Making UX writing more effective (Part 1)
Making UX writing more effective (Part 1)
Want to Pack More Punch in Your UX Writing? Read On!
UX writing is a crucial part of creating amazing user interfaces and experiences. As a UX writer or UI designer who has to write content, it can be tempting to just jump straight in. But hold on a second, have you thought about the impact of your words? Will they effectively communicate your message and engage your users?
We all want to make sure our writing hits the mark every time. And there’s a process for that. So, let's dive in and find out how to pack more punch into your words.
Step 1: Find the purpose
No, not the philosophical one! But of the content. There needs to be a reason someone has asked you to write that content. Dig a little deeper. Ask a few questions.
What’s the issue we’re trying to address?
What do we want our user to think, feel or do?
What does success look like?
And don't forget to consider any constraints, previous research or experiments done for the same purpose.
Step 2: Know the route
Your content will sit within a user’s journey — something happens before, then they see your content, and then something else happens.
Sketch out that route. And while writing, stay consistent with the brand voice and tone. If prior content was conversational, yours should be too.
Step 3: Prepare to have everyone onboard
This means writing in a way that’s accessible and usable to everyone. Your users will have different abilities, reading levels, some might even be non-native speakers of the language you’re writing in. Think how you’ll reach out to them in different ways to get the same task done (Usability Heuristic #7: Flexibility & Efficiency of use). Content doesn’t mean just words. Experiment with different formats like:
Diagrams
Visuals
Progressive disclosure
Step 4: Keep it clear
Write in plain language and avoid jargon. Use simple tenses and active language to tell users what they need to do. Here are a few examples:
Purchase → Buy
Account area → View your account
A website is being made → You’re making a website
When we get an update → Please update us
Step 5: Write short, remain sweet
Keep the content concise and relevant, since users only absorb about 30% of what they see on screen. That means, all content on any given screen must earn its place. (Usability Heuristic #8: Aesthetic & Minimalist design)
Anything that isn’t relevant must go, or be hidden.
Filler, fancy words bloat your writing and leave users confused. Drop them.
Step 6: Relevance is a must
Recall Jakob Nielsen’s usability heuristics #2, Match between system and the real world. Apply it to UX writing. A brand/product that speaks its user’s language is more relatable, relevant and trustworthy.
Instead of writing, talk. Talk as if the user is in front of you and you’re guiding them verbally.
Now think of the best format to emulate that conversation in the product - could be text, a tutorial, a video, voice UI or a chatbot.
Step 7: Own it
Don't just write and forget it! Remember, your job was not to write content. It was to guide the user. So, test to make sure your users feel guided and supported. Were your assumptions and choices correct? If not, iterate. Iterate till you get it just right.
Writing UX copy may seem daunting, but these 7 steps ensure that your content is both effective and relatable to users. Try it and don’t forget to tell me how it goes or if you face any challenges.
Happy writing!
Mansi
Your UX Writing Bud
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⭐ Find of the week
Writing Compelling Digital Copy - A UX writing course by Norman-Nielsen group
It’s an interactive lecture by the leading UX writers of the world followed by in-depth writing exercises. You’ll not only learn about writing for the web and mobile, but get to ask questions live and learn from others. It’s a must try!
💗 My Favourite things
Book: Writing is Designing: Words and the User Experience by Michael J. Metts and Andy Welfle
First, I love the title (finally, some acknowledgement for us UX writers!). Second, this book doles out advice after advice on content strategy, working with designers and PMs, and succeeding in the UX field as a writer.
Tech: Microsoft Wireless Mouse
I have this one in peach and let me tell you, it’s amazing. I keep tossing it off my desk, but it doesn’t break! Plus, it fits right in my palm, supporting my wrist, and connects with even iOS devices in a single click. And it looks adorable! 😍
I’m planning to start a YouTube channel for the UX Writing community. Send me topics you want to learn about in the subscriber chat.
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