Olivia

Tech Enthusiast

Having consulted for various tech firms, Olivia brings a wealth of experience and innovation to the art of recruiting and retaining tech talent. Her actionable advice is backed by years of hands-on experience, making her a trusted name in tech hiring circles.

How to Start Technical Blogging as a Developer

Updated on July 8, 2025

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Whether you’re a junior developer or a seasoned engineer, you’ve probably solved a tricky bug, discovered a cool tool, or figured out a concept that once seemed impossible. But here’s the thing: how often do you share what you’ve learned?

Technical blogging is one of the most underrated ways to grow as a developer. It forces you to think clearly, and communicate better, and gives you a platform to contribute to the dev community, even if you’re still learning. And no, you don’t need to be a “thought leader” or have thousands of followers to start.

In this post, we’ll walk through why you should start blogging, how to find topics, where to publish, and how to make writing a sustainable part of your developer journey. If you’ve been thinking about becoming a tech blogger but didn’t know where to begin—this one’s for you.

Why Should Software Developers Start a Tech Blog?

A technical blog is a career accelerator, a learning enhancer, and a platform for connection. Whether you’re a junior developer trying to stand out or a senior engineer building thought leadership, blogging offers long-term, compounding value. Here’s a deeper look into why a tech blog is worth your time:

You Learn by Teaching (Seriously, It Works)

When you explain something to others, you have to truly understand it. Writing forces clarity. You can’t just copy-paste code and hope it makes sense—you have to break it down, provide context, and guide your reader through the logic.

Real talk: Have you ever thought you understood a concept, like closures, promises, or Docker containers, until you tried explaining it and realized you couldn’t? Blogging helps fix that.

Your Blog Is Your Digital Portfolio

GitHub shows what you’ve built. Your blog shows how you think.

A well-written post about solving a gnarly bug or optimizing a function says more than a bulleted list on your resume. It proves your communication skills, technical depth, and curiosity—all things that hiring managers love.

And unlike social media posts that vanish in the feed, blog content lives forever and can rank in search results for months or years.

It Sets You Apart in the Crowd

There are thousands of developers who know React, Python, or Kubernetes. But only a fraction of them blog about their experiences.

When a recruiter is choosing between two candidates with similar skills, a personal blog can tip the scale in your favor. It shows that you go the extra mile, care about craftsmanship, and understand the “why” behind the code.

You Become Part of the Developer Conversation

Tech blog is not just about broadcasting, it’s about participating. When you write, other developers respond. You spark dialogue, you get feedback, and you build visibility in the community.

You may start with zero readers, but over time, you’ll find your tribe—people who geek out over the same topics you do.

You Help Others (and Yourself)

Let’s be honest: most of us rely on blog posts when we’re stuck. That obscure error message you solved last week? Someone else is definitely struggling with it right now.

Your post doesn’t need to be perfect or revolutionary to be helpful. If it saved you time, it will probably save someone else time too.

And you’d be surprised how often that “quick write-up” you almost didn’t publish turns out to be your most appreciated post.

You Build a Record of Your Growth

Your blog becomes a timeline of your career. Early posts might be clumsy or basic, but that’s a good thing. They show progress. They show effort.

Years later, you’ll re-read your old posts and realize how much you’ve improved, not just in code, but in how you articulate your ideas.

Opens Doors You Didn’t Expect

Blogging brings unexpected benefits. It might start with a comment or a repost. Then someone asks you to speak at a meetup. Or a company reaches out about a freelance project. Or you get invited to contribute to a book or course.

You Own Your Voice

With social media platforms constantly changing algorithms and policies, your blog is one of the few things you fully own. It’s your space, your style, your control.

Whether you’re writing tutorials, case studies, rants, or reflections, this is your chance to share your unique developer perspective with the world.

Overcoming the Common Excuses

Let’s face it: most developers don’t blog because they hate writing. They don’t blog because their inner critic gets loud. The good news? Those doubts are normal. And they’re beatable.

Here’s how to push past the most common excuses:

❌ “I’m not an expert”

Reality check: You don’t need to be.

Most of the blogs we love aren’t written by professors or 10x engineers, they’re written by curious developers figuring things out and sharing what they’ve learned.

In fact, beginner-friendly content is often more helpful than super advanced deep dives. Why? Because most readers are trying to understand the basics, just like you were last week.

❌ “I don’t know what to write about”

You do—you’re just overthinking it.

