MC-Guide
Content Writing
Website 123: draft.dev
How Can You Earn Money Writing For “draft.dev” Website
This guide shows you, step by step, how a beginner can learn to pitch and sell stories to draft.dev
You will learn what draft.dev wants, how to test your idea, how to write a pitch, and how payment roughly works. You can use this like a small SOP.
Guide: How to Get Paid Writing Technical Articles via Draft.dev (Step by Step)
This is a beginner-readable but in-depth guide to earning money as a technical writer through Draft.dev. You will learn how Draft.dev works, how to apply, how to choose topics, how to write the kind of “developer-first” content they publish, and how to turn each assignment into more income and better opportunities.
This guide is designed so you can read it once, follow the steps, and produce your first strong technical post: a blog, article, guest-style piece, tutorial, or “magazine-like” deep guide — and get paid for it. If you already code a little (or you are willing to learn by building small demos), you can use this as a mini SOP.
Quick links you’ll use a lot: Draft.dev /write, How Draft.dev matches writers with topics, Draft.dev writer style guide, Technical tutorials collection, Technical roundup examples.
Section 1 · Understand the publication
What Draft.dev is (and why it’s different from normal “guest posting”)
When most people say “guest post,” they mean: “I pitch a blog. If accepted, I publish on their site under my name.” Draft.dev is different. Draft.dev works with software companies that want high-quality technical content for their own blogs and newsletters. Draft.dev then matches writers with topics (and often with a client/editor process).
That means your goal is not to “write something viral.” Your goal is to create a useful developer-first article that helps a real reader do something: build a feature, fix an issue, choose an approach, compare tools, or understand a concept.
Start here: Draft.dev homepage and Draft.dev /write. Then read how they operate: Matching writers with topics.
Think of Draft.dev like this:
- Companies want technical blog content that converts dev readers into product interest.
- Draft.dev manages the content strategy, editing, and production.
- You (writer) create the article: research, build small demos, explain clearly, and deliver.
If you can write clearly and build small proofs (even tiny code examples), you can do well.
A Draft.dev-style article succeeds when:
- A developer can follow the steps and reach the same result.
- The content is honest (no fake claims, no made-up numbers).
- The article is scannable: good headings, short paragraphs, clear code.
- It matches the client’s audience: beginner/intermediate/advanced.
This is why Draft.dev puts weight on structure, examples, and clarity.
| Type | What it is | Example learning link | When to choose it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tutorial | Step-by-step “build this” guide with code and a final output | Draft.dev technical tutorials | You can build a mini demo and explain the steps |
| Roundup | Curated list of tools, approaches, or options with comparison | Draft.dev technical roundups | You can research and compare honestly (not fluff lists) |
| Explainer | Clear breakdown of a complex concept with practical examples | Writer style guide | Great for intermediate “how it works + why it matters” content |
| Thought leadership | Opinion + experience-backed argument (still practical) | Browse Draft.dev | Best if you have real industry context and examples |
Section 2 · Fit your skills
Are you a good fit? (A simple “yes” checklist before you apply)
Draft.dev content is not “general blogging.” It is technical, and it is used by companies to educate developers. So you need two skill sets: (1) technical understanding and (2) clear teaching writing. The good news is: you do not need to know everything. You need to be able to learn fast, test things, and explain simply.
You can build small demos (even basic ones)
You don’t need massive projects. You need tiny, working proofs: a small API call, a sample app, a CLI command example, a config file, a sample pipeline, or a screenshot of results.
- Example: a demo repo on GitHub.
- Example: a live snippet on CodeSandbox or StackBlitz.
- Example: a chart or API output you captured and explained.
You are okay with editing and feedback
Professional paid writing includes edits. You will work with an editor. That is normal, and it’s actually a fast way to improve.
- Read the writer style guide slowly.
- Expect comments like: “Add a screenshot,” “Simplify this paragraph,” “Verify this step.”
- Don’t take it personally. Treat it like “debugging” your writing.
You can be honest about what you tested
Draft.dev content must be trustworthy. That means: no copied content, no made-up metrics, and no “hallucinated” code. If you didn’t test it, you say so — or you test it.
- Use official docs links (for example Node.js docs or Python docs).
- Use “I tested this with version X” (or “This example assumes version X”).
- Use screenshots or logs for proof.
