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.
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Why Technical Writers Now Spend More Time Editing Than Writing
Episode 229
Tuesday, July 21, 2026 • Duration 11:15
Welcome to episode 229 of the Technical Writing Success podcast from Curt Robbins, where we help you get smarter than your competition.
This episode is entitled "Why Technical Writers Now Spend More Time Editing Than Writing." Hosts Daphne Blake and Fred Jones outline a significant evolution in technical writing as professionals shift from primary content creation to a role defined by editorial oversight and verification.
According to data from the 2026 State of Docs report, a majority of practitioners now find themselves reviewing AI-generated drafts rather than writing from scratch. This transition highlights that while artificial intelligence can produce text quickly, it lacks the critical judgment and accuracy required for technical documentation, placing a premium on a writer's ability to identify hallucinations and ensure factual correctness.
Consequently, traditional skills such as information architecture and source verification are becoming more valuable than the mechanical act of drafting.
This episode ultimately suggests that the profession is becoming more intellectually demanding as writers take on the mantle of quality control in an increasingly automated workflow. This shift reframes the writer's value not as a high-volume producer, but as an essential arbiter of truth and structure.
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"It will not be AI that takes away the job of a technical writer, but rather another technical writer with deep AI skills." — Curt Robbins
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>> Preserve your job with AI coaching from Curt Robbins: https://tinyurl.com/mr3m5fdz
>> 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 "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
>> Learn more about Curt Robbins: https://tinyurl.com/3phmkkth
#TechnicalWriting #documentation #AI
The Technical Writer's Guide to Git (Without the Fear)
Episode 228
Monday, July 20, 2026 • Duration 20:47
Welcome to episode 228 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 Guide to Git (Without the Fear)." Hosts Daphne Blake and Fred Jones provide a compassionate introduction to Git and version control specifically tailored for technical writers transitioning into docs-as-code environments.
They aim to reduce professional anxiety by reframing complex engineering concepts as a reliable "time machine" for managing document history and preventing data loss. They clarify essential terminology such as repositories, commits, and pull requests, emphasizing that these tools offer a safety net rather than a risk of destruction.
To lower the barrier to entry, Daphne and Fred recommend using graphical interfaces such as GitHub Desktop or GitKraken instead of relying solely on the command line.
Ultimately, they encourage writers to build practical confidence through small, frequent updates and local experimentation. This foundational knowledge prepares professionals for a shifting landscape where automation and review are becoming central to the documentation process.
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"It will not be AI that takes away the job of a technical writer, but rather another technical writer with deep AI skills." — Curt Robbins
_________________________________
>> Preserve your job with AI coaching from Curt Robbins: https://tinyurl.com/mr3m5fdz
>> 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
Should Technical Writers Learn to Code? The Honest Answer
Episode 227
Friday, July 17, 2026 • Duration 10:01
Welcome to episode 227 of the Technical Writing Success podcast from Curt Robbins, where we help you get smarter than your competition.
This episode is entitled "Should Technical Writers Learn to Code? The Honest Answer." Hosts Daphne Blake and Fred Jones explore the high-stakes debate over whether technical writers should learn to code, presenting a nuanced middle ground between two polarized perspectives.
While some argue that programming fluency is now a mandatory requirement for modern careers, others suggest that writers should focus on becoming developer allies rather than junior engineers.
This episode clarifies that both sides actually value technical literacy, but they disagree on the specific educational path writers should take. Instead of following generic software engineering curricula, the hosts advise writers to master the technical layers that directly impact their documentation, such as Git, APIs, and data structures.
By focusing on solving specific documentation blockers, writers can achieve independence and professional relevance without the burnout of traditional coding bootcamps. Ultimately, the goal is to leverage technical skills to better serve the audience while maintaining the unique value of the writer's perspective.
