Short answer: Yes. Long answer: Only if you want to get it right the first time.
Introduction
Your product is built. Your architecture is solid. You’re ready to go live on AWS Marketplace—or submit for Co-Sell or FTR. So why would you need a technical writer?
Because AWS doesn’t just validate your code. They validate your content.
In this article, we unpack why hiring a technical writer (or working with a specialist agency) can be the difference between weeks of back-and-forth—and getting listed the first time.
What AWS Expects (That Most Teams Don’t Write Well)
| Document | Common Problem | What a Technical Writer Fixes |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment Guide | Too vague or overly engineering-heavy | Converts steps into reviewer-friendly, reproducible flow |
| Architecture Diagram | Missing labels, unclear services | Explains structure with clean annotations |
| Security Overview | Buzzwords with no specifics | Adds real-world controls, IAM, encryption details |
| Use Case Case Studies | Feature blurbs instead of customer stories | Builds credible, vertical-specific case narratives |
| Project Charter | Too product-y, not structured | Turns business context into AWS-friendly framing |
Who Actually Reviews Your Submission?
Often, it’s:
- AWS Partner Managers
- Partner Solution Architects (PSAs)
- Co-Sell team members
These are smart people—but they’re not your developers.
They’re looking for clarity, structure, and defensibility—not deep code walkthroughs or feature dumps.
A good technical writer bridges that gap.
Why You Can’t Always DIY It In-House
You might think, “Our engineers can just write it.”
But here’s what usually happens:
- They’re too deep in the product to simplify it
- They lack the time to structure and polish content
- The output reads like internal documentation—not external validation content
The result?
Rewrites. Follow-ups. Confusion. Delay.
What a Technical Writer Actually Brings:
- Reviewer-first structure → They know the flow AWS expects
- Domain translation → They simplify cloud concepts without dumbing them down
- Formatting for reuse → Same content can support your sales deck, landing page, and GTM assets
- Time savings → They do the heavy lifting while your team focuses on the product
- Faster approvals → You reduce friction and present a polished, ready-to-review submission
Bonus: Writers Who Understand AWS = GTM Superpower
The best AWS-focused technical writers don’t just write—they understand:
- Marketplace listing nuances
- Partner tiering and Co-Sell requirements
- How to align documentation with AWS Well-Architected Framework
- How to blend product storytelling with solution architecture
Conclusion
You don’t need a technical writer to get listed on AWS.
But if you want to get listed faster, avoid rework, and come across as partner-ready—you absolutely should.
Because in AWS programs, your content is your credibility.
Need help with your FTR or Marketplace content?
Contact for more details.
