The article provides guidance on hiring your first technical writer, emphasizing the importance of timing and preparation to avoid common pitfalls. It highlights that the need for a technical writer often becomes apparent after teams struggle with outdated documentation, overwhelmed engineers, and disjointed user experiences. Key insights from experienced writers reveal that hiring should involve providing adequate support systems, access to necessary tools, and fostering an environment where documentation is integrated into the product lifecycle. Candidates with initiative, curiosity, and technical understanding are essential, as they can help structure and maintain coherent documentation systems. The article also underscores the importance of collaboration and setting up the hired writer with the resources needed for success, as they cannot build the documentation infrastructure alone.