This week’s question comes from Mary in New York: I am a loyal reader of your blog and have gained more from it than all the seminars and continuing ed courses I’ve taken–which cost me a good chunk of my salary. Recently, I’ve noticed a disturbing trend which I hope you might consider blogging about. I’m an experienced technical writer currently looking for work, and … more »

While I was in Missouri at a technical writing conference for teachers and students last weekend, I had an interesting conversation with a lady who happened to drop by from Canada. She had transitioned from tech comm to usability, and she explained an interesting parallel. I had just presented my “Anyone Can Write: Changing Roles for Technical Communicators” presentation to students, and she commented that … more »

It seems most of the conversations in our industry today revolve around value. If you go to stc.org, the large graphic at the center of the site says “The Value of Technical Communication.” (Given the recent events in the STC, to me the graphic really reads, “The value of the STC organization.”) At any rate, technical writers have been talking about demonstrating value to employers … more »

Technically Speaking » The STC Crisis: the take of a “young” writer. Here’s Paul Pehrson’s take on the STC issue. Again, he argues that STC doesn’t have a strong value proposition. It seems no one is really getting much out of the STC. By the way, Paul just joined our team at work.

Last week I wrote a post about avoiding extinction as a technical communicator. The basic idea was that you have to keep up with the learning styles, preferences, and behaviors of your users to survive. That often means avoiding the long manual and incorporating more interactive, collaborative, or audiovisual means of instruction. Almost the exact same argument could be made about the STC and its … more »

John from Delaware, who has a job in technical support, asked my advice about whether he should become a technical writer. He expressed some concern about the field, explaining that since almost everyone can write, the skill of technical writing must be decreasing in value. For example, technical writing can be easily outsourced. In an economy of doing more with less, is it really a … more »

The last podcast I recorded, on “Make Your Help Indispensable, Safeguard Your Job,” with Mike Hughes, was so full of good information about how to make your help more valuable and user-friendly that I couldn’t help but write up notes on it. Here’s a list of the ten things I learned from my last podcast: 1. Make your help a mile wide and thirty seconds … more »

[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download MP3 (to download, right-click and select Save Target As) Length: 30 min. In this podcast, I talk with Mike Hughes, second vice president of the STC, about his latest UXMatters article, “Straight Talk: Surviving Tough Times as a User Assistance Writer.” We talk about how to make help more valuable, more worthwhile and user-focused, so you don’t … more »

On the Technical Writers of India listserv, someone is trying to get his company to realize the value of technical communication by showing a humorous video on bad documentation that he can use during training. “The idea is to evoke laughter, and keep the audience engaged throughout my presentation.” Okay, hands-down, this is the best video to show. Hat tip to Holly Harkness and Karen … more »

Seven Reasons Your Company Needs a Technical Communicator.

Why do I need a technical writer?

Technical Communication Managers – How to Prove the Value of Deliverables.

Some Organizations STILL Don’t Get It : Connected Content.