WRITERS IN TECH

💬 Episode Description: In this episode of Writers in Tech, we sit down with Marie Van Ogtrop, Director of Product Writing at Duolingo, to talk about building emotionally resonant content, scaling UX writing through AI, and creating consistency across a fast-moving product. Marie shares the story behind Copybot, Duolingo’s internal AI-powered writing tool, and how it allows product teams to write on-brand, delightful copy—without overwhelming the content team. We also talk about: Why words are a business tool, not just decoration How clear writing reflects clear thinking “Meeting the moment” as a core UX writing principle The power of internal documentation and style guides Why AI won't replace writers—but it will expand their reach Using writing as a prompt design superpower Childhood stories, abandoned first chapters, and writing aspirations 👥 Guest: Marie Van Ogtrop on LinkedIn 📌 Host: Brought to you by the UX Writing Hub 📍 Timestamps: 00:00 – Opening quote: “We can impact user outcomes on a grander scale” 01:34 – How UX writing differentiates apps in a crowded market 04:09 – Building content consistency across teams 06:28 – Quality review systems for content 07:40 – The “You are correct” story and improving emotional resonance 10:00 – Copy and business metrics: “Words can move numbers” 11:30 – Educating the market about the value of UX writing 13:11 – Prompt design is writing—writers are natural AI communicators 17:18 – How Duolingo built Copybot, an internal AI-powered product writer 20:00 – Balancing AI tools and human creativity in writing 22:59 – Marie’s writing dreams and childhood story ideas 25:06 – What inspires Marie today as a product writer

Take our free UX Writing Course. In this episode of Writers in Tech, host Yuval Keshtcher speaks with Hunter Gebron, a seasoned UX writer with extensive experience in the FinTech and blockchain sectors. They discuss the significant presence of UX writers in FinTech, the challenges of communicating complex blockchain terminology, and the importance of building trust with users in financial applications. Hunter shares insights from his journey in UX writing, including his experiences at Meta and Kraken, and emphasizes the need for clear communication and user research in content design. In this conversation, Hunter discusses his experiences in content design, particularly in the context of his work at Kraken and the evolving role of AI in the industry. He reflects on the challenges and opportunities presented by AI tools, the importance of strategic thinking in content design, and the potential for building scalable content design systems. The discussion also touches on the future of product design and the necessity for designers to adapt to new technologies.

Episode Summary In this groundbreaking episode, host Yuval Keshtcher speaks with Megan Legawiec about the emerging field of trauma-informed content design. They explore how digital products can be designed with awareness of user trauma, making experiences safer and more accessible for everyone. Megan explains the core principles, shares practical examples, and offers resources for designers looking to implement these practices. Check out our free content design courseIntroduction Yuval introduces Megan Legawiec, a senior content designer who has worked in real estate, cybersecurity, and AI They explain this is a dedicated episode on trauma-informed content design after briefly discussing it in a previous recording Originated in psychotherapy with 5-7 guiding principles Adapted first to physical spaces through architectural guidelines Now being applied to digital spaces where people spend significant time Approximately 70% of the world's population will experience a traumatic event in their lifetime An estimated 5-8% develop PTSD Applies to all digital experiences, not just mental health applications Examples include: Safety Trustworthiness and Transparency Peer Support, Collaboration, and Mutuality Empowerment and Choice Cultural, Historical, and Gender Considerations Builds trust with users Creates more loyal user base Makes experiences accessible to more people Correlates with best practices in UX design Can be implemented incrementally Books: Training: Megan responds to audience questions from LinkedIn about implementation strategies Yuval teases an upcoming live conference in Europe (September 2025) Produced by the UX Writing Hub What is Trauma-Informed Content Design?Key ApplicationsCore Tenets of Trauma-Informed DesignBusiness Case for ImplementationRecommended ResourcesClosing

Sign up for our free UX Writing Course: https://course.uxwritinghub.com/free_course I had a huge pleasure in having Balasubramanyn Meenakshisundaram at the Writers in Tech podcast. Follow on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4n6icHZbDEcXRX4DafjtPw How does a tech support specialist evolve into a content designer? In this episode, we dive deep with a veteran tech writer who's mastered the art of user-centered documentation across telecom, healthcare, and SaaS. From crafting product docs in agile environments to becoming a sought-after content strategist, our guest shares insights on finding your voice in technical writing while maintaining that crucial human touch.

