Content Rookie

Episode 69: Leading content design and a look at the job market In today's episode, my guest Rachel McConnell and I chat about content design careers in general and, more specifically, getting into leadership. Rachel shares her thoughts on what skills are needed to manage both content design and design teams successfully. We also talk about her current approach to finding her next leadership role. Connect with host, Nicole Michaelis: nicoletells.com // Contentrookiepod.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/  hi@nicoletells.com Connect with guest, Rachel McConnell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-mcconnellme/ rachelmcconnell.me https://www.leadwithtempo.com/

Episode 68: Getting into Content Design and UX writing + Generalists vs Specialists In today's episode, Andrew Stein shares his journey into the field from a background in copywriting. He also dives into what helped him figure out writing for UX before the job was really popular, plus tips on doing good work as a solo UX writer dedicated to a large team. *** Learning outcomes: - Transitioning into content design - How is UX writing different from copywriting (if at all) - Generalist vs specialist approach - Thriving as the only UX writer in your team *** Connect with host, Nicole Michaelis: nicoletells.com // Contentrookiepod.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/  hi@nicoletells.com Connect with guest, Andrew Stein: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewdeanstein/

Episode 67: Don't let Content Design gaslight you In today's episode, the brilliant Sara Wachter-Boettcher shares parts of her Lead with Tempo talk in a discussion with me about all things lifting the weight of content design off our shoulders. How can we stop overidentifying with work? How do we set clear boundaries? And what can we do to take a step away from how we ideally want content design to work vs the reality of it? This and more is discussed in this heartfelt hour of conversation. Connect with host, Nicole Michaelis: nicoletells.com // Contentrookiepod.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/  hi@nicoletells.com Connect with guest, Sara Wachter-Boettcher: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saraboettcher/ Newsletter: https://www.activevoicehq.com/newsletter Article mentioned on episode: https://medium.com/nice-work-from-active-voice/hey-designers-theyre-gaslighting-you-e02e5a4d9cff

Episode 66: Get unstuck: Growing content design beyond the trivial (online and at work) How many times should we really debate our title, serial commas, or the future of AI on social media? My guest Bill Kurland and I believe it's probably time to move on from some of the most evergreen content design and UX writing topics - both online and when talking about what we do at work. Why? Because they may be more harmful to us than we think and may even be contributing to feelings of burnout, frustration and stagnation. Connect with guest, Bill Kurland: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-kurland/ https://www.billkurland.com/ Connect with host, Nicole Michaelis: nicoletells.com // Contentrookiepod.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/  hi@nicoletells.com

Episode 65: Content design and UX writing tactics that move the needle What are some content design and UX writing tactics and processes that actually move the needle for solo writers or smaller teams? In this episode, I share some of my top tactics that I like to bring into my day-to-day work to help with change management, workload management, and general content design improvements. Especially valuable for solo-UX writers and smaller teams. Learning outcomes: - What you can already learn during interviews - Onboarding as a content designer - Understanding team and org structure - Documentation - Office hours, briefs, request boards, slack channels - QA for content design - Change- and stakeholder management - Getting away from a service relationship Connect with host, Nicole Michaelis: nicoletells.com // Contentrookiepod.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/  hi@nicoletells.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contentrookie/message

Episode 64: Working in a Growth team In today's episode, my guest Senior Product Designer Ademar Rodrigues and I talk about all things working with growth. We chat about how growth teams are different from other types of design teams, how content design works in a growth setting, and what some of the challenges and opportunities are. ---Learning outcomes: What's a growth team? How is it set up? The day to day of a growth team Content design in a growth team Challenges, opportunities, fun bits ---Connect with guest, Ademar Rodrigues: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ademarrodrigues/ ---Connect with host, Nicole Michaelis: nicoletells.com // Contentrookiepod.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/  hi@nicoletells.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contentrookie/message

Episode 63: Can UX Writers manage other designers? In today's episode, I speak with Shannon Leahy (Adobe) about her path into Content Design and becoming a UX Design Manager. Shannon shares how she got her first UX Writing title and what helped her become a successful product design manager. Learning outcomes: From copywriting to UX Writing Becoming a UX Writing manager Becoming a product design manager Leadership in Content Design Connect with guest, Shannon Leahy: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonleahy/ Meetup, RVA Content Strategy: https://www.rvacontentstrategy.com/ Connect with host, Nicole Michaelis:  nicoletells.com // Contentrookiepod.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/  hi@nicoletells.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contentrookie/message

