Tom Belskie

profile image

Technical & UX Writer | Content Strategist | Amateur Human

What I bring#

Over eight years of experience crafting first-class documentation for SaaS platforms and technical products in fast-paced and complex environments using a docs-as-code approach. Proficiency with documentation tools like git and markdown and experience with static site generation tools like Jekyll and Liquid (also, Hugo - see here). A bias toward action and a proven track record of getting things done that deliver value to both firms and their customers.

I’m passionate about leveraging emerging technologies, including Generative AI, to streamline content creation and enhance the audience experience. I’m adept at collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver accurate, high-quality content on time. I’m a life-long learner committed to innovating and adopting new tools and technologies to improve documentation workflows and meet ever-evolving industry standards.

As a creative writer I also possess a deep affinity for the creator economy. I’m inspired by the technologies and platforms that empower artists, entrepreneurs, and innovators to bring their visions to life—free from the constraints of traditional gatekeepers. I believe in the power of these tools to democratize opportunity and create a future where everyone has a voice, and the ability to shape their own path.

Experience#

Information Developer II - Appian - McLean, VA#

June 2022 - Present

  • Part of a small, elite team responsible for managing and delivering documentation and enablement content for Appian Solutions (30+ releases over the last 6 months).
  • Lead writer for multiple solutions in our Government Acquisition Management suite.
  • Leading documentation and content strategy for our newest solution, launching in early 2025.
  • UX content strategist for in-product language and strings.
  • Onboarded and mentored two permanent team members in Chennai, India and one of our summer interns.
  • Project lead for developing UX content standards and style guide along with a robust database of product strings to ensure effiiciency and consistency in how we write UX content across our solutions products.
  • Responsible for writing release notes for each release.
  • Part of team leading the overhaul and modernization of our docs site and information architecture. Defined and wrote user personas and journeys, conducted usability testing to drive decision making.

Senior Technical Writer - AssetWorks - Wayne, PA#

July 2021 - May 2022

  • Continued and expanded on responsibilities outlined below in a newly created technical writing role to allowing me to make a broader impact on the organization.
  • Assisted product management in defining a broader documentation and content strategy across our suite product offerings and helped organize previouslt siloed writers and resources into one cohesive team.

Technical Writer - AssetWorks - Wayne, PA#

March 2016 - July 2021

  • Documentation lead for FleetFocus M5 application.
  • Worked directly to product management to define documentation standard and content strategies.
  • Collaborated with SMEs and internal stakeholders across engineering, QA, Professional Services, and Application Support to provide the highest quality end-user documentation.
  • Managed overhaul and refactoring of over 400 online help files using Adobe RoboHelp.
  • Created, edited, and rewrote existing training guides with the help of Professional Services for use by customers and project managers.
  • Provided detailes release notes for patch releases every 6 weeks and twice yearly version updates to ensure all information was concise and digestible for a broader, non-technical audience. Partnered with QA/automation teams across time zones to assist in testing documentation and new functionality by writing test cases, reporting bugs, and providing product improvement suggestions.
  • Assisted product manager and business analysts in gathering requirements and writing technical specifications for major features.
  • Maintained extensive library of internal documentation using Confluence.

Customer Support - AssetWorks - Wayne, PA#

March 2015 - March 2016

  • Provided customer care and technical support to clients for a variety of products: FleetFocus M5, KeyValet, and MobileFocus.
  • Achieved a 95% solution rate (Department Standard: 90%).
  • Closed 91% of tickets within 72 hours (Department Standard: 90%).
  • Participated in after hours, emergency support rotation to ensure customer coverage 24/7, 365.
  • Assisted in onboarding process for new employees by providing training and advice.

Knowlege, Skills, Tools#

Git, Markdown, Liquid, Jekyll, Hugo, Technical Writing, UX Writing, Jira, Confluence, VS Code, Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe RoboHelp, Basic SQL, Creative Writing, Project Management, Object-Oriented Programming Basics.

Education#

Bachelor of Arts – Telecommunications Pennsylvania State University, College of Communications