In technical writing, you need to have empathy with your audience

Tell me something that’s true, that almost nobody agrees with you?

I think that all the Twitter threads, spaces and articles that cover the ”How to get a job in Web3” sometimes do more harm than good. This type of content can oversimplify how to become a developer in Web3 and can lead people to unrealistic expectations on what it takes.

I would also advise people to really listen to the ones that have actually done what they are writing about vs fishing for clicks. It is sort of like watching ’The Social Network’ in order to learn how to create a startup. Hollywood stories sell but when it relates to your life/career, stick to the truth.

How did you get interested in web3 and what you are currently working on?

It took me a bit to get on the Web3 rocketship. I initially thought the space was filled with just finance bros and quants. Once I discovered that there was a space for developers to build products, I was instantly hooked. This is basically a twice in a lifetime opportunity to build a new internet and I could not miss it by just watching in the stands.

What soft & hard skills have been most helpful in helping you succeed in web3?

Soft Skills - In technical writing, you need to have empathy with your audience. They have come to your article either because they are lost, confused or just want to learn something new. If you can understand that perspective and write in a way that helps and explains, your audience will greatly appreciate your work. If you write in a way to just flex your knowledge, you won’t go far as a technical writer.

Hard Skills - Having a development background has been really helpful for navigating the world of Web3. A lot of the terms and concepts are a bit hard to understand unless you actually use them in a hands-on way. I try to make sure in all of my writing that there is at least one code example that connects all the concepts to how a developer would actually use them when developing a dApp.

What’s the best thing about your job? The most challenging?

The best thing by far is that I am getting paid to learn. Most of the topics/subjects that I would like to learn about personally or the same topics that my clients want me to write about. I get to research, learn and explore the area of Web3 and I am able to share what I am learning.

Researching in Web3 is probably the most challenging. Some topics don’t have many resources out there to learn from or they are all saying the same thing. I think this will change in the future as more content and more understanding grows in this space.

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What part should Technical Writers play in web3?

Technical Writers are the best explainers. Web3 needs more explainers in order for the more developers to understand what is possible. There are so many new terms, concepts and jargon for a new developer to take in and they are furiously googling all of them. Technical Writers play an important role to create helpful content and help devs create apps that address new use-cases.

What are the best decisions and the worst decisions you have made in this industry?

Best Decision - Joining Developer DAO. The amount of great people I have met and opportunities that were open to me from joining has been truly unmatched.

Worst Decision - None yet and I hope it continues.

What is your favorite web3 Project?

I am biased but my favorite Web3 project has to be web3con. A lot of web3 conferences have some sort of division explicitly built into them. For example, some focus on Ethereum, NFTs, Solana or some other aspect. It was nice to be involved in a conference that tried to bring all these communities together under the umbrella of development.

Favorite web3 thinker on social media?

I generally like people who either have realistic or controversial takes:

@dabit3 - is of course a great follow and I like how he is both a big champion of Web3 and is also realistic on Web3’s current limitations and areas of improvement.

@zachxbt - not a thinker maybe but I love how this account calls out the NFT scam and scammers. We need more of this to clean up the scene of grifters that take advantage of others,

@TheVanderWal - he is not afraid to call people and question people’s stance out in the open.

What is your vision for your niche?

I do think the quality and quantity of technical writing will increase. There are many openings in the space at Web3 companies which is a good sign that the product and companies are maturing. As more and more developers are being onboarded, there will be an increase need to provide proper education to them,

What quote has actually stuck with you and changed your life?

You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. Steve Jobs

I was a bit of a quote junky as a kid so I have many but this one is becoming more and more true as I get older and wiser. Looking back at my life, I can point to certain decisions that are directly connected to what my life is today. At the time of making the decision, I definitely had no idea of the significance of it. Looking back it all starts to make sense and give me confidence to live and let flow in the future.

Any tips for beginners who aspire to work in this domain, but feel completely overwhelmed to even start competing?

Just start writing. Pick a topic you want to know more about, research it for 1-2 days with all the articles that you can find and then just start writing. Once you have a complete article, share it to the world. Rinse and repeat. Soon you will have 4+ articles to your name and a working portfolio.

It’s not a competition, wagmi. Make writing friends and share their stuff.