In today's episode, we have a casual conversation about content design. Iara shares how she started out and we chat about what we love about our jobs. We talk about storytelling as a content designer and framing problems, as well as how to deal with challenging situations and picking our battles. Learning outcomes: Coming into UX writing from Psychology The career trajectory of a content designer in Europe Day to day of the job Storytelling and framing content design problems Connect with the guest, Iara: Linkedin: https://nl.linkedin.com/in/iara-lucena-toes-210485104 Website: https://www.iaracreates.com Connect with host, Nicole Michaelis:  nicoletells.com // Contentrookiepod.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/  hi@nicoletells.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contentrookie/message

Episode 61: My UX Writing and Content Design focus areas this year I'm focusing on 5 main areas this year in my role as a content design lead. I'm sharing them here along with how I came up with them and why. Read my article on the topic: https://medium.com/p/f6cc9983e4dc Learning outcomes:  How to focus your craft and leadership skills What I'm focusing on this year How I view AI What I think about team dynamics How being a content design lead is different from other lead roles Connect with host, Nicole Michaelis:  nicoletells.com // Contentrookiepod.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/  hi@nicoletells.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contentrookie/message

Episode 60: How to be creative when the world is on fire Well, I feel like this episode needs no introduction. The world is...strange right now. And as creatives, we tend to put ourselves out there a lot. It can be difficult to produce good work when everything around us seems to be falling apart. Listen in to this open conversation between my friend Anders and me as we try to make sense of it all. 100% authentic, 25% controversial. Learning outcomes:  What is creativity? Tips for being creative in strange times Mindfulness practice for creatives Creative communities and how they can help you Claiming your time off Why you need to be authentic How to survive as creative freelancers Connect with host, Nicole Michaelis:  nicoletells.com // Contentrookiepod.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/  hi@nicoletells.com Connect with guest, Anders Tallvik: https://anders-creative.com/ https://anders-creative.com/podcasts --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contentrookie/message

Episode 59: Get started with information architecture Information architecture can elevate lots of content design and UX writing efforts. But how do you get started on it and how do you manage the many stakeholders that need to be involved when working on IA? In this episode I share my experience working with IA and what has worked well for me (and what hasn't) Learning outcomes:  What is Information Architecture? What is taxonomy? How to lead IA projects and collaborate with others How to document IA Why IA impacts other content design efforts Connect with host, Nicole Michaelis:  nicoletells.com // Contentrookiepod.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/  hi@nicoletells.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contentrookie/message

Episode 58: Am I crazy or am I just context-switching? Context switching is one of the leading causes of overwhelm and burnout among content designers and UX writers. But why is it like that and what can you do to help yourself (and others)? In today's episode, I share my best tips for tackling the context overwhelm and managing up! Learning outcomes:  What is context switching? Why are UX Writers and Content Designers context-switching more? How to mitigate it Hang in there! Connect with host, Nicole Michaelis:  nicoletells.com // Contentrookiepod.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/  hi@nicoletells.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contentrookie/message

Episode 57: Why I no longer believe in Content Design v 2.0 A while ago I wrote an article for UX Collective on the above topic. It went viral and started a major debate. In this episode, I talk a little bit more about my points from the article and how we can save Content Design. Link to article: https://medium.com/p/e71aeb5f060c Learning outcomes:  Why is Content Design struggling? How can we help Junior UX Writers? What can leaders do to help? What can you do to be a more successful Content Designer? Connect with host, Nicole Michaelis:  nicoletells.com // Contentrookiepod.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/  hi@nicoletells.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contentrookie/message

Episode 56: How poetry, search intent, and social media can make you a better Content Designer In today's episode, guest Dan Porder from IKEA and I dive into SEO for Content Designers and talk about a couple of other things that are valuable informants for Content Design decisions and strategies. Guaranteed to spark inspiration and give you some new impulses for your UX Writing and writing practice as a whole Learning outcomes:  What is SEO/search intent? How can you use SEO for Content Design? The future of SEO What does Poetry and UX Writing have in common? How Social media can inform your tone and voice Connect with host, Nicole Michaelis:  nicoletells.com // Contentrookiepod.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/  hi@nicoletells.com Connect with the guest, Dan Porder: --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contentrookie/message

