Technical writers earn as much as $101,399 annually, according to Glassdoor.
Do you want to start earning money as a Web3 writer? I have gathered the thoughts of 10 Web3 technical writers to help you navigate this path.
Whether you're looking for a job as a technical writer or looking for communities to help you grow as a technical writer, this is the blog post for you.
What is Web 3.0?
According to Tim Berners-Lee, Web3 is “read, write, and execute”.
Web3 is the phase of the internet based on blockchain technology. It is a generation of the internet using cryptocurrencies, non-fungible tokens, and decentralization to give people control over their assets and their privacy.
To fully understand what Web3 is, let’s look at the previous internet versions:
Web1
According to developer Bakti Aditya, Web1 was primarily concerned with providing the general public with online content and information. Since consumers could only read information and not interact with it, Web1 was incredibly static.
Web1 applications were Internet Explorer, Yahoo, and Netscape. Content creation was in its infancy, and there was little opportunity for interaction. Although Web1 couldn’t do much, consumers were happy because of features such as email and real-time news retrieval.
Web2
Aditya also says that this is the version of the internet most of us know and use today. Web2 presented a whole new innovation from the previous version of the internet. Under Web2, users could not only consume but create content on the internet themselves.
Along the way, four behemoths came to dominate the internet: Apple, Amazon, Facebook, and Google. Web2 also saw an explosion in the use of smartphones, and most of the internet use was through mobile apps and hardware built by these companies.
Web3
Finally, Aditya talks about Web3 and says that this is the version of the internet we’re moving towards. Under Web3, the internet is shared online and governed by communities rather than being owned by centralized entities. Web3 relies heavily on blockchain technology, which is the technology that supports cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.
For more information about Web3, check out these articles: Introduction to Web3 and A Layman's Guide to the Decentralized Web.
Who is a Technical Writer?
According to the Technical Writing HQ, a technical writer is someone who writes company documents.
These documents include user manuals, operating procedure guides, white papers, and product descriptions. Technical writers are in charge of simplifying complex content into simple instructions for the end user. As a technical writer, it is not expected of you to have technical skills, but communication skills will be your strong suit.
How to Become a Web3 Technical Writer
As a Web3 Technical Writer, your job is to create meaningful and informative content about the Web3 space for everyone.
A lot of people want to be Web3 writers but are confused about where to start. In this article, I want to address your fear. I have interviewed 10 Web3 technical writers on how they started, the challenges they faced, and their most interesting career highlights.
1. John Fawole
Alchemy's Blockchain Technical Writer.
How did you get into Web3?
I started in content writing. When I was crafting content for a client on an NFT marketplace, I included the tech stack to make it more solid. As a person, I always wanted to write about the geeky and technical aspects, so I went in-depth from Content writing into Web3 Technical Writing.
Core Skills:
Technical Writing, Community Management, Content Marketing, and SEO.
What advice would you give to someone starting as a Web3 technical writer?
It can be overwhelming at first, but you should be in a community to get direction. Always keep improving on your writing and learn how to do SEO. Learn how to code too to see what the technical aspect is all about. All in all, the hack is to learn little by little and to enjoy the process.
2. Gloria Chiemelu
Technical Writer at TETU.io
How did you get into Web3?
I got into cryptocurrency out of curiosity. I started reading a lot about it, particularly from Binance Academy, Investopedia, and the Motley Fool. After much research, I began pitching. Fortunately, someone needed a short crypto blog piece. I showed interest, and the person selected me for the role on Twitter.
Core Skills:
Blogging and social media management.
What advice would you give to someone starting as a Web3 technical writer?
Do a ton of research! Web3 is a technical field, and you don't want to put half-baked content out there.
3. Victor Fawole
Contributing Writer at Mirror.
How did you get into Web3?
I started by reading the Bitcoin and Ethereum documentation. After understanding the concepts, I started pitching my services via LinkedIn. One answered and I was hired to write on Web3.
Core Skills:
Content Writing and Community Management.
What advice would you give to someone starting as a Web3 technical writer?
