Technical Writing & Documentation

Clear documentation for complex products. API guides, user manuals, and technical content that engineers respect and end-users actually understand.

I've documented payment processing systems at Visa, marine electronics at Garmin, and FDA-regulated medical devices at Terumo BCT. I know how to turn engineering specs into documentation that works.

WHAT I DO

API & Developer Documentation - $1,500-3,000 per project

REST API documentation, SDK guides, integration tutorials, code samples

Perfect for:

  • SaaS platforms launching new API endpoints

  • Fintech companies needing payment integration guides

  • Software companies with undocumented features

  • Startups whose engineers "don't have time" to write docs

What you get: ✓ Complete API reference documentation ✓ Authentication and authorization guides ✓ Request/response examples with actual code ✓ Error handling documentation ✓ Developer onboarding guides ✓ Markdown or your preferred format

Real example: Documented Visa's B2B payment processing APIs for banking clients while maintaining PCI-DSS compliance standards.

User Manuals & Installation Guides - $800-2,000 per manual

Product documentation, quick start guides, troubleshooting content

Perfect for:

  • Manufacturing companies launching new products

  • Hardware companies needing installation instructions

  • Software companies needing end-user guides

  • Companies replacing outdated PDF manuals

What you get: ✓ Complete user documentation from unboxing to advanced features ✓ Installation and setup instructions ✓ Troubleshooting guides and FAQs ✓ Safety warnings and compliance content ✓ Screenshots, diagrams, or technical illustrations coordination ✓ PDF, online help, or web-based formats

Real example: Created installation guides for Garmin's Force Kraken trolling motor, translating GPS-guided anchor and autopilot features into clear instructions for boat owners and marine dealers.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) - $500-1,500 per document

Internal process documentation, training materials, compliance documentation

Perfect for:

  • Companies needing documented processes for ISO/quality certification

  • Growing businesses standardizing operations

  • Regulated industries requiring compliance documentation

  • Organizations onboarding new employees

What you get: ✓ Step-by-step process documentation ✓ Flowcharts and decision trees ✓ Training materials and checklists ✓ Version control and change tracking ✓ Compliance-ready formatting

Real example: Developed internal SOPs at Visa that became the department standard for documentation planning and quality assurance.

Documentation Audits & Strategy - $800-1,200 one-time

Complete review of existing documentation with actionable recommendations

Includes: ✓ Gap analysis (what's missing, what's outdated) ✓ User experience review (is it actually usable?) ✓ Technical accuracy check ✓ Content organization recommendations ✓ Style guide development ✓ Documentation roadmap and priorities

Best for: Companies who know their docs are a mess but don't know where to start.

Monthly Technical Writing Retainer - $3,000-5,000/month

For companies with ongoing documentation needs

Includes: ✓ 15-25 hours of technical writing per month ✓ API documentation updates ✓ Release notes and changelogs ✓ User guide maintenance ✓ Developer portal content ✓ Priority support and quick turnarounds

Best for: SaaS companies, product teams shipping regular updates, growing engineering organizations.

WHY WORK WITH ME

I've been on both sides: I've worked with engineers at Garmin, product teams at Visa, and FDA-regulated processes at Terumo BCT. I know how to translate technical complexity into clear documentation without dumbing it down.

Industries I've documented:

  • Financial services & payment processing

  • Marine electronics & GPS systems

  • Medical devices & FDA compliance

  • Software & API integrations

  • Automotive systems

I'm not a generalist copywriter who Googles your industry. I have a decade of technical writing experience at companies where bad documentation means failed integrations, support calls, or regulatory issues.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COPYWRITING AND TECHNICAL WRITING

Copywriting (my other service) sells your services to customers. It's persuasive, SEO-focused, and conversion-driven.

Technical writing explains how your product works. It's accurate, structured, and user-focused.

Both are valuable. They're just different jobs.

If you need service pages that rank on Google → Copywriting Services

If you need documentation that keeps your developers from murdering you → You're in the right place.

READY TO FIX YOUR DOCUMENTATION?

Free 30-minute consultation:

I'll review your current docs (or lack thereof), identify what's missing, and give you a realistic quote and timeline.

📞 (816) 206-1514
✉️ shawn@mcgowancontent.com

Based in Kansas, working remotely with companies nationwide.