Episode 55: Getting promoted as a UX Writer In today's episode, my wonderful guest Anjana Menon and I talk all things promotions. How do you get from entry level all the way up? What do the different levels even mean, and why are titles all over the place, especially in Tech? Learn how Anjana tackled her promotion at Spotify and what you can do in your day-to-day work to aid future promotion plans. Learning outcomes:  Titles: What they mean The process behind promotions How levels vary between companies Documenting your work Cross-team collaboration Connect with host, Nicole Michaelis:  nicoletells.com // Contentrookiepod.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/  hi@nicoletells.com Connect with the guest, Anjana Menon:Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnjiMenon Everything else: bento.me/anjimenon --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contentrookie/message

Episode 54: Freelance writing is hard but worth it In today's episode, freelance writer and business owner Jenn shares how she started out freelancing and eventually, scaled her business. She doesn't sugarcoat the effort, talks about hustle culture and pricing, and shares what she believes it takes to make it as a freelance writer in the long run. We also dive into how AI is changing the market for writers and what we can do to stand out. Learning outcomes:  Freelance writing day-to-day How to get started as a freelancer What to look for when scaling your business Negotiating with clients Pricing for freelance writing and content design Connect with host, Nicole Michaelis:  nicoletells.com // Contentrookiepod.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/  hi@nicoletells.com Connect with the guest, Jenn Marie:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifermcknight/ Website: https://www.whoisjennmarie.com/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contentrookie/message

Episode 53: (Content) Design that includes all My guest, Content Accessibility Consultant Lizzie Cass-Maran, and I talk about all things accessibility and how to make sure your Content Design practice is set up to include everyone. Lizzie also talks about her background, how and why she became a consultant, and what her day-to-day as an accessibility consultant looks like. Learning outcomes:  What is accessibility? Why is it important? How to improve accessibility Working on accessibility day-to-day Connect with host, Nicole Michaelis:  nicoletells.com // Contentrookiepod.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/  hi@nicoletells.com Connect with the guest, Lizzie Cass-Maran:Twitter: https://twitter.com/LizzieCassMaran Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizziecassm --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contentrookie/message

Episode 52: Upskilling as a UX Writer and going into leadership Let's take the pressure out of learning. In today's episode, I talk about how I upskilled for a new position. I share ideas for upskilling as a Content Designer, but also talk about all the learning opportunities outside of work that can be valuable to your day-to-day work. No matter if you want to get a promotion, become a leader, or are curious about working in a different field, this episode might help you. Learning outcomes: Learning leadership and management Activating your network New skills are everywhere Upskill opportunities such as AI, Chatbot design, Content Marketing Upskilling in your current position Connect with host, Nicole Michaelis: nicoletells.com // Contentrookiepod.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/ hi@nicoletells.com Leadership workshops: https://mjmetts.com/upcoming-workshops/leading-like-you-march-2023 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/contentrookie/message

Episode 51: UX Writing at IKEA and why an AI probably won't steal your job In today's episode, Bilgi Karan (UX Manager at IKEA) talks all things AI, ChatGPT included. While you shouldn't be too worried about an AI stealing your job, he shares some things we can all expect to happen with AI-powered writing in the next few years. Plus, he shares how he hired the first-ever UX Writer at IKEA in Sweden.  Learning outcomes: The development of AI for writing The future of ChatGPT and other writing-related AIs How AI will change the writing landscape UX Writing at IKEA Connect with guest, Bilgi Karan: Website bilgikaran.com Twitter https://twitter.com/machineError Connect with host, Nicole Michaelis: nicoletells.com // Contentrookiepod.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/ hi@nicoletells.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/contentrookie/message

Episode 50! I had other plans for the special 50th episode anniversary of Content Rookie but here we are. I was just laid off and am sharing what that feels like, what's I'm doing and how you can help people that are going through layoffs. Hi@nicoletells.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/contentrookie/message

Episode 49: What's the ROI of UX Writing? In today's episode, guest Yael Ben-David and I dive into the ROI of UX Writing, why it's important to spend time with business stakeholders, and how you can make the value of UX writing clear to those around you. We also speak about the process of writing a book and Yael share's how her background in journalism and microbiology inspired her to become a Content Designer. Learning outcomes: Writing a book The ROI of UX Writing Collaborating with business stakeholders Connect with guest, Yael Ben-David: Website https://www.yaelbendavid.me/ Book https://abookapart.com/products/the-business-of-ux-writing Connect with host, Nicole Michaelis: nicoletells.com // Contentrookiepod.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/ hi@nicoletells.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/contentrookie/message

