S2E6 Roadmap to API Writing: Strategies for Success with Robert Delwood

Inside Tech Comm with Zohra Mutabanna

In this final episode of Season 2, Robert Delwood, a former NASA engineer, sheds light on how technical writers can pivot to API writing. It is a special skillset and mindset. Listen to this exclusive episode to find out how you can acquire this skill and make it in this high-in-demand career.
Per the website programmableweb.com, approximately 2000 APIs are added each year. For each API, roughly 2-3 writers are needed. Given this exponential rise in APIs, there is obviously a growing demand for API writers. But, writers are in short supply, while the pay scale is high. If you want to make it in this niche area, you must have the right attitude. What is it?
Some key things we touch upon:

• What is the 30-minute limit test?
• What are the three strategies to learn API documentation?
• What are the four easy ways to start building an API portfolio?

Also, if you are a hiring manager looking for API writers, this interview provides great tips on how you can find and fill this role with the right talent.

Resources:

• The Programmable Web
• Search for articles authored by Robert Delwood on medium.com
• Find projects on Upwork

Guest Bio
Robert Delwood is a programmer, writer, and programming writer in Chicago’s legal community. He strives to produce innovative API documentation. He’s been an active writer for more than 20 years, 13 of those with API documentation. He’s also been a titled developer, once even writing NASA software that made sure the space station astronauts had clean underwear each day. If the astronauts themselves don’t appreciate it, the other crew members did.