Blogging isn’t about reinventing the wheel. Some of the best posts are simple:

A problem you encountered and how you fixed it
A concept you finally understood (and wish someone explained better)
A comparison between two libraries or tools
Notes from a course, bootcamp, or tutorial you just completed
A personal take on industry news or trends

❌ “No one will read it anyway”

Let’s say that’s true (it’s probably not, but just humor the idea). You still win.

Why? Because writing is a form of thinking. Even if nobody reads your first few posts, you’ll be learning, organizing your thoughts, and building a body of work you can be proud of.

Plus, the internet has a long memory. A blog post today might help someone six months or six years from now.

❌ “I’m a bad writer”

Everyone is at the beginning. Technical writing is a skill, just like coding.

You don’t have to sound like Hemingway or use fancy words. You just need to be clear, helpful, and yourself. Focus on being human, not perfect.

Use bullet points. Keep it conversational. Pretend you’re explaining something to a teammate on Slack. That’s already a great blog post. And with time and practice, your writing skills will improve.

❌ “I don’t have time”

You don’t need to write every week. Even one solid blog post a month, or every two months, is enough to build momentum.

Start small. Write a 300-word post. Or outline your thoughts on paper during lunch. You’ll be surprised how manageable it feels once you begin.

Picking the Right Blogging Platform

So you’ve decided to start blogging—great! But now you’re stuck on the next question:
Where should you publish your posts?

The good news? You’ve got options. The better news? You can’t really go wrong, just pick one and start writing. Still, each platform has its pros and cons depending on your goals, audience, and how much control you want over your content.

Let’s break it down.

📝 1. Dev.to

Best for: Beginner and intermediate devs looking for community and exposure.

Developer-focused and super beginner-friendly
Easy to format posts with Markdown
Built-in audience: your post can get likes, comments, and traction without a following
SEO-friendly and shows up in Google results fast
You can cross-post from Dev.to to your personal blog later

📝 1. Dev.to

Best for: Beginner and intermediate devs looking for community and exposure.

Developer-focused and super beginner-friendly
Easy to format posts with Markdown
Built-in audience: your post can get likes, comments, and traction without a following
SEO-friendly and shows up in Google results fast
You can cross-post from Dev.to to your personal blog later

Great for “plug and play” blogging with zero setup. You just write and hit publish.

📰 2. Medium

Best for: Developers who want polished, high-quality articles and reach a broader tech audience

Slick editor and nice formatting
Large built-in audience beyond just developers
Option to monetize via the Medium Partner Program
Downsides: paywall can limit visibility, and Medium owns your traffic

If your post is part technical, part storytelling, Medium is a strong contender.

🌐 3. Hashnode

Best for: Developers who want the best of both worlds—a blog that’s theirs and a developer audience

100% free and dev-friendly
Lets you use a custom domain, so you own your blog but benefit from Hashnode’s community
Built-in newsletter, analytics, and comment system
Ideal if you want to build a long-term brand and still get initial traction

Perfect blend of community and ownership. Your blog, your rules with visibility baked in.

4. 💻 Your Own Website (e.g., GitHub Pages, WordPress, Ghost, Jekyll)

Best for: Developers who want full control, branding, and long-term independence

Full ownership over your content and domain
Highly customizable design and layout
No algorithm changes, no platform risk
But: requires some setup and technical effort (especially with static site generators)

If you treat your blog as part of your portfolio or personal brand, this is the way to go.

⚡ Quick Comparison:

Platform	Effort to Start	Ownership	Built-in Audience
Dev.to	⭐ Very Low	❌ No	✅ Yes
Medium	⭐ Low	❌ No	✅ Huge
Hashnode	⭐⭐ Low-Med	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Own Site	⭐⭐⭐ Medium	✅ Full	❌ None

What to Write About? (Blog Post Ideas for Developer Blogs)

The number one thing that holds software developers back from blogging isn’t writing—it’s figuring out what to write.

Here’s the truth: you’re already surrounded by blog-worthy content. You just need to recognize it.

Below are realistic, high-impact content ideas to help you get started (and never run out of topics again):

🧩 1. How You Solved a Problem

Every bug you’ve fixed, every error you’ve Googled 17 times—that’s blog material. Seriously.

Examples:

"How I Fixed the 'CORS Policy' Error in My React App"
"Debugging a Memory Leak in Node.js: What I Learned"
"Why My Docker Container Wouldn’t Build and How I Fixed It"

If it cost you time or frustration, it’s worth documenting. Someone else will thank you later.

📚 2. Explain a Concept to Your Past Self

If you’ve recently wrapped your head around something confusing, you’re in the perfect position to explain it to someone else who’s still stuck.