Episode 48: How to lead content design and stay sane while juggling different design philosophies In this episode, guest Chelsea Larsson shares how she went from being a content design IC to becoming a content design leader. She dives into how she scaled leadership from a medium-sized team to over 60 people. Plus, she talks about what she learned when going from a research-driven design process to a more accelerated one. Learning outcomes: From IC to management Scaling content design Leadership Philosophy Design philosophy 101 Connect with guest, Chelsea Larsson: Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChelseaLarsson Instagram: @chelslarss Connect with host, Nicole Michaelis: nicoletells.com // Contentrookiepod.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/ hi@nicoletells.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/contentrookie/message

Episode 47: Writing is designing and Figma ain't that great Tag along as guest Michael Metts and I talk about his book 'Writing is designing' as well as a bunch of other things, such as Figma for UX writers or why you sometimes just need to claim the 'content designer' title to move up the career ladder. Learning outcomes: How 'Writing is designing' came to be Workshops on content design with Michael and Andy Why Figma for writers is overrated How you sometimes just need to claim that UX writing title! *** Connect with guest, Michael Metts: "Where you can sign up for our newsletter to hear about workshops: https://www.writingisdesigning.com Where I'm writing about leadership and will announce a new workshop soon: https://leadinglikeyou.com If people want to stay in touch with me, there's LinkedIn and Twitter." Connect with host, Nicole Michaelis: nicoletells.com // Contentrookiepod.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/ hi@nicoletells.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/contentrookie/message

Episode 46: Misfit? This is why you're great at content. In today's uber-exciting episode of Content Rookie, a punk and a hippie talk all things counterculture--and why it makes us better content designers. We discuss 10 counterculture approaches that work like a charm when you're working in content design, UX writing or copywriting. Long episode! 100% worth a listen. Learning outcomes: What countercultures and content design have in common Counterculture ways of looking at things in tech From punk to top content designer Turning you're (unique) perspective into your strength in content *** Connect with your host, Nicole: nicoletells.com // Contentrookiepod.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/ hi@nicoletells.com Connect with the guest, Bill: Website: https://www.billkurland.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-kurland/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/contentrookie/message

Episode 45: You're underestimating the importance of SEO for UX writing In today's episode, guest Kat from TheKatCopy and I talk about all things SEO for UX content. SEO is more than a content marketing tactic and can be a great way to inform your product work - from information flow to search habits. Why it's often overlooked, how to best use it in content design and how to get into it (quickly!) are the main topics. Learning outcomes: Why SEO is important for UX writing What SEO is How to get started with SEO Selling SEO to clients UX writing examples with SEO *** Connect with your host, Nicole: nicoletells.com // Contentrookiepod.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/ hi@nicoletells.com Connect with the guest, Kat: Website: http://thekatcopy.com, Twitter: https://twitter.com/thekatcopy?s=09 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/contentrookie/message

Episode 44: Running a successful project with a UX writer, designer and researcher In today's episode, guest Jack Garfinkel shares all about a successful pilot project they were part of which introduced content design at their current place of work (Scope). We also talk about accessibility challenges and how to ensure an inclusive hiring process that makes space for diversity. A lot of good stuff to learn here! Learning outcomes: What makes a design project successful How do writers, designers and researchers best collaborate How to create an inclusive hiring process How to scale a team How to successfully design user tests *** Connect with your host, Nicole: nicoletells.com // Contentrookiepod.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/ hi@nicoletells.com Connect with the guest, Jack Garfinkel: Content at Scope: https://medium.com/content-at-scope Jack on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CuriousScutter --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/contentrookie/message

Episode 43: How to explain what you do as a designer or writer In today's episode, my guest Anders and I get a little philosophical. With both freelancing and in-house experience under our belt, we've both noticed one challenge that never seems to get any easier to solve: how to best describe what we do to clients or employers. No matter if it's about choosing a title or understanding a brief, going broad or niching down can make or break a career. Here are our thoughts on understanding what we do (as creatives) and explaining it to others. Learning outcomes: Popular titles in design Popular titles for writers How titles affect a pitch Describing what you do Defining what you do How niching down or being a generalist affect your chances of finding work Connect with your host, Nicole: nicoletells.com // Contentrookiepod.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/ hi@nicoletells.com Connect with the guest, Anders: https://twitter.com/andersotherwise https://anders-creative.com/ Anders' new podcast 'How creatives work': https://anchor.fm/howcreativeswork/episodes/Welcome-to-How-Creatives-Work-e1mhemu --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/contentrookie/message

