QkN6dtv1Y

Bringing It All Together


My overarching advice, for both new writers and tech companies, is to keep the audience in mind at all times. In the end, the content is written for them, so taking time to understand and incorporate their point of view is essential to creating tech blogs that will gain readership and provide value.


Published by Evan Stewart on Saturday, January 13, 2018 in Content Marketing, Software & Technology, Writing, Content Writers, Writing Best Practices.

Sign Up For Your 30 Day Free Trial Today!

You agree to Scripted’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Already have an account? Login
Footer-logo
©2011-2023
Our Company
About Us Privacy Terms of Use GDPR Trust
For Members
Enterprise Agencies Publishers Customer FAQs Customer Sign In
For Writers
Writer Services Agreement Writer FAQs Writer Sign In
Additional Resources
The Scripted Blog Industries Technology Competitors AI Content Writing
Social Buttons