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"It will not be AI that takes away the job of a technical writer, but rather another technical writer with deep AI skills." — Curt Robbins
_________________________________
>> Preserve your job with AI coaching from Curt Robbins: https://tinyurl.com/mr3m5fdz
>> 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
How to Interview an SME Without Wasting Their Time (or Yours)
Episode 226
Thursday, July 16, 2026 • Duration 20:51
Welcome to episode 226 of the Technical Writing Success podcast from Curt Robbins, where we help you get smarter than your competition.
This episode is entitled "How to Interview an SME Without Wasting Their Time (or Yours)." Hosts Daphne Blake and Fred Jones provide a comprehensive framework for technical writers to conduct efficient and productive interviews with subject matter experts (SMEs).
To respect the expert's limited time, writers should perform rigorous pre-interview research and eliminate any questions that can be answered through independent study. The hosts outline a strategic question spine based on journalism's five Ws and H, emphasizing the importance of identifying prerequisites and use cases.
To prevent missing critical details, writers are encouraged to walk through procedures live and act as a proxy for the end-user by asking clarifying questions. Finally, the source highlights that building long-term professional relationships depends on closing the feedback loop and expanding one's network of information sources.
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"It will not be AI that takes away the job of a technical writer, but rather another technical writer with deep AI skills." — 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
How to Pass a Technical Writing Interview and Its Writing Test
Episode 225
Wednesday, July 15, 2026 • Duration 18:17
Welcome to episode 225 of the Technical Writing Success podcast from Curt Robbins, where we help you get smarter than your competition.
This episode is entitled "How to Pass a Technical Writing Interview and Its Writing Test." Hosts Daphne Blake and Fred Jones offer a comprehensive guide for navigating the modern technical writing interview and its associated skills assessments.
They emphasize that employers are no longer just looking for prose quality, but rather the ability to understand specific audiences, collaborate with experts, and manage complex production lifecycles. The hosts detail common testing formats, such as simplifying technical jargon or creating procedures from raw notes, while advising candidates to narrate their decision-making process to demonstrate professional reasoning.
A significant focus is placed on the evolution of AI in 2026, suggesting that candidates should be honest about using these tools while highlighting their human judgment in verifying accuracy.
Finally, the material provides practical preparation drills, like the STAR method for storytelling and rewriting complex articles, to help applicants secure job offers.
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"It will not be AI that takes away the job of a technical writer, but rather another technical writer with deep AI skills." — 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
The Technical Writer's Portfolio That Actually Gets You Hired in 2026
Episode 224
Tuesday, July 14, 2026 • Duration 09:25
Welcome to episode 224 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 Portfolio That Actually Gets You Hired in 2026." Hosts Daphne Blake and Fred Jones outline strategies for developing a professional technical writing portfolio that stands out in an era dominated by artificial intelligence.
They emphasize that a portfolio’s primary objective is to provide hiring managers with a sense of security by demonstrating a candidate's ability to produce functional, high-quality documentation. Rather than submitting a disorganized collection of every past project, writers are encouraged to curate three to six high-impact samples accompanied by context regarding the problem solved and the intended audience.
The source highlights docs-as-code and GitHub proficiency as essential modern differentiators that signal a candidate is prepared for contemporary technical environments. Furthermore, it advises applicants to be transparent about their AI usage, focusing on how they exercise human judgment to refine machine-generated content.
Ultimately, the text serves as a practical guide to transforming raw work experience into a strategic asset that secures interviews and job offers.
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"It will not be AI that takes away the job of a technical writer, but rather another technical writer with deep AI skills." — 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
The Documentation Job Market in 2026: Where the Hiring Actually Is
Episode 223
Monday, July 13, 2026 • Duration 13:19
Welcome to episode 223 of the Technical Writing Success podcast from Curt Robbins, where we help you get smarter than your competition.
This episode is entitled "The Documentation Job Market in 2026: Where the Hiring Actually Is." Hosts Daphne Blake and Fred Jones offer a strategic analysis of the technical writing job market as it approaches 2026, highlighting a significant shift in hiring trends.