Episode 42: Get over your tone and voice guidelines Tone and voice guidelines, as well as any other writing style guidance, are a big topic among writers of all sorts. However, ensuring guidelines make sense in the long run, are inclusive, and are maintained properly is one of the biggest challenges in the field - not just for UX writers. In today's episode, I share my take on creating writing guidance for companies and teams and what has to change (IMO) to make sure It stays relevant. Learning outcomes: What is Tone and Voice? What do writing guidelines cover Guideline formats New formats on the rise Ensuring contribution and maintenance of guidelines for all Who follows writing guidance and who doesn't Challenges in creating/maintaining/distributing guidance Connect with your host, Nicole: nicoletells.com // Contentrookiepod.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/ hi@nicoletells.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/contentrookie/message

Episode 41: Junior UX writers! This one is for you. Today's guest has had quite a journey: from working in advertisement in Nigeria to freelancing and finally landing a job as a Junior UX writer in Europe. Ifi shares what courses and resources helped him switch careers, why there aren't enough junior content design positions, and what the industry needs to improve to attract diverse talent. Learning outcomes: Day2day of a Junior UX writer Landing your first job in UX writing Building a content design portfolio from scratch Relocating to Europe Diversity in UX writing Why we need more positions for juniors Connect with the guest, Ifi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ifeanyichukwu-ekwegbalu-00223b161/ https://twitter.com/Dera__UX Connect with your host, Nicole: nicoletells.com // Contentrookiepod.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/ hi@nicoletells.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/contentrookie/message

Episode 40: Freelancing as a content designer or UX writer Running your own business as a content designer/UX writer is certainly empowering, but more complex than freelancing in most other writing disciplines. In this episode, I dive into what it takes to get started as a freelance content designer, what to look out for, how to set boundaries, what to charge, plus I share some of the things I've learned freelancing in content design over the years. Enjoy! Learning outcomes: How does freelancing as a UX writer work How to get clients How to scope out work and write proposals What to charge What processes work for me and more! Connect with your host, Nicole: nicoletells.com // Contentrookiepod.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/ hi@nicoletells.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/contentrookie/message

Episode 39: UX writing compensation, negotiating your salary, and working in tech (EMEA focus) In today's episode, my guest Fran Cantanuso and I talk about negotiating salaries and perks as content designers as well as our experience with compensation levels as we developed our careers. The episode also dives into how UX writing is different from other content and writing disciplines, why it often pays more, what salary levels in EMEA look like, and what working in tech feels like. Come for the thoughts on €€€, stay for the discussion of first-hand experiences. Learning outcomes: Compensation levels in UX writing/content design Why UX writing pays 'better' Working in tech Salary development as you grow your career Negotiating your salary + perks Connect with the guest, Fran: https://twitter.com/AmsterFran https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesca-catanuso-0571a924/ Connect with your host, Nicole: nicoletells.com // Contentrookiepod.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/ hi@nicoletells.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/contentrookie/message

Episode 38: Why you don't need to hire a native English UX writer UX writer or Content designer but not native in English? This shouldn't limit your success. Sadly, the reality often is that it's difficult to get hired if you're not on a native English level. In today's episode, my guest Stanislav and I discuss the challenges non-native English candidates face and how we can overcome them. Learning outcomes: Why native English doesn't automatically make you a better writer How to raise awareness with recruiters and hiring managers How to present yourself as a non-native English speaker Avoiding discrimination Connect with the guest, Stan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stanislav-olenchenko-25792b179/ Connect with your host, Nicole: nicoletells.com // Contentrookiepod.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/ hi@nicoletells.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/contentrookie/message

Episode 37: Career transitioning to UX Writing and building content guidelines from scratch Final episode of the year! Join my guest Aladrian Goods (Senior Content Designer at Intuit) and me in an episode where we talk about her path into UX Writing, tips and tricks when working with content partners, setting up content guidelines from scratch, and much more. Learning outcomes: Career transitioning into UX (from marketing and startups) Establishing yourself in UX Writing Working with content partners Creating content guidelines Connect with the guest, Aladrian: Twitter: https://twitter.com/AladrianNo_L Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aladriangoods/ Connect with your host, Nicole: nicoletells.com // Contentrookiepod.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/ hi@nicoletells.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/contentrookie/message

