Technical Writing Success

Curt Robbins
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Technical Writing Success is a podcast that's published daily (Monday-Friday) by veteran technical writer Curt Robbins. It helps IT professionals such as documentation specialists, information architects, and technical writers better understand their profession and the marketplace in which they operate. Each week, charismatic hosts Daphne Blake and Fred Jones unpack a different topic in under 10 minutes to help busy professionals stay current. Topics include documentation and communications strategies, the increasing role of AI, robotics, social media management, and career advancement.

  1. 11h ago

    The Technical Writer’s AI Workflow: Draft, Edit, Verify, Ship

    Welcome to episode 215 of the Technical Writing Success podcast from Curt Robbins, where we help you get smarter than your competition. This episode is entitled "The Technical Writer’s AI Workflow: Draft, Edit, Verify, Ship." Hosts Daphne Blake and Fred Jones teach listeners a structured, four-step workflow designed to transform how technical writers integrate artificial intelligence into their professional practice. The proposed system moves from drafting and editing to verifying and shipping, shifting the writer's primary role from a manual typist to an accountable orchestrator. While AI is utilized to generate initial content and refine language, the framework emphasizes that human judgment is mandatory for ensuring technical accuracy and final approval. By following this repeatable process, creators can maintain high standards and take full responsibility for the safety and truth of their documentation. The guide highlights that high-quality source inputs are essential for success, as the machine’s output is only as reliable as the data it receives. Ultimately, the methodology ensures that while technology handles the labor-intensive writing, the professional remains the essential guardian of factual integrity. _________________________________ "It will not be AI that takes away the job of a technical writer, but rather another technical writer with deep AI skills," said Robbins. — Curt Robbins _________________________________ >> Preserve your job with AI coaching from Curt Robbins: https://tinyurl.com/mr3m5fdz >> Read the Robbins article "The Year AI Went Nuclear: Six Largest M&A Deals of 2025": https://tinyurl.com/2vys3mrm >> Read the Robbins article "The Global AI Race: America vs. China": https://tinyurl.com/2uckj7wy >> Read the Robbins article "Understanding AI Hallucinations in Technical Writing": https://tinyurl.com/bdeyd64t >> Read the Robbins article "Yale Study: Impact of AI on the Job Market": https://tinyurl.com/f3cuvvxn >> Read the Robbins article "Why Large Language Models are Changing the World": https://tinyurl.com/bdfv63ca >> Read the Robbins article "Understanding Anthropic: Rising Star in AI": https://tinyurl.com/46btw22z >> Read the Robbins article "Comparing ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, & Grok": https://tinyurl.com/3zwttxhk >> Read the Robbins article "AI Job Replacement Fears Are Good. Here's Why.": https://tinyurl.com/p5t27t7d >> Join the LinkedIn group AI for Career Success: https://tinyurl.com/mr28u7td >> Subscribe to the Technical Writing Success podcast: https://tinyurl.com/uu9hpyzt >> Subscribe to the YouTube channel AI for Career Success: https://tinyurl.com/29t4x5xu #TechnicalWriting #documentation #TechnicalWritingSuccessPodcast

    18 min

  2. 1d ago

    How to Reduce Support Tickets With Better Documentation (with Real Numbers)