They should first learn through blog posts and community forums on Twitter before thinking of earning. It is very possible to earn very high amounts if you connect with like-minded people, keep showing up publicly and stay consistent.
4. Ngozi-Olehi Munachimso
Blockchain Technical Writer at Medium
How did you get into Web3?
I started by buying and holding coins in October 2021. But after the losses in the crypto market, I wanted to learn which coins to buy. I took a course explaining this concept, and that was when I got hooked.
Core Skills:
Content writing.
What advice would you give to someone starting as a Web3 technical writer?
Ask a lot of questions and stay among people who are well versed in this niche. Stay connected and stay consistent.
5. Tobi Amure
Senior Marketing Advisor at Resistance DAO.
How did you get into Web3?
I had little to no experience with the subject matter when I started, but I used blogs like Coinmarketcap, Bitcoin Magazine, Cointelegraph, and YouTube to source information. I used freelance sites like Upwork to source for gigs and that was how I got my first client.
Core Skills:
Blogging, Technical Writing, Copywriting, and SEO.
What advice would you give to someone starting as a Web3 technical writer?
It wasn't rosy when I started. I’ve had ups and downs and lost some clients along the way, but I have learnt how to be better and how to position myself better in the industry. For newbies, just start. Get an Upwork account for pitching to clients, do your research, and follow industry leaders.
Ask for advice and help where necessary. You will also need a LinkedIn account to follow C-level experts in the industry. Twitter can be so noisy at times, but LinkedIn helps to filter out the noise. Personal branding is important and knowing how to put yourself out there is important as well.
6. Gosia Szaniawska-Schiavo
Content Team Lead at Tidio
How did you get into Web3?
It just piqued my interest due to the thousand blogs about the subject. As a content marketing professional, I dove in.
Core Skills:
Content Marketing.
What advice would you give to someone starting as a Web3 technical writer?
To be a successful Web3 writer, you must first be a good writer and then understand the specifics of writing Web3 content. There are lots of complicated concepts related to Web3, so your first task is to select a niche you want to develop in and gain expertise in. Learn extensively about Web3 in general and dig as deep as you can into your niche.
Next, start gathering your portfolio. You can select a medium and start submitting your work there. Mirror, Medium, and Twitter are some of the most popular platforms for submitting and selling your articles. You will most likely become a valuable contributor to Web3 content if you have enough passion and curiosity.
7. Danny Trichter
Co-founder, Accessibility Checker.
How did you get into Web3?
I got into Web3 out of curiosity. Looking through online platforms, blogs, and communities to learn all about the subject.
Core Skills:
Project Management, Social Media, and Online Advertising.
What advice would you give to someone starting as a Web3 technical writer?
Becoming a Web3 Technical Writer is not as difficult as one might think.
The first step is to have a strong understanding of the Web3 stack. This includes the protocols, libraries, and tooling that make up the ecosystem. Once you have a good grasp of the technology, you can start writing about it clearly and concisely.
There are several ways to get involved in the Web3 community and start writing about the technology. One way is to join a project or team and help contribute to their documentation. Another way is to start a blog or write articles about your experiences.
This is a great way to share your knowledge with others and help them understand what Web3 is all about. Additionally, you should try to get as much experience as possible through internships and volunteering. There are many opportunities for technical writers in the Web3 space.
With a little effort, you can become a valuable member of the community and help spread the word about this groundbreaking technology.
8. Edward Sturm
Cofounder, Commit Club.
How did you get into Web3?
I started with Web3 in June 2017. My mentors realized decentralized technology and blockchain were about to change everything, and they wanted to get involved. It was a busy time, and I attended events organized by legends.
One of these mentors also became obsessed with the idea of making a video game on the blockchain. We created the first crypto play-2-earn game after being inspired by CryptoKitties. This was January 2018, 9 months before Crypto Winter, and we had a lot of attention and buzz.
The game featured battling, leveling up, and various rarities. We were ranked the top blockchain game for 2018 and 2019. During this project, I had to do a lot of technical writing, explaining the inner workings of the app and our progress to a hungry audience. I learned a ton during this period that I carry with me today.
