Your clients don’t consult your technical documentation? They’d rather work it out “the hard way,” even if it means making a few mistakes and wasting some time, before they resort to opening your user guide? We provide you with a few tips and tricks to make sure your client not only reads but enjoys using your documentation!

Reality

If technical documentation isn’t done right, it can discourage even the best-intentioned of readers. Incoherent structure, inaccessible information and technical gibberish are all too common! Fortunately, by following a few simple rules, you can start writing documentation that readers will enjoy using.

The solution? Think like your reader!

Needs come first

When you work on the structure and content of your documentation, think about your different readers and their needs. If you’re writing a user guide, for example, forget about showing off every last feature and function of your product. Instead, explain step-by-step how to do each task.

Technical documentation titles that talk

How frustrating it is for users to pour over a table of contents and still not be able to spot what they’re looking for! To help them find their way, use evocative titles that describe the section’s content precisely. Put yourself in your readers’ shoes and think about what type of information they’ll be looking for.

A section that explains how to configure a camera should have a title such as Adjusting your camera’s parameters, not Camera parameters.

 Less is more

Don’t clutter your pages. Write clear and concise paragraphs. This way, your text will be accessible to different readers and its information easier to find. Distinguish between types of information by using different graphic presentations. For instance, you might use tables and numbered or bulleted lists to distinguish between technical data, step-by-step instructions and long lists.

A picture is worth a thousand words

Add photos and illustrations. This will help your readers visualize the product and understand the tasks to be accomplished. It will also make your documentation more appealing.

Mission accomplished!

Of course, your technical documentation won’t ever replace your clients’ bedtime reading, but if they enjoy using it when needed, you can say “Mission accomplished!”