    Welcome to episode 214 of the Technical Writing Success podcast from Curt Robbins, where we help you get smarter than your competition. This episode is entitled "How to Reduce Support Tickets With Better Documentation (with Real Numbers)." Hosts Daphne Blake and Fred Jones explore how high-quality technical documentation serves as a vital financial asset by reducing support ticket volume and operational costs. They emphasize that every support interaction carries a specific dollar value, typically ranging from $15 to $25, which allows writers to calculate a clear return on investment. By focusing on content findability, contextual help, and data-driven updates, companies can achieve ticket deflection rates between 25 and 60 percent. This episode encourages technical writers to transition from being seen as a cost center to being recognized as revenue-saving strategists who use ticket data to improve both documentation and the core product. Ultimately, listeners learn a practical and viable framework for measuring impact and proving that effective self-service is the only support channel that scales without increasing overhead. _________________________________ "It will not be AI that takes away the job of a technical writer, but rather another technical writer with deep AI skills," said Robbins. — Curt Robbins _________________________________ >> Preserve your job with AI coaching from Curt Robbins: https://tinyurl.com/mr3m5fdz >> Read the Robbins article "The Year AI Went Nuclear: Six Largest M&A Deals of 2025": https://tinyurl.com/2vys3mrm >> Read the Robbins article "The Global AI Race: America vs. China": https://tinyurl.com/2uckj7wy >> Read the Robbins article "Understanding AI Hallucinations in Technical Writing": https://tinyurl.com/bdeyd64t >> Read the Robbins article "Yale Study: Impact of AI on the Job Market": https://tinyurl.com/f3cuvvxn >> Read the Robbins article "Why Large Language Models are Changing the World": https://tinyurl.com/bdfv63ca >> Read the Robbins article "Understanding Anthropic: Rising Star in AI": https://tinyurl.com/46btw22z >> Read the Robbins article "Comparing ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, & Grok": https://tinyurl.com/3zwttxhk >> Read the Robbins article "AI Job Replacement Fears Are Good. Here's Why.": https://tinyurl.com/p5t27t7d >> Join the LinkedIn group AI for Career Success: https://tinyurl.com/mr28u7td >> Subscribe to the Technical Writing Success podcast: https://tinyurl.com/uu9hpyzt >> Subscribe to the YouTube channel AI for Career Success: https://tinyurl.com/29t4x5xu #TechnicalWriting #SupportTickets #HelpDesk

    19 min

  3. 2d ago

    62% of Technical Writers Use AI Daily—But Here's the Real Problem

    Welcome to episode 213 of the Technical Writing Success podcast from Curt Robbins, where we help you get smarter than your competition. This episode is entitled "62% of Technical Writers Now Use AI Daily—But Here's the Real Problem." Hosts Daphne Blake and Fred Jones explore a significant shift in technical communication, noting that 62 percent of professionals in the field now utilize artificial intelligence on a daily basis. Rather than focusing solely on adoption rates, the source highlights a critical disconnect between tool usage and formal working standards, which often leads to inefficient workflows. As AI makes generating text effortless, the primary challenge for writers moves from content creation to rigorous quality oversight and verification. This transition is increasingly vital because documentation now serves as training data for corporate chatbots, meaning inaccuracies can be spread rapidly by automated systems. Ultimately, the text argues that the most successful writers will be those who establish governance and review practices to manage these technologies effectively. Writers are encouraged to view this technological gap as an opportunity for leadership by defining how AI should be responsibly integrated into documentation cycles. _________________________________ "It will not be AI that takes away the job of a technical writer, but rather another technical writer with deep AI skills," said Robbins. — Curt Robbins _________________________________ >> Preserve your job with AI coaching from Curt Robbins: https://tinyurl.com/mr3m5fdz >> Read the Robbins article "The Year AI Went Nuclear: Six Largest M&A Deals of 2025": https://tinyurl.com/2vys3mrm >> Read the Robbins article "The Global AI Race: America vs. China": https://tinyurl.com/2uckj7wy >> Read the Robbins article "Understanding AI Hallucinations in Technical Writing": https://tinyurl.com/bdeyd64t >> Read the Robbins article "Yale Study: Impact of AI on the Job Market": https://tinyurl.com/f3cuvvxn >> Read the Robbins article "Why Large Language Models are Changing the World": https://tinyurl.com/bdfv63ca >> Read the Robbins article "Understanding Anthropic: Rising Star in AI": https://tinyurl.com/46btw22z >> Read the Robbins article "Comparing ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, & Grok": https://tinyurl.com/3zwttxhk >> Read the Robbins article "AI Job Replacement Fears Are Good. Here's Why.": https://tinyurl.com/p5t27t7d >> Join the LinkedIn group AI for Career Success: https://tinyurl.com/mr28u7td >> Subscribe to the Technical Writing Success podcast: https://tinyurl.com/uu9hpyzt >> Subscribe to the YouTube channel AI for Career Success: https://tinyurl.com/29t4x5xu #TechnicalWriting #documentation #TechnicalWritingSuccessPodcast

    14 min

  4. 5d ago

    How to Write Documentation AI Can Actually Read (LLM-ready Docs)