Step into the world of AI companionship with Jason F. Gilbert, where robots aren't just machines – they're life-changing friends for older adults. Through his work at Intuition Robotics, Jason shares candid stories about Elliq, a companion robot helping seniors fight loneliness and stay sharp. His journey from writing Disney's Miss Piggy chatbot to crafting conversations for elder care reveals the human side of AI development. Get ready for an eye-opening chat about building trust, handling user feedback (including the tough moments), and why sometimes, the most powerful feature can be as simple as offering a virtual hug. This isn't just another tech talk – it's a story about using words and AI to make real connections when they matter most.

Join us for an insightful conversation with Nurit Gazit, Director of Product Management at Beti, as we explore the intersection of AI, UX writing, and the construction industry. In this episode of the AI Experience podcast, Nurit shares how Beti, a software company specializing in construction site management, is leveraging AI and professional UX writing to revolutionize communication in the building sector.   Discover how Beti is tackling unique challenges in safety, quality, and efficiency on construction sites through innovative software solutions. Nurit discusses the company's journey from a startup to an established player, including their expansion from Israel to the US market and the complexities of product localization.   Learn about Beti's strategic decision to collaborate with UX writing professionals and their development of an AI-powered tool for implementing UX guidelines.   Nurit offers valuable insights on balancing user needs with business objectives in specialized industries and provides tips for aspiring UX writers looking to make an impact.   Whether you're interested in AI applications, UX design, or the evolving landscape of construction technology, this episode offers a blueprint for building better user experiences in complex industries.   Take out free UX Writing course Check out the UX Writing Hub Follow Nurit on Linkedin

Take out AI for UX free course: Free UX Writing Course Follow Chris Willis

Follow Yael's work here Check out our free UX Writing Course

Check out free UX Writing Course  Check out our free AI for UX course  Follow Lina on Linkedin  

Check the AI for UX course Free ux writing course Follow Deiadora Blanche

Introduction to Tricia Hingpit, a freelance UX writer who owns her own agency. Hear how she rose from junior content writer to agency owner. How Tricia onboards her clients and her process for demonstrating the value of content and UX writing. How to determine which clients are one-timers and which will become retainer clients Strategies for expanding her menu of services to include UX research and more. Knowing how to put an actual price on your services as a freelance UX writer. Methods of project management that have helped Tricia and her clients find happiness How Tricia has used Notion, Slack, and automations to communicate effectively with clients throughout projects. Pro tips about meaningful communication and trust building. Knowing when a client just isn’t a good fit and how to gently fire them Tips for maintaining a demanding work schedule and a life beyond work. Check out our free UX Writing course here Follow Tricia on Linkedin

  Introduction to Michal Kessel Shitrit, localization and UX writing specialist. Michal's journey from translator to UX writing and localization expert. Discussion on the role of communication between content creators and translators. Challenges in localization: lack of context and constraints in content creation. Emphasis on the importance of UX writing skills for translators. Approaches to structuring localization processes in various company sizes. Benefits of working directly with linguists or localization managers. Overview of popular localization tools like Localize, Phrase, and CrowdIn. Integration of these tools with design platforms like Figma. The impact of AI and machine translation on improving localization efficiency. The necessity of human involvement for quality assurance in localization. Tips for planning a localization project, considering language requirements and feature prioritization. Iterative approach to localization and adapting to changing needs   Check out our free UX Writing course here Follow Michal on Linkedin

Take our free UX Writing and Content Design course Follow Andrew's work here Follow Yuval's Work here

We covered: How to use AI in your UX process. What are the different opportunities for UX writers and designers with the rise of AI products. What other events in history were similar to the AI revolution. trategies for integrating AI into user research and testing. The impact of AI on user interface design trends. Ethical considerations in AI-driven design choices. Predicting user behavior with machine learning and its effects on UX. The role of personalization in UX as powered by AI algorithms. Balancing human-centric design with AI automation. The future of UX professions in the age of AI advancements.   For more about UX and AI take our free AI for UX course Follow Jakob's work here

