This week we continue the Tech Ecosystem Needs More Storytellers series we started a few weeks ago with a on entering into tech storytelling as a newbie. You can read our Week 2 post for a recap of what we have shared so far.
How Your Everyday Skills Can Translate to Tech Media
You don’t need to start from scratch. You probably already have a few of these transferable skills in your pocket:
1. You Know How to Communicate Clearly
Maybe you’ve:
– Taught someone how to use a mobile app
– Helped a friend write a CV
– Written a detailed WhatsApp message explaining a process
– Created posts that people find helpful or relatable
If you’ve done any of those, you’re already thinking like a content creator. Tech media runs on the ability to explain — and this skill can be trained and sharpened over time.
In Tech Media:
You’ll use this skill to write articles, script videos, run interviews, create explainers, and write copy for products or startups.
2. You’re Curious and Love Learning
Tech is fast-paced. New tools launch every week. Startups pivot. Platforms change. That’s why curiosity is more important than expertise.
If you:
– Enjoy reading about new things
– Ask questions like “How does that work?”
– Can teach yourself from YouTube or blogposts
– Like experimenting with apps or digital tools
Then you’re ready to dive into tech stories, explore trends, and stay ahead of the curve.
In Tech Media:
You’ll need this to research topics, test products, talk to founders, and translate what you learn into something digestible for others.
3. You Know How to Tell a Story
Storytelling doesn’t mean writing novels. It’s about:
– Connecting the dots
– Creating a beginning, middle, and end
– Making people feel something
– Giving them a reason to care
If you’ve ever shared an interesting thread, told a funny experience on Instagram, or explained a challenge you overcame — that’s storytelling in action.
In Tech Media:
You’ll use this to humanize startups, write personal essays, create emotional product launches, or make tutorials that people actually finish watching.
4. You’re Comfortable With Basic Tech Tools
You don’t need to be a software engineer. But if you:
– Use Canva, CapCut, or Notion
– Know your way around Google Docs or social media
– Have edited a video or designed a flyer
– Have recorded a voice note or hosted a Zoom call
Then you’re already using the tools of modern tech content creation.
In Tech Media:
You’ll use tools like:
– Google Docs / Notion for writing and planning
– Canva for visuals
– CapCut / VN / DaVinci for video editing
– X / LinkedIn / Substack for publishing
– Anchor / Spotify for Podcasters for audio content
5. You Understand Your Community
If you’re from an underrepresented tech ecosystem — say Ibadan, Accra, Nairobi, or Kigali — then your local insight is your superpower.
You know:
– What people are curious about
– What apps they’re using
– What problems they’re trying to solve
– What language or slang they connect with
Global tech is often blind to the realities and needs of emerging markets. Your perspective helps close that gap.
In Tech Media:
You can tell stories that big media platforms are missing. You can highlight overlooked founders, review products made for your context, or start conversations that matter to your ecosystem.
A Tech Media Starter Map: Match Your Skill to a Format
Here’s a cheat sheet for how your skills could translate into specific content paths:
If you’re good at… | You could explore…
————————- | ————————
Writing and explaining | Blogging, newsletters, technical writing, UX copy
Social media and threads | Community storytelling, tech commentary, event coverage
Talking and presenting | Podcasts, interviews, webinars, product demos
Editing and design | Short-form video, social graphics, brand storytelling
Research and analysis | Trend analysis, startup deep-dives, tech journalism
Teaching others | Educational YouTube content, beginner guides, explainer series
Confidence Boost: You’re Not Behind
It’s easy to feel like everyone else is ahead — especially in tech. But the truth is, the field is still very open. Especially in Africa and other emerging markets, few people are actively telling local tech stories.
You don’t need:
– A journalism degree
– A computer science background
– Fancy gear
– Or even a big following
What you need is consistency, curiosity, and a willingness to learn in public.
How to Start This Week
Here’s how to activate your skills immediately:
1. Pick a tool you use often (e.g. Canva, WhatsApp, ChatGPT). Write or record a short piece explaining how it works and why you love it.
2. Ask someone in tech to explain what they do. Turn it into a blogpost or a short video.
3. Join a tech community on Telegram, Twitter/X, or Slack — start listening and engaging.
4. Take one of your past posts (even personal ones) and rewrite it for a tech audience.
Final Thought: You’ve Already Started — Keep Going
The most important shift is this: stop thinking you’re “getting into” tech media someday. You’re already in. The moment you start paying attention, sharing ideas, and telling stories — you’re doing the work.
Each blogpost you write, voice note you record, or idea you explain is one more step forward.
You already have what it takes — now it’s just about practicing and showing up.