You can hit deadlines and communicate early
Paid writing is a professional commitment. If something blocks you, you communicate early. Treat deadlines like a release date.
- Use a calendar (Google Calendar / Notion / Trello) and plan your week.
- If you need extra time, ask before you are late.
- Keep your editor updated. Quiet writers get dropped quickly.
| Beginner level | What you can write now | What to avoid for now | Fast upgrade plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Just started coding | Simple “I built this” tutorials (very small) | Big architecture opinions | Build 3 tiny demos + explain each |
| Can build basic apps | Step-by-step tutorials + troubleshooting | Unverified security advice | Add testing + version notes |
| Working dev / power user | Deeper guides, tradeoffs, comparisons | Vendor marketing fluff | Add benchmarks + real constraints |
Section 3 · Portfolio build
Build your beginner portfolio in 14 days (simple, real, and strong)
Many beginners fail because they apply too early with no proof. Draft.dev (and most serious tech publishers) need to know one thing: Can you finish a clear technical article that helps a reader?
The easiest path is to create three “proof posts”. Publish them anywhere you control or can share easily, such as: DEV, Medium, a personal WordPress blog, or even a GitHub repo with a strong README.
Goal: show you can teach by doing.
- Pick a tiny project: a REST API call, a small CLI, a webhook, a simple UI.
- Write: problem → setup → steps → final output → common errors.
- Include: GitHub repo link and a screenshot.
Example tools you can use for demos: Replit, Render, Vercel, Netlify.
Goal: show you can explain choices, not just steps.
- Write about a decision: tool A vs tool B, method X vs method Y.
- Include a small table and real constraints (time, cost, complexity).
- Add links to official docs, not only blog posts.
Example doc sources: MDN, Kubernetes docs, Docker docs, GitHub docs.
Goal: show you can help readers when things break.
- Pick a common error you faced and explain the fix.
- Include exact error messages (copy/paste) and what they mean.
- Add “Why this happens” + “How to prevent it.”
This is powerful because real dev work includes debugging. Editors love writers who can explain errors clearly.
| Day | What to do | Output | Proof link you’ll show Draft.dev |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Pick your 3 proof post topics + build tiny demo #1 | Repo + screenshots | GitHub link |
| 3–5 | Write proof post #1 and publish | 1 published article | DEV/Medium/post link |
| 6–8 | Write proof post #2 (comparison/tradeoffs) | 1 published article | Link + table |
| 9–12 | Write proof post #3 (debugging / troubleshooting) | 1 published article | Link + error breakdown |
| 13–14 | Polish your “best two” posts, fix formatting, improve intros | Clean portfolio | Top 2 links |
Section 4 · Apply
How to apply to Draft.dev the right way (and why most people get ignored)
Your application is not a “creative writing audition.” It’s a professional signal. Draft.dev wants to know: Can you produce reliable technical content on time?
Start on the official page: https://draft.dev/write. Then read: Matching writers with topics. This tells you how assignments flow: topics are matched, writers choose from options, and there is no minimum obligation.
- 2–3 writing samples that show real code + real clarity.
- Your main topics: e.g., Python, DevOps, JS, databases, Kubernetes, security, data engineering.
- Your “comfort level”: beginner-friendly, intermediate, advanced.
- Your preferred formats: tutorial, roundup, explainer, migration guide, “how-to”.
- Links to GitHub, portfolio, or your LinkedIn.
Keep it short and factual. Editors don’t need your life story. They need proof.
- Generic claims like “I can write about anything.”
- Samples with no code, no screenshots, and no real steps.
- Copied or AI-spun content that feels “empty.”
- Broken links, messy formatting, huge paragraphs.
- Applying without reading the style guide.
Your application should feel like a clean README: simple, organized, direct.
| Application field | What they really want | Your beginner-friendly answer |
|---|---|---|
| “What do you write about?” | Your domains, not everything | Pick 2–4 areas you can explain confidently |
| “Share samples” | Proof you can teach | Use your best 2 proof posts + 1 GitHub demo |
| “Experience” | Reliability + realism | “I build X and write guides like Y; I verify code.” |
| “Availability” | Deadline safety | Be honest. Start with 1 post/month if busy. |
Optional but powerful: include one short “mini-outline” for a topic you can write next week. Example outline:
| Mini-outline element | Example |
|---|---|
| Title | “How to Add Rate Limiting to a Node.js API (with Redis)” |
| Audience | Backend devs who have a basic Express app already |
| Steps | Install → configure Redis → middleware → test → deploy notes |
| Proof | GitHub repo + Postman collection |
| Links | Node docs, Express docs, Redis docs |
Section 5 · Workflow
The real workflow: research → outline → draft → edits (a beginner-safe SOP)
Beginners often think writing is “sit and type.” Technical writing is more like building software: you plan, you implement, you test, you debug, and you ship. Use this workflow for Draft.dev and for any serious paid tech blog.