    Welcome to episode 212 of the Technical Writing Success podcast from Curt Robbins, where we help you get smarter than your competition. This episode is entitled "How to Write Documentation AI Can Actually Read (LLM-ready Docs)." Hosts Daphne Blake and Fred Jones explore the evolving role of technical writers as they adapt to a landscape where AI agents are becoming primary consumers of documentation. They explain that modern content is often processed via Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), meaning that machines frequently read isolated fragments rather than complete narratives. To ensure accuracy, writers must prioritize self-contained sections, consistent heading hierarchies, and the elimination of ambiguous references such as "this" or "above." While specialized tools like llms.txt are mentioned, this episode emphasizes that well-structured content remains the essential foundation for both human and machine comprehension. Mastering these retrieval-focused techniques is presented as a high-value, emerging skill that distinguishes professionals in a competitive market. Ultimately, listeners learn that writing for AI retrieval naturally results in higher-quality documentation for human readers as well. _________________________________ "It will not be AI that takes away the job of a technical writer, but rather another technical writer with deep AI skills," said Robbins. — Curt Robbins _________________________________ >> Preserve your job with AI coaching from Curt Robbins: https://tinyurl.com/mr3m5fdz >> Read the Robbins article "The Year AI Went Nuclear: Six Largest M&A Deals of 2025": https://tinyurl.com/2vys3mrm >> Read the Robbins article "The Global AI Race: America vs. China": https://tinyurl.com/2uckj7wy >> Read the Robbins article "Understanding AI Hallucinations in Technical Writing": https://tinyurl.com/bdeyd64t >> Read the Robbins article "Yale Study: Impact of AI on the Job Market": https://tinyurl.com/f3cuvvxn >> Read the Robbins article "Why Large Language Models are Changing the World": https://tinyurl.com/bdfv63ca >> Read the Robbins article "Understanding Anthropic: Rising Star in AI": https://tinyurl.com/46btw22z >> Read the Robbins article "Comparing ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, & Grok": https://tinyurl.com/3zwttxhk >> Read the Robbins article "AI Job Replacement Fears Are Good. Here's Why.": https://tinyurl.com/p5t27t7d >> Join the LinkedIn group AI for Career Success: https://tinyurl.com/mr28u7td >> Subscribe to the Technical Writing Success podcast: https://tinyurl.com/uu9hpyzt >> Subscribe to the YouTube channel AI for Career Success: https://tinyurl.com/29t4x5xu #TechnicalWriting #documentation #TechnicalWritingSuccessPodcast

    24 min

  5. 6d ago

    Information Architecture: The Technical Writing Skill AI Can't Replace

    Welcome to episode 211 of the Technical Writing Success podcast from Curt Robbins, where we help you get smarter than your competition. This episode is entitled "Information Architecture: The Technical Writing Skill AI Can't Replace." Hosts Daphne Blake and Fred Jones outline a curated guide for technical writers on selecting AI documentation tools in 2026, prioritizing practical utility over marketing hype. They argue that the most critical factor is a tool’s ability to keep documentation synchronized with a product after launch to prevent information from becoming obsolete. This episode categorizes software into four distinct roles: Generating initial drafts, ensuring stylistic consistency, creating docs from code, and providing comprehensive platforms with automated maintenance. It addresses industry skepticism by emphasizing that these technologies serve as human-in-the-loop leverage rather than total replacements for writers. Ultimately, this episode advises professionals to evaluate tools based on their specific job requirements and the long-term costs of manual upkeep. _________________________________ "It will not be AI that takes away the job of a technical writer, but rather another technical writer with deep AI skills," said Robbins. — Curt Robbins _________________________________ >> Preserve your job with AI coaching from Curt Robbins: https://tinyurl.com/mr3m5fdz >> Read the Robbins article "The Year AI Went Nuclear: Six Largest M&A Deals of 2025": https://tinyurl.com/2vys3mrm >> Read the Robbins article "The Global AI Race: America vs. China": https://tinyurl.com/2uckj7wy >> Read the Robbins article "Understanding AI Hallucinations in Technical Writing": https://tinyurl.com/bdeyd64t >> Read the Robbins article "Yale Study: Impact of AI on the Job Market": https://tinyurl.com/f3cuvvxn >> Read the Robbins article "Why Large Language Models are Changing the World": https://tinyurl.com/bdfv63ca >> Read the Robbins article "Understanding Anthropic: Rising Star in AI": https://tinyurl.com/46btw22z >> Read the Robbins article "Comparing ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, & Grok": https://tinyurl.com/3zwttxhk >> Read the Robbins article "AI Job Replacement Fears Are Good. Here's Why.": https://tinyurl.com/p5t27t7d >> Join the LinkedIn group AI for Career Success: https://tinyurl.com/mr28u7td >> Subscribe to the Technical Writing Success podcast: https://tinyurl.com/uu9hpyzt >> Subscribe to the YouTube channel AI for Career Success: https://tinyurl.com/29t4x5xu #TechnicalWriting #documentation #TechnicalWritingSuccessPodcast