Check out our free UX Writing course: https://course.uxwritinghub.com/free_course Follow Sharona on LinkedIn

We Talked About: The importance of having both design and UX thinking skills in any project. Her journey into product design and how to emphasize the value of real-time user feedback. Her experience on Survivor. Potential challenges in future UX, such as virtual reality and wearable tech, along with the merging of technology into everyday objects.   Check out our free UX writing course: https://course.uxwritinghub.com/free_course   And our brand new AI for UX course: https://course.uxwritinghub.com/free-course-ai-for-ux

Amanda Bridge shares her journey into UX writing, starting at Procore Technologies and later joining HubSpot as a senior content designer. Challenges of setting up a UX writing discipline within a large team and starting from scratch are discussed. Amanda's impactful work on HubSpot's Academy product to improve course applicability is highlighted. The potential impact of AI on UX writing is explored, with Amanda believing that AI will take over copywriting tasks, allowing content designers to focus on strategy and conversation within features. AI writing tools like Writer's Figma plugin are introduced, enabling content designers to add terms and snippets, promoting system-wide thinking in design and creating content consistency. The benefits and challenges of being embedded in specific product teams at HubSpot are discussed. Factors to consider when hiring a content designer, such as company size and product complexity, are mentioned. To enhance collaboration with designers, Amanda suggests content designers take an Intro to Product Design course or watch YouTube videos on design principles. The importance of content designers knowing how to work with design tools and manage copy within those tools is emphasized. The central theme of the episode, "Advocating for Your Content" encourages content designers to champion their craft and promote the value of content design within their organizations.   Join our free UX Writing course: https://course.uxwritinghub.com/free_course Join our free AI for UX course:  https://course.uxwritinghub.com/free-course-ai-for-ux Amanda Bridge: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandabridge/

Guest Jamie Walk, a principal UX writer and content designer at Booking.com, sheds light on his journey in the tech world, his role at Booking.com, and the company's pioneering work in UX writing. (01:22) Jamie shares insights into the growth of the UX writing team at Booking.com, from a small team of 7-8 members to a flourishing team of nearly 80. (01:58) The duo discuss a project at Booking.com called A11y, which is dedicated to making products accessible for everyone and complying with legal standards. (03:24) Jamie emphasizes the ethical considerations around accessibility, and its potential business benefits, given the increased buying power of people with accessibility needs. (19:14) Jamie talks about his role in creating an inclusive screen reader experience for users, and why UX writing plays a crucial role in promoting accessibility. (23:39)   Free UX Writing Course: https://course.uxwritinghub.com/free_course Free AI for UX Course : https://course.uxwritinghub.com/free-course-ai-for-ux Check out the UX Writing Academy: https://uxwritinghub.com/join-the-ux-writing-academy/ Follow Jaime: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaime-n-69746419/ Booking.com's UX Writing Medium blog: https://medium.com/booking-writes

Key Points The conversation begins with an introduction of the UX Writing Hub and its resources, including a blog, a podcast, a weekly newsletter, and courses with AI components. (00:24) Nick Babich, a UX consultant and influencer, shares his approach to product design and his passion for sharing valuable information with the design community. (01:22) Nick discusses the role of AI in his design process, particularly how he uses GPT for user research, ideation, and prototyping. He shares how GPT helps him speed up his design process and prototyping. (01:58) The conversation shifts to the use of AI tools like Mid Journey and Stable Diffusion in design. Nick shares his experience with these tools and how they have impacted his design process. (03:24) The importance of UX writing in the era of AI is discussed. Nick believes that UX writing will be a top skill in the next decade as the quality of prompts has a direct impact on the output that AI tools produce. (19:14) Nick shares his content strategy, which involves identifying challenging tasks, finding solutions, and sharing these resources with the community. He encourages others to share their work and not be afraid of criticism. (23:39) Links Free UX Writing Course Free AI for UX Course Check out the UX Writing Academy Follow Nick Babich

Join our free UX writing course:   https://course.uxwritinghub.com/free_course   Follow Jared Spool   https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmspool/   Your host, as always, is me, Yuval Keshtcher.