Episode 36: Content design hacks for your everyday life Content design is awesome! But did you know you can apply it to your everyday life and communication as well? In this episode, I talk about some of the content design tools and approaches you can take to e.g. writing emails, asking for input from colleagues, and writing documents. A short but sweet exploration of content design thinking for anyone - even content newbies. Learning outcomes: Writing better emails Glossaries for everything How the table of contents can simplify your life Do's and don'ts writing Connect with the host, Nicole Michaelis: nicoletells.com // Contentrookiepod.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/ hi@nicoletells.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/contentrookie/message

Episode 35: UX Writing, but not in English - how culture shapes writing in different languages In today's episode, my guest Gladys and I talk about how writing for UX in other languages than English differs from writing in English. We discuss how culture affects your writing approach for each language, how the market for UX writers in various languages differs from the English market, how you can write in several languages, and how you can start out as a UX Writer in any language. Learning outcomes: UX Writing in several languages UX Writing when English isn't your primary language Do you have to be native to write in any language? Getting started writing in any language but English The difference between English writing projects and others Connect with my guest, Gladys: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/gladysdiandoki/?originalSubdomain=fr Twitter https://twitter.com/Gladysdit Connect with the host, Nicole Michaelis: nicoletells.com // Contentrookiepod.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/ hi@nicoletells.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/contentrookie/message

Episode 34: Writing and designing for a neurodivergent audience - and how you can be sneaky about inclusion! In today's episode, my guest Katrin Suetterlin and I introduce you to neurodiversity. We talk about what it means for content and user experiences, and what you can do to raise awareness. Learning outcomes: Intro to Neurodiversity Neurodivergencies vs disabilities Advocacy Raising awareness Challenges in user experience design Ebook accessibility https://accessibility.uxdesign.cc/ Tokenism topic by Frank Spillers https://frankie-spillers.medium.com/avoiding-user-tokenism-or-excluding-users-when-your-intent-was-inclusive-design-a92db1292e6c Connect with my guest, Katrin: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrin-suetterlin/ Medium https://katrinsuetterlin.medium.com/ Twitter https://twitter.com/honest_x_sleep Substack: https://katrin.substack.com/ Connect with the host, Nicole Michaelis: nicoletells.com // Contentrookiepod.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/ hi@nicoletells.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/contentrookie/message

Episode 33: How UX Writers and UX Designers collaborate - or why you should always keep asking questions Magic happens when UX Designers and UX Writers collaborate as equals. But how do you set up the collaboration and what are some of the challenges? Today's guest, Silvi Toader from Adobe, shares her experience of working with writers throughout her career and has some encouraging words for those just starting out in the field. Learning outcomes: How UX Writers and UX Designers collaborate Convincing stakeholders together How to get a seat at the table How to work under high pressure and a fast pace Connect with the guest, Silvi: https://twitter.com/silvianatoader https://www.linkedin.com/in/silvianatoader/ https://medium.com/stage13 Connect with the host, Nicole: nicoletells.com // Contentrookiepod.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/ hi@nicoletells.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/contentrookie/message

Episode 32: Burnout and exhaustion while working in content - you're not alone Today's episode is a discussion with two guests, Jane Ruffino and Candi Williams. We talk about how common burnout is when working in content and specifically as UX Writers in tech. We discuss our experience, what you can do to help yourself and others experiencing exhaustion, and how you can involve managers to help you. Most of all, we acknowledge that there are systemic issues when working as a UX Writer or Content Designer that may be contributing to feelings of fatigue and depression. Learning outcomes: Challenges when working in content How to set boundaries Speaking up when you're being spread too thin Connect with the guests, Candi and Jane: Candi Williams: https://linktr.ee/candwrites Jane Ruffino: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-ruffino-ab490158/ Connect with the host, Nicole: nicoletells.com // Contentrookiepod.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/ hi@nicoletells.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/contentrookie/message

