Kim Campbell, who wears many hats, joins me on this latest episode to unlock the secrets behind effective technical editing. Kim and I explore the fundamentals of technical editing, highlighting its pivotal role in ensuring high standards and tailoring content for specific audiences. We dive into the growing necessity of human oversight amidst the rise of AI-generated content, ensuring accuracy and quality remain uncompromised.In our deeper dive into the editing process, we unpack the various...
Unlock the secrets of a unified content experience for enhanced customer satisfaction with Scott Abel. Known as the Content Wrangler, Scott takes us through his journey from journalism to becoming a key player in content strategy. Ever wondered why customer experience is more than just a buzzword? We unpack its multifaceted nature, shining a light on every interaction from prospective to former customers, including internal stakeholders. Scott and I discuss the often-overlooked strategic role...
Are traditional documentation formats holding you back? Join us as Christopher Ward offers a unique perspective on the future of technical communication. Discover how Markdown, with its straightforward syntax and open nature, can revolutionize the way technical writers and subject matter experts collaborate. Markdown simplifies collaboration by separating content from style, bridges the gap with developers, and aligns content creation with business goals. We also discussed the profound ...
As content creators, we are constantly at the edge of our seats as we try to juggle multiple content deliverables. How do we strategize and manage stakeholder expectations? Robert Mills, the founder of Fourth Wall Content, joins me with techniques and insights into collaborative content prioritization. With a journalism and content operations background, Robert shares the power of clear communication and methods you can employ to ensure your workflows and content efforts are efficient a...
Can outdated training data and hallucinations in large language models (LLMs) hold back your AI projects? Manny Silva joins us to uncover Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG), a technique that improves the output of LLMs. He shares practical insights with real-world applications that ensure AI-generated responses are accurate and contextually relevant. The future of content creation is going to be automated. Manny reveals how we can cut down the time required to produce first drafts by using ...
Kieran Morgan and I connected to discuss how to manage projects and priorities as technical communicators, particularly in agile environments. With Kieran's vast experience in operations and governance, he shares strategies that can empower you as a writer to take charge of your workload without the luxury of dedicated project management support.From the importance of planning to the art of negotiation with stakeholders, our conversation dives into project management skills vital for te...
Curious about the publishing requirements and nitty-gritty of regulated content? Just one compliance slip can mean lost time and dollars. Tune in to this episode to discover how Quark Software can help you cut costs and enhance your compliance, collaboration, and automation efforts. Richard Worrell and Emerson Welch from Quark Software join us for a riveting discussion on the ins and outs of regulated content creation, where every detail matters. You'll learn strategies to ensure your documen...
As technical communicators, this challenge most likely resonates with you -- how do you keep docs in sync with your product? In the words of Manny Silva, "When product updates are frequent and user expectations are high, maintaining accurate and up-to-date documentation isn’t just a necessity—it’s a competitive advantage." Manny proposes. Docs as Tests, a strategy that keeps your docs in sync with your product. It’s a way to test your docs, just like engineers test their code. As Manny joins ...
The humble notes serve a larger purpose - be they a simple list, recipes, or essential information we jot down for later recall and planning. We sit down with Jorge Arango, the coauthor of Information Architecture for the Web and Beyond, to unlock the secrets of note-taking. Our first episode of the season with Jorge is more than a conversation; it's a roadmap to redefining how we handle the barrage of digital information overload. His latest work, "Duly Noted," offers deep insigh...
Prepare to step into the future of technical writing as we explore the ground-breaking intersection of AI and technical communication with Caity Cronkhite, CEO of GoodWords. As an entrepreneur and subject matter expert, Caity offers invaluable insights on how AI is revolutionizing the process of technical writing. While we touch upon the empowering facets of AI, Caity shares with us the valid concerns on data protection and risk understanding that are presented with AI. We also delve into the...
Has your team decided to do away with visuals in product documentation? Or are you struggling to maintain visuals with the rapid and frequent pace of content updates? If so, then this episode is for you.Keeping up with a rapidly evolving tech landscape and maintaining relevant visual content can be daunting. But, the power of visuals can't be undermined. In this insightful conversation, Daniel Foster shares how TechSmith is harnessing the power of AI in its software to create an efficient, st...
Are you curious about simple ways to make your content universally accessible? Or perhaps you're keen to get a fresh perspective on understanding accessibility? Join us as Lindsey White, an accomplished technical writer, shares her in-depth insights and experiences from her stint managing a department website at Cornell University. We explore the significance of universal design and consider how content can be accessible to all users.Lindsey sheds light on the nuances of intentional lan...
Ever wonder how AI tools can give you an edge in content creation? Join us as I chat with Matt Thomas, who has journeyed from the realm of technical writing to the world of copywriting and content creation. Unveiling the secrets of his craft, Matt shares how he brings innovation and brainstorming to the fore in copy creation. Get a glimpse of his creative process, where he uses AI tools to create and curate content for LinkedIn posts and copywriting.If you are curious about how to optimize pr...
Curious about the future of technical communication in the rapidly evolving AI landscape? Today's episode with our talented guest, Ryan Boettger, a distinguished professor and department chair at the University of North Texas, promises to enlighten you. Ryan is a ‘prompt engineer,’ someone who acts as the valuable link between AI and humans. From his unique perspective informed by a rich background in linguistics and technical communication, Ryan brings you the latest on how socio-linguistics...
How do you bridge the gap between technical complexity and business value while fostering a culture of empathy in the modern workplace? Join me for an insightful conversation in this crossover episode with Felicity Brand from Open Strategy Partners, as we tackle this question and more.We start by exploring the connection between technical communication (TechCom) and marketing communication (MarCom), and how empathy, clarity, and trust are essential in crafting impactful messages. We also vent...
The show notes for this episode were created with the help of Cohost AI from Buzzsprout. Ever wondered how networking and vulnerability can open doors to incredible writing opportunities? Join me as I chat with the incredibly talented Kathleen Majorsky, a writer who has recently forayed into user-testing of AI tools which is both inspiring and eye-opening. By confronting her fears and setting daily goals, Kathleen has been able to learn and engage in different types of AI writing tools. Compa...
Shaughn Kern, my nerdy friend, graces my latest episode. As a technical writer and a code geek, Shaughn has been experimenting with ChatGPT to simplify and automate mundane parts of his day-to-day. In this heart-to-heart conversation, Shaughn shares some great examples that any technical writer can use to move on from the mundane and get creative with ChatGPT's assistance. If you are a technical writer wondering how you can leverage ChatGPT, or for that matter any AI tool, this episode is a m...
As AI tools make their mark on every business function, there is an equal proportion of excitement and fear. In the midst of this chaos, it is imperative we take a step back and consider pointers from our translation expert on what AI can and cannot offer. AI may not be the magic pill after all, at least, for the translation industry. Let's dive in.Some questions we dug into:What are some exotic languages you have translated into?Is the translation process the same for an exotic language vers...
In my latest episode with Erica, we dive into all things related to content research. If you are intrigued, then you are at the right place. We touch upon these questions for a deeper insight:What is content research?What types of content lend well to content research?How can you use content research to gain quick insights without costly AB experiments?Can ChatGPT or similar tools influence content research? How can we leverage these AI tools?"Simple language is powerful, but not always easy....
Since late November 2022, ChatGPT has revolutionized the AI landscape. In this first episode of Season 4, I share the musings of my interactions with this magic tool.What is artificial intelligence?How does it work?How do we interact with it?How ChatGPT is helping me learn a new language.What are some pitfalls to consider as AI permeates every facet of life?Links to articles I mention in the episode:AI and the future of work Will AI replace technical writers ChatGPT briefly went off...