Writers in Tech
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© 2022 Writers in Tech
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A podcast where content strategist, UX writers, and content designers share their well-kept industry secrets. This show is brought you by the UX Writing Hub.
Take our FREE UX Writing course: http://bit.ly/2PBDMWy
Take our FREE UX Writing course: http://bit.ly/2PBDMWy
92 Episodes
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Show notes: Join our free UX writing course: https://course.uxwritinghub.com/free_courseFollow Jenn Shreve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenn-shreve/
Join our free ux writing course:https://course.uxwritinghub.com/free_course Follow Ben Davieshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-w-davies/
Take our free ux writing course: https://course.uxwritinghub.com/free_course Follow our UX Writing newsletter: http://uxwritinghub.com/newsletter Follow the work of Mohana Das:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohanadas-92/
Content designer Ilana Zholobovsky talks about how networking, books and AI can help people get into UX writing.The tech job market has taken a hit, but there are still opportunities out there. Ilana shares her best tips for those who are looking for a UX writing job or are trying to break into the field. We chat about:The importance of networking and how to do itFreelancing as a way to gain experienceDifferent ways of reading booksCollecting words and phrases around youThe current status of AI toolsLinksTry our free UX writing courseFollow Ilana on LinkedInRead The design of everyday things by Dan Norman
Ben Pines, the Director of Content at Wordtune, is optimistic about the future interaction between people and chatbots. Wordtune is an AI writing tool that helps writers refine, tweak, shorten and expand their copy. The new extension Spices introduces fact-checking and source tracking for AI-generated content.Ben joined the podcast to talk about the next wave of writing. We chat about:The current AI hype and what might happen nextThe importance of UX and how it can make a differenceWhy AI will be a great thing for some writersHow AI may affect content marketingLinksTry our free UX writing courseFollow Ben on LinkedInCheck out WordtuneCheck out Wordtune’s YouTube channel
Lead UX writer Sherry Samtani talks about the different career directions UX writers can take, including content ops. Her current role at Halodoc, Indonesia’s main healthcare platform, has allowed her to develop in the area of content operations. We go through what content ops is, how it relates to UX writing and where you can learn more about it.You’ll also hear aboutThe current job market and future possibilitiesWhy UX writing has become a necessityHow to stand out as a UX writerAbout SherrySherry has a background as a freelance web content copywriter. She started getting UX writing jobs and took the UX Writing Academy course to make sure she had the basics covered.LinksTry our free UX writing courseFollow Sherry on LinkedIn
Aerial silk teacher Alexandra Spark shares how she transitioned to UX writing.Alexandra has a background in advertising, content management and technical writing. But it was her passion for aerial silk (a kind of performance acrobatics) that led her to switch careers.Tune in to hear her inspiring story! She also shares how she’s creating an app from scratch and much more:Carrying out content researchConducting user testingMaking a portfolioLooking for a UX writing jobLinksFollow Alexandra on LinkedInJoin the UX Writing AcademyTry our free UX writing courseCheck out Strategic writing for UX (book)Check out The design of everyday things (book)
Sarah Loigge shares how she found inspiration outside of work and overcame impostor syndrome with the help of Star Trek.Sarah has a background in software testing and product design. But she’s always enjoyed writing, so she made the transition to UX writing.She recently took on the challenge to develop the personality of a chatbot. She realized that she had no idea where to start and was hit by impostor syndrome. Tune in to learn how she got over it and at same time came up with a brilliant method to create the language of the bot.We also talked about:Using Frontitude and Ditto in Figma to manage copy and translationsWhy UX writers should consume as much art as possibleHow language learning can help UX writersInclusive writing and working with gendered languagesLinksTry our free UX writing courseUX Writing Academy Flex courseFollow Sarah Loigge on LinkedInWatch Lera Boroditsky’s Ted talk How language shapes the way we thinkCheck out the poetry of Sarah Kay and Savannah Brown
What’s the value of UX writing and how can we measure it? Yael Ben-David has written a book on the topic. The Business of UX Writing fills a gap in the wealth of resources for UX writers and content designers. Yael joined me for a chat aboutEducating people about the benefits of UX writingHer framework to set goals and find solutionsThe increasing demand for specialized UX writersChallenges and opportunities in the current job marketLinksTry our free UX writing course Follow Yael Ben-David on LinkedInGet the book The Business of UX Writing