    13 min

  6. Jun 24

    Best AI Documentation Tools in 2026 (and What's Not Worth It)

    Welcome to episode 210 of the Technical Writing Success podcast from Curt Robbins, where we help you get smarter than your competition. Entitled "The Best AI Documentation Tools in 2026 (and What's Not Worth It)" hosts Daphne Blake and Fred Jones outline a curated guide for technical writers on selecting AI documentation tools in 2026, prioritizing practical utility over marketing hype. They argue that the most critical factor is a tool’s ability to keep documentation synchronized with a product after launch to prevent information from becoming obsolete. This episode categorizes software into four distinct roles: Generating initial drafts, ensuring stylistic consistency, creating docs from code, and providing comprehensive platforms with automated maintenance. It addresses industry skepticism by emphasizing that these technologies serve as human-in-the-loop leverage rather than total replacements for writers. Ultimately, this episode advises professionals to evaluate tools based on their specific job requirements and the long-term costs of manual upkeep. _________________________________ "It will not be AI that takes away the job of a technical writer, but rather another technical writer with deep AI skills," said Robbins. — Curt Robbins _________________________________ >> Preserve your job with AI coaching from Curt Robbins: https://tinyurl.com/mr3m5fdz >> Read the Robbins article "The Year AI Went Nuclear: Six Largest M&A Deals of 2025": https://tinyurl.com/2vys3mrm >> Read the Robbins article "The Global AI Race: America vs. China": https://tinyurl.com/2uckj7wy >> Read the Robbins article "Understanding AI Hallucinations in Technical Writing": https://tinyurl.com/bdeyd64t >> Read the Robbins article "Yale Study: Impact of AI on the Job Market": https://tinyurl.com/f3cuvvxn >> Read the Robbins article "Why Large Language Models are Changing the World": https://tinyurl.com/bdfv63ca >> Read the Robbins article "Understanding Anthropic: Rising Star in AI": https://tinyurl.com/46btw22z >> Read the Robbins article "Comparing ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, & Grok": https://tinyurl.com/3zwttxhk >> Read the Robbins article "AI Job Replacement Fears Are Good. Here's Why.": https://tinyurl.com/p5t27t7d >> Join the LinkedIn group AI for Career Success: https://tinyurl.com/mr28u7td >> Subscribe to the Technical Writing Success podcast: https://tinyurl.com/uu9hpyzt >> Subscribe to the YouTube channel AI for Career Success: https://tinyurl.com/29t4x5xu #TechnicalWriting #documentation #TechnicalWritingSuccessPodcast

    18 min

  7. Jun 23

    Is the Help Center Dying? In-Context Help vs. the Knowledge Base

    Welcome to episode 209 of the Technical Writing Success podcast from Curt Robbins, where we help you get smarter than your competition.  In this episode, entitled "Is the Help Center Dying? In-Context Help vs. the Knowledge Base," hosts Daphne Blake and Fred Jones explore the shifting role of technical documentation, specifically debating whether the traditional help center is becoming obsolete. While some argue that in-context help and embedded tools are replacing standalone libraries, others maintain that a robust knowledge base is essential to prevent AI hallucinations and provide source material for automated agents. This episode concludes that the help center is not disappearing, but rather is being demoted from a user destination to a data foundation. Consequently, technical writers must shift their focus toward content retrieval and modular architecture rather than simply maintaining a searchable portal. Ultimately, this episode emphasizes that, while the delivery method for support has changed, the need for a structured source of truth remains critical. _________________________________ "It will not be AI that takes away the job of a technical writer, but rather another technical writer with deep AI skills," said Robbins. — Curt Robbins _________________________________ >> Preserve your job with AI coaching from Curt Robbins: https://tinyurl.com/mr3m5fdz >> Read the Robbins article "The Year AI Went Nuclear: Six Largest M&A Deals of 2025": https://tinyurl.com/2vys3mrm >> Read the Robbins article "The Global AI Race: America vs. China": https://tinyurl.com/2uckj7wy >> Read the Robbins article "Understanding AI Hallucinations in Technical Writing": https://tinyurl.com/bdeyd64t >> Read the Robbins article "Yale Study: Impact of AI on the Job Market": https://tinyurl.com/f3cuvvxn >> Read the Robbins article "Why Large Language Models are Changing the World": https://tinyurl.com/bdfv63ca >> Read the Robbins article "Understanding Anthropic: Rising Star in AI": https://tinyurl.com/46btw22z >> Read the Robbins article "Comparing ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, & Grok": https://tinyurl.com/3zwttxhk >> Read the Robbins article "AI Job Replacement Fears Are Good. Here's Why.": https://tinyurl.com/p5t27t7d >> Join the LinkedIn group AI for Career Success: https://tinyurl.com/mr28u7td >> Subscribe to the Technical Writing Success podcast: https://tinyurl.com/uu9hpyzt >> Subscribe to the YouTube channel AI for Career Success: https://tinyurl.com/29t4x5xu #TechnicalWriting #documentation #TechnicalWritingSuccessPodcast