Episode 31: A/B-testing designs and copy In this episode, I interview Product Designer Anna who works on a Growth team and runs A/B-tests every day. We talk about what to look out for when designing A/B-tests, what you can do when you're first getting started with testing, and how the day2day in a Growth team looks like. Learning outcomes: What is A/B-testing? A/B-testing for copy A/B-testing top tips Working in Growth Examples of easy things to test and how to break down more difficult scenarios Skillsets needed to run successful tests (for copy or design) Connect with the guest, Anna: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annahatzisavas/ Connect with the host, Nicole: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/ nicoletells.com Twitter: @nicoletellsit hi@nicoletells.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/contentrookie/message

Episode 30: Your first 90 days on the job as a UX Writer/Content Strategist Are you starting a new job or project as a UX Writer, Content Strategist, or Content Designer? Congrats! I've bundled all my tips and tricks into this quick episode. Focus on what matters most (relationships, processes, metrics, your well-being) and educate others about what you do. Bookmark contentrookiepod.com! Learning outcomes: What to focus on first Documentation Who to build relationships with How to establish processes from scratch How to not get overwhelmed Sharing with your manager Educating others about UX Writing Connect with the host, Nicole: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/ nicoletells.com Twitter: @nicoletellsit hi@nicoletells.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/contentrookie/message

Episode 29: Why everyone wants a Senior UX Writer, negotiating your salary, mentoring and developing your skills It was hard to find a title for this episode, which is a fruitful discussion between Patrick Stafford, Co-founder of the UX Writers Collective, and me. We talk about mentoring and coaching and why they are important, why everyone wants Senior Content Designers, and how to (potentially) solve this, plus other topics such as salary, development, and diversity challenges in the field. Learning outcomes: Hiring junior writers and why everyone wants a Senior UX Writer Getting mentored and coached Mentoring vs Coaching Negotiating your salary Diversity in the field and why it is lacking Developing your skills as a UX Writing or Content Design Lead Connect with Patrick: http://pdstafford.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-stafford/ https://uxwriterscollective.com/ Connect with the host, Nicole: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/ nicoletells.com contentrookiepod.com hi@nicoletells.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/contentrookie/message

Episode 28: UX Writing and Content Documentation Starting on a new project or new to the Content Design world? Documentation is key to creating a consistent experience with your content. But what type of documentation do you need when and how should it look like? In this episode, I share what works for me when it comes to documentation and why I think this could be valuable for you even if you're not a writer. Learning outcomes: What is content/UX Writing documentation? What formats should you use? Which documents should you start with? What about Slack, Trello, and Figma? Where does UXW Documentation fit into the Design System? ...many more tips! Connect with Nicole: hi@nicoletells.com contentrookiepod.com // nicoletells.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/contentrookie/message

Episode 27: Breaking into UX Writing, being a Generalist, and why UX Writing salaries are higher Need some practical tips for getting into UX Writing? Are you wondering if being a generalist is even appreciated? And why the heck are UX Writers paid more than most other writers? Well, in today's episode with Yuval Kreshtcher we dig into all these topics and more. Join us for a fun episode that'll is aimed to make you feel a little more welcome in the field of UX Writing. Learning outcomes: Transitioning into UX Writing from other fields Learning UX Writing - what does that even mean? Why UX Writing pays more Easy tips to get you started in the field or help you figure out if UX Writing is right for you Connect with Yuval: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuvalkesh/ https://uxwritinghub.com/ Connect with your host, Nicole: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/ nicoletells.com contentrookiepod.com hi@nicoletells.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/contentrookie/message

Episode 26: How to do UX writing without a UX Writer Don't have the budget for a UX Writer, Content Strategist or Content Designer yet? Well, there's plenty you can do to improve your microcopy anyway and it will pave the way for future UX Writers. This episode is especially for young companies and start-ups looking to create better UX copy on a small budget. Learning outcomes: Who can do UX writing in your team? How to keep track of copy throughout the design process How to get better at UX writing as a non-writer Budget ideas Connect with the host, Nicole Michaelis: Websites: nicoletells.com contentrookiepod.com Social media: https://twitter.com/nicoletellsit https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/contentrookie/message

