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Hi, I'm Jen.
​

​I'm a plain language writer and trainer for small teams and professionals. 

Photo of Jen
You know your stuff inside and out.

But somewhere between your brain and the page, your expertise gets buried under jargon, complexity, or "professional" language that is hard to understand.

Do you get follow-up emails asking, "What did you mean by...?" You might spend more time clarifying than you'd like.

Maybe you're a policy advisor trying to explain complex regulations to the public, or a scientist trying to make your research accessible. Perhaps you're a technical writer - you know your instructions are logical, but they're getting lost in translation.
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Never fear, there's a simple solution: 
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Your expertise is solid — you just need to communicate it more clearly.

I've learned something important: when you nail plain language, everything changes.
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  • Stakeholders actually read your reports.
  • Clients trust your recommendations faster.
  • Decision-makers act on your advice instead of asking for clarification.
Two women talking in an office

Here's what changes when we work together.

You'll stop second-guessing your writing.
No more staring at the blank page wondering if you sound professional enough. You'll have tools and confidence to write clearly every time.
Your ideas will travel further.
When people understand you easily, they're more likely to share your work, implement your recommendations, and come back for more.
You'll save time.
Clear writing means fewer follow-up questions, faster decision-making, and less time spent explaining what you meant.
You'll feel proud of your communication.
Instead of holding your breath when you hit send, you'll feel confident that your message will land exactly as intended.
Get in touch

Why I'm obsessed with plain language.

Back in 2010, I was working in local government when a manager said, "Hey, Jen. Let's make this public notice sound more friendly and easy to understand."
Whaaaaaaaat? We can just do that?!
That moment changed everything. I discovered that clear communication isn't about dumbing down — it's about respecting your readers enough to make your expertise accessible.
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Since then, I've worked with everyone from:
  • Residents trying to understand council processes
  • A literary festival board needing to increase ticket sales
  • Frustrated business owners navigating environmental regulations.

I've seen what happens when technical experts learn to communicate clearly: their ideas finally get the attention they deserve.
A photo of Jen with her artwork
You get both sides of my brain.

I've worked in local government, environmental consulting, and marketing — sectors notorious for jargon and complexity. I know what it's like to translate technical information into something humans can actually use.

But there's something else: I'm also an artist. Technical writing + creative thinking means I don't just make your writing clearer — I help you make it more compelling and accessible. Whether it's turning dense policy into readable guidelines, writing content to engage your customers, or training your team to write with impact, I bring both sides of my brain to your communication challenges.

Things I've worked on.

Writing and editing
  • Regional and district plan reviews
  • Decision reports for councils
  • Submission and community feedback analysis
  • Standard Operating Procedures
  • Fiction and non-fiction editing

Public consultation packages
  • Developed consultation material from emails to information sheets
  • Policy fact sheets and FAQs

Infographic design
  • Maps
  • Infographics (like process, timeline, and statistical)
  • Flowcharts and tables that are nice to read
  • Data visualisation
Plain language transformation in a business
  • Taught staff of 14 how to use plain language
  • Lead the culture change to help it stick

Running workshops
  • Plain language workshops
  • Report writing sessions
  • One-on-one plain language coaching
Get in touch
Photo of Jen with her bike at Duffers Saddle
A steep ride to Duffers Saddle.
Photo of Jen's dog Newt running up a hill
Newt sprinting around Central Otago.

Fun stuff.

I live in Central Otago with my husband and our speedy Vizsla dog, Newt.
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​When I'm not working, you'll find me bike-packing on the trails and backroads of New Zealand.
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Picture
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​Jen Olson  |  Cromwell  |  New Zealand
​[email protected]  |  +6421 054 2391
© Plainly 2023 ​
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  • Submission on PLA repeal