Examples:

"Promises vs. async/await: When to Use What"
"Understanding JavaScript Closures in Plain English"
Git Rebase vs. Merge Explained with Pizza

Write like you’re helping a friend who’s just a step behind you.

🔍 3. Tool or Framework Reviews

Tried a new tool, library, or framework lately? Share your first impressions, pros and cons, or how it fits into your workflow.

Examples:

"Switching from Create React App to Vite: Was It Worth It?"
"What It’s Like to Build a Side Project with SvelteKit"
"Why I Replaced Redux with Zustand in My App"

Developers are always comparing tools, and you can help them make better decisions.

🚀 4. Project Walkthroughs

Whether it’s a side project, hackathon build, or freelance job, break it down. Show the tech stack, challenges, solutions, and what you learned.

Examples:

"How I Built a Weather App with OpenWeather API and Vue.js"
"From Idea to MVP: My Journey Creating a Habit Tracker"
"Lessons Learned While Building a Chatbot with LangChain"

These posts show your skills in action and make great portfolio pieces.

🧠 5. “Beginner's Guide” Posts

You don’t need to be a senior engineer to write beginner content. In fact, beginners often do it better because they remember what’s confusing!

Examples:

"A Beginner’s Guide to REST APIs (With Code Examples)"
"My First 30 Days Learning TypeScript—What Worked and What Didn’t"
"Git for Beginners: 5 Commands I Use Every Day"

These posts have high search value and are super shareable.

📓 6. Cheat Sheets and Reference Guides

You probably have sticky notes or Notion docs full of commands, snippets, and tips. Turn those into a post about best practices.

Examples:

"My Go-To VSCode Shortcuts for Faster Coding"
"A Quick Reference to SQL Joins (With Diagrams)"
"20 Docker Commands Every Developer Should Know"

People love saving and bookmarking practical guides.

💭 7. Tech Opinions and Thought Pieces

Got any thoughts about where tech is going? Share your perspective. Just make it honest, respectful, and grounded in experience.

Examples:

"Why I Think Serverless Is Overhyped (And What to Use Instead)"
"The Case for Writing Fewer Tests (Hear Me Out)"
"Should Junior Devs Learn AI/ML Right Now?"

Thoughtful opinions can spark great discussions and build your voice in the community.

📅 8. Weekly or Monthly Learning Recaps

If you’re actively learning, document your journey. It’s a great way to reflect and keep momentum.

Examples:

"What I Learned This Week: Linux Commands, SSH, and Bash Scripts"
"30 Days of Leetcode: My Progress and Pitfalls"
"My First Week Learning Rust—What Surprised Me Most"

These make great series posts and show consistency

🔁 Combine Topics for Extra Value:

A project + a tool: "How I Built My Portfolio Site with Next.js and Tailwind"
A bug fix + concept: "Understanding React Keys by Breaking Things"
A tutorial + opinion: "Why I Ditched Redux—and What I Use Instead"

How to Promote Your Blog (Without Feeling Cringey)

Let’s be honest: self-promotion feels awkward for a lot of developers. You write a blog post, you’re proud of it… but the idea of tweeting it or dropping it in a Slack channel makes you feel like you’re yelling “look at me!”

The good news? Promoting your work doesn’t have to feel cringey. It’s not about showing off—it’s about helping others, joining conversations, and building your voice in the dev community.

Here’s how to do it in a way that feels natural and genuine:

Share Your Blog Where You Hang Out

Don’t overthink it. Just share your post on platforms you already use:

LinkedIn – Write a short caption about why you wrote the post or who it might help.
Twitter / X – Pull out a useful quote, code snippet, or spicy opinion from the post.
Reddit (r/learnprogramming, r/webdev, r/devops, etc.) – Share when it’s directly helpful and adds value.
Discord or Slack communities – If someone asks a related question, drop your post as a resource.

Use Developer Platforms

Cross-posting on platforms like Dev.to or Hashnode gives your post built-in exposure without needing a big following.

Add relevant tags to reach the right devs
Comment on other posts to join conversations naturally
Link back to your original blog (if you have one) to build your site’s traffic over time

Turn Posts into Micro-Content

Your blog can be the foundation for bite-sized, shareable content:

A single tip or takeaway becomes a LinkedIn post
A code snippet becomes a Twitter thread
A diagram becomes a carousel or Instagram story
A list becomes a mini “cheat sheet” PDF or GitHub gist

Mention Tools, Libraries, or Communities You Reference

If you wrote about a specific tool, tag the creators on social media. Many open-source maintainers love seeing real-world use cases.

