How do you keep up with the latest trends and tools in technical communication?

-Follow recognised figures in technical communication on social media. -Be open to adopting new technologies and methodologies that can enhance your work processes. -Look for popular titles in the field that cover emerging trends or case studies. -Share your insights and articles to engage with others in the field. -Regularly assess your skills and knowledge gaps and seek resources or training to fill them. -Consider pursuing certifications in technical communication or content management systems to validate your skills.

In addition to following industry blogs and podcasts, another excellent platform to consider is Twitter. In today's fast-paced digital world, Twitter has become a dynamic hub for professionals to share insights, ideas, and trends. By leveraging the platform's unique features, you can easily stay connected with the pulse of the tech comm community: Creating a curated list of technical communication experts enables you to streamline your feed and focus on high-quality content. Additionally, tools like TweetDeck allow you to organize and monitor conversations around relevant hashtags. By following hashtags like #docsascode and #techdocs, you can effortlessly track ongoing conversations about cutting-edge trends.

Staying updated in technical communication extends beyond blogs and podcasts. Leverage social media platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to connect with influencers, join discussions, and follow relevant hashtags. Access real-time updates, thought leadership, and resources. Engage in LinkedIn groups, attend virtual conferences, and follow thought leaders on Twitter. Stay ahead, build networks, and thrive in this evolving field.

Joining professional associations such as the Society for Technical Communication (STC) or the Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators (ISTC) provides access to a wealth of resources, including journals, conferences, webinars, and networking opportunities with peers.

Follow thought leaders, organizations, and online communities on social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Reddit. Joining groups or forums dedicated to technical communication can provide insights into emerging trends and tools, as well as opportunities to engage with other professionals.

Attend industry conferences, seminars, and local meetups to learn from experts, discover new tools, and network with other technical communicators. Events like the STC Summit or tekom/TCWorld conference offer workshops, presentations, and exhibitions focused on the latest in the field.

In my experience, taking online courses has been invaluable in maintaining and improving technical skills. Many graduate schools offer online courses , certifications and degrees which are affordable. Also, bootcamps and skill certifications can demonstrate necessary skill sets to potential employers. When taking these classes online it’s critical to see if they are offered for credits or give a licensing certification which can be displayed on your LinkedIn profile and on your resume. Many courses now are asynchronous and allow for the material to be completed on your own timeline. Be wary of courses which cost too much and unless they have a practical skill demonstration component they may just consist of videos and reading material.

Experimenting out helps to get insights of new tools and methods that are useful in finding possibilities, overcoming challenges, or just exploring stuffs. The latest trends such as LLMs and AR, or tools for conversation and content design are very good resources to solve the techcomm problems and enhance the user experiences. It is also imperative to get up to date with the techcomm trends and to be in the know of innovations for better docs.

Collaborate with peers and colleagues to share knowledge and experiences with new tools and methodologies. Participating in peer review sessions or internal workshops can foster a culture of continuous learning within your organization.

Harness the power of mentorship An additional valuable way to stay updated and excel in technical communication is by seeking mentorship. Connecting with experienced professionals in the field who can guide and advise you can provide tremendous benefits. A mentor can offer insights into industry trends, share their experiences, and help you navigate challenges. Their guidance can help you refine your skills, broaden your perspectives, and accelerate your professional growth. Consider joining mentorship programs offered by professional organizations or reaching out to respected individuals in the field. A mentor's expertise and support can make a significant difference in your journey as a technical communicator.

Personally, I'm wondering about the "why" more often than the "how". I know how to keep up with latest trends and tech writing tools. They may have changed a bit over the last 20 years, but they're all accessible enough - and inspiring! I love learning. The "why" however, puzzles me sometimes, because in my daily work as a Technical Writer during the last 10+ years we are still spending an unbelievably big chunk of our time trying to make stakeholders and decision-makers understand why such basics as a central terminology and single-sourcing are good ideas they might want to invest in. So I'm reading and learning about all these inspiring new tools and trends while seeing none of that reflected in my daily work. Makes you wonder.