Episode 25: Your UX Writing Portfolio All your questions around UX Writing portfolios are answered in this episode with Senior UX Writer Anjana Menon (currently at Spotify). Anjana and Nicole talk about whether you need a UX Writing portfolio, what should be in it, how it should look and how a portfolio review works. Tune in if you're looking to break into UX Writing or get your portfolio up to speed. Learning outcomes: UX Writing portfolio yes or no? How many cases do you need? What format should you use? How to present your portfolio How to get started with 0 experience Connect with our guest, Anjana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anjimenon/ https://www.anjanamenon.com/ Content with the host, Nicole: Email: hi@nicoletells.com nicoletells.com https://twitter.com/nicoletellsit https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/contentrookie/message

Episode 24: UX Writing and Content Design Stakeholders UX Writing, Content Design, and Content Strategy are all about collaboration. Your day-to-day work will likely involve people from Design, Legal, Tech, Localization, and many more. So how do you best build functional relationships with all these people? Two experienced UX Writers/Content Designers share their thoughts in today's episode. Featuring Mario Ferrer, Lead Content Designer at King. Learning outcomes: Who are common UX Writing stakeholders? The day-to-day work of a UX Writer Collaborating well in Content Connect with the host: nicoletells.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/ Connect with the guest, Mario Ferrer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marioferrer/ Mentioned in episode: About silos and bridges https://twitter.com/hondanhon?s=21 About sentence case https://readabilityguidelines.co.uk/grammar-points/capital-letters/#1-do-not-capitalise-whole-words-or-phrases Mario's UXWs in Spain group https://twitter.com/ContentDesignES https://www.meetup.com/ContentDesignES/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/contentrookie/message

Episode 23: UX Writing, Content Strategy, and Content Design - Then, now, and in the future (Working title: Labels are for icons, not people: but apparently nobody gets what we’re doing) In this episode with guest Jane Ruffino, we discuss all things UX Writing. How did it start years ago? Where is it now? Why are the titles so confusing and how do they make our job harder? The longest episode of Content Rookie to date! But it's so worth it. Learning outcomes: What is UX Writing (really)? What is Content Strategy (really)? Challenges in UX Writing Why Copywriting isn't bad How a diverse background makes you a better (UX) Writer Connect with the host: nicoletells.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/ Connect with the guest: http://www.workwithjane.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-ruffino-ab490158/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/contentrookie/message

Episode 22: How to get paid I wanted to give this episode a fancy title, but really it's just about this: how to get paid as a writer or content marketer. I talk about how I got started freelancing and give full transparency of my rates through the years. What impacted my rate, how did I increase it, and what can help you negotiate your salary if you're working in-house? Learning outcomes: Starting from 0, building your portfolio Rate vs experience/value Negotiating your rate/salary How to increase your value as a writer Connect with the host: nicoletells.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/contentrookie/message

Episode 21: How User Research can take your copy to the next level A conversation with User Research Estelle van Ravestyn that goes into the basics of User Research and how it can benefit your writing (and design!). Learning outcomes: What is User Research? User Research for (UX) Writers How to do your own User Research How to work with your bias Connect with my guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/estellevanravestyn/ Connect with the host: nicoletells.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/contentrookie/message

Episode 20: You don't need to be a writer to be a copywriter A conversation with my friend Jörgen Kjellgren on how our backgrounds affect our writing and our ways of working. We talk about topics such as staying creative and focused on personal projects while also working creatively, how music-making could make you a better writer, and how being very firm with who you are can make it easier to find the right clients. Learning outcomes: A different perspective on writing How creativity changes with seniority Standing up for yourself throughout your writing career Connect with my guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/j%C3%B6rgen-kjellgren-8237ba178/ Jörgen's music: https://www.ruralsounds.com/jorgen-kjellgren https://open.spotify.com/artist/49dj9JMf1fRLv9VqBggYfi Connect with the host: nicoletells.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/contentrookie/message

Episode 19: How cultural context affects your UX writing With hundreds of markets and different cultures, creating a one-size-fits-all approach to writing is simply not possible - no matter if you're a UX Writer, Copywriter or Content Marketer. Join me and my guest Robin Reidl (Spotify) in today's episode on Culture + Design. How can you test for cultural aspects and immerse your writing processes with the right amount of context? What are low- and high-context and how do they differ? And how do you convince stakeholders to make culture a core of design and writing? Learning outcomes: The caveats of arguing for a culture-focus to writing Testing UX copy for different markets The benefits of bringing together culture and design Low context vs high context for UX writing Localizing high-context scenarios Connect with my guest Robin Reidl: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tidalreidl/ Connect with the host: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/ nicoletells.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/contentrookie/message