While traditional employment growth remains steady according to official statistics, the rise of artificial intelligence is creating a clear divide between different career paths. The market for generalist writers is tightening and becoming more competitive as automation increases individual productivity. In contrast, specialized roles—particularly those involving API documentation, healthcare, fintech, and cybersecurity—continue to experience high demand and premium pay.
To maintain career longevity, Daphne and Fred advise professionals to focus on high-complexity domains where human judgment and accountability remain essential. Consequently, the most successful writers will be those who transition from broad writing skills toward technical fluency and industry-specific expertise.
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"It will not be AI that takes away the job of a technical writer, but rather another technical writer with deep AI skills." — 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
Should Technical Writers Rebrand as "Knowledge Conductors"? The Honest Take
Episode 222
Friday, July 10, 2026 • Duration 15:14
Welcome to episode 222 of the Technical Writing Success podcast from Curt Robbins, where we help you get smarter than your competition.
This episode is entitled "Should Technical Writers Rebrand as "Knowledge Conductors"? The Honest Take." Hosts Daphne Blake and Fred Jones examine the professional identity crisis currently facing technical writers and documentation specialists as artificial intelligence transforms their traditional responsibilities.
They explore the debate over whether practitioners should adopt modernized job titles, such as "knowledge conductor" or "AI content architect," to reflect their shift toward strategic information management. While new branding can highlight a worker's advanced technical value, Daphne and Fred warn that unconventional titles may hinder job discoverability in automated recruitment systems.
Ultimately, this episode advises professionals to maintain standardtitles for searchability while using elevated language to describe their evolving skills during interviews and performance reviews. The overarching message emphasizes that demonstrable expertise in human-AI workflows is more critical than a trendy professional label.
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"It will not be AI that takes away the job of a technical writer, but rather another technical writer with deep AI skills." — 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
Beyond Text: Why Multimodal Documentation Is the New Standard
Episode 221
Thursday, July 9, 2026 • Duration 14:10
Welcome to episode 221 of the Technical Writing Success podcast from Curt Robbins, where we help you get smarter than your competition.
This episode is entitled "Beyond Text: Why Multimodal Documentation Is the New Standard." Hosts Daphne Blake and Fred Jones explore the transition from traditional text-only instructions to multimodal documentation, which incorporates diagrams, annotated screenshots, and short videos.
This shift is driven by a need to improve user retention and accommodate modern scanning habits, as products become increasingly complex. This episode emphasizes that technical writers must evolve into multimodal communicators who possess the editorial judgment to choose the most effective medium for information.
While AI tools have lowered the barrier to creating visual content, Daphne and Fred warn against gratuitous visuals that lack purpose or clarity. Furthermore, they highlight the critical importance of accessibility, noting that all visual elements require alt text and captions to remain inclusive.
Ultimately, the material serves as a guide for writers at all career stages to build visual communication skills while maintaining high standards for documentation.
_________________________________
"It will not be AI that takes away the job of a technical writer, but rather another technical writer with deep AI skills." — 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
Why UI Copy Is Becoming Core Technical Writing Work
Episode 220
Wednesday, July 8, 2026 • Duration 18:14
Welcome to episode 220 of the Technical Writing Success podcast from Curt Robbins, where we help you get smarter than your competition.
This episode is entitled "Why UI Copy Is Becoming Core Technical Writing Work." Hosts Daphne Blake and Fred Jones explore the growing importance of UI copy and microcopy within the field of technical writing, framing these elements as the most impactful documentation a professional can produce.
They argue that technical writers are uniquely qualified to craft the buttons, error messages, and tooltips that guide users, as these tasks require their signature skills of clarity and precision.
By moving documentation directly into the userinterface, writers can reach a wider audience and transition into more strategic product roles. However, the material also cautions that this shift represents a scope expansion that requires deliberate collaboration with designers and proper professional recognition.
Ultimately, the source serves as a guide for writers to evolve their skill sets to meet the demands of modern, contextual user assistance.
_________________________________
"It will not be AI that takes away the job of a technical writer, but rather another technical writer with deep AI skills." — 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