“Used @vite_js for a new side project—blazing fast! Wrote about the experience here: [link]”
“Struggled with React’s useRef today—this post helped me sort it out: [link]”

Add Your Blog to Your Developer Bio

Include your blog link in your:

GitHub profile
Twitter / LinkedIn bio
Personal portfolio
Email signature
Conference talk slides

It’s a passive way to gain traffic over time, and it shows you’re serious about your craft.

Engage, Don’t Just Broadcast

Don’t just drop links and disappear. If someone comments or shares your post, thank them. If you see a blog you liked, leave a comment or share it.

Engagement builds community, and community builds readers.

Treat your blog like a conversation starter, not a megaphone.

What You’ll Gain Over Time

At first, blogging might feel like shouting into the void. You write a post, hit publish, and… nothing happens. But stay with it. Because while results may not be instant, the benefits compound over time, both professionally and personally.

Here’s what consistent blogging will bring you, one post at a time:

Deeper Understanding of What You Learn

When you turn a coding experience into a blog post, you’re not just absorbing knowledge, you’re processing it, breaking it down, and rebuilding it in your own words.

Over time, this habit trains your brain to think more clearly and systematically. You’ll find yourself understanding new technologies faster, writing better documentation, and communicating more effectively in your day-to-day work.

✍️ The devs who blog often become the devs who teach, lead, and innovate.

A Public Record of Your Growth

Your blog becomes a timeline of your developer journey. What felt like a huge challenge six months ago becomes a warm-up today, and your blog reflects that transformation.

You’ll look back at old posts and see not just how much you’ve learned, but how far you’ve come in writing, structuring ideas, and solving real problems.

📅 Each post is a snapshot of your thinking at a moment in time. That archive becomes priceless.

Unexpected Opportunities

You never know who’s reading. Your blog might catch the eye of:

A recruiter scouting for devs with communication skills
A conference organizer looking for speakers
A founder looking for collaborators
A fellow dev who wants to work with you

Many developers have landed jobs, side gigs, and speaking invitations just because of a single blog post.

🎯 You don’t have to go viral. You just need to reach the right person at the right time.

Credibility in the Dev Community

Consistently writing technical content builds trust and recognition. People start to see you as someone who gives back, explains things clearly, and isn’t afraid to share their thought process.

Even if you’re still early in your career, blogging helps you gain visibility in open-source circles, dev communities, and professional networks.

🧑‍💻 Blogging helps you “show your work”, which speaks louder than any résumé.

Stronger Communication Skills

Being a great developer isn’t just about writing great code, it’s about clearly explaining your ideas, whether it’s in a pull request, a design doc, or a client meeting.

Blogging sharpens your ability to structure thoughts, anticipate questions, and write for different levels of technical understanding.

💬 The ability to write clearly is one of the most underrated superpowers in tech.

A Sense of Purpose and Confidence

There’s something empowering about hitting “Publish” on something you created. It builds confidence, gives your work meaning beyond the task list, and reminds you that your voice matters.

Even better? You start to feel like you belong. Like you’re not just consuming the dev world, but contributing to it.

💖 You’re not just building code anymore, you’re building impact.

Final Thoughts on Technical Blogging

Blogging as a developer isn’t about being a guru or racking up thousands of views. It’s about sharing what you’ve learned, documenting your journey, and helping someone who’s just a step behind you.

You don’t need to wait until you feel “ready” to start a blog. You’re ready the moment you hit a roadblock, solve a problem, or have a thought worth writing down, which, honestly, happens almost every week.

Start small. Be honest. Keep it simple.

FAQ

Should I blog even if I’m a junior developer?

Absolutely. In fact, junior devs often write the most relatable and helpful content because they remember what’s confusing and explain it in clearer terms. Your perspective is valuable precisely because you’re still learning.

How long should a technical blog post be?

There’s no perfect length. Aim for clarity over word count. Some topics need 500 words; others may need 2,000. As long as your post is easy to follow, focused, and helpful—it’s long enough.

What if I get something wrong in my post?

That’s okay. Every developer makes mistakes, even senior ones. If someone points it out, thank them and update the post. It shows you're open to learning, which is way more impressive than pretending to be perfect.

How do I choose a niche and make my tech blog SEO-friendly?

Start by picking a tech niche that aligns with your skills or interests—like frontend development, DevOps, or mobile apps. A focused niche helps your blog stand out and attract a specific audience. For better SEO, use relevant keywords in your blog titles, URLs, and content. Choose a domain name that’s simple, memorable, and ideally related to your niche. Over time, consistent content and smart keyword usage will help your blog rank higher in search engine results and grow organically.

#blogging #tech blog

July 4, 2025

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