Clarify the goal in one sentence
Before you open a code editor, write: “This article helps (who) do (what) using (tool) to get (result).”
- Who: “backend engineers,” “DevOps engineers,” “data engineers,” “frontend devs.”
- What: “deploy,” “debug,” “integrate,” “migrate,” “improve performance.”
- Result: “faster builds,” “fewer errors,” “secure auth,” “lower costs.”
If you can’t write this sentence, your idea is still blurry.
Collect sources the “right way” (simple stack)
Use official docs + real examples. Avoid random blog spam.
- Official docs (examples): AWS, Microsoft Learn, GCP.
- API references: MDN, Python, Go.
- Specs: RFC Editor, W3C.
- Credible engineering blogs: Meta Engineering, Netflix TechBlog, AWS Blogs.
Keep your source list inside the draft as a “References” section while writing. You can remove it later if needed, but keeping it early prevents mistakes.
Build a tiny demo (even if it’s minimal)
If your article is a tutorial, you need a demo. If your article is a roundup, you need “mini-tests” and screenshots/notes.
- Store code in GitHub.
- Use tags or branches per stage: “start” and “final.”
- Write down the exact commands you ran (you’ll paste them into the post).
This step is where your credibility is created.
Outline with “reader checkpoints”
Your outline should not be vague headings like “Step 1” and “Step 2.” It should include checkpoints: what the reader has accomplished by each section.
- Checkpoint example: “You have a working local dev environment.”
- Checkpoint example: “You can authenticate requests with JWT.”
- Checkpoint example: “Your CI pipeline runs tests on pull requests.”
A great outline makes writing easy and makes editors confident.
Write the draft in two passes
Pass 1: write quickly, focusing on steps and correctness. Pass 2: simplify language, shorten paragraphs, improve headings, add links.
- Use second-person voice (“you”) when teaching.
- Prefer short paragraphs (2–4 lines).
- Explain jargon in one line the first time it appears.
Draft.dev’s style guide strongly supports a conversational, clear approach.
Do a “reader run” before submitting
Imagine a beginner in your target audience reading your article. Do they get stuck? Do they know what to do next?
- Do your commands run on a clean environment?
- Are the screenshots readable?
- Are your links correct and not broken?
- Did you mention versions or assumptions?
This prevents most “editor rejection” moments.
| Stage | Beginner time estimate | What to produce | Quality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topic clarity + sources | 1–2 hours | One-sentence goal + 10–15 sources | Mostly official docs + credible references |
| Demo build | 2–6 hours | Repo + notes + screenshots | Works on clean setup |
| Outline | 45–90 min | H2/H3 structure + checkpoints | Reader can follow plan |
| Draft writing | 3–8 hours | Full draft in clear sections | Short paragraphs + code blocks |
| Self-edit + polish | 1–3 hours | Final submission | Links, versions, examples, clarity |
Section 6 · Draft.dev style
How to write “Draft.dev-style” (tutorials, roundups, and explainers)
The fastest way to match Draft.dev expectations is to read their own guidelines and examples: Writer style guide, Technical tutorials, and Technical roundups. Then copy the “structure patterns,” not the text.
Use this structure again and again:
- Hook: the problem and the result (2–4 sentences).
- Prereqs: tools, versions, and what the reader should know.
- Setup: install + configuration.
- Steps: build in small checkpoints (with code blocks).
- Test: confirm it works (commands, screenshots, logs).
- Common issues: 3–6 errors + fixes.
- Next steps: security, performance, deployment, or extensions.
Add links to official docs inside the steps (not only at the end). This improves trust.
Roundups are easy to do badly. Do it like a pro:
- Start with a selection method (“how we chose these”).
- Define the reader situation (team size, budget, constraints).
- Use a comparison table early.
- For each item: who it fits, what it’s best at, what it’s weak at.
