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How to Work as an Off-Site Technical Writer

© John L. Hoh, Jr.

Not all technical writers get in their car and drive to work every day. Some only work in the office a couple of days a week. Others don’t ever go into the company they work for. These technical writers work entirely from a home office, or in other words, “off-site.”

I’m one of those writers. However, I wasn’t always an off-site writer. For the most part, companies are still reluctant to let employees telecommute. Nevertheless, as more positions are outsourced, consulting is becoming the “in position

If a company has no policy for letting consultants work off-site, this may be your opportunity to pioneer a new company policy. Do you homework and check with the Human Resources department. But, don’t stop there. Check with the person in charge of the project on which you will be working. Sometimes, project leaders or department heads are given a little bit of leeway when it comes to meeting their deadlines.

Even if the company has a “no telecommute” policy, you may be able to circumvent this by showing how you can add value to the project. For example, one company may be short on space. By offering to work off-site, you can work out a deal with your direct report and only go into the office for a few hours or a couple of days a week. Another company may lack the necessary equipment for you; your value added to the project can be your equipment in your home office.

I'm a technical writing consultant in Florida and most of my clients are outside my area and state. I have pitched offsite to these clients and in EVERY case, I've gotten the contract and worked offsite. As a side note, one company even sent a consultant to see me, in Tampa to give me information about their product.

If you are a good communicator, motivated self-starter, have a proven track record of excellent work along with impeccable references, and a desire to prove yourself capable of working offsite, you'll find a way.

Don’t be afraid to ask for an off-site position. My very first client for offsite was insistent that I work onsite (in California). I made a deal with the project manager. They would send me their product, I would set it up on my system, and I would use if for a couple of weeks; on my own time.

At the end of the two weeks they would give me a technical interview of their product. If I didn’t pass the interview, I told them I would gladly go to California and meet with their staff to learn the product.