How do you land a job in product design in today’s business climate? Get recruitment insights from Matt Carter, Senior Product Design Specialist at Eurobase People.Matt joined the podcast to discuss the wave of recent layoffs and what it means for UX writers, designers and others in the tech industry. He also shared his best tips for jobseekers, whether you’re currently out of work or looking to switch careers.We talked about:The current job situation and where it’s heading (up to 17.15)Why it’s not enough to apply for advertised jobs (18.32)Be proactive and introduce yourself (20.45)Redefine your craft and find your niche (23.00)Salaries for UX designers and UX writers (28.32)The role of LinkedIn for recruitment (36.00)LinksTry our free UX writing courseFollow Matt on LinkedInCheck out Matt’s podcast
Alex Viersac is part of the UX team at Talend, a company creating software for data analysts. As the only UX writer in the company, people often call him to “check the words” when he should have been involved much earlier.Alex explains how he’s building relations, educating people about his role, and creating a content design system that can be used by both writers and non-writers.Here’s what we talked about:Building relationships [3.35]Being a mentor [6.40]The tech industry and the recent layoffs [8.07]Proving the value of UX writing [10.35]Copy management in Figma [15.40]Developing a content design system [16.39]Professional resources [22.00]LinksTry our free UX writing courseFollow Axel on LinkedInBooks recommended by Axel:The business of UX writing by Yael Ben DavidLeading content design by Rachel McConnellThe New Rhetoric: A treatise on argumentation by Chaim Perelman and Lucie Olbrechts-Tyteca
Ferdinand Goetzen, CEO @ Reveall, explains why UX writers should spend 80% of their time understanding the problem.Reveall helps companies get to know their customers and validate product ideas. CEO Ferdinand joined me to talk about the importance – and challenge – of being truly customer-centric.We focused on:How to handle and apply data [3.25]Quantitative and qualitative insights [5.55]Collecting the voice of the customers [8.15]The importance of understanding the problem [14.25]The ideal process [16.47]Introverts and extroverts [27.30]Why UX writers need to talk to customers [28.00]LinksTry our free UX writing courseFollow Ferdinand on LinkedInCheck out Reveall.co
Managing a team of 18 (and counting!) UX writers requires smart processes and teamwork. Kate Mas and Mélanie Alves Lima at Qonto share the methods and tools behind the success of their growing team (hint: collaboration is key). Qonto is a B2B fintech app serving business creators in 5 languages: English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. Their mission is to help companies spend less time on banking - by leaving their finance management to Qonto, they can spend more time on business and product development.We chat aboutQonto and UX writing for fintech solutions [from 5.45]Smart UX writing tools and processes [from 12.00]Localization done right [from 19.45]What you need to be hired as a UX writer at Qonto [from 26.00]What to do if you don’t have much experience [from 39.00]LinksFollow Kate Mas on LinkedInFollow Mélanie Alves Lima on LinkedInCheck out qonto.comJob opportunities at QontoTry our free UX writing course
UXcel can be described as the DuoLingo of design education. As a complement to traditional degrees and bootcamps, they offer fun and interactive 5-minute design lessons.I chatted with co-founder and CEO Gene Kamenez about the pros and cons of traditional design education, how to teach yourself the skills you need, and how to get into the field of UX and design.The challenges of self-education [from 6.00]Challenges for people who want to break into UX [from 9.58]The importance of mastering the tools you use [from 17.20]Resources for people who want to get into UX [from 26.30]Landing your first UX gig [from 29.20]Find and connect with your industry heroes [from 33.15]Celebrate your milestones [from 34.46]LinksFollow Gene on LinkedInCheck out UXcel Try our free UX writing course
Ran Segall’s design YouTube channel Flux Academy has reached a whopping +450K subscribers. He shares how he got there and what you can do to break into the industry – whether you plan to become a UX designer or UX writer or something else. He also talks about his enthusiasm for artificial intelligence. As AI starts doing the heavy lifting for designers, we can focus on the innovative side of design.Ran’s background and his journey to +450K subscribers (from 1:50)The role of UX writing in design (from 7:36)How to become a full stack UX person (from 10:50)Finding your first client (from 12:30)Content creation as a way to build trust (from 14:10)Why consistency is key and why you gotta love what you do (from 15:25)AI and the future of design (from 19:30)LinksFollow Ran on LinkedInFlux Academy on YouTube Try our free UX writing course
