Editing technical documentation for early-stage AI startups
Small AI teams ship features faster than their docs. A weekly retainer to keep their docs clean turns into steady freelance income.
How it works
Founders know their docs are bad but hiring a full-time writer is premature. A part-time editor with taste — someone who can read a PR and turn it into a changelog — is a rare fit. Retainers of $1-3k/month per client are common.
Step by step
- 1Pick 3 open-source AI tools and submit high-quality doc PRs for free.
- 2Include a short note offering ongoing help.
- 3Convert the first 'yes' into a 4-hour/week retainer.
- 4Stack 3-5 retainers before saying no to more.
Discussion
The free PR trick is underrated. It's the modern cover letter.
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