Core Skills:
SEO, Social Media, and Marketing
What advice would you give to someone starting as a Web3 technical writer?
Technical writing is the concept of making technical ideas readable, actionable, and concise while also being detailed and instructional. This is reflected in the whitepaper for our current project, Commit Club, in which we are developing a decentralized commitment device.
Web3 technical writing, like all things in life, requires consistency. I became good at it in 2018 when I had to use it frequently for our game audience. My advice for getting started is to summarize your technical learning in documents for yourself.
This way, you can practice writing of a technical nature while also learning more about Web3. When you write, make sure to organize everything with great detail and nest ideas and categories so they can be easily called back upon. Importantly, you should do this every day for a week or two to turn this into a habitual skill.
9. Sadiq Isiaka
Cofounder, MintyPlex
How did you get into Web3?
In 2015, I saw a movie called Dope, which featured an adventure involving shady drug dealers starring rapper A$AP Rocky. I was so interested in the fact that Bitcoin was the mode of payment that facilitated the transactions. Then I took my time studying Bitcoin and all the concepts of cryptocurrency.
Fast forward to 2020: I bought Ethereum, Dogecoin, and some other cryptocurrencies. I just wanted to get involved in any blockchain-related project be it writing, design, or graphics. Most of the projects also involved writing, meeting new people, and connecting with friends.
Core Skills:
Project Management, Technical Writing
What advice would you give to someone starting as a Web3 technical writer?
The Web3 world is far different from Web2, so get involved and volunteer in your community. As a writer, you'll be explaining tough concepts to people. Learn how to research and how to communicate what you learn in a friendly manner. It all boils down to contribution, collaboration, and community.
10. Ivelina Dineva
Head of Content at NFT Plazas
How did you get into Web3?
I first heard about NFTs from someone I met at a co-working space for digital nomads in Bansko, Bulgaria in 2020. I was immediately fascinated by it, although I had zero knowledge of crypto back then. The first NFT I ever saw was an NFT artwork by SlimeSunday on Nifty Gateway.
I started learning more about NFT art specifically, as I had already been collecting physical art for many years. Anyway, I soon wrote an article on Medium for fun about NFTs, and then I used that article to apply for NFT and blockchain writing projects on Upwork.
It was great timing because almost no one was writing about it at the time. That's where I connected with Chris, the CEO of NFT Plazas, and I went from being a part-time writer to Head of Content quite quickly.
Core Skills:
NFT Marketing
What advice would you give to someone starting as a Web3 technical writer?
I want to point out to aspiring writers, or anyone in any field, that you have to ASK for what you want! I stated that I want a full-time position and demonstrated that I am capable of much more. So just ask and show that you are amazing.
Takeaways
1. Learn the basics.
To be proficient as a Web3 technical writer, you need to learn the basic concepts around it. Examples are: What is Bitcoin, What is Web3. What is Ethereum, and so on. To learn these concepts, explore free and paid learning sites like Coinbase, Cointelegraph, Coursera, and more.
2. Be curious.
A lot of the professionals were not experts when they started, but their hunger for knowledge kept them on their toes. In the same way, you need to follow Web3 experts, ask questions, and constantly learn about the space.
3. Write sample articles.
As you learn about the concepts of Web3, you should start writing. When you write, you start gaining experience and feedback on your work. You don't need to become another Shakespeare. Just start writing about the things you have learned on platforms like Medium, LinkedIn, Twitter, and more. This would later serve as your portfolio.
4. Build quality friendships and connections.
As the experts said, the connections you build on social media can greatly influence your Web3 journey. Most of them got their first roles by referral or by others giving them a chance to prove themselves. Make horizontal and vertical connections with those who are currently learning alongside you as well as those above you.
5. Be consistent.
Even after you’ve landed your first role, don't relax. The Web3 world is so fast-paced and ever-changing. Keep building your writing skills, engage with other Web3 writers, and most of all, keep learning.
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