- Use “best for X” framing (not “everyone should use this”).
Great roundup sources include docs, pricing pages, and credible user feedback (GitHub issues, release notes, docs).
Now let’s get very practical. Here are Draft.dev-style writing rules that help you sound like a clean technical teacher:
Use second-person voice and short sentences
Write like you’re helping one developer at a time. Prefer: “You’ll run this command” instead of “The command will be run.”
- Active voice is easier to read.
- Short paragraphs prevent fatigue.
- Explain jargon once, then use it.
Every code block must have context
Don’t paste code without explaining what it does. Before a code block: explain the purpose. After a code block: explain the outcome and how to verify.
- If you set an env var, say why.
- If you change config, show the old vs new behavior.
- If a step is risky (security), call it out.
Prefer “copy/paste ready” patterns
Many readers skim. Help them by making each step runnable. Use clear headings, numbered steps, and consistent formatting.
- Show commands in their own code blocks.
- Use consistent file paths (like src/app.js).
- State where to place code and what to expect after saving.
Link to primary sources inside the section
If you mention a feature, link to the docs page. If you mention a standard, link to the spec. If you mention a library, link to GitHub and docs.
- Docs: GitHub, Docker, Kubernetes.
- Security: OWASP Top 10.
- Testing: Jest, pytest.
| Draft.dev piece type | Best headline style | Best content “shape” | Beginner pitfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tutorial | “How to … (with …)” | Steps + checkpoints + result | Too much theory, not enough runnable steps |
| Roundup | “X Best Tools for …” or “X Options for …” | Selection method + table + pros/cons | Affiliate-style fluff with no real comparison |
| Explainer | “What is … and when should you use it?” | Concept → example → tradeoffs → next steps | Too abstract; no examples |
| Migration guide | “Migrate from A to B…” | Before/after + checklist + gotchas | Skipping edge cases and rollback plan |
Section 7 · Money & growth
How you actually earn money (and how to scale beyond “one post”)
Let’s talk money in a realistic way. Draft.dev writing is paid work. Public job posts and listings around Draft.dev have described typical pay as “$300+ per blog post,” and some listings mention a starting point around “$315 for ~1500 words,” with room to grow as you complete more assignments. Rates can change, and each assignment can vary, but this gives you a practical target.
Track your time like an engineer.
- Total hours = research + demo + writing + self-edit + revisions.
- Effective hourly rate = fee ÷ total hours.
- Goal: improve your hourly rate by improving your system.
Beginners may take 10–14 hours on a piece. With practice, you can cut that to 6–9 without losing quality.
Use each post as a “career asset.”
- Turn one topic into a series (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3).
- Build a niche: “Kubernetes security,” “observability,” “backend performance,” “data pipelines.”
- Create reusable templates: intro pattern, demo folder structure, test steps.
- Use published clips to get higher-paying clients elsewhere.
The goal is not only the fee. The goal is reputation, speed, and repeat work.
| Level | What you do | What improves | Income impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 1 solid tutorial/month | Structure + clarity | Stable side income |
| Level 2 | 2 tutorials/month (same niche) | Speed + confidence | Better effective hourly rate |
| Level 3 | Series + roundups + explainers | Authority + range | More assignments, better rates, referrals |
| Level 4 | SME interviews + deeper content | Original insight | Premium writing (high trust) |
If you want to see how Draft.dev describes roles and expectations publicly, keep this resource open: https://github.com/draftdev/jobs. It’s not the same as your assignment contract, but it helps you understand their general working model.
Section 8 · Ethics + FAQ
Ethics, AI, and long-term growth (plus beginner FAQ)
Paid technical writing is built on trust. If you break trust once (copied work, fake testing, made-up facts), you lose the long game. So this section is important.
- Don’t copy text from other articles. Paraphrase and cite sources where needed.
- Don’t fake results. If you didn’t test it, test it.
- Don’t invent benchmarks, “case studies,” or user stories.
- Don’t hide conflicts (for example, if you work for a competitor).
- Respect licenses for code, screenshots, and images.
If you are unsure about a claim, add a link to the primary docs.
- Use AI for brainstorming outlines or improving readability.
- Use AI for “review” (catch missing steps, unclear sections).
- Use AI for small code variations, then verify yourself.
- Never paste a full AI draft and submit it without deep edits and real testing.
Your name is on the piece. You are responsible.