#7 - Making User Testing Fast, Fun, and Accessible with Laura Powell

Try to think of each user as a new friend, and you want to learn about them. Don’t get nervous — relax! It’s just nice to create the sense that you’re having a conversation with someone. You’re listening to what they’re saying and flowing with what they say, not just reading a list of questions.

JH and Erin talk to Laura Powell about making user testing easy and fun for users and for companies. She’s just wrapped up her 9th User Test Fest, this time in Austin, TX, and was excited to chat with us about all things user testing.

Highlights

• [3:18] Drunk User Testing becomes User Test Fest
• [8:20] Do people get meaningful insights out of this kind of testing? 
• [9:53] Plan and rehearse for your testing
• [18:25] You can always do more research 
• [22:50] Testing is a great way to get your team excited about the product again

About our guest
Laura is a self-proclaimed Specialized Generalist who helps companies get it together. She's worked on everything from user research to marketing strategy to organizational process and all of the fun in between. Clients include Appcues, MIT Media Lab, VETTA, Bow Market Somerville, Metaplane.