Maggie Trisler is a content designer and musician who stumbled into UX by making the most out of past failures. After trying several jobs including graphic designer and web developer, Maggie finally settled on UX writing and content design in 2016. In true UX style, Maggie turned every failure into a valuable experience and today is a Principal Content Designer at Fidelity Labs.We chat about:The connection between working in hospitality and UX [at 4.00]Why storytelling isn’t just about words [at 5.55]The similarity between UX writing and poetry [at 6.20]Living with ADHD, losing your train of thought, and why this is a good thing in UX [at 11.50]Getting rid of the guilt and the feeling of being a failure [at 14.30]Living with ADHD, medications, nutrition, stimulation toys, being organized vs. looking organized [at 20.30]Procrastination and how to deal with it [at 24.20]The best online to-do list and project management tool [at 28.30]And somewhere in there we also talk about guitars, punk rock, pop punk and the Beastie Boys. Oh and AI art.LinksFollow Maggie on LinkedInMaggie’s band Mystic Light CasinoMem.aiThe building a second brain podcastMidjourney AI artDall-e AI artTry our free UX writing course
Slater Katz shares her wealth of experience as a freelance UX writer and entrepreneur to guide you through the process of establishing your own freelance UX writing practice.Ready to take control of your schedule and earning potential? Slater Katz guides you through the nitty gritty of starting your own UX writing business, from building a personal brand to setting your prices and more.You’ll learn aboutSlater’s path from Fashion marketing to UX writerFind your first clientsBuilding a niche as a UX writerThe best pricing models for freelancersAbout SlaterSlater Katz is a freelance UX writer who has worked with companies including Netflix, Verizon, Fitbit, and AfterPay. Her latest venture, the Gig Gal, helps those new to the industry to establish their own freelance UX writing practice.Try the UX Writing Hub’s free UX writing courseConnect with Slater on LinkedInMade By SlaterThe Gig Gal
Anthony Shore, award-winning linguist and CO at Operative Words, shares his process crafting the best titles to signify brands and ideas in six words or fewer. Ever wonder what it was like to be a UX writer in 1994? Drawing from his decades of experience writing in tech, Anthony gives us a window into his lifetime of obsession with words, from reading the dictionary for fun as a child to the role that linguistic analysis tools play in his naming agency’s writing practice. Anthony shares:His journey from linguist to typesetting to tech writingHow computational linguistics tools can enhance the writing processWhat it was like to be a UX writer in the 1990sBest practices for naming new products and featuresAbout AnthonyAnthony Shore is an award winning linguist and Chief Operative at Operative Words. He has introduced over 250 product and company names to the world over his 30 year career. LinksFollow Anthony on TwitterConnect with Anthony on LinkedInOperative WordsTry our free UX writing course
Jane Portman, CEO at Userlist and UI Breakfast presenter, has tons of advice on how to write lifecycle emails for Saas.If you’ve ever been involved in writing Saas lifecycle emails – for example onboarding, activation, or upgrade emails – you know that it’s easier said than done. That’s because the actual writing is just the tip of the iceberg. As UX writers, we need to think holistically, define a user journey and set up sensible conversion goals.Jane goes through:Where to start designing effective emailsThe most important steps: The user journey, segmentation, and implementationHow to truly measure which emails make an impactWhy every Saas company needs a content resource library – and what to keep in your resource libraryAbout JaneJane Portman is the co-founder and CEO of Userlist, an email automation platform that specializes in understanding customer data. She is also the founder and presenter of UI Breakfast, a UI/UX design strategy podcast that has been running since 2014.LinksFollow Jane on LinkedInCheck out Userlist email automationUI Breakfast PodcastTry our free UX writing course
Sarah Doody at Career Strategy Lab™ helps UX graduates get hired. In this episode, she shares priceless tips on how to land the UX gig of your dreams. The bottom line? Writing is a superpower.Your portfolio is your best chance to show that you understand UX concepts. Just as in any UX project, it’s best to write it before you design it. And you need to make sure you write for the target audience (the recruiter). In other words, UX writing is a career superpower. You’ll also hear Sarah talk about:Impostor syndrome and what you can do about itHow to make the most of your non-UX experienceSalaries for UX jobs and how to ask for a pay riseAbout SarahSarah Doody is the founder & CEO of Career Strategy Lab™. She specializes in helping UX people create effective portfolios and resumes, articulate their experience, and get paid what they're worth.LinksFollow Sarah on LinkedInCheck out Career Strategy LabSarah’s article How to write a UX case studyTry our free UX writing course
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