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 SafetyTrustworthiness and TransparencyPeer Support, Collaboration, and MutualityEmpowerment and ChoiceCultural, Historical, and Gender ConsiderationsBooksTrainingProduced 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.

Can artificial intelligence support content teams? The AI tool Writer is designed to do exactly that. I asked May, the co-founder of Writer, to explain how it works. By integrating AI into the content process, every writer on a team has access to the same source of truth–including their style guide and terminology base. May talked about: N.B. UX Writing Hub is not affiliated with Writer. Try our free UX writing course Connect with May on LinkedIn Check out writer.com’s website Check...

Nicole Michaelis popped by for an open chat about everything from the effects of psychedelics to ageism in the tech industry. Nicole is a Senior UX writer at Spotify and a teacher at Berghs School of Communication in Stockholm, Sweden. Many of you already know her from the appreciated Content Rookie podcast (and if you don't, check it out!). She reveals how she gets through more than 2 books a week, why she prefers fiction and poetry to books about UX writing, and how writers can avoid...

Content: Join our free UX writing module: https://course.uxwritinghub.com/free_course Learn more about Cory: Book: https://uxcareershandbook.com https://www.linkedin.com/learning/search?entityType=COURSE&keywords=cory%20lebson&u=2125562

Monzo style guide: https://monzo.com/tone-of-voice/ Uber tone of voice: https://brand.uber.com/guide#tone_of_voice-overview Conversational design by Erika Hall: https://www.amazon.com/Conversational-Design-Erika-Hall/dp/1937557677 Dialogflow: https://dialogflow.com/ Chatbase: https://chatbase.com/ WriteOn extension: https://writeon.io/