More than words
One of the questions I’ ve been asked often since the advent of readilyavailable generative AI is whether I’ m worried that it might reduce the need for technical authors. I’ ve seen no sign of that happening so far, but that’ s not to say that others haven’ t already found companies shedding content creation roles in the rush to embrace this shiny new set of tools. One mitigating effect might be that the actual mechanics of writing content is only one part of a technical author’ s work. Equally important is understanding the needs of the potential readers, and then defining how to provide the required information in the appropriate way to maximise its benefit to that audience. At the same time, the aim should be to make engagement with the content as painless as possible, while accepting that some effort on the part of the user may be unavoidable in some cases.
Making relevant information easily available to those who need it is more than good commercial sense when you are offering a product or service. It’ s part of doing business ethically and responsibly. Safety information that can’ t be widely and readily understood can put users at risk.
Opaque and overly complex instructions on completing forms can deny individuals access to services from which they may be entitled to benefit. Highly technical descriptions filled with industry jargon can alienate potential users of a product who may not need to have a technical educational background to make use of a product to solve their problems.
At Tyndale, we often find that a single product requires the provision of information for a whole spectrum of readers, from the most casual and superficial user to a trained technician tasked with maintaining a complex piece of equipment. The optimum way to deliver and present content to each of these groups is likely to be very different, and we spend a lot of time working out what that might be, creating the content accordingly by whatever means seems best, and( whenever possible) evaluating the success of the approaches taken. These tasks encompass the varied ways that technical authors can help reduce friction between customers and the products and services they want to use – and ultimately bring value to a business.
Robert Palliant – Director
Does your business need to explain to customers how they can use your products to solve their problems? You may need:
3 User’ s guides, software help, or case studies. 3 Engaging“ How to” video guides. 3 Help with managing translations of technical documents.
Tyndale Technical Authoring offers dedicated support to your business or project with these tasks. We will take the time to understand both your needs and those of the consumers of your technical information. You will benefit from:
Completion of tasks within an agreed timescale and budget. Tailoring of content to suit different audiences. Communication to the market using a consistent“ voice” and style. Flexible and bespoke pricing packages for specific tasks.
To discuss how your organisation might benefit from our services, please contact Robert Pallant on 07969 421632 or at rpallant @ tyndaletechauthoring. com. www. tyndaletechauthoring. com
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