    16 min

  8. Jun 22

    How to QA AI-generated Documentation Without Missing Errors

    Welcome to episode 208 of the Technical Writing Success podcast from Curt Robbins, where we help you get smarter than your competition.  In this episode, entitled "How to QA AI-generated Documentation Without Missing Errors," hosts Daphne Blake and Fred Jones outline a systematic approach to quality assurance for technical writers and documentation specialists who must now prioritize editing AI-generated content over traditional drafting. They highlight the dangers of "workslop," where polished prose masks dangerous factual hallucinations or missing procedural prerequisites. To combat these risks, the guide proposes a three-pass verification workflow that focuses on validating facts, testing user procedures, and ensuring terminology consistency. This episode emphasizes that human accountability is irreplaceable, as writers must own the final output to ensure user safety and trust. Ultimately, Blake and Jones argue that the ability to verify and correct automated drafts is now a technical writer's most essential professional skill. Underpinning this process is the principle of "garbage in, garbage out," suggesting that high-quality documentation starts with providing the AI with precise, narrow source materials. _________________________________ "It will not be AI that takes away the job of a technical writer, but rather another technical writer with deep AI skills," said Robbins. — Curt Robbins _________________________________ >> Preserve your job with AI coaching from Curt Robbins: https://tinyurl.com/mr3m5fdz >> Read the Robbins article "The Year AI Went Nuclear: Six Largest M&A Deals of 2025": https://tinyurl.com/2vys3mrm >> Read the Robbins article "The Global AI Race: America vs. China": https://tinyurl.com/2uckj7wy >> Read the Robbins article "Understanding AI Hallucinations in Technical Writing": https://tinyurl.com/bdeyd64t >> Read the Robbins article "Yale Study: Impact of AI on the Job Market": https://tinyurl.com/f3cuvvxn >> Read the Robbins article "Why Large Language Models are Changing the World": https://tinyurl.com/bdfv63ca >> Read the Robbins article "Understanding Anthropic: Rising Star in AI": https://tinyurl.com/46btw22z >> Read the Robbins article "Comparing ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, & Grok": https://tinyurl.com/3zwttxhk >> Read the Robbins article "AI Job Replacement Fears Are Good. Here's Why.": https://tinyurl.com/p5t27t7d >> Join the LinkedIn group AI for Career Success: https://tinyurl.com/mr28u7td >> Subscribe to the Technical Writing Success podcast: https://tinyurl.com/uu9hpyzt >> Subscribe to the YouTube channel AI for Career Success: https://tinyurl.com/29t4x5xu #TechnicalWriting #documentation #TechnicalWritingSuccessPodcast

    12 min
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About

Technical Writing Success is a podcast that's published daily (Monday-Friday) by veteran technical writer Curt Robbins. It helps IT professionals such as documentation specialists, information architects, and technical writers better understand their profession and the marketplace in which they operate. Each week, charismatic hosts Daphne Blake and Fred Jones unpack a different topic in under 10 minutes to help busy professionals stay current. Topics include documentation and communications strategies, the increasing role of AI, robotics, social media management, and career advancement.

Information

  • Creator
    Curt Robbins
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    219
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Curt Robbins
  • Show Website
    Technical Writing Success