Ep. 23 | Mastering Storytelling in Tech

Summary

Join Bethany, Erika, and Brittany as they dive into the art of storytelling in tech — and discover why your next presentation or documentation doesn't have to be boring! From the visual wizardry of Astro's docs to Julia Evans' beloved wizard zines, this episode explores how great technical communication combines compelling narratives with clear information. Whether you're crafting a lightning talk (like Bethany's upcoming NeoVim presentation at GopherCon!), writing PR descriptions that tell a story, or trying to hook your audience from the very first sentence, you'll learn practical techniques for making complex concepts engaging and accessible. Plus, hear why AI-generated content might be "an act of war" on people's time, discover the power of self-deprecation and visual storytelling, and enjoy a hilarious developer-themed mad libs featuring thrown staplers and flappy outcomes. Perfect for anyone who wants to level up their technical communication game!

Takeaways

• Technical storytelling can make complex concepts relatable.
• Visual elements enhance engagement in documentation and presentations.
• Approachability is key for technical documentation.
• Understanding the audience's needs is crucial for effective communication.
• A strong hook captures attention in presentations.
• Emotional connections can enhance technical storytelling.
• Documentation should be clear and scannable for users.
• Using a glossary can help bridge knowledge gaps in presentations.
• Empathy towards the audience improves the storytelling experience.
• AI tools should enhance, not replace, human storytelling.

Links

• ⁠Astro docs
• Julia Evans

• GitHub Blog Post: Documentation done right - A developer's guide
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tech book club Repo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Overcommitted Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Hosts

• Overcommitted.dev⁠
• ⁠Bethany Janos⁠
• Brittany Ellich⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Eggyhead⁠